Official apathy turns FC Area into cesspool

In the original master plan of the city when Karachi was the capital of Pakistan a locality was marked to house government officers. Today negligence by the authorities concerned has rendered the Federal Capital (FC) Area virtually uninhabitable, with sewage water flooding streets and even entering homes.

Residents report swarms of flies, mosquitoes, and a rise in waterborne and contagious diseases.

Kitchen and bathroom areas are filled with foul-smelling wastewater, and children are reportedly suffering from diarrhea, vomiting, and skin infections. Elderly residents have also been seriously affected. Drinking water has become so contaminated that access to clean water is now considered a luxury. Despite repeated complaints, authorities remain indifferent, residents say.

Locals feel abandoned by the system, claiming that if such a crisis occurred in a posh locality, immediate action would likely have been taken. According to one resident, "It seems this community is not on the government's priority list."

The FC Area, originally developed as a residential colony for federal government employees, is now home to over 5,000 flats, housing both serving and retired officers from grades one to 19 and their families. However, living conditions have drastically deteriorated. The most critical issue is the lack of clean drinking water.

Responsibility for the area's infrastructure initially rested with the Pakistan Public Works Department (PWD), which has since been dissolved on the Prime Minister's orders. Maintenance duties were transferred to the State Office, which lacks sufficient resources and manpower. Consequently, local municipal authorities have been assisting, but with limited effect.

Residents allege that old and decaying sewer lines are leaking into the water supply, causing the spread of cholera, diarrhea, and other infectious diseases, particularly among children and the elderly. In several homes, sewage water has infiltrated kitchens and washrooms, making daily life miserable.

The sanitation situation is equally dire. Streets are littered with garbage, construction debris, and pools of dirty water. The stench is unbearable. No disinfection sprays have been carried out in months, leading to the rampant breeding of disease-carrying insects.

Locals report that officials often show up just for photo opportunities. "They mark attendance and leave, while the situation remains unchanged," a resident said. Open manholes at night pose a major safety hazard, yet no preventive measures have been taken.

Frustration has grown due to the slow and fragmented response. One manhole was opened on Thursday, while another is scheduled for the following Tuesday. "How can one vehicle handle the entire drainage of this large area?" residents ask.

Many say they are too poor to relocate and have no choice but to stay in these worsening conditions. Their sole demand is urgent and sustainable action to restore basic living standards. Without timely intervention, they warn, the crisis could spiral into a full-blown disaster.