'No fund released by federal government for K-IV project'

Federal Government didn't release any fund for Greater Karachi Water Supply Scheme (K-IV) project out of Rs800 million allocated in Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) 2019-20 in the first seven months of current fiscal.

Federal and Sindh Governments are jointly financing the project on 50:50 cost sharing basis. The project was approved at the total cost of Rs25.510 billion to increase the water supply to the metropolis. Federal and Provincial Governments agreed to finance Rs12.775 billion each.

Federal Government spent Rs9.598 billion by June 30, 2019 with the throw forward of Rs3.157 billion for the current financial year, for which it allocated Rs800 million.

However, federal government didn't release any fund out of allocated amount in the first seven months of ongoing financial year, which is creating hindrances for the completion of the project at earliest to ensure improved water supply in the city, which is confronting the water shortage.

On the other hand, Sindh Government also allocated Rs800 million in its Annual Development Programme (ADP) for financial year 2019-20. It, however released Rs200 million out of the allocated amount. Federal Planning and Development Minister Asad Umar vowed to complete K-IV project on priority basis during a recent visit to Karachi.

According to sources, Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) also pressed the federal government to take speedy action for the completion of the project for resolving the water shortage in the city.