KWSC to seek authority to seize properties involved in water theft

Several key decisions concerning the city’s long-term water management and the growing challenge of water theft were taken during a meeting of the board of directors of the Karachi Water & Sewerage Corporation (KWSC) on Saturday.

Chaired by Karachi Mayor and KWSC Chairman Barrister Murtaza Wahab, the meeting was attended by Karachi Commissioner Syed Hassan Naqvi, Dr Sarosh Lodi, Abdul Kabir Qazi, Tanzil Pirzada, Zafar Sobani, KWSC Chief Executive Officer Ahmed Ali Siddiqui, KWSC Chief Operating Officer Engr Asadullah Khan and other board members.

The central focus of the session was an in-depth review of Master Plan 2050, a long-term strategy aimed at improving water supply and sewerage services across the city. The participants held detailed discussions on various components of the plan.

Wahab stressed the need to accelerate its implementation, noting that a sustainable and efficient water system is essential to meet the needs of the city’s growing population and to shield the city from future water crises.

The board also addressed the pressing issue of water theft, exploring potential legal amendments to strengthen enforcement. It was agreed that a formal request would be submitted to the Sindh government seeking legislative changes that would grant the KWSC full legal authority to seize properties involved in water theft. This move aims to deter large-scale illegal connections and safeguard the city’s already strained water resources.

The board also approved several key appointments to enhance the KWSC’s institutional framework. According to a KWSC spokesperson, Muhammad Ammar Khan was appointed chief financial officer, Jamshed Raza chief human resource officer, Naveed Afzal chief strategy officer, and Saadat Anwar chief information technology officer. Implementation of these decisions is expected to begin in the coming weeks, signalling a more proactive approach to the city’s water management challenges.