KARACHI:  Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah revealed that Karachi's water supply system is being enhanced under a $1.6 billion program supported by the World Bank which includes operational upgrades and expansions under Phase- 2 to enhance efficiency.

He said that just after inspecting the rehabilitation work of the existing Hub Canal and the construction of a new Hub Canal. He noted that inspecting projects on-site [Hub Canal] provides better insights than reviewing progress from an office setting.

The Chief Minister claimed that Sindh's development pace surpasses that of other provinces and even the federal government.

He pointed out that despite Sindh contributing half the funds for the Jamshoro-to-Sehwan road project, the completion remains pending, while Sindh has successfully finished several major projects using its own resources. Murad Ali Shah revealed that Karachi's water supply system is being enhanced under a $1.6 billion program supported by the World Bank.

"This program includes operational upgrades and expansions under Phase 2 to enhance efficiency," he stated, adding that the World Bank has assured financial support on the condition that administrative reforms are implemented.

Addressing concerns regarding water canals, the chief minister asserted that the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) has never been silent on Sindh's water rights.

"If some refuse to listen, what can we do?" he remarked, emphasising that PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and President Asif Ali Zardari have clearly articulated their stance on safeguarding Sindh's share of water resources.

Commenting on the crisis in Parachinar, Murad Ali Shah described it as a humanitarian tragedy, where people are suffering from shortages of food and medicine. He mentioned that his government is providing medication and assistance to the affected region, but the primary issue lies in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and must be addressed there.

Regarding the ongoing protests in Karachi, the Chief Minister stated that initially, protestors were allowed to conduct a peaceful sit-in at Numaish. However, as their presence increased and they blocked traffic, it caused public inconvenience. "Our senior PPP leaders, including Saeed Ghani, Murtaza Wahab, and Waqar Mehdi, held discussions with the protestors, urging them to end the sit-ins peacefully," he said.

Shah reported that administrative actions were taken in the morning to clear eight out of twelve protest sites, while four locations remained occupied. Murad Ali Shah acknowledged that managing protests could cause some disruption but assured that the government has no intention of harming the protestors.

Rather, efforts will continue to engage in dialogue and resolve the situation amicably. The CM stressed that while his government supports the right to peaceful protest, causing inconvenience to the public is unacceptable.

He expressed a willingness to sit down and discuss issues with the protestors but emphasised that the suffering of the people must come to an end. Shah reaffirmed the government's commitment to improving public services and addressing key challenges such as water supply and infrastructure development. He concluded by encouraging citizens to support government initiatives and urged everyone to contribute to the province's progress. "Sindh's journey of development will continue," he stated, expressing optimism for a prosperous 2025.

In line with the vision of President Asif Ali Zardari and Chairman of the Pakistan People's Party Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, the Sindh government is taking significant measures to provide better facilities to the public and is working tirelessly to resolve the province's issues.

The Chief Minister emphasized that Karachi's most pressing problem is water scarcity, which the Sindh government is committed to resolving under the guidance of the PPP leadership.

HUB Canal project: Regarding the construction of the new Hub Canal and the restoration of the old Hub Canal, Syed Murad Ali Shah expressed determination to address Karachi's water shortage. "We have initiated multiple projects to meet the city's water demands, and the provincial government is fully committed to their timely completion."

Published in The Daily National Courier, January, 01 2025

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