PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari on Tuesday inaugurated the newly constructed New Hub Canal – a Sindh government and Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) project – aimed at addressing the chronic water shortages. The project will provide an additional 100 million gallons per day to the metropolis.
The PPP chairman expressed strong displeasure over the prolonged delay in the completion of the K-IV mega water project by the federal govt. “It is unacceptable to operate with ‘Shehbaz Speed’ for Lahore and switch to ‘Shehbaz Slow’ for Karachi,” he remarked.
He said water scarcity had been a long-standing issue for Karachi and must be resolved on a priority basis. Alongside the construction of the new canal, renovation of the old Hub Canal was also under way, which would further enhance supply to District Central, District West and Keamari, while a PC-I had been prepared to extend the project’s reach to Lyari.
The PPP chairman said he would take up with PM Shehbaz Sharif the issue of non-provision of federal funds for Karachi’s development projects and urge early completion of the K-IV scheme. He said he had expected the prime minister to support Karachi’s development with the same urgency shown for Lahore.
Turning to India, Bilawal alleged that New Delhi was funding the banned BLA and Majeed Brigade to shed the blood of innocent civilians. He accused India of conspiring to block Pakistan’s share of water by suspending the Indus Waters Treaty in violation of international law and said the Modi government intended to construct dams and canals on the Indus River.
