KARACHI: Sindh Minister for Information and Local Government Syed Nasir Hussain Shah visited the pumping station and the water treatment plant at Hub on Wednesday. Dr Shahida Rehmani and Qadir Khan Mandokhel, both members of the National Assembly, MPA Liaqat Askani and Assadullah Khan, the Karachi Water and Sewerage Board’s (KWSB) managing director, accompanied the minister.

The minister said ensuring water supply to Karachi was the government’s top priority since Pakistan Peoples Party chief Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari had issued orders for solving the problem.

Nasir Shah directed the KWSB to accelerate the operation against illegal hydrants and illegal connections.

“Since the demand for water exceeds its supply, judicious distribution should be ensured,” the minister stressed.

Nasir Shah said a committee consisting of elected representatives and KWSB officers would be set up for the supply of water to Karachi’s West district on a priority basis.

“Work is under way on new water projects for Karachi on the directives of Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari,” the local bodies minister added.

Nasir Shah also visited a pumping station in the jurisdiction of Allah Bai union council, near Northern Bypass.

On the occasion MNA Shahida Rehmani told the minister that water was supplied to 30 villages from the pumping station, but the facility was out of order since long.

The scheme was launched by Sher Mohammad Baloch under the aegis of Karachi’s District Council.

“Water is being stolen from this place through illegal connections and tankers,” the MNA said.

Nasir Shah directed the KWSB’s managing director (MD) to depute personnel at the pumping station and start patrolling with the help of police.

He directed the KWSB MD to confiscate all tankers coming to the place and lodge cases against the suspects. He also directed the managing director to prepare a plan for restoration of the pumping station.

Published in Dawn, July 29th , 2021