KARACHI: Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has criticised Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for failing to live up to his title ‘Shehbaz Speed’ in Karachi, remarking that the city has instead been subjected to ‘Shehbaz Slow’.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony of the new Hub Canal near the city on Wednesday, Bilawal said they had expected ‘Shehbaz Speed’ but received ‘Shehbaz Slow’.
It cannot be that there is ‘Shehbaz Speed’ in Lahore but ‘Shehbaz Slow’ in Karachi, he added, and appealed to the PM to honour his promises to Karachi.
He said that for the first time the local government systems in Karachi and Hyderabad are serving the public instead of spreading hatred. He announced that the new canal would supply an additional 100 million gallons per day (mgd) of water to Karachi, benefitting the Central, East and Keamari districts.
He added that a PC-I plan to deliver additional water to Lyari has been prepared, repair work on the old Hub Canal is under way, and efforts would continue to secure an increased water quota for the city.
He pointed out that Karachi’s biggest demand has been to end the water shortage, commending the PPP’s supporters in Karachi and Hyderabad for their efforts in addressing the issue. He praised party workers for enduring decades of hardships, resisting dictatorships, facing terrorism, and carrying the bodies of their martyrs.
He recalled the PPP’s promise to transform conditions in Karachi and Hyderabad once its mayors were elected, noting that provincial and municipal governments are working together for the first time in history.
He remarked that the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation is focusing on development instead of extremism, and this harmony is benefiting the people of both Karachi and Hyderabad.
He also mentioned the Sindh chief minister’s commitment to installing a desalination plant to convert seawater into potable water for Karachi. Bilawal said the people of Karachi and Hyderabad have recognised and rejected those spreading hatred, both in local government and general elections.
He also declared that Pakistan defeated India militarily, and that the neighbouring country is now facing defeat on the diplomatic front, which has left India unsettled.
He said that following Netanyahu’s example, India attacked Pakistan’s water resources. Modi said he would build a dam on the River Indus to stop Pakistan’s water, but Karachi’s people know how to defend the Indus, he added.
He pointed out that if necessary, the people would face India on the battlefield. He stressed that India would have to honour the Indus Waters Treaty, and if it does not, he would snatch all six rivers and give them to the people of Karachi.
CM Syed Murad Ali Shah said on the occasion that the new canal would double Karachi’s water intake compared to the old canal, which had failed to provide 50 to 60 mgd water to the city.
Built within the set time and budget, the canal was described by Shah as Karachi’s Independence Day gift. He announced that the old canal’s restoration would be completed by December.
He said his provincial government is pressing the federal authorities to increase the water quota for Sindh and Balochistan, pointing out that more water is currently available due to climate change.
He also said Karachi now has a 140 mgd capacity, and that the K-IV project’s slow federal progress remains a concern. Agreements with the World Bank have been finalised for augmentation projects, which will increase Karachi’s total water supply to 550 mgd, easing shortages, he added.
He pointed out that a 35 mgd treatment plant would be completed next month so that water can be provided to industries, preserving potable water for residents.
He recalled that a former PM had promised Rs162 billion for Karachi but “did not even give Rs162”, while another had pledged Rs11 billion but failed to deliver “even Rs11”. Only the PPP, he stressed, had actually planned and executed development projects for Karachi.
Shah said that under Bilawal’s leadership, the federal government would be left with no excuse to deny Sindh’s rights. By December, the provincial government aims to secure a 200 mgd water quota for the city from the federation, he added.
“As promised, we have inaugurated this project on August 13,” said the CM, noting that its benefits would reach the West Wharf, Keamari and District Central.