Karachi to get additional 300mgd water before end of my tenure, vows mayor

Karachi Mayor and Chairman Karachi Water and Sewerage Corporation (KWSC) Barrister Murtaza Wahab, has announced plans to ensure an additional 300mgd water supply in Karachi before the end of his tenure as mayor.

He was speaking at a ‘Karachi Water Summit’, co-organised by the KWSC, Karachi Water Sewerage System Improvement Project, NED University and Panjwani Hisaar Water Institute on World Water Day on Friday.

The mayor said his term would end on June 19, 2027, and by June 18 he aimed to ensure that the KWSC had added an extra 300mgd water to its system.

Recognising the acute disparity between the water demand and supply in Karachi, he said, there’s a need for cooperation between the provincial and federal governments, along with the private sector, to address this issue. He termed public-private partnerships the way forward for Karachi.

The mayor reiterated his commitment to ensuring equal access to water for all citizens of Karachi, acknowledging that water was not only a basic human necessity but also essential for peace and stability within various communities.

He praised the reforms undertaken by the KWSC and advocated for greater autonomy for it to serve Karachi better. Wahab also stressed the need for digitisation to enhance transparency and accountability. Meanwhile, KWSC Chief Executive Officer Syed Sallahuddin pledged to continue his corporation’s efforts to conserve water, improve recycling, and ensure sustainable water management.

He invited cooperation from domestic, industrial, and commercial consumers to safeguard water resources for current and future generations. This initiative aims not only to secure water access for all but also to contribute to increased national revenue from Karachi.

He said that the water and sewerage corporation reaffirms its commitment to implementing modern solutions for water management and applauds the efforts made to eliminate illegal connections, which have resulted in a 35 percent increase in revenue recovery and the safe storage of 25 million gallons of water daily.

Barrister Murtaza Wahab expressed gratitude to his team for their tireless efforts and positive changes. He urged everyone to renew their commitment to promoting the message of peace through water and ensuring unity, cooperation, and peace for all through water.

The event was attended by a number of dignitaries, including the vice-chancellor of the NED University, Dr Sarosh Hashmat Lodi, WSSP PD Usman Mazhar, Director Panjwani Hissar Water Institute Dr Syed Imran Ahmed, Secretary Board Zahra Dastgir, and DMD Planning Muhammad Ayub Sheikh.