KARACHI: Almost half of Karachi’s population is forced to purchase water for their daily use from different sources as “Gap in water supply and demand in city is 50 per cent”, it emerged during Sindh Assembly session.

Current state of water crisis in metropolis was highlighted when Sindh Local Government Minister Saeed Ghani briefed house about grim situation, but at same time, he shared initiatives being planned by Pakistan Peoples’ Party government in order to improve situation. Responding to call attention notice given by Muttahida Qaumi Movement-P member Rehan Akram, Sindh Minister said that if “Six legal hydrants” had not been operating, “There would be huge water crisis” in city.Akram said his area has been facing severe water supply crisis for past several months, raised question about water problems.

MPA said it was interesting to note that hydrants, which were operating within same affected areas, were not facing any supply issue.Ghani informed house that six legal water hydrants were operating in city in line with apex court’s directives and shutting down them would mean that several areas in Karachi would go dry. “But let me tell you that Sindh government is spending money out of its annual development programme to restore water supply from Hub Dam canal,” he said.“Development work will be completed in next 12 months to ensure 150 million gallons of water supply daily to city. “Power supply issue also affects water supply.” “Central district localities, mentioned in call attention notice, receive water from bulk supply source of Hub Dam.”He said that Karachi receives 70 million gallons per day of water from Hub Dam source against its quota of 100 MGD. Public-private partnership mode of development had been adopted to carry out development work to restore Hub Dam canal and supply to affected areas in city would improve after completion of this project.House passed Gorakh Hills Development Authority (Amendment) Act which appoints tourism minister as head of authority. Session was adjourned till Friday when Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah will present budget for next fiscal year.