Sindh govt to challenge amendment in NAB ordinance

CM hands over keys of 20 machine-mounted vehicles to KWSB managing director

KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister (CM) Syed Murad Ali Shah has announced the decision to challenge in the court of law the amendment in the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Ordinance, 1999, made by the federal government, under which it has been established that a person accused of embezzling more than Rs50 million will be given C class facilities in jail.

The CM announced this while addressing a ceremony on Wednesday held to handover 20 suction and high-jetting pressure machines to the Karachi Water and Sewerage Board (KWSB).

Shah regarded the federal government's move to amend the NAB Ordinance as "an act of encroaching upon the jurisdiction of the provincial government."

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He said that a new clause, sub-section 10, has been included in the NAB Amendment Bill 1990, according to which, the accused involved in the corruption of more than Rs50 million are to be given C class facilities in jail. The CM said that the subject of jails comes under the jurisdiction of provincial governments and the Centre does not hold the authority to make the amendment in the ordinance.

Water, sewerage projects

Earlier, the CM handed over the keys of 20 machine-mounted vehicles, including 10 suction and 10 high pressure jetting machines, to KWSB Managing Director (MD) Asadullah Khan.

Shah said that the provincial government has invested Rs900 million in the purchase of the 20 machine-mounted vehicles while measures have been taken to overhaul 37 old suction and jetting machines. He said that the overhaul will be completed by June 2020.

Additionally, the construction of a new pumping station, via which 100 million gallons of water per day will be supplied to the city, has almost been completed, he informed the attendees of the ceremony. The CM further said that the pumping station has been constructed at the cost of Rs1.63 billion and will begin functioning by December this year. In addition to this, the 50-year-old Dhabeji pumping station is being upgraded, he said, adding that the old machinery of the pumping station will be repaired and overhauled in different phases, at a cost of Rs1.23 billion.

Addressing the issue of water supply to Lyari, Shah informed the participants of the ceremony that a 23-inch pipeline is being laid, from Sindhi Hotel to Bakra Piri, on which the government will spend Rs717 million.

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The government has allocated Rs90 million for the resolution of water and sewerage problems in Karachi, he said, adding that of the Rs90 million, Rs15 million have been allocated for each of the city's districts. Speaking about the project, the CM said that the execution of the project will start by the end of December this year.

Sindh CM also provided details of the progress of the project launched for supplying water to Mehmoodabad, Chanesar Goth and Azam Basti. He said that 90% work on the project has been completed and its cost adds up to Rs95 million.

He also talked about the bulk water supply K-IV project at the ceremony. Responding to a question, he said, "Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP)-led Sindh government has been accused of making alignment changes in the project but it has been proved that the provincial government has nothing to do with the alignment." Assuring the attendees of the ceremony of the completion of the project, he said, "The project will definitely see the light of the day for which I am working hard." The Sindh government has collaborated with Frontiers Work Organisation on the project and the execution of the project will begin soon, he added. The CM also assured of the completion of the S-III project.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 14^th, 2019.