The inauguration of a mega water project K-III seems to go into limbo at least for the time being as President General Pervez Musharraf was supposed to inaugurate the project on April 15, 2006.
However, the project could not be inaugurated because of the other engagements of the President, said officials related to K-III project.
According to the Karachi Water & Sewerage Board (KW&SB) and the City District Government Karachi (CDGK) officials, the CDGK had again requested President Pervez Musharraf for inauguration of the project. Now, it was up to the federal government to respond the request, they added.
On one hand, citizens of the port city have been striving for acquiring water for their daily needs, on the other, the CDGK is insisting on getting the project kicked off by President Pervez Musharraf, no matter how agonising repercussions the move will produce to the citizen as already water shortage problems have hit the several parts of the city.
City Nazim during his last press conference insisted that K-III as a mega water project will only be inaugurated by President General Pervez Musharraf and citizens must tolerate inconsistent water supply for further few weeks.
It was planned before the Pervez Musharraf's visit to Karachi that he will, at earliest, inaugurate the project, but Nishtar Park bomb blasts dashed the hopes of acquiring additional 100-MGD water.
President Musharraf then flew to Abu Dhabi for watching a cricket match between Pakistan and India and returned direct to Islamabad. However, the matter of inauguration of the project remained out of context.
Now, City District Government Karachi is waiting for getting any further response from the President in this regard. While, the President seems to be unwilling to take the matter so seriously by taking security risks in the metropolis.
It is still better that officials and ruling class should realise the chronic problems of the people and avoid causing unnecessary delay in such important civic projects. The inauguration by a renowned politician or head of the state is not important and the important thing is the delivery of services by the elected representatives to public.
Without any further delay, the project should be made operational so that people could get sigh of relief instead remaining in waiting for water even in 21st century and in the age of 'enlightened moderation'.