Neglected Karachi

Karachi has long been grappling with a host of challenges that have transformed its landscape from a thriving metropolis to a city in distress. Despite being a vital contributor to the nation’s economy, Karachi’s plight is evident in its crumbling infrastructure, regulatory chaos, water mismanagement, sanitation struggles and a web of governance complexities.

The basic amenities that are the lifeline of any thriving urban centre have become elusive in Karachi. The city’s infrastructure, the backbone of its economic prowess, is crumbling. The once robust infrastructure of Karachi now bears the scars of neglect. Roads, essential arteries for the city’s lifeblood, are marred by potholes and fractures. Rampant encroachment reflects the lack of urban planning and regulation. Public transport faces regulatory chaos and the lack of a coherent system contributes to traffic mayhem. The mismanagement of water resources, including theft, leaves the city in a perpetual state of thirst. Being a financial powerhouse, Karachi should boast an abundant water supply, but unfortunately its residents are left empty handed. Caretaker Chief Minister Justice (retd) Maqbool Baqar’s recent reprimand against all civic agencies further paints a grim picture. Instead of collaborating for the city’s betterment, civic agencies engage in a tug of war. This has dire consequences, from overflowing gutters to impassable roads, a lack of streetlights and a scarcity of potable water. The urgent need for a unified, comprehensive approach to address Karachi’s multifaceted challenges is imminent.

The resilience of Karachi and its people calls for a collective commitment to break free from the shackles of neglect and usher in a new era of prosperity. It is a call for renewed dedication and an unwavering resolve to restore Karachi to its rightful place as a beacon of progress in Pakistan. What is needed is a sincere leadership at the helm.

 

Published in The Express Tribune, December 27^th, 2023.

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