Sindh Province

Karachi : ReNews Pakistan
Karachi Mayor Barrister Murtaza Wahab has announced that the proposed flyover project at the Disco Bakery intersection in Gulshan-e-Iqbal has been put on hold following a request from the local elected leadership.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony of the Munawar Chowrangi Underpass, he said that the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) had decided not to proceed further with the flyover after the Jamaat-e-Islami town chairman requested a review of the project.
The flyover at the Disco Bakery intersection had been proposed to ease growing traffic congestion. However, it faced strong criticism from local residents, urban planners, architects and transport experts. Critics argued that the project would further increase dependence on private vehicles, while the city has a greater need for improved public transport, safe pedestrian routes and sustainable urban mobility.
Meanwhile, the Munawar Chowrangi Underpass in Gulistan-e-Jauhar has formally been opened to traffic. Built at an estimated cost of Rs2 billion, the project was completed in 16 months and is expected to improve traffic flow between the city’s key residential and commercial areas.
Speaking on the occasion, Sindh Local Government Minister Syed Nasir Hussain Shah said that the provincial government was continuously working on various development projects to improve Karachi’s road infrastructure. Mayor Murtaza of schedule reflected the government’s commitment to providing better civic facilities.

Karachi | ReNews Pakistan
A Senate committee has raised serious concerns over the diversion of Rs 45 million originally allocated for the restoration and development of Mazar e Quaid to the Ministry of Education, directing the federal government to ensure that funds designated for the country's most prominent national monument are not transferred to any other ministry.
The matter came under discussion during a meeting of the Senate Functional Committee on Devolution chaired by Senator Zamir Hussain. Officials informed the committee that the amount allocated in the current fiscal year for development work at Mazar e Quaid had been shifted to the Ministry of Education, prompting strong objections from committee members.
During the meeting, officials also briefed lawmakers on a federally approved Rs 295 million project aimed at the renovation, restoration and upgradation of the Quaid e Azam Heritage Museum located within the Mazar e Quaid complex. The project is intended to preserve the historical significance of the site while improving museum facilities for visitors and future generations.
Committee members were informed that despite the approval of the project, no funds had been released in previous years. The current fiscal year marked the first allocation of Rs 45 million to initiate development activities. However, the committee was told that the amount had subsequently been redirected to the Ministry of Education, delaying the commencement of the planned work.
Lawmakers expressed surprise and dissatisfaction over the decision, questioning the rationale behind transferring funds that had been specifically approved for the preservation of a national heritage site. They stressed that allocations made for one public project should not be diverted to unrelated ministries without proper justification.
Chairman Senator Zamir Hussain directed the relevant authorities to ensure that all development funds allocated for Mazar e Quaid remain dedicated to the approved restoration and museum upgrade project. He emphasized that preserving the country's historical landmarks is a national responsibility and that financial resources earmarked for such projects must be protected.
The committee also announced that it would closely monitor the release and utilization of funds in the coming months to ensure that the restoration and modernization of the Quaid e Azam Heritage Museum proceeds without further delays. Lawmakers reaffirmed their commitment to safeguarding Pakistan's national heritage and ensuring transparency in the use of public development funds.

Karachi | ReNews Pakistan
DHA City Karachi has become the first privately owned housing project in Pakistan to receive regulatory approval for distributing and supplying electricity within its own boundaries after the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) awarded the DHA Energy Supply Company (DESCO) a Distribution License and a Supplier of Last Resort (SoLR) License for a period of 21 years.
The licenses cover DHA City Karachi, a master planned housing development located approximately 56 kilometers from Karachi on the M 9 Motorway in Malir District. The approval marks a significant milestone in Pakistan's power sector by allowing a private housing developer to operate as an electricity distributor under NEPRA's Competitive Trading Bilateral Contract Market (CTBCM) framework.
DESCO is the first privately owned company in the country to receive both Distribution and SoLR licenses under the revised regulatory regime. These responsibilities have traditionally been carried out by former WAPDA distribution companies and K Electric.
According to the application submitted to NEPRA, DHA City Karachi currently has no direct connection to either the national electricity grid or K Electric's existing distribution network. To meet its initial electricity requirements, DESCO has reached an agreement to procure 6 megawatts of power from Lucky Cement Limited, the nearest available generation source. The electricity will be transmitted through K Electric's network before being supplied to residential, commercial and other consumers within DHA City Karachi.
The licensing process faced objections from the Central Power Purchasing Agency, Gujranwala Electric Power Company and K Electric. The organizations questioned DESCO's financial capacity, technical expertise and lack of operational experience as a newly established company.
After reviewing the case, NEPRA rejected the objections, stating that DESCO had fulfilled the necessary legal and regulatory requirements for obtaining the licenses. The regulator also clarified that the approval applies exclusively to electricity distribution and supply within DHA City Karachi and does not extend beyond the project's boundaries.
Although K Electric continues to hold Distribution and Supplier of Last Resort licenses for Karachi until June 2044, NEPRA noted that these licenses have been non exclusive since the end of K Electric's monopoly in 2023, allowing other qualified entities to operate under the regulatory framework.
NEPRA further directed that DESCO will only be permitted to charge electricity tariffs, connection fees and use of system charges that are approved by the regulator, ensuring consumer protection and regulatory oversight.
Addressing concerns about DESCO's financial strength, NEPRA acknowledged that the company has yet to commence commercial operations. However, it observed that DESCO is backed by DHA Karachi, a financially strong parent organization capable of providing financial support whenever required. The regulator added that it is common practice for newly incorporated companies to begin operations with minimum paid up capital and expand their financial base after starting commercial activities.
The authority expressed confidence that DESCO's financial position would improve once it begins electricity distribution and supply operations. It also emphasized that the company will be required to comply with all applicable technical, operational and regulatory standards, with specific compliance obligations incorporated into the terms and conditions of its Distribution License.