Pakistan is grappling with acute and daunting challenges on multiple fronts. At the regional level, Pakistan may have to bear the brunt of tensions between the US and China due to its close proximity and working relationship with the latter. On the other hand, the recent India-China border skirmishes are also a cause for grave concern for Pakistan, keeping in view its strategic location and sharing borders with both. Moreover, at the national level our country appears to be surrounded with a multitude of teething issues that restricts progress. At present, the challenges like a sagging economy, political instability, inter-provincial conflicts, and a governance crisis have further aggravated the plight of the country. The current state of affairs depicts quite gloomy picture when it comes to the deteriorating situation, especially in Karachi.
The city, once the capital of the country, was recently rampaged by record-breaking monsoon rains that have exposed the gross negligence and decades of misrule by the provincial and local governments. It appears that little to no attention has been given over the years to address the chronic issues like sewerage system, solid waste management, proper drainage system and waste water treatment. The pathetic state of the city ensued by the recent monsoon disaster is indeed a warning for stakeholders to shun their petty politics and address the long festering wounds of Karachi by taking prudent and stern measures.
Ammar Aslam Muhammadi
Sukkur
Published in The Express Tribune, September 12th, 2020.
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