KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minis­ter Syed Qaim Ali Shah has directed the local government department to take necessary measures to implement a recently announced Rs1 billion Lyari development package under which an engineering college would also be set up in the city’s oldest neighbourhood.

The CM issued this directive while presiding over a meeting on the development of Lyari at Chief Minister House on Tuesday.

He also directed the additional chief secretary (development) to take up the issue of K-IV mega water supply scheme for Karachi with the federal government as funds for the scheme had already been allocated by the Sindh government.

“I want to lay its foundation stone by May 15,” he said.

The meeting was attended by provincial ministers Sharjeel Memon, Jawed Nagori, officials of the Sindh government, Karachi Metrolitan Corporation and Karachi Water and Sewerage Board.

About the Lyari development package announced on April 26 by Pakistan Peoples Party Co-­chairman Asif Ali Zardari while addressing a public meeting in the Kakri ground, he said that the Rs1bn package included construction of low-cost residential apartments, establishment of Bilawal Bhutto Engineering College, provision of water supply within three months.

“I want to implement the water supply scheme within three months as desired by the party chief. Therefore, workable and practical steps must be taken,” he said.

Katchi Abadis Minister Nagori said that the rehabilitation of Lyari’s drainage system should be given top priority; otherwise it would be quite difficult to save the area in case of downpour.

The CM directed the LG minister to upgrade all pumping stations and suction pumps to extract the sewage from Lyari.

“Meanwhile, survey of rehabilitation of the old water supply line laid during the tenure of Benazir Bhutto be conducted. The RO plants installed there should also be made operational. Our party chief has given three months to you and I am giving you two and half months to fulfil his promise,” he said.

CM Shah also directed ACS (development) Waseem Ahmed to prepare a scheme for setting up the Bilawal Bhutto Engineering College, for which Rs500 million had already been allocated.

He also directed the LG minister to visit the Spencer Eye Hospital and pay attention to improve its performance.

Published in Dawn, April 29th, 2015

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