KARACHI: Prime Minister Imran Khan Sunday extensively reviewed the series of federal government funded projects for Karachi and directed their completion within the stipulated time.
The meeting held here at the State Guest House was also attended by Sindh Governor Imran Ismail, Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah and Minister for Local Bodies Said Ghani, Mayor of Karachi Wasim Akhter, Chief Secretary Azam Sulaiman Khan, Commissioner Karachi Muhammad Swaleh Farooqui and other officials concerned belonging to the provincial government.
Reviewing the phase one of the Greater Karachi Bulk Water Supply scheme, commonly known as K-IV project, the prime minister took exception to reported delay in its completion.
According to Karachi Water and Sewage Board (KW&SB) officials, the first phase of the three phased project was initially scheduled to be completed by mid 2019, however, owing to reasons it may not be completed by the target date.
The project mutually financed by the federal and provincial governments to improve water availability in the ever growing metropolis involves a 99-kilometer open canal from Keenjhar Lake in Thatta to the Northern Bypass in District West of Karachi.
Prime Minister Imran Khan was also briefed about the Green Line project, which was launched to cater to the much needed public transport needs in the metropolis.
The prime minister on the occasion also shared his vision with regard to the reform team being constituted for him to fulfill his initial 100 days agenda for the commercial hub of the country.
Matters related to the Karachi Circular Railway, possible restructuring of the Green Line project, police reforms, provision for low cost housing schemes and those related to the environment were also discussed on the occasion.
A relevant piece published earlier:
Prime Minister Imran Khan, who arrived at the Metropolis today for a day-long visit went straight to the Mazar-e Quaid to lay a floral wreath and offer fateha. Imran Khan also visited the Mazar of Madr-e-Millat Mohtarama Fatima Jinnah and Shaheed-e-Millat Liaquat Ali Khan. The Prime Minister was accompanied by the Provincial Governor and Chief Minister who earlier received them at the Airport. While presiding over a meeting to review progress made on federal government funded projects and law & order in the city Prime Minister said that the government was determined to restore the old glory of the economic hub of Pakistan as the city of lights. Conspicuous among others in the high-level meeting were President Dr. Arif Alvi, Governor Sindh Imran Ismail, Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, Mayor, Commissioner, Corps Commander, and DG Rangers Sindh. Speaking on the occasion Imran Khan held that commencing cleanliness and water projects in the Port City were his topmost priority. When Prime Minister was briefed about Green Line Mass Transit Project, K-IV and S-III drinking and sewerage water projects in the Metropolis, he directed the concerned authorities to make early completion of the ongoing projects in order to provide relief to the karachiites. PM directed that a representative of KMC should be included in the Green Line Project’s BoD. Earlier the PM was told that the city was facing a water shortage of 573m gallons per day. While lauding the endeavors to clean the city, PM said a plan would be figured out to ensure lifting of garbage. As provincial Chief Secretary and DG Rangers briefed PM about the security milieu PM pointed towards the cases of abduction of children in the city and asked for coordinated action against abductors. Commenting on the ameliorating law and order situation in Quaid’s city the Prime Minister expressed his appreciation for the role played by Police and Rangers. As a symbolic gesture, to encourage karachiites participate in the ten-billion tree tsunami movement, he also planted a sapling at State Guest House. During the day various notables, delegations of traders and journalists met the PM who later at night attended a Dams’ fundraising dinner at the Governor House. Speaking at the fund-raising dinner, the Prime Minister pointed towards the future generations and urged Pakistanis to donate generously. Imran Khan noted that previous governments had opted to generate electricity through imported fuel instead of going for hydel power. PM reiterated that the past government had augmented the burden of debt on Pak economy and held that was the reason building dams by means of public funds was not possible. According to Khan, while Pakistan happens to harbor only two big dams, China has 84,000 and India 5, 000 dams. He held that the country needed dams to store water for producing food and electricity.
