Hub dam project to be inaugurated by Aug 13, says Murtaza Wahab
Karachi Mayor Barrister Murtaza Wahab announced on Wednesday that the Hub Dam water supply project will be inaugurated on August 13.
Speaking to media outside the Supreme Court Karachi Registry, Wahab said propaganda was being spread using old videos regarding the new canal supplying water from Hub Dam to the city.
"After 22 years, it is due to the efforts of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) that the city is receiving additional water," he said.
He stated that the project, completed at a cost of Rs12.8 billion within a record time of 10 months, is ready for inauguration. 'If the propaganda were true, this inauguration would not be happening,' he said.
The mayor clarified that work on the project has been completed and that trial runs are standard procedure before launching large-scale initiatives. 'Such issues are common in concrete work, and the purpose of testing is to detect and resolve problems beforehand,' he said.
Wahab added that a one-year warranty period has been set post-completion, under which the contractor is responsible for any required repairs. He dismissed allegations against the project as baseless.
'All standards were maintained during construction. The noise of propaganda is drowning out the news of additional water supply to the city,' he said.
Read: No end to water woes as K-IV hits another snag
'Propaganda is being spread to sabotage the water supply project.'
He said the Hub Dam had previously supplied 100 million gallons of water daily to Karachi, but due to a 45-year-old transmission system, the supply had fallen to 60 million gallons per day. 'The new canal project will again deliver 100 million gallons of water daily,' he said. 'After this, the old canal will be repaired. Once both systems are functional, the water supply from Hub to Karachi will be doubled.'
The project is expected to benefit residents of District West, Keamari, and Central.
Commenting on federal funding, Wahab referred to earlier statements by the Governor of Sindh. 'He said on TV that Rs40 billion have been received from the federal government. I remind him that he had promised Rs100 billion. If Rs40 billion have been received, transfer them to the KMC account and serve the city.'
He also criticized the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), saying that 'China-cutting,' land commercialization, and resource plundering are remnants of its era. 'We also remember the body bags, extortion, and kidnappings for ransom,' he said. 'The city's fundamental problems began during MQM's time.'
Wahab expressed his willingness to work with other parties for the city's development. 'The city's hopes are tied to its political leaders,' he said. 'We want chaos to end. Everyone must work together for the betterment of Karachi.'
He added, 'I am ready to sit with MQM, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), or Jamaat-e-Islami for the betterment of the city.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Express Tribune
a day ago
- Express Tribune
Hub dam project to be inaugurated by Aug 13, says Murtaza Wahab
Listen to article Karachi Mayor Barrister Murtaza Wahab announced on Wednesday that the Hub Dam water supply project will be inaugurated on August 13. Speaking to media outside the Supreme Court Karachi Registry, Wahab said propaganda was being spread using old videos regarding the new canal supplying water from Hub Dam to the city. "After 22 years, it is due to the efforts of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) that the city is receiving additional water," he said. He stated that the project, completed at a cost of Rs12.8 billion within a record time of 10 months, is ready for inauguration. 'If the propaganda were true, this inauguration would not be happening,' he said. The mayor clarified that work on the project has been completed and that trial runs are standard procedure before launching large-scale initiatives. 'Such issues are common in concrete work, and the purpose of testing is to detect and resolve problems beforehand,' he said. Wahab added that a one-year warranty period has been set post-completion, under which the contractor is responsible for any required repairs. He dismissed allegations against the project as baseless. 'All standards were maintained during construction. The noise of propaganda is drowning out the news of additional water supply to the city,' he said. Read: No end to water woes as K-IV hits another snag 'Propaganda is being spread to sabotage the water supply project.' He said the Hub Dam had previously supplied 100 million gallons of water daily to Karachi, but due to a 45-year-old transmission system, the supply had fallen to 60 million gallons per day. 'The new canal project will again deliver 100 million gallons of water daily,' he said. 'After this, the old canal will be repaired. Once both systems are functional, the water supply from Hub to Karachi will be doubled.' The project is expected to benefit residents of District West, Keamari, and Central. Commenting on federal funding, Wahab referred to earlier statements by the Governor of Sindh. 'He said on TV that Rs40 billion have been received from the federal government. I remind him that he had promised Rs100 billion. If Rs40 billion have been received, transfer them to the KMC account and serve the city.' He also criticized the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), saying that 'China-cutting,' land commercialization, and resource plundering are remnants of its era. 'We also remember the body bags, extortion, and kidnappings for ransom,' he said. 'The city's fundamental problems began during MQM's time.' Wahab expressed his willingness to work with other parties for the city's development. 'The city's hopes are tied to its political leaders,' he said. 'We want chaos to end. Everyone must work together for the betterment of Karachi.' He added, 'I am ready to sit with MQM, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), or Jamaat-e-Islami for the betterment of the city.'
