Karachi Division

Karachi | ReNews Pakistan
Karachi administration has decided to designate 13 major city markets as model markets to ensure orderly pricing and availability of essential food items during the upcoming month of Ramadan. The decision was taken in a meeting chaired by Commissioner Karachi, Syed Hasan Naqvi, at his office.
The administration announced that measures will be implemented to ensure that residents have access to food and grocery items at reasonable prices. Strategies include monitoring the supply of fruits and vegetables in wholesale markets, setting fair price standards, and ensuring sufficient stock availability.
Dedicated complaint centers will be established in key markets to address grievances related to pricing or product quality. In addition, selected supermarkets will be required to set up special Ramadan counters offering affordable and quality food packages to facilitate citizens.
During the meeting, officials also reviewed ongoing efforts to prevent overpricing and hoarding, emphasizing strict monitoring and enforcement to protect consumers. The administration aims to maintain transparency and accessibility in all model markets, ensuring that shoppers can obtain essential items without inconvenience or unfair price hikes.
The move reflects Karachi administration’s proactive approach to managing market operations and food supply during high-demand periods, with a focus on consumer protection, price regulation, and efficient distribution.

Karachi | ReNews Pakistan
As part of the Green Line Bus Rapid Transit extension from Numaish to Jama Cloth Market, authorities have decided to permanently close two out of four traffic signals on MA Jinnah Road, a move that is likely to intensify traffic congestion along one of Karachi’s busiest commercial corridors.
Work is currently underway to extend the Green Line route up to the Vary Park area near Jama Cloth. Under the revised corridor design, the traffic signals near Taj Complex and Rabit Centre will be removed to allow uninterrupted movement of BRT buses and streamline the dedicated transit lane.
The remaining two signals will operate according to the timing of Green, Red and Yellow Line buses. Transport planners indicate that buses may be given priority passage at intervals of nearly one minute, during which general traffic will be halted. Urban mobility experts warn that such frequent stoppages could significantly slow the flow of private vehicles, motorcycles and public transport.
The redesign is also expected to reduce the number of U-turns for regular traffic between Numaish and Jama Cloth, limiting access to adjoining markets and commercial streets. The area, which includes major wholesale and retail hubs, already experiences heavy daily footfall and vehicular load. Traders fear that restricted connectivity may affect business activity and delivery movement.
Urban planning analysts note that while the BRT system is intended to improve public transport efficiency, inadequate integration with mixed traffic and insufficient alternate routes could create bottlenecks on the main artery. They stress that balancing mass transit priorities with overall road capacity is critical for sustainable traffic management.
Earlier proposals for an elevated road and underpasses along MA Jinnah Road were shelved following public objections and funding constraints. The current common corridor approach is now being seen as a key test for Karachi’s urban transport planning and land-use coordination.
Authorities maintain that traffic conditions are expected to stabilise after project completion, but commuters have been advised to anticipate delays and use alternative routes during the transition period.

Karachi | ReNews Pakistan The management of the national airline has decided to conduct fresh valuations of five of its properties located in major urban centres, in a move aimed at updating asset records and improving real estate and financial planning. According to details, the properties include the airline’s sales office in Islamabad’s Blue Area, the booking office in Rawalpindi, a plot reserved for the airline’s headquarters, as well as sales offices in Peshawar and Quetta. All sites will undergo a new market-based assessment. The exercise is expected to help the airline determine the current commercial worth of its land and built assets, particularly those situated in high-value business districts and densely developed urban zones. Officials view the reassessment as part of broader efforts to streamline property management and optimise the use of underutilised or strategically located spaces. The airline has invited applications from government-registered valuation firms to carry out the assessments. Interested firms have been asked to submit proposals by 13 February. Urban and aviation sector analysts note that updated valuations can support future decisions related to leasing, redevelopment, consolidation of offices or potential commercial utilisation, especially where properties occupy prime land with strong rental or redevelopment potential. The initiative reflects a growing focus on structured land and property management within public sector entities, aimed at strengthening financial sustainability while ensuring more efficient use of real estate resources in key cities.