Even though the recent spell of rain wreaked much havoc in Karachi, one cannot ignore the fact that the city has been suffering from a plethora of different wicked problems for a long time. At present, there are about five major issues plaguing the city.
The first issue is that of water supply. Most of the city, including posh areas like DHA, face an acute shortage of water. Private tankers illegally collect water from water hydrants and then sell them to residents who, without having any other alternative, are forced to buy water at inflated prices. The officers in charge of overseeing the hydrants turn a blind eye to these illegal activities, presumably because they also receive their cut.
Another major issue that is prevalent throughout the city is of sewage and waste disposal. Major nullahs are not regularly cleaned nor have they been properly maintained for decades. To make things worse, citizens throw garbage and litter onto streets and into these nullahs. Consequently, waste water and garbage are discharged on the streets. It is interesting to note that local and provincial authorities in charge of cleaning up the city take millions of rupees to do their jobs every year, yet no progress has been made.
The third major issue is with regard to public transport. While cities like Lahore and Peshawar have high-tech transport systems, the economic capital of the county is still deprived of such facilities. The transport in Karachi consists of worn-down, dilapidated buses which have been running for decades.
Last week, the Prime Minister visited the city after the devastating monsoon rains and promised a mammoth 1.1 trillion-rupee plan in collaboration with the Sindh Government to transform the city. Furthermore, he promised the public that this plan would focus on improving all major issues in the city. This announcement has lit a glimmer of hope in the hearts of the citizens who have long been waiting for the city to radically transform.
Muhammad Ibrahim Ayaz
Karachi
Published in The Express Tribune, September 20th, 2020.
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