Bilawal inaugurates 35 MGD wastewater treatment facility in Haroonabad, lays foundation for 65 MGD plant
KARACHI: Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari on Saturday inaugurated a 35 million gallons per day (MGD) secondary sewage treatment facility at Haroonabad, Gutter Baghicha, and laid the foundation stone for another 65 MGD wastewater treatment facility.
Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah described the Haroonabad Treatment Plant-I (TP-1) as an important milestone in Karachi’s efforts to improve water security, promote sustainable industrial development and address the city’s growing water scarcity.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, the chief minister said the project was Pakistan’s first large-scale wastewater treatment and reuse initiative, converting wastewater into a reusable resource for industrial purposes.
Under the project, 35 MGD of treated water will be supplied to industries. According to the chief minister, this will make an equivalent quantity of freshwater currently being supplied to industries available for domestic consumption by the citizens of Karachi.
“Water currently allocated to industries can now be redirected to households, helping address the city’s growing water needs,” he said.
Murad Ali Shah said the quality of the treated water had been tested and found suitable for industrial use. The facility is expected to begin supplying water at full capacity in the coming days.
He said the project had been completed in record time under a public-private partnership model and offered a practical response to Karachi’s water scarcity, population growth and increasing industrial demand.
The chief minister said the project was also financially sustainable as industries would purchase the treated water, allowing its operational expenses to be covered through project revenues.
“Once operational, the project will largely sustain itself and will not require additional financial support from the Sindh government for its routine operations,” he said.
Congratulating Karachi Mayor Barrister Murtaza Wahab, the Karachi Water and Sewerage Corporation (KW&SC) and all stakeholders involved in the project, the chief minister said its completion demonstrated the potential of collaboration between government institutions and the private sector.
The ceremony was attended by PPP Sindh President Nisar Khuhro, provincial ministers, Karachi Mayor Barrister Murtaza Wahab, representatives of industry, development partners, technical experts and senior government officials.
Speaking about development activities across Sindh, Murad Ali Shah said numerous public welfare projects were under way and reaching completion. He said the government’s priority was to deliver tangible services and benefits to citizens rather than merely hold ceremonial events.
He also highlighted progress in the province’s health sector and reaffirmed the Sindh government’s commitment to improving infrastructure, public services and sustainable development.
The Haroonabad Wastewater Treatment and Reuse Project is expected to reduce pressure on Karachi’s freshwater resources, improve environmental sustainability and provide a reliable alternative water source for industrial consumers.
