Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah inaugurated the landmark 20th edition of the My Karachi – Oasis of Harmony International Exhibition on Thursday at the Karachi Expo Centre.
Organized by the Karachi Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KCCI), the three-day event runs until August 3 and features more than 350 stalls representing a wide range of sectors, including textiles, food, IT, education, healthcare, handicrafts, auto parts, and more.
During the inauguration ceremony, CM Murad Ali Shah drew attention to Karachi’s escalating water crisis.
He criticized the federal government for releasing only Rs 3 billion out of the Rs 78 billion promised for the K-IV water project, while praising Sindh’s full financial commitment to its sub-projects.
He announced that the new 100 MGD Hub Canal would be inaugurated on August 14, with the older canal also being upgraded to provide an additional 100 MGD.
He stated that 200 MGD of water will begin flowing into the city from the Hub Dam by the end of this year. The Dumlottee project is also expected to add 150 MGD to Karachi’s water supply in 2025.
He also highlighted a Rs. 170 billion initiative to bring water from Keenjhar Lake and the installation of a dedicated power plant to support water pumping infrastructure.
Referring to the World Bank’s 2015–16 gap analysis, CM Murad said Karachi needs Rs. 3 trillion in infrastructure upgrades, which cannot be managed by Sindh alone. He urged the federal government to play its part.
He also condemned the delay in convening the Council of Common Interests (CCI) meetings, stressing that Sindh, which produces 70% of Pakistan’s natural gas, must receive its fair share.
Calling for public cooperation in tax compliance and vehicle registration, he reiterated his government’s full support to the business community and praised KCCI’s efforts in organizing the exhibition.
He also launched province-wide Independence Day celebrations under the theme “Maarka-e-Haq”, symbolizing Pakistan’s ongoing struggle for sovereignty and national unity.
KCCI President Jawed Bilwani and BMG Chairman Zubair Motiwala lauded the Sindh government’s continued support but also pressed for speedy resolutions to Karachi’s water and gas shortages, infrastructure decay, and security challenges.
They also demanded the establishment of a world-class Expo Centre to further promote Sindh’s industrial potential on an international scale.