On Saturday, Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, Chairman of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), officially opened the first segment of the Malir Expressway. Sindh’s largest public-private partnership initiative, “Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto,” is named in honour of the party’s founder.
During the ceremony at the Qayyumabad Interchange, Bilawal, accompanied by Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, personally drove his vehicle along the new three-lane dual-carriageway, which is equipped with modern, access-controlled infrastructure. He also paid a Rs100 toll tax.
Bilawal emphasized the Bhutto family’s three generations of contributions to Karachi’s development. He commended his grandfather for initiating revolutionary urban improvements and his mother, former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, for prioritizing the city’s development and peace. He also referenced former Karachi mayor Mustafa Kamal, who recognized his father, Asif Ali Zardari, for committing more resources to Karachi than any other national leader.
Bilawal underscored the importance of development projects that benefit the business community, stating that such initiatives must offer profitability to attract investors. He also addressed Karachi’s pressing water issues, calling on the provincial government to promptly prioritize and implement effective solutions.
Chairman PPP @BBhuttoZardari inaugurated state-of-the-art corridor Malir Expressway in Karachi today which is constructed under public-private partnership.
This high speed corridor is named #ShahrahEBhutto after PPP founder Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto.https://t.co/tu6G0u4pLV
— Pakistan Peoples Party – PPP (@PPP_Org) January 11, 2025Read: Sindh Government Announces Inauguration Dates First of Malir Expressway
Bilawal asserted his party’s commitment to avoiding extremist and revenge politics. He advocated for establishing green energy parks through public-private partnerships and invited all stakeholders to participate in developing Karachi, the country’s financial hub.
CM Shah acknowledged that the construction of Shahrah-e-Bhutto, now known as the Malir Expressway, faced significant delays. He recalled that Benazir Bhutto had approved a developmental package 30 years ago that included expressway projects for Lyari and Malir. Despite Bilawal’s initial reluctance to name development projects after his family, the government requested special permission to honour his grandfather with this expressway due to its significance.
Good news for Karachi. Chairman @BBhuttoZardari to open Phase 1 of Malir Expressway today.
🔹 9.1 km Qayumabad-Shah Faisal
🔹 Pakistan’s largest PPP project Rs 55bn
🔹 39 km, fully operational by 2025
🔹 Alternative to Shahrah-e-Faisal
A high-speed corridor: Murad Shah pic.twitter.com/eTKB0u4cqX
— Sindh Chief Minister House (@SindhCMHouse) January 11, 2025The expressway, approximately 40km long, connects Korangi Creek Avenue (DHA) to the M-9 Motorway (Superhighway) near Kathore, drastically reducing travel time. It features dedicated interchanges for smooth access to major residential and commercial zones. The first section includes a ramp for immediate traffic integration, with a connecting flyover from Korangi expected to be completed in two months.
Ongoing projects include the Jam Sadiq Interchange and road improvements at the EBM and Shah Faisal Interchanges. Construction continues to improve connectivity after clearing encroachments at the Quaidabad Interchange.
A Toll Plaza on the expressway charges Rs100 for cars and jeeps and Rs200 for heavy vehicles. Traffic police, fire brigades, and Rescue 1122 ambulances ensure security.
