MQM, PTI blame Sharjeel for persisting water crisis

Karachi
Both the Muttahida Qaumi Movement and the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf have held the information and local government minister responsible for the water shortage in Karachi.
Speaking after a meeting on Saturday called by the Karachi Water and Sewerage Board to discuss the issue with political leaders, the two parties criticised Sharjeel Inam Memon for the manner in which he had handled the crisis.
The meeting, convened by KWSB vice chairman Muhammad Sajid Jokiho, was attended by Rehan Zafar and Khalid Ahmed of the MQM, Khurram Sher Zaman of the PTI, Shafiq Jamot and Humayun Muhammad Khan of the Pakistan Muslim League- Nawaz and Amir Nawab of the Awami National Party.
The MQM leaders held Memon’s “poor policies and management” responsible for the city’s water woes.
They said citizens were taking to the streets to protest against power outages and unavailability of water but the minister and his subordinates were merely “sleeping”.
MQM’s Khalid Ahmed said citizens were being duped on the K-IV scheme as there were no major developments that indicated that the project would be launched anytime soon.
“The meeting was just ‘garbage’ as nothing came out of it that could deliver relief to the masses. The MQM will go the public to sort out the issue,” he added.
PTI’s Khurram Sher Zaman said he did not recognise the incumbent KWSB managing director as Memon was running and show and therefore responsible for the crisis.
He demanded that the minister should resign over the crisis.
Zaman stressed the need for all political forces to step forward and raise the issue as it was the only way to resolve the matter permanently.
“The fact is that people don’t have water even for ablution and funerals, but the Sindh government is least bothered about it,” he added.
During the meeting, KWSB managing director Hashim Raza Zaidi informed the participants that meters had been installed at around 24 pumping stations of the existing 58 and rest would be equipped with them too.
The KWSB vice chairman said the water board had submitted its resolution on illegal water connections and hydrants and hopefully it would be tabled in the next sitting of the provincial assembly. “I hope the House will support this resolution as it will help in improving the board’s performance.”
The Muttahida Qaumi Movement staged a rally for the second straight day outside the Karachi Press Club on Saturday to protest against the water shortage crisis in the city.
The protest was part of the party’s week-long campaign against the problem.
MQM activists and supporters gathered outside the press club carrying placards and banners inscribed with many slogans on the issue including “We want water”.
The protest, coupled with the security arrangements for former home minister Zulfiqar Mirza’s appearance before the nearby high court building, creating a massive traffic gridlock in the area.