Water distribution

PTI lawmakers from Karachi have asked the prime minister to give the distribution of water in the mega city under the charge of Rangers to resolve the water crisis. Now it is the sole mandate of the Karachi Water and Sewerage Board, which is under the direct control of the PPP-led Sindh government. Proper distribution of water has been a long-persisting issue in the most populated city of the country. The demand by the PTI seems to be driven by good intentions, as they see that the continued water crisis in the city is resulting from collusion between the tanker mafia and corrupt officials within the KWSB. The PTI legislators recently had a meeting with the PM in Islamabad where they discussed Karachi’s pressing issues like the growing water shortage, deteriorating public transport, very bad state of cleanliness in most parts of the city, broken roads, street crimes and shortage of gas. The PM has taken notice of the grievances and he will likely visit Karachi soon.

The distribution of water in the city was in control of Rangers till a few years ago. Then the water supply situation was not as bad it is now. Now the provincial government’s response to the proposal is to be seen. As things stand the performance of the KWSB in both water supply and solid waste disposal has been unsatisfactory. It is generally acknowledged that there is enough water to meet the city’s needs, and it is corruption and incompetence that are responsible for the shortage; it is because of an inefficient delivery system. This is borne out by the fact that plenty of water is available through tankers and other water sellers.

Karachi is facing a plethora of issues. Even impartial observers can say a ‘soft destruction’ has taken place in the city. Things can take a turn for the better only if there is political will. There is a serious shortage of logic.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 22^nd, 2019.

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