KARACHI: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Tuesday announced to provide 50 percent of funds on behalf of the federal government for the K-IV, mega water project of Karachi.
This he said while chairing a meeting of PML-N’s provincial officials at Governor House in Karachi to discuss preparations of general elections 2018 in Sindh. Minister for Railways Khawaja Saad Rafique Ahmad and Senator Nehal Hashmi were also present on this occasion.
The estimated cost of K-IV project is Rs.25.5 billion. This mega water project will provide 650 million gallons of water a day (MGD) to the Karachiites. Karachi’s water requirement is more than 1,100 MGD. While, the current supply is reportedly less than 550 MGD.
Nawaz Sharif said the water crisis in Karachi has become serious. He announced that the federal government will give Sindh 50 percent of funds for K-IV mega water project of the metropolis.
The meeting also expressed concern over the issues of traffic and cleanliness in Karachi. It vowed to soon kick off work on Karachi Circular Railway, a crucial transportation project which has been being delayed for long.
The PM said development and progress in Karachi was not possible without establishing peace in the city. He held “a dictator” responsible for the unrest which has for long marred the city.
“We will not rest until the last terrorist is eliminated,” he said.
Nawaz Sharif has arrived in Karachi on a two-day visit to hold political meetings reportedly as part of pre-election campaigning.
He was received by Governor Sindh Muhammad Zubair at the airport. Sharif will spend a night at the Governor House in Karachi for the first time.
The prime minister attended a ceremony to celebrate Hindu religious festival Holi, organised by the minority wing of PML-N.
Sharif has said the Hindi community and all minorities have freedom of religion and equal right to development and progress in the country.
Addressing a gathering held to celebrate the festive occasion of Holi, Nawaz Sharif said that he was delighted to visit them two years ago when he had told them that he was their prime minister as well.
PM Sharif announced Rs500 million for the welfare of the Hindu community. He said that health cards should be started in Sindh, while the federal government has initiated development projects in Karachi.
Yesterday, the PM chaired a high-level security meeting here at the PM House Islamabad.
The meeting was attended by Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan Minister for Interior, Muhammad Ishaq Dar Minister for Finance, Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa, Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif Chief Minister Punjab, Mr. Sartaj Aziz Advisor to PM, National Security Advisor Lt. General (R) Nasser Khan Janjua and DG ISI Lt. General Naveed Mukhtar as well as other senior civil and military officials.
Progress and achievements of Operation ‘Radd-ul-Fasaad’ were reviewed during the meeting. It was reiterated unanimously that elimination of extremism and terrorism are policy imperatives for Pakistan’s security.
The prime minister expressed his satisfaction on the progress made by Pakistan Military and other law enforcement agencies so far and directed that the pace of implementation should be further expedited. Various laws governing the anti-terrorism efforts were also reviewed, and ways and means to make these laws more effective, were discussed.
It was emphasized that enemies of peace and development will never be allowed to disrupt the attainment of peace and security across the country.
The recent initiatives on better management of Pak-Afghan Border were also reviewed in detail.
