Paralysis of civic services

Among the first impressions that non-residents of Karachi get of the city when they arrive here is that Pakistan’s largest metropolis is one large garbage dump. For the residents of Karachi, it is more than a garbage dump — it is a forever looming health hazard. Deadlines to clean up the city and campaigns to beautify it have previously only disappointed, changing little about Karachi’s dirty realities. The new chief minister seems determined to set things right and has instructed the civic authorities to clean up the city in eight to 10 days’ time. It is hoped that this time, the city will get its due share of attention. Murad Ali Shah has also vowed to repair and reconstruct roads, and improve the drainage system.

Why the city’s roads and drainage are in perpetual need of repairs and why the quality of construction always so poor are questions that are never really answered. As things stand, Karachi fails on all measures of providing a decent living standard to its residents. It produces around 20,000 tonnes of solid waste, with at least 18,000 tonnes of it burnt in drains and open spaces. Hardly 2,000 tonnes of garbage makes it out of the city while the remaining keeps piling up on the streets, roads and other open spaces. The chief minister’s efforts to clean up this waste is a much-needed step but also highlights the great confusion regarding which body is responsible for the various aspects of the city’s upkeep. It is hoped that now, following the local elections, there will be more systematic handling and a sustainable effort in keeping the city clean and better maintained. While the chief minister’s orders are welcome, the coming days will be a test for Karachi’s civic authorities. It is hoped that proper long-term plans will be devised and implemented for the various aspects of the city’s upkeep. Cleaning up Karachi is a must if Pakistan’s largest metropolis is to present a more vibrant face of the country to the world.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 27^th, 2016.

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