It may be recalled that Lyari Expressway (LEW), the project of vital importance for the metropolis, was envisaged by Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto in the year 1995. However, after one year it was put in the cold storage with the change of the government. The present democratic government realising the importance of the project and keeping its commitment to bring about qualitative change in the lives of people of Karachi allocated a sum of Rs 5.1 billion for the completion of the remaining work of this important project.
In his address on the occasion, President Zardari said that inauguration of recommencement of work on Lyari Expressway coinciding with the foundation day of the PPP was an auspicious omen. Paying tributes to the vision of Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, the President said that the project which was nearing its completion involved several issues which were resolved as result of policy of reconciliation as envisioned by Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto.
The President reiterated to continue pursuing the politics of reconciliation in the greater national interests and lauded the role of Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) and Governor Sindh Dr Ishrat-ul-Ibad Khan in the completion of the project. He said that politics of reconciliation was successfully pursued in Sindh for strengthening of democracy and betterment of the people of the province.
He said that appreciating the success of policy of reconciliation, it was now being pursued at bilateral as well as international level. Even the super powers in this region were pursuing this policy, he continued. The President said that this was the lesson which was taught to them by Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto. The President said that, at present, Pakistan needed more work and less politics for continuing its journey unabated towards progress and prosperity.
He said that there was a need to help the business community, the entrepreneurs, Haris and to undertake concerted efforts for the progress and prosperity of the country and its people. Referring to the alliance of the allied parties in Sindh, he pointed out that various attempts were made to create fissures in the ruling parties but every attempt failed as the parties knew about the consequences of allowing such attempts to succeed.
Highlighting the importance of political stability and that of law and order, the President said that if the industry moved away from Karachi due to law & order situation or any other issue then they would lose and would suffer. The President while highlighting the significance of the Lyari Expressway Project remarked that LEW was not just a 32-KM long expressway but it was a link to unite the political forces and the future of international communication which will connect Karachi to other posts of the country. He said that a time would come when there would be four to five ports on the coast of Pakistan and there would be a need for more infrastructure.
Those who were present on the occasion included among others Chairman of Pakistan People's Party (PPP) Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Governor Sindh, Dr Ishrat-ul-Ebad Khan, Chief Minister Sindh, Syed Qaim Ali Shah, Minister for Communication Dr Arbab Alamgir Khan, federal and provincial ministers, Speaker Sindh Assembly Nisar Ahmed Khuhro and members of the Parliament.
In his welcome address, the Federal Minister for Communications, Arbab Alamgir said that the day was very important day for him as well as for the PPP. He said that the Lyari Expressway was a gift of the present democratic government for the people of Karachi. He said that in the past three years, President Asif Ali Zardari extended a great deal of help while the Governor of Sindh, Dr Ishrat-ul-Ebad Khan, also supported a lot.
The Minister pointed out that road infrastructure was very important for the economy of any country. "This is why that the present government has given importance to this sector," he added.
Arbab Alamgir said that in the Sindh province the NHA was pursuing projects to the tune of Rs 70 billion. The representative of NHA, Brigadier Basim said that Expressway spans from Sohrab Goth in the north to Maripur in the south. The project, he added, would considerably curtail the travel time and reduce traffic congestion and provide environment friendly route.
The NHA Representative said that there will be quick access/exit to port-bound traffic and prevent encroachments of river-bed and banks. The cost of the project would be Rs 11,087 million and the likely completion date is June 2013. He thanked the President for providing Rs 5.1 billion for the completion of the remaining work of the Lyari Expressway project. President PPP Karachi, Abdul Qadir Patel also spoke on the occasion.