KARACHI: President Asif Ali Zardari has called for expediting pace of developmental work on various ongoing schemes in Lyari and in other parts of Karachi to provide maximum possible facilities to the people.

He was chairing a briefing on Lyari Development Package here at Bilawal House on Monday.

Chief Minister Sindh Syed Qaim Ali Shah, Pir Mazharul Haq, Murad Ali Shah, Ayaz Soomro, Sharjeel Memon, Agha Siraj Durrani, Nadir Magsi, Saifullah Dharejo, Sharmeela Farooqui and senior government officials were present on the occasion.

The president, while calling for expediting the pace of work, stressed upon the need for ensuring that the quality of the work is not compromised in any manner.

The president was informed that old water supply lines in most areas of Lyari have been replaced for better supply of clean drinking water.

It was informed that out of the six Reverse Osmosis Plants, two have been completed and are being tested for commissioning. These six reverse osmosis plants will supplement the availability of water and would benefit around 0.3 million people.

The meeting was informed out of 21 sewerage schemes of Sindh government, 19 have been completed and the remaining two would be completed by September this year. Out of federal government schemes, 12 out of 14 have been completed and the rest would also be completed by this September.

About the roads, it was informed that 24 major and minor roads have been carpeted, refurbished and repaired and have been handed over to the administration. In phase II, 30 roads of Lyari have been taken up out of which 19 works are under execution with 80 per cent work completed.

Regarding the improvements in education facilities, it was informed that the feeding institutions such as primary and secondary schools were being improved in a phased manner. It was informed that in Phase-I, 24 schools have been renovated and improved. In Phase II, 41 schools were taken up with so far 60 per cent progress has been made in the second phase.

The president was also briefed about the progress made so far in electrification, developments of play grounds, parks, and other recreational and sport facilities such as boxing clubs, Football House and Kakri Ground.