-Calls for enhanced Pakistan-Malaysia cooperation in diverse fields
By Uzma Zafar
ISLAMABAD: President Dr Arif Alvi Thursday asked the Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) to accelerate its efforts for the completion of the K-IV water supply project within the stipulated timelines to meet the water requirements of the residents of Karachi.
He said that Karachi faced severe water shortage and the project needed to be carried out on fast-track basis so that clean drinking water could be provided to its citizens.
He urged the concerned stakeholders to work in close coordination for expediting work on the project to overcome Karachi’s water woes.
The President made these remarks at a briefing regarding the K-IV Project, given by Chairman WAPDA, Lt. Gen. (R) Muzammil Hussain, here at the Aiwan-e-Sadr.
The meeting was attended by Governor Sindh Imran Ismail and senior officials of the federal government. Chairman WAPDA gave a detailed presentation about the existing and future water requirements of Karachi.
He apprised the meeting about the timelines of the project, saying that consultants would be mobilized by June 2021 and the Design Review would be completed by October 2021.
He informed that the work on the project would commence in February 2022 and it would be completed by October 2023.
The President assured that the federal government would extend all possible support to WAPDA for timely completion of the water supply project so as to meet the requirements of the city.
Meanwhile on Thursday, President Dr Arif Alvi underscored the need for increasing bilateral cooperation between Pakistan and Malaysia in the areas of trade, culture and technology for the mutual benefits of two brotherly countries.
He said that Pakistan attaches significant importance to its ties with Malaysia as the two countries enjoyed excellent relations in various fields and had unanimity of views on regional and international issues.
The President was talking to the outgoing High Commissioner of Malaysia to Pakistan, Ikram Bin Mohammad Ibrahim, who called on him here at Aiwan-e-Sadr.
Talking to the High Commissioner, he said that there existed tremendous amount of goodwill between the two countries and bilateral cooperation needed to be further expanded for the mutual advantages of the two sides.
The President stated that Pakistan offered tremendous investment opportunities and Malaysia needed to take advantage of the investment-friendly environment.
He said that a number of Malaysian mega companies such as auto maker Proton and Teleco Edotco had already entered into Pakistani market and were benefiting from the investment opportunities.
The President also highlighted the brutalities being committed by the Indian Security Forces against the people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu & Kashmir (IIOJ&K) and Israeli military forces against the Muslims of Palestine.
He urged the international community to fulfill its obligations by granting inalienable right to self-determination to the people of IIOJ&K and Palestine.
The President thanked the Government of Malaysia for supporting Pakistan’s position on Kashmir. He appreciated the contribution made by the High Commissioner towards strengthening bilateral ties between Pakistan and Malaysia.
