Karachi teeters, yearns for ownership
The city is bulging and exploding. It is literally unplanned, and the claim of it being a town properly laid-out by the colonials is a myth today. Thanks to 'China-cutting', an arbitrary and illogical truncation of land, even over sewerages and amenity plots, Karachi is rapidly turning into a ghetto. As part of modernisation, it is witnessing a stampede of high-rises, pinned on a poor architecture sans parking and safety exits.
It is polluting; possesses severe environmental hazards with solid-waste choked in drainages; awaiting monsoon rains to expose its fault-lines; and has to deal with an inadequate infrastructure, such as parks and playgrounds, and a sizzling healthcare system. Millions of students, from primary to secondary, have no alternative but to rely on fleecing, quality-less schools, and a higher education with an extortionate price-tag.
The metropolis does not have a public transport system et al, and the world's 12th largest city is devoid of a formal taxi network too. Millions either commute on junked four-wheelers that fleece them to the core, or haplessly hop on Chingchi (a mocked version of auto-rickshaw). Not to ever dream of a Metro or Circular Railway!
The conurbation with an area of 3,780 sq-km is encircled with cantonments (garrisons), and its dwellers hardly have a say in their affairs. Karachi, unlike any other world mega city, does not have a police of its own and the law-enforcement is at the mercy of federal and provincial maneuverings with least regard for its citizens. Not to mention mafias, drug-traffickers, criminal gangs and political masqueraders who rule it at impunity.
Pakistan's largest urban centre grapples with water shortage with private hydrants under the paramilitary and their cahoots minting billions; an electricity cobweb that is rusted and lethal, piling pilferage on its consumers; and a local tax and levies collection machinery that is corrupt and devoid of any accountability.
It is no surprise that millions of Karachiites are in a miserable fate. Many more are in depression owing to an unending socioeconomic pushback they have to face to stay afloat. A city that generates an average of 65% of national revenue has mysteriously nothing to share with its genuine dwellers. It is a pity that Karachi lacks a local government too, and the obliterated and politically-leech Karachi Metropolitan Corporation is not even privy to collection of property taxes under its nose.
None own the city, neither the people nor the political elite, as they all are on their own waywardly scrambling in a parasitic manner. Less said the better about governance and the Mahishmati Raj (a phrase derived from ancient Haihayas kingdom) which ensures that its subjects are in tatters under a perpetual despotic rule.
It is, thus, no surprise if the Economist Intelligence Unit has ranked Karachi as the fourth least livable city in the world. Its Livability Index, 2025 has simply mirrored as to where the municipality, its aristocracy and residents stand in the comity of nations. The city is a manifest of ad hocism that has evolved into an amoebic demographic-cum-economic denominator, and is mysteriously alive and kicking.
Though the city is glittering at face value and is home to some greatest philanthropy, it is teetering underneath. Its folk are in disgust and pain. Karachi is in need of a genuine political mandate, not the one tampered at midnight, or agreed on a hybrid equation. All it desires is ownership by its natives and its due share from the national mainstream. It is in an existential crisis and the city must be rescued.
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Express Tribune
2 days ago
- Express Tribune
Karachi teeters, yearns for ownership
Karachi, my Pride of Place, is in a shambles. Once prided as the 'city of lights' and a cathedral of arts, culture and education, today this metropolitan of around 30 million people, a prospective economic powerhouse, is in ruins and has been ripped off its glory and magnanimity. Its infrastructure is dilapidated; civic amenities, now incurred by its inhabitants at an exorbitant cost, have gone for a toss; and the once proudly mentionable norms and ethos are nowhere. The city is bulging and exploding. It is literally unplanned, and the claim of it being a town properly laid-out by the colonials is a myth today. Thanks to 'China-cutting', an arbitrary and illogical truncation of land, even over sewerages and amenity plots, Karachi is rapidly turning into a ghetto. As part of modernisation, it is witnessing a stampede of high-rises, pinned on a poor architecture sans parking and safety exits. It is polluting; possesses severe environmental hazards with solid-waste choked in drainages; awaiting monsoon rains to expose its fault-lines; and has to deal with an inadequate infrastructure, such as parks and playgrounds, and a sizzling healthcare system. Millions of students, from primary to secondary, have no alternative but to rely on fleecing, quality-less schools, and a higher education with an extortionate price-tag. The metropolis does not have a public transport system et al, and the world's 12th largest city is devoid of a formal taxi network too. Millions either commute on junked four-wheelers that fleece them to the core, or haplessly hop on Chingchi (a mocked version of auto-rickshaw). Not to ever dream of a Metro or Circular Railway! The conurbation with an area of 3,780 sq-km is encircled with cantonments (garrisons), and its dwellers hardly have a say in their affairs. Karachi, unlike any other world mega city, does not have a police of its own and the law-enforcement is at the mercy of federal and provincial maneuverings with least regard for its citizens. Not to mention mafias, drug-traffickers, criminal gangs and political masqueraders who rule it at impunity. Pakistan's largest urban centre grapples with water shortage with private hydrants under the paramilitary and their cahoots minting billions; an electricity cobweb that is rusted and lethal, piling pilferage on its consumers; and a local tax and levies collection machinery that is corrupt and devoid of any accountability. It is no surprise that millions of Karachiites are in a miserable fate. Many more are in depression owing to an unending socioeconomic pushback they have to face to stay afloat. A city that generates an average of 65% of national revenue has mysteriously nothing to share with its genuine dwellers. It is a pity that Karachi lacks a local government too, and the obliterated and politically-leech Karachi Metropolitan Corporation is not even privy to collection of property taxes under its nose. None own the city, neither the people nor the political elite, as they all are on their own waywardly scrambling in a parasitic manner. Less said the better about governance and the Mahishmati Raj (a phrase derived from ancient Haihayas kingdom) which ensures that its subjects are in tatters under a perpetual despotic rule. It is, thus, no surprise if the Economist Intelligence Unit has ranked Karachi as the fourth least livable city in the world. Its Livability Index, 2025 has simply mirrored as to where the municipality, its aristocracy and residents stand in the comity of nations. The city is a manifest of ad hocism that has evolved into an amoebic demographic-cum-economic denominator, and is mysteriously alive and kicking. Though the city is glittering at face value and is home to some greatest philanthropy, it is teetering underneath. Its folk are in disgust and pain. Karachi is in need of a genuine political mandate, not the one tampered at midnight, or agreed on a hybrid equation. All it desires is ownership by its natives and its due share from the national mainstream. It is in an existential crisis and the city must be rescued.
