The proposed seven-month extension of the credit closing date (to June 30, 2023) will allow enough time to complete the remaining activities of Component 1, particularly Phase 2 and emergency works. The bank will accept a time-bound implementation plan developed by the project agencies to finish the remaining project operations. 

The report outlines the implementation status of the three project components. 

Component 1: Improvements to Public Space and Mobility in Selected Neighborhoods ($70 million). 

This component’s civil works were separated into two phases. The first phase of work, which included improving public spaces in the Saddar, Malir, and Korangi neighborhoods, was completed in December 2020. These renovated public areas benefit an estimated 362,000 residents (more than 36% of the total project objective). Phase 2 work ($24.6 million) is under underway and will take another four to six months to complete. 

Component 2: $10 million in support for improved administrative services and city capacity development. 

Moreover, the main focus of this component’s assistance was the automation of construction permits and business registration in Karachi. The project assisted other provincial agencies in the design and implementation of the Sindh Provincial Electronic One-Stop Shop (PEOSS) for business licenses and e-licensing. The number of days necessary to form a firm in Karachi has lowered from 18 in 2017 to 16.5 in 2020 as a result of this action. The Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA) completed the automation of construction permit processes in June 2022. This component also funded SBCA complaint management and resolution, as well as capacity building. 

Component 3: Implementation Support and Technical Assistance ($5 million). 

The GoS Planning & Development Department has formed a project implementation unit (PIU) (P&D). Training activities have been carried out to improve the capacity of the PIU and other implementing organizations in essential project management skills such as stakeholder consultation and participatory development, environmental and social protection, procurement, and financial management. 

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While briefing the PAC, the audit officials said that the KPT assigned land to the housing societies on a 99-year lease back in 1996 and 2005. A total of 130 hectares of land was allotted to the KPT Officers Housing Society at 10 paise per square meter. The annual lease of the land given to DHA was only Rs. 287.5 million, officials revealed. 

The officials stated that KPT suffered a huge loss of Rs. 104 billion in a time period of 16 years because of this policy. In spite of repetitive instructions, KPT never inquired into the matter, officials told the media. 

On the basis of arguments, PAC ordered NAB to investigate the matter and submit its report within a month. 

The committee was held under the chairmanship of Noor Alam Khan, during which it was apprised about the non-recovery of $55.2 million in rent from South Asia Pakistan Terminals Ltd. (SAPT) for the last couple of years. PAC also directed the authorities to fix the liabilities soon after conducting an inquiry in this regard. 

In addition, PAC also extensively discussed the current development projects in Gwadar. While replying to chairman PAC Noor Alam Khan’s question regarding the non-usage of Rs. 1.5 billion reserved for Gwadar East Bay Expressway, Secretary of Ministry of Maritime Affairs said that the Chinese company, working on the expressway project, has already used the funds reserved in this regard. 

Meanwhile, to reduce workload, PAC decided to form four sub-committees, which would be supervised by Wajiha Qamber, Burgees Tahir, Senator Salim Mandviwala, and Senator Mushahid Hussain Syed. 

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For this purpose, Municipal Commissioner, Syed Afzal Zaidi, called for a meeting and stated that it will be available on KMC’s website shortly, and added that the efforts to increase the provision of public services with technology will continue. 

“The process of improving the delivery of civic services with the help of modern technology would continue,” he added. 

Moreover, Barrister Wahab examined the progress of the map for the first time and said that it aims to display key information about the city, including municipal services, union councils, fire stations, police stations, hospitals, universities, libraries, public places, bus routes, parks, post-boxes, etc. 

He also asked the people to share feedback and suggestions for further improvement. He highlighted that metropolises all around the world provide such facilities for the convenience of the public and tourists. He affirmed that Karachi is one of the biggest cities internationally and this initiative will be beneficial for the residents. 

Emphasizing the need for meeting the revenue targets, he directed the Estate Department to improve tax recovery by all means. 

Meanwhile, Estate Director, Samira Hussain, apprised of several challenges and detailed that work is under progress to enhance revenue collection and assured the Administrator that it will improve soon. 

While reviewing the condition of recovery of taxes under the estate department, Wahab stated all the revenue departments should mobilize their staff and make all efforts to make the best possible use of the existing means of tax recovery. 

The map will enable the citizens to get convenience in terms of transportation and travel in the city. “Karachi is also among the big cities of the world, so the new digital map will be useful here too,” the Barrister added. 

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