Business leaders have urged the Sindh government to declare an emergency in Karachi after torrential rains paralysed the city, killing 17 people, submerging homes, and halting business activity.
In a joint statement, Chairman Businessmen Group (BMG) Zubair Motiwala and Karachi Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KCCI) President Muhammad Jawed Bilwani said Karachi, the country's economic engine, has once again been brought to its knees. They recalled their April warnings to the chief minister and city authorities about the urgent need to clean major nullahs and improve sewerage infrastructure.
Motiwala said streets had turned into rivers and industrial zones were crippled as power supply by K-Electric remained suspended for more than 36 hours. He demanded compensation for shopkeepers whose goods were destroyed, freezing of provincial taxes, and deferment of electricity and gas bills until normalcy returns.
Bilwani noted Karachi received a record 250mm of rainfall, far beyond its fragile drainage capacity, leaving neighbourhoods stranded and schools, colleges, and industries closed. He said the losses ran into billions and warned that every passing hour without decisive action was deepening Karachi's wounds.
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