KARACHI: More than 30 million residents of Karachi are grappling with a significant water crisis, with the city's infrastructure failing to meet its daily requirements, according to Pasban Democratic Party Chairman Altaf Shakoor. The burgeoning issue has been exacerbated by a so-called "tanker mafia," which capitalizes on the shortfall, forcing residents to rely on costly private water tankers.
According to Pasban Democratic Party, Karachi requires over 1,200 million gallons of water per day (MGD), but aging infrastructure only delivers between 450 to 650 MGD, leaving a daily shortfall of approximately 600 million gallons. Shakoor highlighted that nearly 70 percent of the population experiences severe water supply disruptions, increasing their exposure to waterborne diseases.
Shakoor attributes the crisis to decades of underinvestment, political neglect, and governance failures, which he claims are solvable. He pointed out that the city's 10,000-kilometer pipeline network is largely corroded and leaking, with an estimated 40 to 50 percent of water lost before reaching homes. A sophisticated "tanker mafia" reportedly siphons off 150 to 200 MGD through illegal hydrants and industrial suction pumps.
Power failures at the Dhabeji and North East pumping stations, exacerbated by K-Electric cable faults, cause sudden supply shortfalls of 85 to 100 MGD, crippling the city's water distribution for days. The long-delayed K-IV bulk water project, initially designed to supply 650 MGD, remains incomplete with costs escalating from Rs25 billion to over Rs150 billion due to bureaucratic delays.
Shakoor proposed a multi-pronged strategy to address the crisis, which includes mega-infrastructure projects, institutional reforms, and technological enforcement. He emphasized the potential of seawater desalination, citing a Chinese firm's plan to install a 50 MGD desalination plant in Karachi. The Sindh government has approved two additional 5 MGD plants, and negotiations are ongoing with Shanghai Electric for a larger facility.
Completing the K-IV project on an urgent basis is crucial for long-term water sustainability, Shakoor asserted. This initiative aims to bring additional water from Keenjhar Lake, potentially adding 650 MGD once operational.
The Pasban Democratic Party has urged the immediate completion of major water projects and the elimination of the tanker mafia. Shakoor criticized the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation for not implementing its announced transition to a pipeline-dependent distribution model.
He also called for an end to pumping station blackouts, advocating for the Karachi Water and Sewerage Corporation (KWSC) to install its own power generation facilities. Investing in rainwater harvesting, artificial groundwater recharge, and rehabilitating traditional wells and ponds were recommended as additional measures to alleviate the crisis.
Shakoor emphasized that the solutions, financing, and technology are available, but political will is necessary to treat water as a fundamental right rather than a political tool. He urged the Sindh government, KWSC, K-Electric, federal agencies, and international partners to convene under a unified command structure with transparent deliverables.
Highlighting Karachi's economic significance, Shakoor stressed that access to clean and affordable water is essential for public health, social stability, and national prosperity. "The time for announcements has passed. The time for delivery is now," he concluded.