Federal govt released over Rs9bn for Karachi’s development, claims Ali Zaidi

Denying the impression that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) did nothing significant for the development of Karachi despite winning a majority of seats from the city in the last general elections, Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Ali Zaidi on Sunday said the federal government had released funds amounting to more than Rs9 billion for various development projects in the metropolis.

He was addressing a press conference at the Insaf House where former Citizens-Police Liaison Committee (CPLC) chief Sharafuddin Memon announced his decision to join the PTI.

Citing some of the federal projects for the city, the federal minister said work on the K-IV water supply project was under way and the Green Line Bus Rapid Transit project would be completed soon.

Welcoming Memon to the party, Zaidi said people were joining the PTI due to its popularity and performance. He added that the PTI and its federal government were carrying out such works for Karachi that should be undertaken by the Sindh government.

“In Karachi, water does not come in the lines but through tankers,” he said, adding that the Green Line project would be given as a gift to the people of the city.

Announcing his decision to join the PTI, Memon thanked PTI leaders and said he should have joined the party years ago.

“This party has raised its voice against corruption. The war will continue till corruption is eradicated. It takes time to improve the corrupt system. The PTI is the party bringing change,” he said.

PTI Karachi chief and MPA Khurrum Sher Zaman said the completion of the Green Line project was the responsibility of the Sindh government but two years ago, the federation was given that responsibility which it accepted for the sake of Karachi.

He added that the Pakistan Peoples Party was a failed and incompetent party.

PTI MNA Aftab Siddiqui said the K-IV project was to be completed from 2011 to 2016. He added that when the project was reviewed, it was found that it was technically flawed.

He maintained that now the Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda) was working on the K-IV project and it would be completed by 2023.