KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah said that Pakistan is facing severe water scarcity and situation is worse in Sindh, therefore, it is crucial to promote efficient use of water for both domestic and irrigation purposes to ensure sustainable water management.

In meeting with World Bank’s high-power delegation led by Water Global Director Saroj Kumar Jha and World Bank Country Director Najy Binhassine, they discussed reforms in Karachi Water Board and improvement of irrigation system in province.

Chief Secretary Dr Fakhre Alam, Mayor Karachi Murtaza Wahab, Chairman P&D Shakeel Mangnejo, PSCM Agha Wasif and Secretary Irrigation Niaz Abbasi attended meeting.

Shah said it is crucial to promote efficient use of water for both domestic and irrigation purposes to ensure sustainable water management.

Chief Minister said that Karachi is big city and his government was working hard to meet its water requirement. “In consultation with World Bank, we have brought reforms in water board and have involved private sector to make it more efficient,” he said.

According to World Bank Water Global Director, Karachi Water Board needs to operate like commercial organisation. He emphasised that water is more crucial than electricity. However, people tend to overlook its importance because its rates are lower than electricity and they don’t take payment of its bill seriously.

It was pointed out that when recoveries of K-Electric were better why Water Board could not make its recoveries to meet its all expenditures? Water Board is so financially weak that it has to depend on provincial government every month to pay its electricity bill.

Mayor Karachi said that since introduction of reforms in KWSC, recoveries had started increasing. He said that KWSC had recovered Rs 1.6 billion during last quarter while it was recovering less than Rs 1 billion and later Rs 1.1 billion.

Murad said that Water Board was working on installation of meters to gauge usage. “Water Board is closely working with World Bank experts to make it more efficient in structure and vibrant in its service delivery,” he said.

CM said that due to floods of 2010, 2011 and 2022, entire irrigation system had been affected badly. He said that provincial government was working with World Bank for improvement of irrigation system.

World Bank Water Global Director said he had visited Sukkur Barrage and added that it was marvellous barrage. CM said that its repair and maintenance remained regular feature.

CM said that canal system had also been affected due to floods which was being improved through provincial resources and with assistance of World Bank. He said World Bank delegation had agreed to collaborate on improving efficiency of water board and irrigation system.

Published in The Daily National Courier, March, 07 2024

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