Daily Times

KARACHI: On directives of Ameer Hani Muslim, Chairman Water Commission, Sindh government has transferred two project directors of K-IV and S-III on their poor performance.

Under a notification-SOI (SGA&CD)-1/8/2017, January 31, 2018 by Chief Secretary Rizwan Memon, Assad Zamin, a BPS-19 official of Pakistan Administrative Service, Secretary, Sindh Revenue Board, Karachi has been posted as Project Director, Greater Karachi Bulk Water Supply Scheme K-IV, Phase-I and transferred official, Saleem Siddiqui of BPS-20 of KWSB has been asked to report KWSB.

Noor Ahmed, a BPS-19 official of Pakistan Administrative Service, Project Director, Rehabilitation of DHQ/THQ Hospitals in Sindh, Health Department, holding charge of Additional Secretary (Services-II), General Administration and Coordination Department has been posted as Project Director, Greater Karachi Sewerage Plant (S-III) in place of Imtiaz Ahmed Magsi and he was directed report KWSB.

Water Commission showed its displeasure over recently deputed Ayub Shaikh as S-II Project Director. According to Commission during his service as an official of S-III he has been remained unproductive delivering any good for the department.

Hashim Raza Zaidi, Managing Director KWSB briefing Commission claimed that PDs were remained reluctant to follow officials’ bindings and transfers of these officials were on cards.

On taking plea, MD informed Commission that cut-off completion date of existing treatment plants and water filtration projects could not be possible.

He said that cadre officials with job expertise should be posted on these seats so that a positive change could be possible with sincere efforts.

The lists of officials those could not deliver any good in filtration department would be soon submitted before Commission, he maintained.

He requested a day relief for submission of final report on matters of safe environment and clean drinking water under the directives of Supreme Court.

A report in connection with restoration of grabbed land of Mahmoodabad Treatment Plant besides illegal water connections would also be submitted.

Commission directed MD to furnish relevant reports in question to Commission so that this information could be put before SC.

A fresh report in respect of K-IV, S-III and extent of work completed so far in percentage and expected date of completion was also submitted before Commission.

Greater Karachi Water Supply Scheme K-IV costs Rs 51.897 billion, 65 MGD additional water supply from Haleji to Pipri, Karachi at cost of Rs 6.025 billion and construction of new 100 MGD pump house at Dhabeji pumping station at cost of Rs 1.62 billion are ongoing projects.

Up-gradation of Pipri Filter plant/pumping station at cost of Rs 900 million.

Through all these efforts 325 MGD of water will be added into system over next 2 years while up-gradation and improvement of filtration plants will enhance the overall quality of water.

MD KWSB is retiring on February 17, 2018 and it is seemed that next MD of the Board would handle these affairs. The Board officials were of the opinion that more time would be needed for streamlining matters of the Board.

Zaidi remained failed in bringing any positive, administrative and constructive change during his stay at Board as he was appointed chief of entity on directives of SC.

Published in Daily Times, February 1^st 2018.