KARACHI: Chairman Businessmen Group (BMG) Zubair Motiwala and Karachi Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KCCI) President Muhammad Rehan Hanif have raised concern over widespread road digging by the Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) across Karachi for gas pipeline work, saying delays in road restoration are causing serious problems for citizens and businesses.
They said that they support the upgrading of gas infrastructure. However, they added that the current execution has created major difficulties for the public. In a letter sent to Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, they said many roads in commercial, industrial, and residential areas have been dug up over the past months. They noted that in several cases, roads were not properly restored after pipeline work was completed, leaving them in poor condition for long periods.
They said the damaged roads have increased traffic congestion across Karachi and raised travel time and transport costs. They also pointed out that vehicles are being damaged, while safety risks have increased for motorists, bikers, pedestrians, and schoolchildren. In busy commercial and industrial zones, the movement of goods, workers, and customers has also been badly affected he further added to it.
The business leaders said Karachi role as Pakistan economic hub means such disruptions directly harm business activity and productivity. They questioned how large scale excavation work can continue without a strict system to ensure quick road restoration after utility work is finished.
They also asked the provincial government to explain the terms under which SSGC is allowed to carry out road cutting. They said it must be clarified whether the company is responsible for restoring roads immediately after work or if another department handles this task. If another authority is responsible, they said it should be clearly identified so accountability can be ensured.
Motiwala and Hanif also raised concerns about the collection of road cutting and restoration charges from utility companies before excavation begins. They said the public deserves to know why restoration is still delayed if these charges are being collected. They further asked where these funds are being used and which institution is responsible for monitoring the process.
They pointed to weak coordination among SSGC, local government bodies, and municipal agencies. They said citizens should not suffer due to gaps between departments or unclear responsibilities. They stressed that infrastructure work is necessary but must be planned in a way that protects public movement and economic activity.
They urged the Sindh government to review the current policy on road excavation by utility companies. They also called for immediate restoration of already completed roadwork sites and the creation of a clear system with fixed responsibilities and deadlines for all departments involved.
The KCCI and BMG leaders expressed hope that the chief minister would take swift action to resolve the issue and ensure better coordination in future projects so that public convenience and business activity are not further affected.
