Sindh government and World Bank agree to accelerate water, sanitation and digital reforms under the KWSSIP programme
KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah and World Bank Country Director Bolormaa Amgaabazar on Monday reviewed progress on the Karachi Water and Sewerage Services Improvement Project (KWSSIP) and agreed on an accelerated implementation roadmap to strengthen the city’s water supply and sanitation infrastructure.
The meeting, held at the Chief Minister House, was attended by Local Government Minister Saeed Ghani, Mayor Karachi Barrister Murtaza Wahab, Chief Secretary Asif Hyder Shah, senior officials of the Karachi Water and Sewerage Corporation (KW&SC), the Planning and Development Department, and a delegation of World Bank specialists in water, procurement, environmental and social development.
Safe drinking water for two million residents
Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah said improving access to safe drinking water and modernising Karachi’s water and sewerage network remain among the Sindh government’s highest priorities.
He said one of the project’s principal objectives is to provide safe drinking water to nearly two million residents of Karachi.
Mayor Murtaza Wahab informed the meeting that chlorination stations had been relocated to their designated sites and commissioning was now underway. Water quality testing is scheduled to begin by 30 July 2026.
The chief minister directed the KW&SC and the project management team to complete commissioning and testing without delay while ensuring full compliance with water quality standards.
“The ultimate success of this project will be measured by its impact on citizens. Every household must receive clean, safe and reliable water. Timelines should be treated as commitments to the people of Karachi,” Murad Shah said.
KW&SC reaches key financial milestone
The meeting was informed that the Karachi Water and Sewerage Corporation has achieved full coverage of its operation and maintenance costs, marking a significant institutional milestone under the reform programme.
Officials also updated participants on compensation payments to Project Affected Persons (PAPs). Of the 203 affected individuals, compensation has been paid to 186 beneficiaries, while payments to the remaining families are expected after approval of the revised resettlement plan.
Murad Shah instructed the Karachi mayor to ensure all outstanding compensation cases are resolved transparently and without delay.
“No affected family should face unnecessary delays. Social safeguards and community confidence are essential components of infrastructure development,” he said.
The meeting was also informed that an Independent Monitoring Consultant for environmental and social compliance joined the project on 13 July 2026, strengthening oversight of safeguard and resettlement activities.
Progress on common corridor and K-IV project
Officials briefed the meeting on work along the 2.7-kilometre common corridor, stating that the Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) handed over the project site on 22 June 2026.
Preparations are underway for integrity verification of the 96-inch pipeline, while bridge rectification and piling works have commenced. Weld integrity verification and rectification work at NIPA Bridge is targeted for completion by 20 August 2026.
Murad Shah directed all relevant departments to maintain close coordination to complete the remaining technical work within the revised timelines.
The meeting also reviewed progress on the K-IV Augmentation Project, with officials confirming that the World Bank has issued a conditional no-objection certificate and that the project advertisement will be published shortly.
The chief minister instructed the concerned departments to expedite procurement approvals while maintaining transparency.
“K-IV is a strategic project for Karachi’s future. Every procedural requirement should be completed swiftly while ensuring transparency and quality,” he said.
Digital transformation and water sector reforms
The meeting reviewed a comprehensive metering plan submitted to the World Bank, with both sides agreeing to launch a pilot programme before introducing meters across the entire water distribution system.
Officials also discussed:
• Development of a future water sector master plan.
• Implementation of Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems.
• Digital monitoring of water services.
• Measures to reduce Non-Revenue Water (NRW) losses.
Murad Shah directed the KW&SC to accelerate its digital transformation programme.
“Modern utilities rely on data, metering and technology. Karachi’s water utility must continue moving towards greater efficiency, accountability and service delivery,” he said.
Several unfinished components of KWSSIP-I will now be transferred to KWSSIP-II to ensure continuity. These include the NRW strategy, pilot district metered areas, hydraulic modelling, rehabilitation of water supply and sewerage systems in Essa Nagri, SCADA installation, water quality testing, master planning studies, work at the Centre for Excellence in Research, Rehabilitation and Innovation (CERRI), and additional pipeline projects in Soba Nagar.
The meeting also reviewed recruitment under KWSSIP-II, with several key technical and management positions already filled while recruitment for additional specialist posts remains under evaluation.
World Bank reaffirms support
World Bank Country Director Bolormaa Amgaabazar welcomed the Sindh government’s commitment to water sector reforms and acknowledged the progress achieved despite implementation challenges.
She reaffirmed the World Bank’s continued support for the Sindh government and the Karachi Water and Sewerage Corporation in delivering sustainable water supply and sanitation services for Karachi.
She emphasised that continued progress on institutional reforms, governance, social safeguards, timely project implementation and future investments under KWSSIP-II would be essential to achieving the programme’s objectives.
Concluding the meeting, Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah directed all stakeholders to adhere strictly to agreed timelines, strengthen coordination among implementing agencies and ensure that the benefits of the project reach Karachi’s residents without delay.
“Karachi’s growing population requires resilient and modern water infrastructure. We must work collectively to deliver lasting improvements in water supply, sanitation and public service delivery. The government will continue to provide full support to ensure the success of these reforms,” he said.