Karachi is once again in the grip of a major water crisis. Due to repair work on a major transmission line, supply has stopped in large parts of the city. People are angry with this situation and have become dependent on private tankers.
In many localities, regular water is not coming for many days, due to which everyday life is getting disrupted and the budget of the houses is getting spoiled. According to a report, areas from Korangi and Landhi to Liaquatabad and Nazimabad have been most affected.
According to Pakistani media, Karachi Water and Sewerage Corporation officials said the problem started after a leak was found in an 84-inch pipeline near Block 19 of Gulshan-e-Iqbal. Emergency repairs initiated at the beginning of the week reduced water flow from the Dhabeji pumping station by about 200 million gallons per day, greatly reducing water distribution.
Officials claimed that the work was completed well ahead of the initial deadline and promised a gradual repair by mid-week, but people raised doubts. He said that even in the past, similar assurances have rarely been received in the form of timely relief. This shortage has had a greater impact on homes.
Employees working in commercial centers have complained of working without basic amenities, and mosques in many areas have struggled to maintain enough water for ablutions. Hydrant services also stopped in Landhi and Sherpao, adding to the problems for areas already suffering from low pressure. A utility spokesperson apologized, described the repairs as urgent and technically difficult, and said teams were deployed to work around the clock.
However, frustrations still run high on the ground as people question why frequent breakdowns, leakages and aging infrastructure is crippling the city. Reacting to the crisis, Pakistan Sunni Tehreek Chairman Muhammad Sarwat Ijaz Qadri called the situation a clear example of administrative failure. He argued that people are waiting helplessly while water seeps onto the roads and tanker operators are taking advantage. He warned that if immediate and affordable supply was not ensured, the party would hold peaceful protests with the public.