Karachi water crisis: Experts propose ‘sustainable' solutions
KARACHI: Pakistan's largest city – Karachi - continues to face an escalating water crisis as growing demand, aging infrastructure and mismanagement threaten the livelihoods of millions of its residents.
Experts, researchers, and stakeholders raised serious concerns over Karachi's worsening water crisis. They were speaking at the 'Rebuild Karachi' seminar held at a local hotel. The event was organized by the Pakistan Engineer Forum. The theme of the seminar was 'Karachi's Water Crisis and Its Solutions.'
Dr. Syed Imran Ahmed, Professor at NED University and noted water expert argued that the city can no longer rely solely on the Indus as climate change, rising temperatures, and increasing demand threaten its sustainability.
He emphasized that while rising temperatures in the Himalayan region could temporarily increase water availability until 2070, this should not be mistaken for a permanent solution. He also highlighted the historical data showing an average downstream water flow of 23 MAF annually from Kotri Barrage— a volume that could be utilized to address urban shortages through reservoir development.
On alternative ground, he explained that an enormous amount of water is wasted after every rainfall in Karachi, with 1.83 million acre-feet (MAF) going untapped annually.'Karachi, despite being an arid region, receives enough rainfall to manage its water needs if proper infrastructure is in place,' he stated.
Dr. Syed Imran Ahmed said that experts have long advocated for rainwater harvesting and groundwater recharge initiatives. Dr. Ahmed proposed that 27 wells be constructed across Karachi to capture rainwater and replenish underground aquifers. Additionally, existing bore wells can be repurposed as injection wells to channel rainwater back into the ground in rainy season Dr. Ahmed shared the example of Lahore, where similar work has already been started. However, he added that Karachi still has a lot of potential to save rainwater and improve groundwater recharge efforts.
He told that a comprehensive study on this subject was submitted to the Mayor of Karachi Murtaza Wahab and the Sindh Government as well, but it has yet to be implemented. According to the study, Karachi receive enough rainfall annually to significantly ease the city's water shortage if harvested properly.
Speakers proposed several medium- and long-term solutions to tackle the crisis. They also urged the government to speed up work on the K-IV bulk water supply project. The project is vital to meet the city's growing water demand.
Water expert Muhammad Bashir Lakhani told the audience that currently, Karachi requires between1,200 to 1,600 million gallons per day (MGD) of water to meet its residential, commercial, and industrial needs. However, the city receives only about 500 to 550 MGD, creating a substantial shortfall that affects the lives of millions daily. Around 300 MGD is sourced from underground wells, placing immense pressure on the city's groundwater reserves.
He further said that Karachi's water needs are primarily met through the Indus River via the Kotri Feeder, which is just 0.5 percent in overall country's share and less than 2 percent of Sindh's total share. He said that Indus and Hub Dam are the only two sources of water for the metropolis.
In response to growing pressure, the long-delayed K-IV Water Project was redesigned in 2022 and construction resumed in September of that year. The revised plan includes three new reservoirs at Pipri, Taiser Town and Manghopir to support water supply. He told that as of now, 60% of the work has been completed, with an expected completion date of June 2026.
The federal government is funding the main construction part of K-IV while additional augmentation and distribution work are expected to be finalized by June 2027 for which Sindh government will be responsible, he added. Moreover for maintaining continuous water pressure, a 50 megawatt Power plant will also be constructed to ensure supply. During the seminar many experts and concerned citizen cast doubts over the timely completion of augmentation work within city to provide water to the citizens at their door steps.
Moonis Ahmed, prominent journalist from Samaa TV, pointed out how Karachi's water has effectively turned into 'white gold' — a commodity exploited by mafias and corrupt officials. Illegal water hydrants, tanker mafias, theft and unauthorized connections deprive many neighborhoods of their rightful share, adding to the crisis. He said that deeply flawed water distribution system within the metropolis is an uphill task and is yet to be addressed.
On the political front, Amir Jamaat-e-Islami Karachi, Munam Zafar Khan, while talking at the occasion expressed serious concerns over the worsening water crisis in Karachi, stating that the city's basic rights are being denied due to inaccurate population figures and poor governance.
Khan paid tribute to the Pakistan Engineer Forum and its team for organizing a much-needed platform to discuss Karachi's civic issues. He pointed out that Karachi is Pakistan's largest city, and its actual population exceeds 35 million, while official records misleadingly show it as 20.3 million. This underreporting, he claimed, has deprived the city's residents of their rightful share in water, power, and civic services. 'Karachi is the fifth largest city in the world, yet remains deprived of basic facilities despite being located on the seashore,' Munem Zafar remarked. He criticized the unjust distribution of water in the city, adding that while water is available, it does not reach citizens equally due to widespread mismanagement and the influence of tanker mafias.
Referring to the much-delayed K-IV water project, Munam Zafar said authorities have now committed to completing the project by June 26, 2026. However, he emphasized that beyond new projects, immediate reforms are needed in water distribution to end the dominance of illegal water tanker operations, which are present in the city in the tens of thousands.
The seminar was attended by water experts, engineers, civic activists, and members of the business community, all of whom called for immediate, practical steps to resolve the city's worsening water crisis. Water experts unanimously agreed that Karachi's future lies in a combination of surface and groundwater management, rainwater harvesting, and the infrastructure development. Without immediate action, the city risks descending into an even deeper crisis. The proposals are on the table — now, it remains to be seen whether political will and administrative efficiency can rise to meet the challenge.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
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