Express Tribune
2 days ago
- Express Tribune
Rs100b okayed for e-bikes, rickshaws
Subsidised bikes and rickshaws will be distributed on the basis of provincial population, but Balochistan will get a 10% additional quota. Photo: file Listen to article The government on Tuesday approved the first phase of a Rs100 billion scheme to provide electric bikes and rickshaws at a subsidised cost by collecting Rs122 billion from owners of conventional cars, aimed at increasing the number of environment-friendly vehicles to one-third. The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the cabinet approved the first phase of the plan, which would ensure the provision of 116,000 electric bikes and 3,170 rickshaws by giving up to Rs200,000 in interest-free loans and equity. Virtually chaired by Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, the ECC also approved a Rs30 billion subsidy for clearing dues under the foreign remittances initiative out of the backlog of Rs59 billion. A finance ministry statement said that the ECC approved a summary submitted by the Ministry of Industries and Production regarding the implementation of a subsidy scheme to promote the adoption of electric bikes and rickshaws. As per the approved plan, about 116,000 electric bikes and 3,170 electric rickshaws and loaders will be introduced in two phases, the ministry stated. In the initial phase, expected to be launched by the prime minister shortly, 40,000 electric bikes and 1,000 electric rickshaws and loaders will be rolled out. The government will also give 219 free-of-cost electric bikes to the two top position holders in federal colleges in four disciplines. The maximum cost of the bike is capped at Rs250,000 under the scheme. The finance ministry said that a budgetary provision of Rs9 billion had already been made for the current fiscal year to finance this initiative. The government has imposed a 1-3% levy on car owners in the budget as part of a new IMF loan condition. It is estimated to help collect Rs122 billion from the users of conventional fuel-based cars. Of the total collection, it will spend Rs100 billion in subsidies to promote the use of environment-friendly vehicles. The goal is that at least 30% of vehicles sold in a year should be based on clean energy by 2030. The government will provide Rs50,000 in equity and Rs200,000 in interest-free loan for electric bikes. The equity will be Rs200,000 and interest-free loan will be Rs180,000 in case of three-wheeler rickshaws. Every person between 18 and 65 years of age will be eligible for the scheme and a 25% quota has been fixed for women. Subsidised bikes and rickshaws will be distributed on the basis of provincial population, but Balochistan will get a 10% additional quota that will be adjusted against the population of Punjab and Sindh. The ECC also approved Rs30 billion in subsidies for clearing the backlog of foreign remittances initiative. Keeping in view the current fiscal space, it is proposed that Rs30 billion is approved for this quarter through a technical supplementary grant for the purpose, while the remaining amount could be considered through savings in the upcoming quarters of the current fiscal year, said the finance ministry. In the last fiscal year, the central bank claimed Rs136 billion in total expenses under telegraphic transfer charges. But the finance ministry cleared Rs78 billion. The central bank conveyed that claims amounting to Rs58 billion were still outstanding for the last fiscal year. The maximum outstanding dues of Rs13.9 billion were related to United Bank Limited, Rs8.3 billion to MCB Bank, Rs7.1 billion to Bank AL Habib, Rs7.4 billion to Bank Alfalah, Rs3.6 billion to the National Bank of Pakistan, Rs3.4 billion to Habib Bank Limited, Rs3.3 billion to Meezan Bank, Rs2.8 billion to Allied Bank and Rs3.1 billion to Faysal Bank. The telegraphic transfer charges incentive scheme was launched in 1985 and is the flagship home remittance initiative of the government. The ECC did not approve any new specific funds for the current fiscal year for the remittance initiative and decided to consider the matter once the already modified scheme was further rationalised. For the last fiscal year, the government had allocated Rs87 billion. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has instructed the finance ministry to revive the scheme by giving requisite funds. The ECC directed the Finance Division to coordinate with the State Bank to work out payment modalities for the grant, according to the finance ministry's statement. It also instructed the Finance Division to complete a detailed assessment, including the analysis of pros and cons, financial modalities and opportunity cost of the Pakistan Remittance Initiative, in collaboration with the central bank, and present its recommendations by incorporating stakeholder feedback by mid-September, following a thorough analysis due by the end of August. The ECC approved, in principle, a bailout grant of Rs2 billion for the Quaid-e-Azam University, contingent upon preparation and presentation of a comprehensive financial self-sustainability plan. The university, in collaboration with the Higher Education Commission, is required to submit a clear roadmap, outlining the strategy to achieve long-term financial stability and reduce reliance on future bailouts.
Express Tribune
2 days ago
- Express Tribune
Lawmakers unite for Kashmir cause
The Sindh Assembly on Tuesday unanimously passed a resolution to express solidarity with the people of Illegally Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) and condemn Indian atrocities on the occasion of Youm-e-Istehsal Kashmir or the Kashmir Exploitation Day. The resolution, tabled by Provincial Minister for Law and Parliamentary Affairs Ziaul Hassan Lanjar, was supported by Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah and all parties present in the House. Addressing the Assembly, CM Murad reiterated Pakistan's longstanding stance that Kashmir is the country's lifeline, terming India's move to strip the region of its special status as a blatant violation of international laws. He said the Modi government had betrayed both its citizens and the Kashmiri people, adding that Pakistan would continue to raise its voice against this illegal occupation at every level. Murad ecalled the contributions of Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, Shaheed Benazir Bhutto, President Asif Ali Zardari, and PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari in championing the Kashmir cause internationally. He also revealed that India had attempted to attack Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) in May, but Pakistan's armed forces and the nation responded decisively, downing enemy aircraft and destroying airfields, forcing India to seek US intervention for a ceasefire. The CM also condemned Israeli atrocities in Gaza and urged the international community to take immediate action. Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon said that despite political differences, the PPP, MQM, and PTI stood united for the cause of Kashmir. He noted that on August 5, 2019, India violated UN resolutions by revoking Kashmir's special status, and that the Indian forces had for decades subjected innocent Kashmiris to brutal repression, with thousands laying down their lives for freedom. Opposition Leader Ali Khurshidi said the day must be observed to expose India's real face to the world. PPP's Jamil Soomro demanded the restoration of Kashmir's pre-August 5 status and the right to self-determination. MQM's Fauzia Hameed expressed confidence that the day was not far when Kashmiris would achieve their rights.
