Monitoring Desk
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Imran Khan has announced a Rs1.1 trillion package for the development of Karachi, the port city that recently experienced hisory’s worst deluge dut to monsoon rains .
Parts of city are still under water even several days after the torrential rains.
Flanked by the Sindh province’s governor and the chief minister while addressing the media in Karachi, the premier said the federal and Sindh governments had decided to deal with the metropolis’ issues “together”, according to English newspaper, Express Tribune.
He further said that all of Karachi’s issues – which include water supply, drainage, sewage, public transport and solid waste disposal – would be addressed at once.
“I would have visited sooner but we had to make a structure,” said the prime minister while adding that the city’s transformation plan will be implemented through the Provincial Coordination Implementation Committee (PCIC) chaired by the chief minister.
He further said that all stakeholders will be involved in its implementation and the Army will “play a big role”, noting that the armed forces help the civilian administration whenever there is a calamity.
Prime Minister @ImranKhanPTI unveiled a Rs. 1100 billion developmental package for Karachi aimed at solving the city's 5 major issues:
• Water Shortage
• Cleaning of Nullahs
• Sewerage System
• Solid Waste Management
• Transport System & Roads#KarachiVisionByPMIK pic.twitter.com/3Zy9OpK2I9— Prime Minister's Office, Pakistan (@PakPMO) September 5, 2020
Terming the package for the city “historic”, Imran Khan said both the federal and provincial governments will contribute to the Rs1.1 trillion package.
“We are trying to resolve the issues. I assure the citizens of Karachi that their water issue will be resolved in the coming three years,” Imran Khan said.
“There is severe encroachment on drains which has created a catastrophic situation during recent rains in the city. We will initiate a drive to demolish illegal structures on nullahs. The homeless people will be compensated by the provincial government,” said the premier.
The prime minister added that the plan would also focus on Karachi’s sewerage system and solid waste disposal. “We will make a proper system.”
While referring to to the dismal state of public transport in the city, the premier assured that the Karachi Circular Railway (KCR) will be completed and work would also be carried out on roads and BRT, among other lines.
“We have decided to completely solve the issue of transportation and roads.”
After addressing the media, Imran met a delegation of the city’s businessmen.
During his visit, the prime minister met Sindh Governor Imran Ismail and Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah.
Under the tranformation Plan, eight sewerage projects estimated at Rs162.60 billion, four solid waste management projects amounting to Rs14.86 billion, two water drainage projects costing around Rs4.70 billion, and various road construction and repair projects costing an estimated Rs62.30 billion respectively, would be executed.
Pakistan Peoples Party, the ruling party in Sindh, had demanded of the federal government to provide the necessary funds to the provincial government to deal with the damages caused by heavy rains and ensuing urban flooding.
