Karachi’s water woes

A sprawling metropolis of over 20 million people, Karachi faces acute water shortage. A senior official of Karachi’s water board, an assistant director, was suspended recently after he exposed one of the largest water theft operations in the city’s history. The official discovered more than 100 illegal connections siphoning water from main supply lines in Karachi’s SITE area. Despite facing threats and bribes from the water mafia, the official reported the findings to higher authorities and requested the disconnection of the illegal taps but was met with internal resistance.

The issue of water theft across Karachi is endemic and thrives due to the not-so-secret cooperation between powerful local figures, industrialists, law enforcement agencies, and water utility employees. However, Karachi’s water woes are not solely due to corruption or theft. Most city areas do not have reliable water supply via government lines, forcing people to resort to water bowsers to meet their needs. Water theft will remain rampant and the ‘mafias’ operating in the city will continue to fleece the citizens till the government finds a lasting solution to Karachi’s water issues.

The authorities need to complete the much-delayed K-IV project. Although it is no longer sufficient to rectify the massive shortfall between demand and supply, it will be a start. The project has highlighted our limited ability to plan and execute large-scale projects. It has revealed how the covert influence of numerous power brokers can hinder progress. Other water supply projects need to be initiated and investment needs to be made in desalination plants to ensure a steady supply as the city is blessed with an ideal coastline for such projects. With water scarcity a real concern in the coming decade, immediate steps will need to be taken by both federal and provincial authorities.