KARACHI - The Leader of the Opposition in Sindh Assembly, Haleem Adil Sheikh, said on Tuesday that work was in full swing on the federal government-funded development projects in Karachi to uplift the provincial capital and provide basic facilities to its residents.

Mr Sheikh, in a statement, said that fast track development in Karachi was clear manifestation of the fact that Imran Khan loved Karachi and his heart beats along with Karachiites while the federal government attached priority to the metropolis that was growth engine of Pakistan and was being continually neglected by previous regimes.

PM Imran Khan took responsibility of major projects following urban flooding situation created due to heavy rains in Karachi, he said, adding that rehabilitation of Malir and Lyari rivers and removal of encroachments along with Orangi, Mehmoodabad and Gujjar nullahs and their widening and dredging were five priority projects under the Rs1,100 billion package.

As many as Rs35 billion had already been released while 80 percent work had been done, he added. Mr Sheikh informed that three overhead bridges in the central district had been completed, work on Manghopir-Jam Chakro road was in advanced stage and 52 fire tender vehicles had already reached here.

Claims federal govt under SDGs issued Rs10b to MNAs, MPAs from Karachi to carry out development works in their constituencies

The Opposition Leader said that track for green line had been completed as well while buses for the green line service would be on the roads next month. “The federal government has also fast tracked Sindh government’s Orange Line Project and LC in the regard has been opened in the current month,” he added.

“Under the sustainable development goals, the federal government sanctioned and issued Rs10 billion to elected representative--MNAs and MPAs-- from Karachi to carry out development works in their constituencies, though construction and maintenance of streets and drains besides solid waste management were responsibility of Sindh government, Mr Sheikh noted.

He said that, in the package, Sindh has to contribute Rs450 million but they had not spent a single penny so far while provincial government kept saying that they would carry out development work when they will receive amount from penalty imposed on a private housing society.