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Express Tribune
7 days ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
KMC session over water crisis ends in slugfest
A special session of the Karachi City Council was convened at the KMC Headquarters to discuss the debilitating water crisis in the metropolitan city. Attendees at the meeting, chaired by Mayor Murtaza Wahab, included both treasury and opposition members, as well as senior officials from the Karachi Water and Sewerage Corporation (KWSC). The session, which lasted over two and a half hours, focused on pressing concerns related to water shortages, poor distribution, water theft, and institutional inefficiencies. The meeting was adjourned by the mayor and will reconvene on Friday. Despite assurances of attendance, KWSC CEO Ahmed Siddiqui and COO Asadullah Khan did not show up in the session due to recent Sindh High Court orders revoking their appointments. Their absence drew concern from several council members. A contentious moment arose during the meeting when Mayor Wahab asked KWSC Chief Engineer (Bulk) Syed Ijaz Ahmed to leave, stating that he was not the appropriate official for the discussion. This move was strongly objected to by opposition leader Saifuddin Advocate, who deemed it disrespectful and inappropriate. Many council members expressed surprise, especially as another senior KWSC official, Chief Engineer (Distribution) Muhammad Ali Sheikh, remained present without being questioned. The incident led to accusations of political bias and undue targeting of officials. PPP leader Najmi Alam criticised the KWSC's operational structure and revenue generation. He proposed dividing the utility into three administrative zones with designated officers to enhance efficiency. Alam highlighted that despite leasing rights being granted to numerous informal settlements, proper billing procedures are not in place. He noted that KWSC generates only Rs600 million in revenue, with 400 vacant positions and widespread unauthorised water connections, particularly in District West. During the session, Shahid Farman, Chairman of the Union Council in Karachi Admin Society, made serious allegations against Farhan Ghani, Chairman of Chanesar Town and brother of Local Government Minister Saeed Ghani. Farman claimed that Ghani was shielding water theft in his jurisdiction and that KWSC staff had admitted being unable to act due to political interference. This accusation sparked a heated exchange with PPP council members, which Mayor Wahab eventually calmed. The city mayor acknowledged that water theft, particularly from the K-III supply line, remains an issue. However, he claimed that efforts are ongoing to curb the problem. He also presented a comparison between KWSC and K-Electric customer bases, noting that KWSC has only 1.4 million registered customers, compared to 3.8 million for K-Electric. He stated that only half a million water consumers are billed, and an even smaller fraction actually pay their dues. Since taking office, the mayor said the KWSC's revenue has increased from Rs1.1 billion to Rs1.8 billion, but the funds are largely consumed by operational and maintenance expenses. Meanwhile, outside the KMC Headquarters, retired employees staged a protest demanding payment of pensions and arrears pending for over a decade. The demonstrators chanted slogans against the mayor and the Sindh government, calling attention to their prolonged financial hardships. A delegation from the MQM-Pakistan, led by opposition leader in the Sindh Assembly Ali Khursheedi, joined the protest in solidarity. The issue of unpaid pensions affects retirees across all local government bodies, from Karachi to Kashmore, he said, holding the mayor accountable for the disbursement of payments and demanded financial autonomy for local governments. The MQM delegation departed after a brief media interaction, while the protesting retirees attempted to enter the KMC building but were prevented by security personnel. The demonstration concluded peacefully.
