KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister (CM) Murad Ali Shah has said that cost of Greater Karachi Bulk Water Supply, K-IV project has increased manifold and he was hoping that the federal government would generously finance it. He also expressed the hope that a similar financial support would also be made by centre to Karachi Circular Railway (KCR). While talking to media just after performing inaugural ceremony of Al-Nadi Al-Burhani Sports Complex established by DawoodiBohra Community at Talpur Road, he said that K-IV project was ill-conceived, therefore its cost had increased manifold when work on it had been initiated. “The federal government was committed to share 50 percent cost of project when it was approved at Rs 25 billion (bn) and now it has reached to Rs 75 bn,” he said. “I am sure federal government also generously support in establishment of KCR project,” he said. “Karachi is hub of trade and industry and generate huge revenues, therefore in return it should be repaid in shape of its development,” he added. Shah said that when Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan had visited Karachi he had briefed him about K-IV project and its growing cost. “The prime minister had shown his support and cooperation for the completion of project,” he shared. Responding to a question about KCR, chief minister said that it was included in CPEC projects and now a Joint Working Group had been formed. “Let’s see what it decided for KCR but I am working on KCR project and it would see light of the day very soon,” he said. He urged federal government to extend financial support for KCR as it had made toOragne Line project of Lahore.A journalist told chief minister that National Accountability Bureau (NAB) had issued a list in which his name was on the top. At this chief minister said that he was always on top if you looked at him positively. “This was not a reference but an inquiry and I don’t think that NAB has issued this list because it has no signature or stamp,” he commented. He said that it was a NAB inquiry against recruitments in STEVTA in 2012 and STEVTA board had ratified the recruitments. Later, keeping in view legal issues ratification was recalled by board, therefore his name should have not been there in NAB list. To another question, he said that the governor was a federal government representative and he had every right to perform stone lying or inauguration ceremony of a project being launched or completed by federal government. “I have respect for the governor and he has played a very constructive role in the province,” CM added. He said that he was going to Islamabad to attend Fiscal Coordination Committee (FCC) meeting in which World Bank (WB) sponsored projects would be discussed and input of provincial governments would also be sought for future WB projects. Earlier, chief minister after inaugurating Al-Nadi Al-Burhani Sports Complex visited different sections of the complex, including gym, polo ground, arrow shooting club and cricket and football grounds. Murad Ali Shah congratulated Bohra community for establishing such a state-of-the art sports complex.He said that this was the turning point when children switched over from physical games played in open ground and in streets to digital and indoor games. “This is totally unhealthy; therefore, establishment of sports grounds, clubs and sports complexes is an encouraging move and the government supports them,” he concluded. Published in Daily Times, November 1st 2018.