East Wharf Roads Remain in Poor Condition Despite Chief Minister’s Directives
East Wharf Roads Continue to Hamper Karachi Port Operations
East Wharf Roads remain in a severely deteriorated condition despite directives issued by the Chief Minister of Sindh, raising concerns among the business community over the continued disruption of import and export activities at Karachi Port Trust.
Business leaders say the damaged road infrastructure connecting East Wharf and West Wharf has become a major obstacle to cargo transportation, resulting in delays, increased logistics costs, and operational difficulties for transporters, exporters, and importers.
FPCCI Raised the Issue with Sindh Government
President of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Atif Ikram Sheikh, formally highlighted the issue through separate letters addressed to Syed Murad Ali Shah and Rear Admiral Shahid Ahmed.
According to the letters, Karachi Port handles a substantial share of Pakistan’s maritime trade, including containerized cargo, petroleum products, industrial raw materials, and bulk commodities. The deteriorating condition of the roads leading to East Wharf and West Wharf is adversely affecting these operations.
Chief Minister’s Directives Yet to Be Implemented
According to sources, following the Chief Minister’s instructions, Section Officer VII Dhani Bux Bhutto issued an official communication to Murtaza Wahab, directing immediate action to repair the damaged roads.
The letter instructed the Karachi Metropolitan authorities to implement the Chief Minister’s directions in accordance with applicable laws and regulations while updating progress through the Chief Minister’s monitoring portal.
However, despite the passage of nearly four months, the condition of East Wharf Roads and West Wharf Roads reportedly remains unchanged.
Tariq Haleem Calls for Immediate Action
Chairman of the FPCCI Advisory Council for the Maritime Sector, Tariq Haleem>, also expressed serious concern over the deteriorating road network.
He emphasized that uninterrupted movement to and from Karachi Port is essential for maintaining smooth import and export operations.
According to Tariq Haleem, delays caused by damaged roads directly affect commercial activity, increase transportation costs, and reduce overall efficiency at one of Pakistan’s busiest ports.
Multiple Infrastructure Problems Identified
In his correspondence, Atif Ikram Sheikh identified several reasons behind the worsening condition of the roads.
He stated that years of heavy container traffic, continuous movement of overloaded vehicles, inadequate maintenance, and outdated road designs have significantly damaged the infrastructure.
He also pointed to additional issues affecting the route, including excessive dust, accumulated mud, scattered debris, solid waste, and poor drainage, particularly on the stretch extending from beneath the Jinnah Flyover to West Wharf Road.
Business leaders further highlighted concerns over illegal parking, traffic congestion, encroachments, and weak traffic management that continue to obstruct cargo movement.
Impact on Trade and Business Community
According to the FPCCI President, deteriorating road conditions have resulted in several operational challenges, including:
- Deep potholes and damaged road surfaces.
- Persistent traffic congestion.
- Frequent vehicle breakdowns.
- Increased maintenance expenses for freight transport.
- Delays in cargo delivery.
- Higher logistics and operational costs.
- Reduced efficiency at Karachi Port.
- Declining business confidence.
He said these problems not only affect importers and exporters but also have wider implications for Pakistan’s trade competitiveness and government revenue collection.
Safety Concerns for Commuters
Besides affecting commercial transportation, the damaged roads also create serious safety hazards for motorists and daily commuters using the East Wharf and West Wharf corridors.
Transporters, clearing agents, logistics companies, and port workers reportedly face significant inconvenience every day due to poor road conditions and traffic bottlenecks.
Business representatives argue that continued delays in rehabilitation could further impact Karachi’s role as Pakistan’s primary maritime trade hub.
Call for Immediate Rehabilitation
Atif Ikram Sheikh urged the Karachi Port Trust to take immediate notice of the issue and coordinate with relevant government departments to restore the damaged road infrastructure.
He stated that timely rehabilitation would improve cargo movement, reduce transportation costs, strengthen business confidence, and enhance the operational efficiency of Karachi Port.
He further stressed that resolving the issue is essential not only for protecting KPT’s institutional reputation but also for supporting Pakistan’s trade and economic development.
Conclusion
The continued deterioration of East Wharf Roads remains a major concern for Pakistan’s business community despite directives issued by the Sindh government. Business leaders have renewed their call for immediate rehabilitation of the road network, stating that improved infrastructure is vital for ensuring uninterrupted port operations, facilitating trade, and supporting the country’s economic growth.
