In a significant development, the impasse surrounding the release of 30 imported public buses, held up at the Karachi Port and imported by the former Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) government, is expected to conclude by December 31, as reported by ARY News on Friday.
The transport secretary has provided assurances that all 30 buses, entangled in bureaucratic delays, will be released by the approaching weekend. The caretaker chief minister of Sindh, expressing concern over the state of the roads, has instructed authorities to promptly repair the designated routes to accommodate the newly imported buses intended for public transport.
Adding to the complexities, seven snorkels imported for Karachi, Hyderabad, and Nawabshah are also entwined in the bureaucratic web at Karachi Port, primarily due to outstanding dues.
Taking note of this situation, the caretaker chief minister of Sindh has issued a directive to the relevant authorities, emphasizing the need to secure the release of both the buses and the snorkels from the port by December 31. This move aims to expedite the integration of these vehicles into the public transportation system, addressing the pressing needs of the commuters in the region.
In a pivotal turn of events, the Sindh Accountant General (AG) Office has allocated funds for the clearance of Chinese-imported buses, a crucial step in expanding the People’s Bus Service fleet in Karachi. The release of these funds comes after the intervention of Sindh Caretaker Chief Minister Justice (retd) Maqbool Baqar, who took note of the delays and issued a warning to the AG Sindh to expedite the release of the required funds without any further delay.
The buses, imported during the tenure of the former PPP government, have been stranded at the Karachi Port, causing a backlog in the expansion of the city’s public transportation fleet. The impending release of these buses is anticipated to bring relief to Karachi commuters, addressing the longstanding challenges faced in the public transportation sector.
As the bureaucratic hurdles are being navigated and funds are allocated for the clearance process, the imminent integration of these buses into the transportation network is expected to enhance the overall efficiency and accessibility of public transport services in Karachi. Commuters eagerly await the positive impact this development will have on their daily travel experiences.
