The Sindh Assembly unanimously passed ‘The Karachi Water and Sewerage Corporation Bill, 2023’ in an effort to address Karachi’s growing demand for clean water. The bill seeks to turn the existing Karachi Water and Sewerage Board (KWSB) into a profit-making corporation with the goal of improving the city’s access to water.
The bill, presented by Parliamentary Affairs Minister Mukesh Kumar Chawla, underwent thorough vetting and deliberations by the Standing Committee on Law, Parliamentary Affairs, and Human Rights of the House.
The Karachi Water and Sewerage Corporation (KWSC) has the authority under the new law to contract out water supply, sewage maintenance, and associated services like handling complaints and collecting fees from customers in low-income areas and Katchi Abadis.
The KW&SC will collect tariffs, charges, and fees, which include betterment fees for water supply, groundwater extraction, sewage services, and any outstanding amounts. To maintain financial stability, the corporation can borrow funds for capital expenditures and other domestic and international functions, adhering to relevant laws and regulations.
The corporation will operate based on sound commercial practices to generate sufficient revenue for all operational and maintenance costs, including a reasonable return on investment. Strategic plans will be devised to ensure the effective and sustainable delivery of clean water and sewage disposal.
The chairperson of the KW&SC board will be the city mayor. In the absence of the mayor, the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation administrator will assume this position. The board will consist of seven ex-officio members, including representatives from the commissioner’s office, the local government secretary, the finance secretary, the planning and development secretary, the Sindh Katchi Abadis Authority director general, and the corporation’s CEO. There will be six non-official members with technical expertise in different fields.
By passing this bill, the Sindh Assembly aims to establish an efficient and financially sustainable water and sewerage utility in Karachi, ensuring the provision of clean water to meet the city’s growing needs.