Says Just Rs3bn Released From Rs78bn Federal Commitment for K-IV
Karachi – August 2, 2025:
Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah on Friday took a direct swipe at the federal government for its failure to fulfill financial commitments toward Karachi’s long-awaited K-IV water supply project, accusing Islamabad of gross neglect.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the 20th “My Karachi – Oasis of Harmony” exhibition at the Expo Center, Shah revealed that out of the Rs78 billion pledged by the Centre for the K-IV project, only Rs3 billion had been released this fiscal year. He said the burden of keeping the project alive had fallen entirely on the provincial government.
Despite the lack of federal support, Shah said progress was underway. Four critical K-IV sub-projects were currently in development, including a Rs50 billion expansion of feeder systems set to be completed before the year’s end. Additionally, a massive Rs170 billion scheme is underway to channel water from Keenjhar Lake to Karachi, with a power plant being installed by the Sindh Transmission and Dispatch Company (STDC) to energize two new pumping stations.
The chief minister also shared updates on other key initiatives: a new 100 million gallon per day (MGD) Hub Canal has been completed and is scheduled for inauguration on August 14, while the old canal is being restored to match the new capacity. Combined, these efforts are expected to bring in 200 MGD of water from Hub Dam before the close of the year.
In South Karachi, Shah said the Dumlottee project would help supply an additional 150 MGD of water this year. He urged the federal government to raise Karachi’s water allocation from the Hub Dam, pointing out that improved weather conditions had replenished reserves.
Shah didn’t hold back in voicing broader frustrations. Referring to a 2015–16 World Bank report, he noted that Karachi needs an estimated Rs3 trillion to meet modern urban infrastructure standards — a task he said cannot be managed by the provincial government alone. “This scale of development demands federal-level intervention,” he stressed.
He also criticized the federal government for not convening the Council of Common Interests (CCI) in the past 18 months, despite constitutional requirements for it to meet quarterly. “Sindh produces 70% of the country’s gas, yet we are denied our due share,” Shah said, adding that he intends to raise the matter at the next CCI meeting.
Calling for greater civic responsibility, Shah urged Karachi residents to pay taxes and register vehicles. “Law enforcement can’t be held solely responsible for governance failures if citizens don’t fulfill their legal duties,” he said.
Earlier, Businessmen Group (BMG) Chairman Zubair Motiwala praised the Sindh government’s backing of the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) and appealed for swift completion of the K-IV project, especially to support water-starved industrial zones.
KCCI President Jawed Bilwani echoed these sentiments, commending the “Marka-e-Haq” theme for this year’s Independence Day and recalling the exhibition’s roots in 2004. He called for the development of a new, world-class Expo Center, lamenting the poor state of the current facility.
Bilwani also raised concerns over surging water tariffs, chronic gas shortages, and neglected urban infrastructure. He emphasized the need for comprehensive road repairs, improved drainage, elimination of encroachments, better traffic management, and a serious crackdown on street crime. He further called for expedited implementation of the Safe City Project to address Karachi’s growing security challenges.
