KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah chairs a high-level meeting at the Chief Minister House to review the Sukkur Water Supply Project.
The meeting was attended by Local Government Minister Nasir Hussain Shah, Special Assistant to the Chief Minister on Investment Qasim Naveed, Sukkur Mayor Arsalan Sheikh, Principal Secretary Agha Wasif, Chairman Planning and Development Board Najam Shah, Local Government Secretary Waseem Shamshad, Director General PPP Unit Asad Zamin, CEO Sukkur Water and Sewerage Corporation Jatin Kumar and other officials.
Addressing the meeting, the chief minister said that Sukkur, situated on the banks of the River Indus, could not be left thirsty, stressing that every citizen must have access to clean drinking water. He said providing clean, safe and uninterrupted drinking water to every household in Sukkur was the government’s responsibility.
The meeting was informed that Sukkur’s population had increased by approximately 68 percent between 1998 and 2023.
The chief minister said the city’s growing population and expanding urban landscape made it essential to develop a modern water supply system capable of meeting present and future requirements. He directed the relevant authorities to plan the project according to the city’s actual water demand and ensure a sustainable supply system with adequate capacity for the future.
The chief minister also said a proposal was under consideration to establish a sister-city relationship between Sukkur and Yichang, a city located along China’s Yangtze River. He observed that Sukkur could benefit from Yichang’s development experience to emerge as a modern urban centre.
He said Sukkur’s development would take into account its historical identity, natural beauty and geographical importance. Improvements to the Sukkur Barrage and urban infrastructure could create a harmonious combination of modern civic facilities and the city’s natural attractions.
The meeting discussed a proposal to establish a water treatment system with a capacity of 40 to 50 million gallons per day (MGD) to meet Sukkur’s growing requirements.
The chief minister directed the authorities to determine the project’s capacity and investment requirements on the basis of actual demand, supported by reliable data and sound technical planning.
The meeting was informed that the project would also include the rehabilitation and modernisation of existing water treatment facilities at Bukkur Island, Bandar Road, Exhibition Ground and Airport Road. Improvements to the existing water pumping and distribution networks were also discussed.
The chief minister emphasised that increasing water production alone would not be sufficient unless the treated water reached households in all parts of the city. He directed the authorities to improve both treatment capacity and the distribution system simultaneously.
The meeting was informed that the existing water distribution network was meeting only 60 to 70 percent of the city’s requirements. An ongoing development scheme worth Rs2.14 billion was expected to increase water supply coverage to between 80 and 90 percent.
The CM directed the concerned departments to adopt a phased development strategy in line with Sukkur’s actual water requirements and ensure the timely expansion of the supply network. He made it clear that delays in the project would not be tolerated and directed the authorities to resolve all pending issues immediately. He stressed that transparency, accountability and quality standards must be maintained at every stage of the project. The Local Government Department, Sukkur mayor and relevant institutions were directed to work in close coordination to ensure effective implementation.
The chief minister emphasised that the project should not be treated merely as a construction scheme but as an important public service initiative. He said the people of Sukkur deserved a modern and reliable water supply system and that the ultimate objective was to improve their daily lives by ensuring access to clean and safe drinking water.
Speaking at the meeting, Local Government Minister Nasir Hussain Shah reaffirmed the Sindh government’s commitment to modernising Sukkur’s water supply infrastructure under the leadership of the chief minister. He said the population of Sukkur city and New Sukkur was continuously increasing, while the expansion of residential areas was further contributing to rising water demand. He stressed the need for a reliable water supply system to meet the growing requirements of the city.
The minister said the Local Government Department, Sukkur mayor and Sukkur Water and Sewerage Corporation would work in a coordinated manner to implement the project and improve water supply services.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026