HYDERABAD, Feb 7: Sindh Minister for Rural Development Zubair Ahmed Khan has said that problems of water supply, cleanliness and sanitation are intensifying in the urban talukas of Hyderabad with each passing day.

Addressing a meeting at the commissioner’s office here on Tuesday, he said it appeared as if the city had become an orphan after abolition of the local bodies system.

He warned the officers concerned of strict action if the problems were not resolved.

Linking many problems to unsatisfactory sewerage system, he directed the Water and Sanitation Agency (Wasa) officials to improve their performance. He said infrastructure and roads were destroyed because broken sewerage lines.

The minister said he had apprised Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad Khan about the prevailing situation in Hyderabad who had issued instructions that all the civic problems should be resolved on priority.

Wasa Managing Director Saleemuddin told the minister that the agency was facing huge financial problems due to paucity of funds and non-payment of bills by the government departments.

He said four water supply schemes and six sewerage plans were on the anvil for Hyderabad and Latifabad talukas.

MNA Tayyab Hussain expressed reservations about the sewerage system in Latifabad units no. 2 and 12. He said that construction of unauthorised high-rise buildings in the city should be stopped forthwith.

Aftab Ahmed Khatri, special secretary to the governor, who attended the meeting on the instructions of the governor, directed Wasa to submit problems in writing.

The divisional commissioner of Hyderabad, Ahmed Bux Narejo, informed the meeting that under special instructions from the governor, fortnightly meetings would be held to review the progress of the development schemes and to resolve civic problems.

He said reports about hurdles being faced by Wasa, Hyderabad Development Authority and the municipal corporation would be sent regularly to the authorities concerned. He stressed the need for announcement of a special package for Wasa and the corporation.

MPAs Akram Adil, Sohail Yousuf and Waseem Hussain, Deputy Commissioner Asif Ali Memon and officials concerned attended the meeting.