Unpacking Karachi: Providing for all, ignored by all

Governments have interfered in Karachi’s development with policies that benefited not the city but the ruling party

Karachi is the biggest and the most populous city of Pakistan. Due to its strategic location, it has always played an important role in the history of the subcontinent.

When the British invaded the subcontinent, Karachi was merely a village but its location and position as a port is what attracted the British. Thus, the British, realising the potential of this small fisherman village becoming one of the most important seaports of South Asia, laid the foundations of the great vibrant Karachi that we see today.

The development of paved roads, district level hospitals, railway and sanitation systems and the now defunct intercity trams are all credited to the British rule. By 1914, it had become the largest grain exporting port of the British Empire. With the creation of Pakistan in 1947, Karachi today is not only the capital and premier port of the new country but also a premier industrial and financial centre.

Today, the city’s issues are riotous. There are no two opinions about that; the issues of Karachi have deep historical roots that have been exacerbated by a lack of effective governance, political instability, and competition for resources. Addressing these problems will require a comprehensive understanding of the city's history and coordinated approach that takes into account the complex interplay of factors that have contributed to the current situation.

The problems of the metropolitan city of Karachi can be divided into three major categories, namely political, socio-economic and administrative:

Political issues:

• Proper census
• Extreme polarisation
• Power conflicts among provisional government and city government
• Number and population size of local body union councils
• Number of administrative agencies in the city: provisional government, federal government, Karachi Development Authority (KDA), Karachi Port Trust (KPT), Railway, Malir Development Authority (MDA), Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC), District Munipal Corporation (DMCs), Cantonment Boards, Defence Housing Authority (DHA), Military Land
• Overlapping jigsaw of civil and military areas
• Linguistics-based political system
• Quota system

Socio-economic issues:

• Population
• Class and status divisions
• Ethnic and cultural differences
• Existence of illegal weapons and street crimes
• Inflation
• Unemployment
• Environmental issues

Administrative issues:

• Poor governance, water scarcity
• Poor urban planning resulting in infrastructure problems
• Transportation issue
• Fresh and clean drinking water
• Waste disposal and sewerage issues
• Electricity shortage resulting in excessive load-shedding
• Law and order crisis
• Land-grabbing, corruption and bribery, drug mafias
• Monsoon flooding

The aforementioned issues call for timely reforms because the political and economic stability of the country is closely linked with and dependant on the peace, tranquillity and economy of this city. Over the years, various governments have interfered in the city's development and progress by implementing policies, or lack thereof, that were not beneficial for the city, but rather for the political interest of the ruling party. Karachi, the economic hub with the largest formal economy, tax revenue and GDP contribution in the country, has been providing for the country but has been sidelined and ignored by all.

If we are serious about solving the problems of Karachi, then we have to change the mindset and policies behind it. First of all, the population of the city should be determined correctly so that future planning can be done on a sound and solid basis. The need for a fair representation in census and resources allocation should be a priority. The city needs a strong and comprehensive master plan that clearly defines the boundaries of the city and highlights the requirement for development schemes.

There is also a dire need to transfer democratic power and authority to the mayor and local bodies as a supreme authority to address the urban administrative problems.

Moreover, water scarcity is a serious problem in Karachi. The city has been suffering from this problem for years, and it is only getting worse as the population grows and demand increases. This has also resulted in crime and violence by way of desperation. In order to solve this problem, there is a dire need to take serious steps. The only sustainable solution is installation of desalination plants on both sides of the Indus River where it flows through Karachi, which will provide water for agriculture in the province as well as drinking water for people living in Karachi. This will also help reduce unemployment because farmers will not need to leave their land anymore.

The metropolitan city has been declared one of the most congested cities in the world. The traffic congestion is caused by a combination of factors, including poor road infrastructure, lack of public transportation, and inadequate traffic management. There is a need to introduce a modern public system of transportation to address this issue.

The crime and law and order situation in Karachi is a complex issue that requires a multi-pronged approach to address it effectively. Improving law enforcement agencies, strengthening the judicial system, addressing socio-economic issues, addressing political and ethnic tensions, localised police and encouraging community involvement are some of the solutions that can be implemented to create a safer and more secure Karachi. However, it requires careful planning and resource allocation to ensure that these are implemented effectively and efficiently.

Karachi is facing significant environmental issues, including poor waste management, air pollution, and water contamination. The city generates around 12,000 tons of solid waste per day, with hardly half of it collected and disposed of properly. This has led to the formation of illegal dumpsites, which have adverse effects on public health and the environment. Improving waste management, establishing a waste-to-energy program, promoting green spaces, regulating industrial emissions, and improving water quality are some of the solutions that can be effectively implemented through local government to create a cleaner and more sustainable Karachi.

It is crucial that the federal, provincial, local government and citizens work together to implement these solutions. All various government bodies must focus on creating a healthier and more liveable Karachi for all.