Water, sewerage charges increased by 23%

The 23 per cent increase in the charges of the Karachi Water and Sewerage Corporation (KWSC) has been termed a 'water bomb' by the opposition in the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) City Council

A meeting of KMC City Council was held with Mayor Murtaza Wahab in chair to review the water and sewerage charges of KWSC. The meeting decided to increase water charges for various consumers by 14 per cent and sewerage charges by nine per cent.

Subsequently, from next month KWSC consumers will receive bills inflated by 23 per cent.

"A water bomb has been dropped on Karachi's residents in a meeting chaired by the Mayor of Karachi. After approving a 23 per cent increase in water and sewerage bills, there is significant concern and outrage among the citizens," said KMC Opposition Leader Saifuddin Advocate.

The Jamaat-e-Islami leader criticised Mayor Wahab, accusing him of embezzling a $1.6 billion World Bank loan and increasing tax to repay it.

Saifuddin said citizens of Karachi, already burdened with inflated bills of K-Electric, Sui Southern Gas Company, and Municipal Utility Charges and Taxes are now facing a heavy blow with this 23% hike in water and sewerage charges.

Citizens claim that they are already facing the worst situation regarding water supply and drainage. In such a scenario, a shocking increase in water and sewage bills is an injustice to the people of Karachi.

There is considerable concern and agitation among the citizens. However, Saifuddin, has rejected the increase in water corporation bills, stating that the water corporation is a dilapidated institution that has failed to provide water and sewage facilities to the citizens. The increase in bills by this institution is unacceptable to the citizens.

Saifuddin has stated that citizens of Karachi, who are already burdened with countless taxes and are committing suicides due to the situation, are facing additional taxes imposed in meetings chaired by a so-called elected mayor.

He has accused that the Water Corporation is imposing taxes on citizens to repay a $1.6 billion loan from the World Bank. Saifuddin Advocate mentioned that Jamaat-e-Islami will not only voice its opposition to this increase by KWSC but will also stage a strong protest.