Govt to expedite release of funds for various Karachi projects: Asad Umar

Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Reforms Asad Umar on Wednesday assured that funds for the Green Line Project have been issued and work on the project will commence soon.

Umar, while addressing a press conference after a meeting of the Karachi Transformative Committee, recalled that the federal government had assumed the entire responsibility of the Green Line Project and work on it was being expedited. 

Speaking about the K-IV Water project, Umar said officials had encountered several problems with the project, which they have resolved now. 

“Karachi needs the K-IV project. We will try to start the project as soon as possible,” Umar said.

He acknowledged that there were some technical issues with the K-IV project, which have now been resolved. 

“Once the Sindh government completes [its share of] the project, it will come to the federal government," he explained.

Speaking about other development projects, Umar said it was not possible to initiate any new work without the help of the provincial government, although “Work is being done at a faster pace through public-private partnerships.”

Umar further said the participants of the meeting had also discussed other projects, such as the Northern Bypass and strengthening of the Lyari Expressway. 

“The biggest project that received approval in the meeting was the Sukkur-Hyderabad [Motorway] project. The authorities have started working on the project and will make it operational soon,” the minister shared.

Commenting on the Sindh government, Umar said that Sindh’s local government system was against the law. 

“Despite the local government being [rendered] non-functional, the federal government has been working [on service delivery],” he remarked.

“Imran Khan has said several times on and off the camera that something has to be done for Karachi. We will do something for Karachi,” he assured.

Umar added the prime minister will visit the metropolis again in the first week of February to inaugurate different projects.