'Karachi's governance crisis laid bare'

Pasban chief says authority - not promises - is key to fixing the city

KARACHI:

Karachi's chronic civic woes stem not from a lack of plans but from a deep-rooted absence of authority at the local level, Pasban Democratic Party Chairman Altaf Shakoor said, urging immediate devolution of powers to make the city livable.

Speaking at a steering committee meeting, Shakoor argued that Karachi has long been run on rhetoric rather than real empowerment. "The city does not suffer from a shortage of promises or projects - it suffers from a lack of authority where it is needed most," he said, adding that without meaningful transfer of powers, the city's problems will persist.

Home to over 20 million people, Karachi contributes an estimated 60–65% to Pakistan's national revenue, yet its residents struggle with basic amenities. Shakoor highlighted daily garbage accumulation without an effective disposal system, a crumbling sewerage network, broken roads, and the city's paralysis during rains. He also pointed to the acute shortage of clean drinking water, forcing citizens to rely on private tanker operators.

Despite having more than 1,200 elected councillors and 246 union committees, local representatives remain largely powerless, he said.