Bilawal pushes to expedite resolution of Karachi's water crises

PPP chairman directs to resolve the potable water crises in Karachi and other districts of Sindh

KARACHI: Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) chairperson Bilawal Bhutto Zardari directed officials concerned to gear up ongoing efforts to resolve water issue in Karachi on war footing basis.

While presiding over a meeting on the prevailing water crises in Karachi at Bilawal House, the PPP chairperson was keen on resolving the issue.

This was the first meeting Bilawal had attended after returning to Karachi earlier this week. The meeting was co-chaired by PPP Co-chairperson Asif Ali Zardari and was attended by Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah, Information and Local government minister Sharjeel Memon, Chief Secretary Sindh Siddique Memon and officials of Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC), Karachi Water and Sewerage Board (KWSB) and Sindh government.

During the meeting, officials briefed the PPP chairperson about pending projects and initiatives of the government including the K-4 and a rental desalination plant being setup in Karachi.

“We will inaugurate the K-4 water scheme by June 10 to provide 260 million gallons of water per day in the first phase. This project will be completed within two to three years. Besides, we are planning to setup the rental desalination plan to supply 80 MGD water to the city by Ramazan,” Sharjeel Memon said, adding that 3,000 water tankers will be provided to Karachi daily during the holy month.

The chief minister complained that the federal government was releasing Sindh's due share from the divisible pool and amount allocated for water schemes.

After the meeting, the Sindh information minister told journalists that the PPP chairperson had directed them to resolve the potable water crises in Karachi and other districts of Sindh without any delay.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah and Inspector General Police separately called on Bilawal Bhutto and Asif Ali Zardari. They briefed the PPP leaders about law and order situation specially the targeted operation in Karachi.

Meanwhile, Bilawal has convened a meeting of PPP parliamentarians at Bilawal House on Wednesday. All MNAs, MPAs and Senators of the party are expected to attend the meeting which will mainly focus on the upcoming local government elections scheduled to be held on September 20, 2015.