Business Recorder
20-05-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
TP-1, TP-3: SAI team witnesses KWSC's recycled water initiative
KARACHI: A delegation from the SITE Association of Industry (SAI), led by its President Ahmed Azeem Alvi, visited the TP-1 and TP-3 recycled water treatment plants in the SITE industrial area to review the progress of the reclaimed water initiative spearheaded by the Karachi Water & Sewerage Corporation (KWSC). The delegation included Chief Coordinator Saleem Parekh, Former President Muhammad Kamran Arbi, APTPMA Zonal Chairman Anwer Aziz, Executive Committee Members Ahmed Zulfiqar Chaudhry and Muhammad Kamran Lakhany, as well as Muhammad Altaf Sheikhani. Irshad Hussain of Pak-Oasis also joined the visit and Dr Muhammad Bashir Lakhany of Techno Consult International. President SAI expressed strong appreciation for the leadership and vision of Mayor Karachi Barrister Murtaza Wahab, whose proactive approach to addressing the city's water challenges is beginning to bear fruit. He lauded the Mayor's commitment to transforming SITE into an environmentally responsible and water-resilient industrial zone. During the visit to TP-3, the delegation observed that the plant is currently treating 35 Million Gallons per Day (MGD) of wastewater before safe discharge into the sea — a major step towards preserving marine and environmental health. The Mayor's vision to utilize recycled water for industrial use was recognized as a forward-looking strategy that will ensure both sustainability and self-sufficiency for industries in SITE. Special commendation was also extended to KWSC CEO Ahmed Ali Siddiqui for his tireless efforts in implementing the Mayor's vision. His technical leadership and operational execution have been instrumental in driving the recycled water project forward. The delegation was also briefed on the pilot project for producing industrial-grade treated water from discharged effluent. Discussions were held on the expected timeline, supply mechanisms, and future expansion plans. The SITE Association also extends its deepest appreciation to Chief Minister Sindh, Murad Ali Shah, for his unwavering support and strategic leadership in driving this crucial initiative. His commitment to improving Karachi's infrastructure and addressing industrial needs through sustainable solutions has played a pivotal role in enabling projects like the recycled water initiative to take shape and deliver impact. Under his guidance, inter-agency coordination and long-term planning have received a much-needed boost, paving the way for a more resilient and eco-conscious industrial ecosystem. Alvi remarked, 'The future of the SITE industrial area is promising. Thanks to the recycled water initiative, we are moving toward long-term water security. We deeply appreciate the dynamic leadership of Barrister Murtaza Wahab and the capable stewardship of Ahmed Ali Siddiqui, along with the dedicated teams at KWSC, for turning this vision into reality.' Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
05-05-2025
- Express Tribune
Water tankers culprits in road accidents
Karachi's artificial water crisis has been the talk of the town since years. With an expanding urban population and a limited availability of water, more and more citizens are forced to buy their rightful share of water from tankers. However, what came as a solution to the water crisis has become a crisis of its own, as speeding water tankers continue to claim lives. One such tragic incident was the Malir Halt accident, where a water tanker driver lost control of the vehicle which drifted onto the opposite road, hitting a motorcycle, The accident claimed the lives of a man and his pregnant wife. The baby, who was born later, could not survive either. Apart from this family, another motorcyclist was also injured in the accident. According to sources of The Express Tribune, during the past four months, 24 people have lost their lives in road accidents involving a water tanker. Mohsin Raza, General Secretary of the People's Labour Union of the Karachi Water and Sewerage Corporation (KWSC), made serious allegations against the top officials of the KWSC for instigating an artificial water crisis in the city. "Due to the high demand for water, a water tanker driver works for about 24 hours a day, for a commission of Rs400 to Rs500 per trip, which lures the driver to try to take more trips. A driver makes 5 to 7 trips daily. All these issues are a clear violation of labour laws and are the main reason why drivers lose concentration and accidents occur. If the Water Corporation mends its ways, improves valve operation and the system of the drains, the artificial water crisis in the city will end, tanker trips will be reduced and traffic accidents will also be controlled," claimed Raza. Regional Planner Dr Syed Nawaz Al-Hadi opined that if good governance was established in the city, then the water crisis could be resolved. "The Sindh government should take strict action against corrupt officials in the Water Corporation. Nowhere in the world and even in Pakistan, would you find water tankers operating under a regular industrial system. Therefore, tankers should be immediately eliminated from Karachi and citizens should be given water through the lines," said Dr Al-Huda. Syed Sardar Shah, in-charge of the Hydrants Cell of the Water Corporation, affirmed that they were taking vigorous steps to further improve the water supply and drainage system across the city. "Legal action is being taken by the police against the driver involved in the Malir Halt accident, while the tanker owners have also paid diyat (compensation money) to the affected family after the accident. We do not expect any driver to drive tankers for 24 hours. The driver involved in the Malir Halt accident was a private driver," said Shah. National Trade Union Federation General Secretary Nasir Mansoor claimed that under labour laws, no worker can be compelled to work more than 8 hours. "Two hours of overtime is acceptable with the permission of the employees, but it will have to be paid in full," said Mansoor.
