Sindh, Centre join hands to resolve water, sewerage issues

We must forget our political differences and move on, says Vawda

KARACHI: Federal Minister for Water Resources Faisal Vawda and Sindh Local Government Minister Syed Nasir Hussain Shah vowed on Friday to resolve Karachi's water scarcity and sewerage issues. The decision was taken at a meeting held at Shah's office. Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) MNA Malik Shahzad Awan was also present.

Speaking to the media after the meeting, Vawda said that he had a constructive meeting with Shah about the issues confronting the district government. "We respect the mandate of the Sindh government which is why I felt it appropriate to hold the meeting here," said Vawda. "We must forget our political differences and move on. We wanted to have just the moon but I am leaving with stars," he said adding that the political leaders had identified some individuals against whom disciplinary action is warranted. The federal minister assured that PTI would deliver on the promises it had made to the citizens of Karachi. "It is unfortunate that politics of garbage was played in the city," he said. "We must join hands to clean the city and we expect people to not throw their trash irresponsibly and save others from diseases."

Vawda informed that a committee has been formed to deal with these issues. "We will respect even those who have not been able to get a mandate. I am personally available for the resolution of public issues no matter from which constituency," he said.

"The provincial government is resolving the issues faced by Karachi in light of the directions given by the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairperson Bilawal Bhutto Zardari," said Shah while speaking to the media. He maintained that the picture being portrayed was misleading and said that the government would introduce a new policy after September 15 through which the authorities will expedite their work to address sewerage and water problems of the city. "We are working to improve transport in the city. We face criticism over the Green Line Project but the infrastructure for this project was left incomplete by the former prime minister Nawaz Sharif's government," said Shah. "If the Sindh government had acquired the busses already, we would have wasted money on subsidies as the infrastructure would have remained incomplete," he claimed. According to Shah, Sindh Transport Minister is "effectively working in his ministry". Shah added that his government expects the issue of public transport to be resolved soon. "We respect the government in the Centre," said the local government minister while adding that Murad Ali Shah would remain the Sindh chief minister till 2023.

Meanwhile, PTI MNA Awan said that the provincial minister had assured of the immediate removal of Executive Engineer Mushtaq in Baldia Town and that a competent person would replace him. "We have appealed to the provincial minister to improvise on the situation of the sewerage system in Baldia Town," he said while adding that the roads of Baldia Town were also in a deplorable condition and maintenance was needed. The MNA assured that prevention of water theft was a priority and measures to this effect would be taken soon. "Steps will also be taken to prevent the leakage of water as it causes damage to roads," he said while adding that the issue of garbage collection had intensified in Baldia Town. "And we demand the authorities of solid waste management ensure daily cleaning of the area.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 7^th, 2019.