KARACHI: In light of recent devastating rains, Altaf Shakoor, Chairman of the Pasban Democratic Party (PDP), has called for urgent federal and provincial attention to Karachi’s outdated drainage infrastructure. Citing the city’s significant contributions to Pakistan’s economy, Shakoor emphasized the need for a comprehensive overhaul package to address the chronic flooding issues plaguing the metropolis.

Karachi, home to over 20 million residents, has seen its drainage system overwhelmed by rapid urbanization and the conversion of stormwater drains into combined sewage channels. Shakoor highlighted the inadequacy of the colonial-era drainage framework, which has not been updated to match the city’s growth. He pointed to the severe economic losses suffered by citizens and traders during the recent rains, which have left many areas still inundated.

The PDP Chairman underscored the necessity of separating sewage and rainwater systems, a standard practice in developed cities but neglected in Karachi. He argued that the city’s vulnerability to flooding is exacerbated by climate change, with more intense and unpredictable rainfalls expected in the future.

Shakoor criticized the fragmented management of the city’s drainage system, which is divided among various agencies such as the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC), Karachi Water and Sewerage Board (KWSB), and others. He advocated for a unified authority to manage the drainage infrastructure, ensuring coordinated and efficient responses to flooding.

Furthermore, Shakoor called for the restoration of Karachi’s natural waterways, the establishment of more green spaces, and the implementation of solid waste management systems to prevent blockages in the drainage network. He also emphasized the importance of local awareness and cooperation to maintain clear watercourses and avoid re-encroachments.

The PDP Chairman urged Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah to collaborate on a mega-package for Karachi’s drainage overhaul, suggesting a shared 50:50 funding model. He stressed that the solution requires not just cleanup efforts after each flood but a fundamental redesign of the drainage system, supported by long-term investment and political commitment.