KARACHI, June 11: The City Nazim, Niamatullah Khan, has said the K-III project, which would supply additional 100 mgd water to Karachi, was under-construction and would be completed by June 2006, adding that water shortage in Karachi would thus be overcome.

He was speaking as chief guest at the inauguration of a six inch-dia water pipeline in SITE UC No 4, Metroville on Saturday.

This pipeline, laid with the cooperation of the Sindh Welfare Board, SITE Association and UC-4 Metroville, will supply water from the SITE Pumping Station to Labour Square.

The nazim pointed out that Karachi was supplied water from two major sources - River Indus and Hub Dam. Besides, the city government had identified more water sources, he said.

Speaking about further water supply to the city, Mr Niamat said that an agreement had been signed with a US firm for desalination of seawater. It will install two plants for supplying 50 mgd desalinated water.

Talks were also being held with two more companies in the same context, he said, adding that supply of more water to the city would be made possible after agreements get materialised with them.

Besides, sewerage water would also be recycled and supplied to industrial units in SITE area, while drinking water supplied to SITE industries would in turn be supplied to water deficient katchi abadis.

He hoped that after such measures there would be no more water shortage in Karachi.

He said the residents of katchi abadis played a cardinal role in the development of Karachi and that could not be ignored. It was for that reason that efforts were being made to provide basic facilities to them on priority basis as compared to other areas, the nazim maintained.

Mr Niamat said hurdles were being continuously created in the way of the city government, although it had served the cause of Karachi with all sincerity.

He demanded that KWSB be devolved to the city government so that it could rectify its working and control administrative irregularities.

He alleged that valve operations were being tampered to create artificial water shortages and to deprive settlements of the required quantity. “If only this thing is brought under control, there will no more remain any water shortage in the city,” he said.

Mr Niamat said that despite all impediments and handicap, service that had been rendered by the city government during the last four years, found no match throughout the country. “This has been acknowledged not only at home but even by people abroad,” he remarked.

Besides solution to the city’s water problems, the city government, realising the need of the city people, had also established the second biggest hospital of heart diseases, while 10 chest pain centres were also being set up, so that heart patients could be provided immediate medical aid.

He declared that medical treatment at the Karachi Institute of Heart Diseases would be provided first and charges recovered thereafter.

In this regard, he referred to the laying of foundation stone of a college and inauguration of a school in labour square.

PAKISTAN IDEOLOGY: The City Nazim, Niamatullah Khan, on Saturday called on teachers to educate students about the importance of the Pakistan ideology and the two-nation theory, basis of Pakistan’s inception.