–10 of 18 projects pertain to transport system, while seven focused on provision of water resources
–PM inaugurates Bagh Ibn-e-Qasim, praises MQM’s Mayor Waseem Akhtar for restoring
KARACHI: Prime Minister Imran Khan on Saturday announced a Rs162 billion package entailing 18 development projects for Karachi.
The premier was addressing a gathering during his two-day visit to the city. He said that Karachi’s progress is elementary for the development of the entire nation.
He criticised the local government for forgetting their responsibility and going back on all promises after winning seats in interior Sindh.
TRANSPORT, WATER SAFETY:
Shedding light on the transport issues faced by citizens, the premier declared that 10 of the 18 announced projects will focus on the transport system of the city, while seven would focus on the provision of water resources.
The prime minister stressed the importance of a “water conversation campaign” in the metropolis to cater to the issues pertaining to clean drinking water. He lamented that a campaign to conserve water could not be launched in the country.
Vowing to make Karachi greener, he regretted that the city was turned into a “concrete slab”. He said the deterioration in Karachi’s infrastructure during the last ten years has caused damage to the whole country.
He added that checks needed to be established to stop the city from expanding and emphasized that more high-rise buildings need to be constructed.
Karachi has the most slums and the growing population means that the issues keep on increasing, he said, arguing that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government will soon unveil a master plan for the city.
The Prime Minister assured that the projects of reverse osmosis (RO) plants in District Tharparkar will be implemented at a cost of one billion rupees.
It was earlier reported that the premier announced a master plan for the city called ‘Karachi Master Plan 2047’ which was presented by the newly-set-up Karachi Transformation Committee.
BAGH IBN-E-QASIM:
The premier also inaugurated the Bagh Ibn-e-Qasim and praised Karachi Mayor Waseem Akhtar for his efforts in restoring the park.
Stressing on the need to save green areas in Karachi for future generations, he announced that 10 billion trees will be planted across Pakistan.
“Forest land in Sindh and Punjab was encroached on. Companies have occupied the forest land in the name of leases,” he regretted.
Stating the parks in Karachi were encroached on, the premier stated, “Slowly, Karachi’s land went into the hands of land grabbers and parks and recreational grounds diminished.”
“Miandad said that the ground he used to play cricket in has now been encroached on,” he lamented and emphasized upon the need for green spaces and parks in the port city.
Saying that Pakistan falls at the eighth number in top ten countries most affected by global warming, PM Imran said that our future generations will not forgive us if we do not take steps now for improving the environment.