Karachi (Web Desk): Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday performed the groundbreaking of Greater Karachi Water Supply Scheme (K-IV) at a ceremony in the Governor House in Karachi on Friday.
Addressing the ceremony, the premier expressed the determination to take the country on path of development again through unity despite challenges, the Radio Pakistan reported.
PM Shehbaz said it is heartening that both Pakistan Peopleas Party (PPP) and Muttahida Qaumi Movement Pakistan (MQM-P) are sincere and on the same page regarding the development of the province and the country.
"It is unity that can take us forward," the prime minister asserted.
Talking about the K-IV project, PM Shehbaz said it was a criminal act of PTI government to delay this vital project and announced that the PDM government will give it the top priority in the next budget to get it completed at the earliest.
He also asked the concerned ministers and officials to make sure that the project has all the required funds and resources.
Shehbaz Sharif expressed hope that WAPDA will get due cooperation from the provincial government and all the other stakeholders to achieve the task of timely completion.
"The government will also discuss other projects related to water including the desalination plants and will work with Sindh government to resolve these with proper planning," the premier said.
Addressing the ceremony, Foreign Minister (FM) Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said that people of Sindh have huge hopes from the federal government and leadership of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will lead us to the path of development.
He said Karachi is the main artery and economic hub of the country and development of this city can rid the country of International Monetary Fund (IMF).
Talking about last year's floods, FM Bilawal said that Sindh faced devastation in a large area and even the infrastructure of the metropolis was destroyed.
FM Bilawal also thanked the premier for finally giving the people of Karachi the gift of K-IV and said the Federal Government's interest in the welfare of Karachi is much appreciated.
Speaking on the occasion the Chairman WAPDA Retired Lieutenant General Sajjad Ghani informed that the Greater Karachi Water Supply Scheme K-IV would resolve the water supply issue to a huge extent by providing 65 crore gallons of water to Karachi on daily basis.
He said that the project is being completed in two phases, of which the first phase is already underway and will be completed by the end of next year.
Sajjad Ghani said that the first phase is being completed at a cost of Rs 126 billion that is being provided by the federal government.
The WAPDA chief further informed that the completion the first phase would provide 26 crore gallons of water while 39 crore gallons will be added to the supply system after the completion of second phase.
He said that through the project, 111 kilometer long pipeline will be laid to supply water to Karachi from Keenjhar Lake.
Earlier, addressing the inaugural ceremony of 4th international textile and leather exhibition at Karachi's EXPO centre, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said that textile sector is backbone of the national economy and his government will extend full support to boost export and national economy.
The prime minister lauded the industrialists who despite the challenges and difficulties in the way have contributed immensely in promoting Pakistan’s textile and leather industry.
Shehbaz Sharif said that 60% of the total export of the country comes from the textile sector and all-out support will be provided to boost this sector.
"Pakistan is committed to follow and implement all the requirements of international organizations like the International Labour Organization (ILO)," the premier said.
PM Shehbaz also lauded the efforts of commerce Minister Syed Naveed Qamar and his team for arranging the Expo in which over 400 foreign delegates from 60 countries including buyers are participating.
Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb, Federal Minister for Commerce Syed Naveed Qamar, Federal Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal, Sindh Governor Kamran Khan Tessori and Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah were also present on the occasion.
