44 Nullah’s critical choking points across Karachi being cleared; Heavy rainfall has replenished all local dams in Tharparkar; Murad Shah reviews Rs78bn Karachi, & Hyderabad’s Major Development Projects; Hyderabad has Rs4.4bn water sector-related schemes; Murad Shah reviews law & order in kutcha area, orders ruthless operation against dacoits; Police destroyed 500 hideouts of dacoits, recovered 88 kindnapees; 115 dacoits neutralised, 882 arrested
KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, following the Pakistan Meteorological Department’s forecast of imminent rainfall, chaired an emergency meeting to oversee preparations for the monsoon rains expected to impact Karachi and other parts of the province, says a Press releases.
Shah put all the local bodies, administration and traffic police on high alert, and directed them to strengthen coordination between the relevant departments and organisations.
The meeting, held at CM House, was attended by Local Government Minister Saeed Ghani, Mayor Karachi Barrister Murtaza Wahab, Chief Secretary Asif Hyder Shah, PSCM Agha Wasif, Secretary Finance Fayaz Jatoi, Secretary Local Govt Waseem Shamshad, MC KMC Afzal Zaidi and others.
The CM focused on ensuring the city’s infrastructure is ready to handle the anticipated downpour. Mayor Wahab briefed the Chief Minister on ongoing efforts to improve drainage systems at 44 Nullah’s critical choking points across Karachi, with approximately 150 drains under the control of Towns undergoing cleaning to facilitate the smooth flow of rainwater.
The CM directed the Local Government Minister and the Mayor Karachi to take all necessary steps to minimise disruption and ensure the safety of our citizens. Mayor Murtaza Wahab told the CM that in addition to drainage improvements, 120 suction vehicles from the water board are strategically positioned in low-lying areas to clear any accumulated water quickly.”
The Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) is also working closely with the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) to secure additional machinery if needed, demonstrating a coordinated approach to disaster management.
Directing all relevant agencies to remain vigilant, the chief minister instructed local government bodies to maintain a fully mobilised presence during the rain spell. He emphasised the importance of proactive measures by the city administration and urged the traffic police to ensure smooth traffic flow, even in the event of heavy downpours.
“The provincial government is fully prepared to manage the rains, but constant vigilance and rapid response from all departments are crucial,” Chief Minister Shah asserted. “Our priority is to protect our citizens and minimise any potential damage caused by the monsoon.”
Residents are advised to stay informed about weather updates and take necessary precautions to ensure their safety during the anticipated rainfall. The Sindh government has established emergency contact points and is urging citizens to report any issues or concerns promptly.
Rain in Thar: While Karachi braces for potential challenges, Chief Minister Murad Shah highlighted the positive impact of recent rainfall in the Tharparkar region. “The heavy rainfall has replenished all local dams in Tharparkar, providing a vital source of water for the people,” he noted. “This will significantly benefit local communities, particularly in agriculture and daily life,” the CM concluded.
Meanwhile, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah presided over a meeting to review the Development Portfolio of the Local Government Department for the financial year 2025-26, which stands at Rs. 78.087 billion.
The CM said that Rs 78.087 billion is allocated for 765 development schemes – 696 ongoing schemes and 60 new schemes, including 16 carry-forward schemes and 44 new schemes in the portfolio. Additionally, Rs. 8288.680 million has been allocated for nine schemes included in the Mega Projects Karachi. He also reviewed mega development schemes of Karachi and Hyderabad, being undertaken by the Local Government Department.
The meeting, held at CM House, was attended by Local Government Minister Saeed Ghani, Karachi Mayor Barrister Murtaza Wahab, Chief Secretary Asif Haider Shah, Principal Secretary Agha Wasif, Chairman P&D Najam Shah, Finance Secretary Fayaz Jatoi, Local Government Secretary Waseem Shamshad and other senior officers.
The CM was told that this year’s allocation is Rs 86,375.6 million, against which Rs 23,390.821 million have been released, while the utilisation is recorded at Rs1412.293 million. The overall progress on the ongoing schemes was reported at 7 per cent while the news schemes have been approved by the P&D recently.
The CM was briefed that Karachi has six major development schemes worth Rs. 8.2 billion. These include the establishment of Allama Iqbal Park in the FB Area, the rehabilitation of Nehr-e-Khayam in District South, the construction of a sports complex in District Central, the reconstruction of the Korangi Causeway, and road construction in Sachal Goth. Additionally, there are efforts to rehabilitate the drainage system in Manzoor Colony, stormwater drain projects including works on Thado Nallah, Mehran Drain, Malir River at N-5 Murghi Khana, and junction works on the Korangi Causeway at Shahrah-e-Bhutto.
The Chief Minister directed the Local Government Department to accelerate progress on these mega schemes, announcing that he would personally visit project sites soon. “We must speed up the implementation of Karachi’s development projects,” he said.
Karachi also has 13 new schemes planned for FY 2025-26, including development of old city areas and major business districts, rehabilitation of old KMC markets, road restoration from Check Post-4 (Malir Cantt) to M-9 Motorway, road construction from Check Post-3 to Shahrah-e-Bhutto, development of IB Soomro Avenue and Memon Mamar roads, construction of roads in Shah Faisal Colony, storm-water drain rehabilitation, link roads to Shahrah-e-Bhutto, new roads from Gulshan-e-Hadeed Mor to Allah Wali Chowrangi, from Hub River Road (Turi Bangash) to Ittehad Town, the Karachi Traffic Corridor Project, a flyover crossing at Gujjar Nallah, construction on Sir Shah Suleman Road, Kidney Hill Park at the Bird Aviary site, development of Gutter Baghicha as a public park, upgrades at various graveyards, construction of a hockey ground near Ziauddin Hospital in Nazimabad.
Hyderabad Development Schemes: The CM was also briefed on three new schemes for Hyderabad under the 2025-26 worth Rs4.4 billion, including a 23-inch diameter water supply scheme connecting the Combined Channel to a 6 MGD filtration plant at Latifabad Unit-4, costing Rs. 1.2 billion, Construction of a 6 MGD Rapid Gravity Water Treatment Plant at Masri Goth, Qasimabad, with a cost of Rs. 2 billion and Establishment of a six-MGD Water Filtration Plant at Khanpota.
The Chief Minister instructed officials to start work immediately on these projects, emphasising that Hyderabad’s road infrastructure had already been improved, and the completion of water and filtration schemes would resolve long-standing issues of the city.
Meanwhile, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, presiding over a high-level meeting, said that the government’s objective is to make the security situation in the katcha belt `ideal’ and directed police to stay vigilant.
“Kidnapping for ransom will not be tolerated under any circumstances,” he said, adding that strict action must be taken to curb `honey trap’ crimes.
The meeting was held at the CM House and was attended by Home Minister Zia-ul-Hassan Lanjar, Chief Secretary Asif Haider Shah, IG Police Ghulam Nabi Memon, Principal Secretary Agha Wasif, and DIG Larkano.
The chief minister said that he wants the law & order situation in the katcha area of Sukkur and Larkana division to be perfect and directed police to stay vigilant, and he won’t tolerate any kidnapping for ransom. “I want you to be ruthless against the dacoits and their facilitators so that no kidnapping for ransom case could take place.
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