KARACHI, May 21: Nazim of Karachi Syed Mustafa Kamal on Sunday requested President Pervez Musharraf to help the city government in the setting up of a water treatment plant which will cost Rs6 billion.

He also requested the president for 1,200 cusecs additional quota of water from the Indus for K-IV 100mgd water supply project and to meet the 650mgd water requirement for Karachi for the next 25 years.

He made the request in his welcome address on the occasion of formal inauguration of 100mgd K-III water supply project at the Dhabeji Pumping Station.

The nazim described the inauguration of this project by the president an epoch-making event.

He said the project was earlier to be inaugurated by the president on May 23 but he changed the programme for today.

Mustafa Kamal said this project was conceived in 2002 and work started in 2003 due to the sole initiative of the president who personally monitored it throughout.

KAMAL praiseD: President Pervez Musharraf on Sunday spoke highly of the City Nazim, Syed Mustafa Kamal, and described him a young man with great dynamism.

Speaking at the formal inauguration of the Rs5.954 billion K-III 100 mgd water supply scheme at Dhabeji Pumping Station, the President amidst applause remarked that the nazim of Karachi was working with great dedication and commitment, assuring him of full backup.

The President asked the Sindh Governor, Dr Ishratul Ibad, Chief Minister Arbab Ghulam Rahim and Mustafa Kamal to focus on the city's requirements and improve the traffic and road infrastructure.

He noted that lot of work was being done and underpasses and bridges were being constructed, which on completion would make the road from Site to airport signal-free.

He expressed hope that as stated by the nazim, these projects would be completed in four months, while mentioning that one and a half month had already passed.—APP