KARACHI, Jan 1: The City Nazim, Syed Mustafa Kamal, said on Sunday that the K-III project, for supply of additional 100-mgd water to Karachi, would be completed by the end of February and it will start its test operation in March. “It will be like Eid when citizens start getting water,” he said during his visit to various areas from North Karachi to Surjani towns. He inspected pumping stations, filter plants and other installations of the Karachi Water and Sewerage Board.

He also visited various points of the K-III project besides inspecting the Hub Pumping Station and Filter Plant being built with the assistance of Japan Bank.

The MD KWSB, Brig Iftikhar Haider, Project Chief Engineer Mashkoorul Hasnain, Project Manager Misbahuddin, Chief Engineer Mushtaque Memon and other officers were also present.

The nazim hoped that citizens would start getting a regular supply of water from the K-III project from March 31.

He was informed that the project’s officials had been waiting for an NOC from the city government’s Department of Works and Services for road cutting from the last six months though they had already paid road-cutting charges.

Upon this, the city nazim ordered that road-cutting be started.

At the Hub Pumping Station and Filter Plant, the city nazim was informed that the project had been completed at a cost of Rs3.5 billion to supply clean water to citizens.

Mr Kamal said President Musharraf would be invited to inaugurate the K-III project.

CHINESE WRITERS: The City Nazim, Syed Mustafa Kamal, while inviting the Mayor of Shanghai for a visit to Karachi for being twin cities, on Sunday called for frequent visits to the city by Chinese intellectuals to further strengthen the existing bond of friendship between the countries.

He also wished the Prime Minister of China visited Karachi whenever he comes to Pakistan.

Mr Kamal was talking to a delegation of Chinese writers, who met him at his office. The Chairman of the Pakistan Academy of Letters, Iftikhar Arif, Director General Muhammad Anwar, Chinese Consul General in Karachi, DCO Karachi Fazalur Rehman and others were also present.

The nazim said a number of Chinese companies were working here. He invited more Chinese investors to come and invest their capital.

He also praised the Chinese government for its help for the earthquake victims of Pakistan.

Mr Chian Jang, leader of the Chinese delegation praised the young leadership of Karachi and said the city was a symbol of friendship between the countries.

He recalled that the late Chinese Prime Minister, Chuen Lae, during his visit to Karachi had said that the Pakistan-China friendship was as deep as the sea.—PPI