CM to write to Shehbaz for releasing funds for K-IV project

For the Greater Karachi Bulk Water Supply Scheme K-IV, the federal government has released only Rs4 billion, which is less than a quarter of the allocated amount of Rs16 billion, Sindh’s chief minister said on Sunday.

CM Syed Murad Ali Shah pointed out that this shortfall would cause further delays in completing the project, so he plans to approach prime minister-elect Shehbaz Sharif to discuss this issue.

Shah was talking to the media after submitting the nomination papers of the Pakistan Peoples Party’s (PPP) candidates for the Senate by-elections — Jam Saifullah Dharejo and Aslam Abro, and their covering candidates Waqar Mehdi and Aajiz Dhamrah — at the provincial election commissioner’s office.

Two Senate seats fell vacant after the resignation of PPP senators Nisar Khuhro and Jam Mehtab Dahar, who returned as members of the provincial assembly in the February 8 general elections.

The CM said that both PPP candidates would easily be elected senators from the PA. “We need only 108 votes in the assembly, against which we have 114 votes, so we’ll get them elected easily, for which I congratulate Asif Ali Zardari.”

In response to a question, he said Karachi Mayor Barrister Murtaza Wahab is working tirelessly to develop the metropolis into one of the most advanced cities in the world. As an elected mayor, he has all the necessary powers, he added.

He also said that any further reforms to the local government law, if required, would be made by the PA. He expressed regret that the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz was not authorised to make amendments to the LG law in Sindh, as demanded by the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM).

Shah said he had talked to the MQM for the election of the PA speaker and deputy speaker. He said the MQM leadership is currently in Islamabad for the PM’s election, so they would be approached for the presidential election.

He admitted that the MQM and the Sunni Ittehad Council have stakes in Sindh, so they would be consulted for legislation and in other matters. “I want to bring all the stakeholders together so that the issues of the province can be resolved with collective wisdom.”

He said that maintenance of law & order is the responsibility of the provincial government, for which he has given the necessary instructions to the police and the Rangers. “We’ll get rid of street criminals and dacoits in the riverine area soon.”

When asked about his plans, the CM said he is fully committed to implementing the 10-point election manifesto of PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari with the utmost sincerity.

He said the PPP’s government in Sindh has always worked diligently to serve the people of the province, which is why the people have elected the party to power in Sindh for the fourth consecutive term.

Replying to a query, he said Sharif would be taking oath as PM on Monday (today). The primary responsibility of the premier will be to strengthen the economy, he added.

He also said the people of the country are facing an unprecedented hike in the prices of essential products, so the new federal government would have to take steps to alleviate this issue. This can be achieved only by withdrawing the subsidies being enjoyed by the elite, he added.

Shah said he intends to write to Sharif requesting for the completion of the K-IV project. He stressed that the project is crucial to meet the water requirements of the city.

He said the Centre had allocated Rs16 billion for the project, but only Rs4 billion had been released. He expressed concern that if the remaining funds for the project are not released soon, it would cause further delays.

He also said that on special occasions such as Ramazan and Eidul Azha, other traders lower the prices of edible items and clothes, but in Pakistan the prices of such items are deliberately increased, which is unfortunate.

Responding to another query, the CM said the Grand Democratic Alliance’s protest is beyond his comprehension. He said that the question is how many assembly seats they contested in the general elections, adding that the seats they lost are those which they always lose. The chief executive also said on the occasion that under the PPP chief’s 10-point agenda, the provincial government would construct houses for the poor in the flood-affected areas.