Sindh Local Government Minister Saeed Ghani announced that work on Karachi’s mega water supply project, K-IV, is progressing rapidly and will be completed by July 2026. Addressing the Sindh Assembly during a call-attention notice, he explained that the project comprises three key components, all being executed simultaneously: Water Transmission from Keenjhar Lake to Karachi (WAPDA): This segment is 55% complete and is expected to be finalized by December 2025.
The Sindh Chief Minister approved Rs 7,000 billion without waiting for World Bank approval. This phase will also be completed by December 2025. 50 MW Power Station: HESCO has started work on this Rs 16 billion project, which is also scheduled to be finished by the end of 2025. Following these developments, testing will commence, and the project is expected to start supplying water to Karachi by June 2026. Saeed Ghani revealed that between 2018 and 2024, 8,171 illegal structures across Sindh were demolished, with 2024 witnessing the highest number of actions at 1,784.
He assured the assembly that measures against individuals and officials involved in illegal constructions continue, including the transfer of several officers to other districts within Sindh.
The minister announced that current laws, which permit up to 20% of illegal construction, will be amended to allow zero tolerance. Builders violating regulations will face a fine of Rs10 million, and repeated violations could result in the blocking of their identity cards and passports. Addressing questions from MQM lawmakers, Saeed Ghani highlighted issues related to encroachments, traffic congestion, and illegal roadside stalls in Karachi.
He emphasized that removing such encroachments remains a major challenge. He urged political parties to collectively support initiatives aimed at resolving urban issues, stating, “If all political parties agree on actions for the public good, we can make progress on these issues.” In response to an MQM member’s suggestion to relocate Karachi Zoo outside the city, Saeed Ghani said the zoo is a historic site, established in 1870, and will not be moved.
However, he expressed openness to building new zoos in the outskirts of the city. Saeed Ghani admitted that despite ongoing efforts, completely halting illegal constructions remains a challenge. He attributed this to factors such as a lack of stringent penalties in existing laws. However, he reaffirmed the government’s commitment to resolving these issues through strict measures and legal reforms.
