KARACHI: The Sindh Assembly session on Monday saw heated exchanges during Question Hour over Karachi’s water crisis and the long-delayed K-IV project.

Responding to the lawmakers’ written and verbal queries, Parliamentary Secretary for Local Government Siraj Qasim Soomro said the provincial government was taking “concrete measures” to address water needs.

Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) members Adil Askari and Ejaz Haq shared that 1.5 million people in Orangi Town were desperate for water, while Sabir Qaimkhani spoke of a 100 million gallons per day (MGD) shortage and closed treatment plants in Hyderabad.

MQM-P’s Dr Fauzia Hameed criticised the delay in the K-IV project, questioning why residents still lacked water in 2026 and why “incompetent consultants” were hired.

The parliamentary secretary for the LG department said the federal government took control of K-IV in 2019, with costs escalating from Rs25 billion to Rs100 billion.

He said that work was underway to improve the city’s infrastructure. He acknowledged that there were many issues regarding water distribution in the city and stressed the urgent need for a water census in Sindh.

Mr Qaimkhani of MQM-P also said Hyderabad was also facing a severe water shortage, with a requirement of 100 MGD. He asked when the closed treatment plants in Hyderabad would reopen.

To a question regarding garbage disposal, the parliamentary secretary replied that the first phase of the Jam Chakro GTS had been completed.

“Sindh Solid Waste Management is also working in Hyderabad, Larkana, and Sukkur, but regrettably, many people still throw garbage outside their homes,” he added.

In response to another question, Mr Soomro said the federal and provincial governments had jointly decided to pursue desalination of water in Karachi.

“The project was approved in 2004. Now, an international-standard feasibility study has been requested again,” he added.

Published in Dawn, May 5th, 2026