Sindh CM slams Federal Govt for delay in development projects

KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah on Wednesday strongly criticized the federal government for moving too slowly on development projects in the province, especially in Karachi.

Speaking at the inauguration of the New Hub Canal, Murad Shah accused the Centre of failing to deliver on its funding promises for federally backed projects.

“One prime minister promised Rs1,100 billion for Karachi, but we didn’t even receive Rs11 billion. Another promised Rs162 billion, but that money never came either,” he said. “We are not happy with the speed at which the federal government is working.”

The chief minister said the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) was the only political party that had planned and completed projects for Karachi. He credited PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari’s strategy for pushing the federal government to cooperate.

Talking about the new canal, Murad said it would supply an additional 100 million gallons per day (MGD) of water to the city, doubling the old canal’s capacity. He explained that the old canal could barely carry 60 MGD, but the new system would fix that problem. “We built this canal on time and within budget, without any extra costs,” he said. “This is a gift for the people of Karachi ahead of Independence Day.”

Murad also said the provincial government would finish restoring the old canal by December, increasing the city’s water supply to 140 MGD. He said the provincial government was in talks with the federal government to raise Sindh and Balochistan’s water quota, pointing to better water availability due to climate change.

He said the provincial government would complete a 35 MGD water treatment plant for industrial use in September, freeing up more drinking water for households. With World Bank support, the provincial government will finish the K-IV project’s augmentation phase, enabling Karachi to receive 550 MGD of water — a major step towards ending shortages.

The New Hub Canal stretches 21.8 kilometres and includes 11 aqueducts, 19 culverts, and four bridges, with a total capacity of 130 MGD.In Phase II, the provincial government has closed 21.8 km of the old canal for faster restoration work and is also upgrading the 150 MGD Manghopir pumping station and the filtration plant.

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