Bilawal inaugurated New Hub Canal to tackle Karachi’s water crisis

Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) President Bilawal Bhutto Zardari inaugurated the new Hub channel on Wednesday and emphasized that water has been a long-standing question for the people of Karachi and must be treated as a priority.

He highlighted the importance of water for Karachi, adding that the renovation of the old Hub Canal, along with the construction of the new canal, would significantly improve the city’s water supply.

Bilawal expressed strong dissatisfaction with the federal government’s sustained delay in ending K-IV MEGA WATER PROJECT, which is crucial to Karachi’s growing water needs, according to an official release.

The K-IV project, part of an ongoing initiative from the Sindh government and Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC), aims to tackle the city’s long-standing water shortages. When it is completed, it is expected to supply another 100 million liters of water a day to Karachi.

In a speech at the inauguration, Bilawal noted: “It is unacceptable to operate with ‘Shehbaz Speed’ for Lahore and switch to ‘Shehbaz Slow’ for Karachi.” He criticized the lack of progress with the K-IV project and the federal government’s failure to supply funds for Karachi’s development.

He added that he would raise the question of delayed financing with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and urged him to secure the earliest possible ending of the K-IV project. “I had hoped that the prime minister would support Karachi’s development with the same ‘Shehbaz speed’ that he has consistently shown to Lahore,” he said.

In a speech about Karachi’s development, Bilawal emphasized the importance of cooperation between the Sindh government and local bodies. He expressed hope that the people would reject politicians spreading hatred in future elections and instead support those who work for people’s welfare.

He also condemned India’s actions regarding the Indus Waters Treaty and called the Modi government’s attempt to block Pakistan’s water share.

“India has funded terrorist organizations and intends to block Pakistan’s water during the Indus Waters Treaty,” he said. He described the move as a “historic attack on the river Sindhu (Indus) and promised to confront India both diplomatically and if necessary on the battlefield.

The PPP chairman repeated Pakistan’s attitude and said the country would not allow India to break the treaty. “If we are forced, we will grab all six rivers from India and deliver them to the people of Pakistan,” he added.

The ceremony attended Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, Karachi Mayor Barrister Murtaza Wahab, provincial ministers, PPP office carriers and other prominent citizens of the city.

He also paid tribute to PPP workers, especially from Karachi and Hyderabad, for their unwavering support to resist hate-driven politics and create unity.

“For the first time in history, PPP mayors have been elected in both Karachi and Hyderabad,” he said, recognizing the victims made by party workers in these cities.

Bilawal ended by emphasizing the need for continuous progress in Karachi and ensuring that development reaches all areas, including Lyari. “The work is also underway on a desalination project in seawater under a public-private partnership model,” he added.