Express Tribune
09-06-2025
- Express Tribune
Over 76k tons of animal waste disposed of
During Eidul Azha, civic agencies in Karachi reportedly removed over 76,000 tons of offal and animal waste, but residents in several areas complained of poor sanitation, lingering waste, and unbearable stench due to rotting remains in the summer heat. Despite claims of an extensive clean-up operation by the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) and the Sindh Solid Waste Management Board (SSWMB), several residential neighborhoods remained neglected, with piles of waste left unattended during the three days of Eidul Azha. According to an official statement by KMC, Karachi Mayor Barrister Murtaza Wahab personally oversaw the Eidul Azha sanitation operation alongside SSWMB Managing Director Tariq Ali Nizamani. The mayor visited all seven districts of the city and monitored collection points and landfill operations. As per the SSWMB, a total of over 76,000 tons of animal remains were buried in designated trenches at landfill sites, including, over 38,000 tons at Jam Chakro, more than 30,000 tons at Gond Pass, and almost 8,000 tons at GTS Sharafi Goth. Speaking to the media, Mayor Wahab said that major city roads were being washed with water mixed with rose water to neutralize odours and pollution. In addition, disinfectant sprays, lime sprinkling, and fumigation efforts were ongoing across the city. He stated that from the first day of Eid, he and the SSWMB teams had remained on the ground to ensure smooth operations and minimize public inconvenience. According to SSWMB, more than 3,000 complaints were received via its 1128 complaint centre and mobile app, out of which 94.4% were resolved, while work is ongoing on the remaining issues. Filth, foul odours in many localities A survey conducted by Express News revealed that, during the three days of Eid, piles of animal remains and garbage were visible at several locations across the city. While main roads were relatively cleaner, internal streets and neighborhoods were heavily affected by poor sanitation and delayed waste removal. Majorly impacted areas included, Jamshed Road, Jehangir Road, PIB Colony, Mehmoodabad, various blocks of Federal B Area, Nazimabad, and New Karachi. Parts of Korangi also experienced sanitation issues. While central roads were cleaned, residents complained that sacrificial sites and interior lanes were not washed.
Express Tribune
09-06-2025
- Express Tribune
Karachi battles multiple factory fires
A fire broke out at a loom factory in Orangi Town on the first day of Eidul Azha. Teams from the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) and Rescue 1122 arrived at the scene and launched efforts to contain the blaze. Fire brigade officials reported that four fire tenders aided the operation. After an hour, the fire was brought under control and the cooling process was initiated. However, no casualties were reported, the cause of the fire and extent of damage have not yet been determined. Meanwhile, a fire engulfed three factories in the Landhi Export Processing Zone, causing some parts of the buildings to collapse. The fire was controlled after 30 hours of effort, with the help of 14 fire tenders and two bowsers. The cooling process is underway. Chief Fire Officer Humayun Khan revealed that the fire broke out on the intervening night of Saturday and Sunday, burning with full force in a factory manufacturing cooking oil, sanitiser and perfume. He revealed that, due to the intensity of the blaze, three firefighters were left injured due to steam and gases. The fire officer, Mohsin suffered 23 per cent burns and Safyan and Hamza suffered minor injuries. They were immediately shifted to the burns ward for medical treatment. Humayun Khan further said that the ongoing operation in the EP zone is being directly led by city Mayor Murtaza Wahab who is taking minute-by-minute information. He claimed that the fire in the factories was controlled in 18 to 20 hours. Separately, a fire broke out in two chemical and oil warehouses in Mauripur. Eight fire tenders, one bowser, and 40 tankers aided the extinguishing operation, successfully controlling the blaze. Reportedly, the fire was so intense that explosions from the warehouse continued to echo for two hours, and the roof of one of the warehouses collapsed. However, no casualties were reported. Police are further investigating the incidents.
