Sindh government is expected to launch the Yellow Line BRT in partnership with the World Bank to address the absence of such services. Karachi, Pakistan’s largest city and economic hub, has long struggled with one of the most chaotic urban transport systems in the region.
To tackle this crisis, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has announced a comprehensive Karachi Transport Master Plan in collaboration with the World Bank. The initiative is strongly intended to integrate Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) corridors, metro light rail, and the Karachi Circular Railway (KCR) into a single, coordinated network.
High-Level Meeting with World Bank
The announcement came during a meeting at CM House, where Shah met with a World Bank delegation led by Ibrahim Khalil Zaki, practice manager for transport in the Middle East, North Africa, and Pakistan. Senior World Bank experts and Sindh ministers also joined the discussion.
The talks centered on modernizing Karachi’s outdated transport infrastructure and ensuring that the city’s nearly 20 million residents have safe, affordable, and efficient travel options.
Read more: Second phase of Karachi Green Line BRT begins construction in mid-August
CM’s Vision for Modern Mobility
Calling the World Bank a “vital development partner,” Shah emphasized the urgency of building a modern transit system. He pointed out that Karachi requires at least 15,000 buses to meet its daily needs.
The chief minister stressed that BRT alone would not be enough — metro rail and a revived KCR must also be part of the solution. Highlighting Sindh’s introduction of electric buses, he noted that climate-friendly mobility should remain a cornerstone of future planning.
World Bank’s Commitment
World Bank officials assured Shah of full technical and financial support. Zaki outlined a plan that not only covers passenger transit but also tourist and goods trains, ensuring a broader economic impact. He also underscored the importance of developing a local transport industry to reduce dependency on imports.
Yellow Line BRT Progress
The meeting also reviewed the Yellow Line BRT, a 21-kilometre corridor from Dawood Chowrangi to Khalid Bin Waleed Road. With 21 stations, multiple flyovers, and underground sections, the project promises to serve 300,000 commuters daily once completed in December 2025.
Transport Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon reported that construction is already under process, with depot facilities progressing steadily toward a 2026 deadline.
A Step Toward a Modern Karachi
If implemented effectively, the master plan and BRT projects could dramatically reshape Karachi’s urban mobility reducing congestion and cutting travel times
It will be offering relief to millions who currently depend on inefficient, overcrowded minibuses. For Karachiites, the promise of a connected, climate-friendly transport system could finally be within reach.