28 March 2004	Sunday	06 Safar 1425

KARACHI, March 27: Karachi would be getting a desalination plant with a capacity of 25 million gallons shortly as the concerned officials have been asked to submit its feasibility in a month , federal Minister for Communications Senator Babar Ghauri said in a statement here on Saturday.

He said an amount of $284,000 had been granted by the US Trade Development Authority for the plant but the project had been in pending for the last one-and-a-half year.

The minister said he had directed the officials to start work on the project on an urgent basis. He warned of strong action against those responsible for further delay or mishandling.

Mr Ghauri pointed out that the problem of potable water in Karachi was getting severer day by day. Therefore, he added, all problems in the way of implementing the project would be sorted out on top priority.

MEETING: Speaking at a meeting, attended by KPT officials and representatives of labour unions, the minister described workers as the backbone of business, industry and country. They deserve due respect and facilities, he remarked.

Mr Ghauri declared that no one would be allowed to force KPT workers to accept golden handshake. "This is an option for those willing to benefit from the scheme," he said, and warned that anyone found forcing or threatening the workers in this regard would be dealt with sternly.

He told the meeting that a three-member committee of the ministry of communications would be formed to look into the matter and submit its report in due course of time.

GM (administration) KPT Brig Iftikhar was among the officials who attended the meeting.-PPI