Karachi Division Real Estate News and Land Insights

Karachi: [ReNews Pakistan]
Concerns have been raised over the design, traffic capacity and operational safety of Karachi’s newly opened Karimabad underpass, with transporters and urban planning experts warning that the project may face congestion and traffic management challenges despite being built to ease movement in the area.
The Karimabad underpass, constructed at a cost of Rs. 3.46 billion, stretches approximately 1,080 metres and is being described as Karachi’s longest tunnel-type underpass.
The project has been opened for traffic, but questions are now being raised over whether the structure can effectively handle the volume and type of traffic expected on the corridor.
Officials from the Karachi Development Authority said delays in the project were mainly caused by utility shifting work involving K-Electric, Sui Southern Gas Company and the Karachi Water and Sewerage Corporation. According to officials, relocation of utility services remained one of the key reasons behind the prolonged completion timeline.
However, representatives of the transport sector have warned that the project may not fully resolve traffic pressure in the area. Muhammad Ilyas of the Karachi Transport Alliance said congestion could worsen near Musa Colony and APWA Girls College due to narrow roads, roadside encroachments and the movement of Qingqi rickshaws, particularly along the Route 7C corridor.
Urban Resource Centre Joint Director Zahid Farooq also criticized the design of the underpass, saying the structure lacks an emergency lane despite its unusual length. He warned that even a single vehicle breakdown inside the underpass could block traffic completely and cause serious inconvenience for commuters.
KDA engineers acknowledged that only two heavy vehicles can pass through the underpass at the same time. They also confirmed that no dedicated emergency lane had been included in the design, citing limited available space as the main reason.
The concerns have sparked debate over the planning and long-term functionality of major urban infrastructure projects in Karachi. Transporters and urban experts argue that while underpasses and flyovers may provide short-term relief, poor design, encroachments, narrow approach roads and weak traffic management can undermine their effectiveness.
Experts said proper monitoring, removal of encroachments, regulation of slow moving vehicles and emergency response arrangements would be essential to ensure smooth traffic flow through the Karimabad underpass and prevent future gridlocks.

Karachi | ReNews Pakistan
Colgate Palmolive Pakistan Limited is moving to acquire major manufacturing assets of Procter and Gamble Pakistan Limited in what could become a significant transaction in Pakistan’s fast moving consumer goods sector.
According to a disclosure submitted to the Pakistan Stock Exchange, the board of directors of Colgate Palmolive Pakistan approved negotiations and entry into an Asset Purchase Agreement with Procter and Gamble Pakistan during a meeting held on May 14, 2026.
The proposed acquisition covers land, manufacturing facilities and other related assets located at Port Qasim, Karachi. The area is one of Pakistan’s most important industrial and logistics zones, hosting several major manufacturing and export oriented businesses.
Colgate Palmolive Pakistan said the transaction is subject to the execution of a final Asset Purchase Agreement, regulatory approvals and completion of necessary legal and procedural requirements. The company did not disclose the financial value of the proposed deal.
The development comes after P&G’s earlier decision to wind down its manufacturing and commercial operations in Pakistan as part of a wider global restructuring plan. The multinational company had announced that it would continue serving Pakistani consumers through regional operations and a third party distributor model.
P&G entered Pakistan in 1991 and built a strong manufacturing presence over the years, including production facilities at Port Qasim for major consumer brands such as Ariel, Pampers, Pantene, Head and Shoulders and other household products.
In 2019, the company had also invested more than 50 million dollars to expand its Port Qasim operations, highlighting the importance of the facility in its Pakistan business strategy at the time.
For Colgate Palmolive Pakistan, the proposed acquisition may strengthen its manufacturing base and expand its operational capacity at a time when local production, supply chain efficiency and cost control remain key priorities for consumer goods companies operating in the country.

KARACHI | ReNews Pakistan
The Sindh government has announced that the Malir Expressway, officially named Shahrah e Bhutto Expressway, will be fully opened for public traffic by the end of this month. The project is being described as a major development in Karachi’s transport and road infrastructure.
Sindh Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon, while addressing a press conference in Karachi, said the project would provide the city with a direct and high speed link to the M 9 Motorway. According to him, the completion of the expressway would significantly improve traffic flow for people entering and leaving Karachi, particularly those travelling between urban areas, industrial zones and the motorway network.
Sharjeel Inam Memon said the opening of the corridor is expected to reduce commuters’ travel time by up to one hour. He described the project as one of Karachi’s most important infrastructure initiatives, saying it would ease pressure on existing roads and provide a faster alternative route for daily commuters as well as long distance travellers.
The 39 kilometre expressway has already been opened in different phases, while the remaining sections are expected to become fully operational during this month.
According to officials, more than 88 percent of the project had been completed earlier this year, while work was continuing on the remaining sections, associated structures and final connectivity points.
Sharjeel Inam Memon said the Sindh government is working on several road, bridge and underpass projects to improve mobility across Karachi. He added that a new road project is also being developed to connect Karachi Port with Taj Haider Bridge, which would improve freight movement and reduce pressure on key city routes.
According to the senior minister, the groundbreaking ceremony for the Karachi Port to Taj Haider Bridge road project is also expected around the time of the completion of Shahrah e Bhutto Expressway. He said the government wants to complete Karachi’s major infrastructure schemes as soon as possible to provide relief to citizens and strengthen the city’s transport network.
He further said work on bridges, underpasses, roads and other development projects is continuing under the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation and local government departments. Sharjeel Inam Memon said improving Karachi’s road infrastructure remains a priority for the Sindh government, as better connectivity is essential for economic activity, public convenience and urban development.