Express Tribune
03-05-2025
- General
- Express Tribune
'Ageing pipes caused KU deluge'
The Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the Karachi Water & Sewerage Corporation (KWSC) Engineer Asadullah Khan released a detailed video statement addressing the causes and repair measures related to the burst water lines at Siphon 19 near the University of Karachi. He explained that the water lines in the area are several decades old, with one installed in 1956 and the other in 1971 - making them 69 and 54 years old, respectively. Their designated lifespans have long since expired. He stated that Siphon 19, located near Karachi University, has two 84-inch diameter PRCC (Pre-stressed Reinforced Concrete Cylinder) pipelines, one of which is 16,000 feet (approximately five kilometres) long. Siphon 19 begins at Saadi Town and extends to University Road. The COO noted that the U-shaped pipelines at the siphon increase water pressure significantly. Water flowing through these U-shaped sections generates much more pressure compared to straight conduit lines. As a result, the old and weakened pipes are unable to withstand the added pressure, causing them to burst. He clarified that the pipelines running from Dhabeji to Karachi are straight conduits and do not experience this increased pressure, which is why they remain intact. He further shared that the damaged PRCC line at Siphon 19 is being replaced with a mild steel (MS) pipe. To ensure durability, four tons of molten lead, heated to 300°C, will be poured on both ends of the pipe. The process is called lead pouring. He expressed hope that the repair work would be completed by Saturday evening, after which the water supply was expected to return to normal. He apologised to citizens for the inconvenience. Left parched Meanwhile, experts claimed that repairs of the seven-foot wide pipeline, initially expected by Saturday, were now likely to continue until Sunday. They said that even if, by any chance, KWSC manages to complete the repair work by Sunday an additional three-day period would be required for normalization of the water supply to the city.
Business Recorder
03-05-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Site body for resolving water issue permanently
KARACHI: Ahmed Azeem Alvi, President of SITE Association of Industry, has said that industries in the SITE area of Karachi have received no water supply for the past two weeks, bringing industrial production to a halt. As a result, workers remain idle, and export orders face significant delays. Industries are suffering massive financial losses due to their inability to meet delivery deadlines. The acute water shortage has severely impacted all industries, particularly textile processing units, which rely heavily on water. Resultantly industrialists have no option left but to close down industries and lay off the workers, as supply through tankers is not only extremely expensive but also scarce. Alvi emphasized, 'To sustain industrial operations, we need a reliable water supply at our doorstep. The concerned departments — SITE Limited and KWSC — must take immediate action.' He warned of massive layoffs if production cannot resume due to the unavailability of this basic industrial necessity. Currently, against a total requirement of 50MGD (million gallons per day), the supply barely reaches 2.5MGD. Furthermore, the dedicated Hub Canal water supply project, approved to provide 23MGD to SITE, remains unimplemented. 'How can industries support the national economy and earn crucial foreign exchange under these conditions?' he questioned. Alvi urged Karachi Mayor Barrister Murtaza Wahab to expedite the planned 35MGD Waste Water Recycling Plant at TP-1, which would not only alleviate water shortages but also ensure environmental compliance for foreign buyers. The SITE President has called on all relevant authorities—including Mayor Karachi Barrister Murtaza, MD KWSC, and MD SITE Ltd to resolve water issue permanently. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
