PM vows to take country on path of development despite challenges

Karachi: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif performed the groundbreaking of Greater Karachi Water Supply Scheme (K-IV) at a ceremony in the Governor House in Karachi on Friday.

Addressing the ceremony, the Prime Minister expressed the determination to take the country on path of development again through unity despite challenges.

The Prime Minister said it is heartening that both PPP and MQM are sincere and on the same page regarding the development of the province and the country.

He said it is unity that can take us forward.

Talking about the K-IV project, the Prime Minister said it was a criminal act of PTI government to delay this vital project and announced that the PDM government will give it the top priority in the next budget to get it completed at the earliest.

He also asked the concerned ministers and officials to make sure that the project has all the required funds and resources.

Shehbaz Sharif expressed hope that WAPDA will get due cooperation from the provincial government and all the other stakeholders to achieve the task of timely completion.

The Prime Minister said that the Government will also discuss other projects related to water including the desalination plants and will work with Sindh Government to resolve these with proper planning.

Addressing the ceremony, the Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said that people of Sindh have huge hopes from the federal government and leadership of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will lead us to the path of development.

He said Karachi is the main artery and economic hub of the country and development of this city can rid the country of IMF.

Talking about last year's floods, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said that Sindh faced devastation in a large area and even the infrastructure of the metropolis was destroyed.

Bilawal Bhutto Zardari also thanked the Prime Minister for finally giving the people of Karachi the gift of K-IV and said the Federal Government's interest in the welfare of Karachi is much appreciated.

Speaking on the occasion  the Chairman WAPDA Retired Lieutenant General Sajjad Ghani informed that the Greater Karachi Water Supply Scheme K-IV would resolve the water supply issue to a huge extent by providing 65 crore gallons of water to Karachi on  daily basis.

He said that the project is being completed in two phases, of which the first phase is already underway and will be completed by the end of next year.

He said that the first phase is being completed at a cost of 126 billion rupees that is being provided by Federal Government.

Chairman WAPDA further informed that the completion the first phase would provide 26 crore gallons of water while 39 crore gallons will be added to the supply system after the completion of second phase.

He said that thunder the e project, 111 kilometer long pipeline will be laid to supply water to Karachi from Keenjhar Lake.