KARACHI:
Union Council Khuhra in Gambat tehsil of Sindh’s Khairpur Mirs district battles the grim reality of neglect. Frequent power and gas outages, lasting 13 to 15 hours daily, have even made achievement of necessities an ongoing struggle. Women disproportionately bear the brunt of these shortages, with their household responsibilities disrupted. And businesses — already struggling due to tribal conflicts and weak law enforcement — sink further into stagnation. Although some residents have turned to off-grid solar systems and gas cylinders for relief, the majority remain trapped in energy poverty, unable to afford these alternatives.
Tragically, the 2022 floods devastated the area’s infrastructure, damaging roads, drainage systems and essential services. The main road from UC Khuhra to the highway, damaged in the 2022 disaster, remains unsafe and rarely used due to rampant robberies. Residents rely on longer routes via Gambat. Additionally, the old drainage system fails particularly during rainfall, causing stagnant water pooling on the main entrance gate road, disrupting daily commutes.
Public transport has ceased in the area, forcing residents to go to Gambat bypass for travelling to Khairpur or Sukkur, increasing costs and travel time. Adding to the plight, unreliable mobile networks leave students, professionals and residents disconnected, and thus unable to access critical services or complete essential tasks — despite incurring exorbitant costs. Many residents, disillusioned by years of neglect, feel compelled to migrate, while others have already left in search of better opportunities elsewhere.
This situation demands urgent intervention. Authorities must ensure adherence to the national loadshedding schedule, resolve artificial power and gas outages and enhance infrastructure and development. Mobile network providers must improve services, alleviating the hardships faced by users. Such measures are essential to restore the basic services, reviving economic activity and rebuilding hope among the residents of UC Khuhra.
Shafqat Hussain Memon
Gambat
