Prime Minister Imran Khan on Friday said the inauguration of the Green Line bus service in Karachi was the first step towards making the metropolitan city a modern city.

“Making Karachi prosperous, functional and successful means we are helping Pakistan. And establishing a transportation system is the first step towards making a city,” he said after inaugurating the bus service – which is expected to serve 135,000 passengers daily.

In the initial phase, the government has inaugurated the 21km track -- out of the total 26kms -- from Abdullah Chowk (Surjani Town) to Numaish.

The premier lamented that no government over the years catered to the transportation needs of the city that generates the most revenue for the country.

“I have witnessed this for the past 50 years, I have seen Karachi being transformed. However, gradually we have seen the ‘City of Lights’ being ruined over the years,” he said, adding that the lack of management system was the reason for the state in which the city currently is.

Giving examples of New York, London, Paris and Tehran, the premier said these cities were central to the administration of their countries.

“If you look to Tehran, you will see a modern city. It has a management system similar to London, New York, and Paris. The Iranian capital city provides all basic facilities to its citizens and generates funds by its own resources,” PM Imran said, adding that the Iranian government does not provide funds to the capital.

"Tehran collects $500 million [in revenue] and spends it through planning. In comparison, Karachi doesn't even collect $30m," he noted, stressing the need to give Karachi autonomy for the local government system to succeed.

He added that the upcoming local government elections would help in achieving such a target. “Karachi should have autonomy,” he added.

K-IV project

PM Imran said that he was personally monitoring the K-IV project – a project planned for resolving the city’s water issues.

“I am personally in contact with WAPDA officials. Next month, after its approval the government will start the groundbreaking of the K-IV project,” he said, expressing hope that the project would be completed by in the next 14-15 months.

“Till August-September 2023, the government will be able to provide water to Karachi from Kinjhar Lake,” PM Imran said.

Moreover, the premier urged the Sindh government to adopt the federal government’s “universal health insurance” plan. He claimed that even developed countries don’t have such a mechanism.

“Sindh should also contribute to health coverage plan like other provinces are doing as it is the right of the people to have a health insurance plan.”

Furthermore, the premier also talked about the Bundal Island project. He again urged the Sindh government to review its decision of issuing NOC over the use of the island.

PM Imran said that the province would be the biggest beneficiary of such a project and underscored the need for a modern city in the wake of expansion.

He lauded SIDCL Javed Qureshi, Planning Minister Asad Umar, Sindh Governor Imran Ismail for their efforts for the project.

Earlier, Planning Minister Umar said that the commercial operation of Green Line would begin from December 25 and complete operation would begin from January 10.

Green Line BRT

In the initial phase, the premier would inaugurate the 22kms route comprising 22 stations. According to sources, children under the age of 12 and people over the age of 60 would be able to travel for free through the bus service.

They added that the bus service would be monitored through 900 CCTV cameras that would store the data for up to 150 days. Moreover, a command and control centre has been established to monitor the flow of passengers and bus service.

The Green Line Bus service will be available from 6am to 10pm and its fare will range from Rs40-50, depending on the distance of the route.