Rs8.5bn irregularities exposed in Karachi Yellow Line Project

A major financial scandal has surfaced in Karachi’s Yellow Line Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project after an official inquiry uncovered irregularities exceeding Rs8.5 billion.

A major financial scandal has surfaced in Karachi’s Yellow Line Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project after an official inquiry uncovered irregularities exceeding Rs8.5 billion.

According to a report prepared by the Chief Minister’s Inspection Team, serious violations of financial and administrative procedures were detected during the implementation of the Karachi Mobility Project (KMP), which is being developed with support from the World Bank.

The Yellow Line BRT project is one of Karachi’s largest public transport initiatives. It aims to connect Dawood Chowrangi in Quaidabad with Numaish, improving mobility for thousands of commuters across the city.

The inquiry found that advance payments worth more than Rs8.56 billion were released to contractors without following established rules and oversight mechanisms. The report stated that key checks and balances were allegedly bypassed during the payment process.

Investigators noted that payments were issued for major project components, including the Jam Sadiq Bridge, Depot-I at Dawood Chowrangi, and Depot-II near Indus Hospital.

According to the findings, over Rs5.68 billion was paid in advance for the Jam Sadiq Bridge project, while Depot-I received around Rs885 million and Depot-II received more than Rs2 billion.

The report alleged that project officials approved and released funds without proper scrutiny from relevant authorities, consultants, and monitoring bodies. It warned that such actions not only violated administrative procedures but also posed risks to the project’s financial integrity and commitments made to international lenders.

Officials involved in the project have been accused of mismanagement and failure to follow government regulations governing contract administration and financial controls.

The inquiry described the management practices as a serious breakdown of governance and accountability. It recommended disciplinary proceedings against the officials concerned and suggested that some individuals may be unfit for future public service responsibilities.

The report also called for urgent corrective measures to safeguard the project and ensure transparency in its execution.

Following the inquiry findings, the Anti-Corruption Department has registered a First Information Report (FIR) and launched further investigations into the matter.

Authorities are now expected to examine the financial transactions, determine responsibility, and take legal action against those found involved in the alleged irregularities. The case has raised fresh concerns about oversight and accountability in large-scale public infrastructure projects.