KARACHI, June 12: Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad Khan has called for comprehensive planning for supply of drinking water, keeping the future requirements of Karachi in view. He was presiding over a meeting held at the Governor’s House in which the availability of required quantity of water for industrial purposes was also reviewed.

The meeting was attended, among others, by Planning Minister Shaoib Ahmed Bukhari, Adviser on Local Government Waseem Akhtar, Secretary for Industries Nasar Hayat, Secretary for Local Government Ishaq Lashari, DCO Fazlur Rehman, Zubair Motiwala, Dr Arshad Vohra besides officials of the KPT, KWSB, Site Association and other relevant organizations.

Taking stock of the need for required quantity of water, the governor directed the officials concerned to work on a priority basis to find alternative sources of water.

The meeting also reviewed water desalination and hybrid power plant projects while the availability of water through the K-III project also came under discussion. It was stated that water supply from the Hub Dam had fallen by 60mgd.

KWSB officials said the city's present water requirement was 648mgd while supplies stood at 640mgd. However, due to leakages, only 360mgd water was being used.

The governor issued directive for chalking out plans for another 640mgd of water under vision for up to 2020.

Meanwhile, Commander of the French Navy Patrick Augier, accompanied by the French consul-general and the naval attache called on the governor.

—APP