KARACHI: Lack of basic utilities such as water, electricity, and gas is severely impacting the housing sector in Karachi, leaving thousands of new housing societies and settlements uninhabited, according to Altaf Shakoor, Chairman of the Pasban Democratic Party (PDP).

Shakoor highlighted that billions of rupees have been invested by citizens in these new housing societies, which remain nonfunctional due to the absence of essential services. He noted that although hundreds of thousands of houses and flats are fully constructed, they remain unoccupied because they lack water, electricity, and gas connections. The new settlements, primarily located in suburban areas like Gadap, Hawksbay, Northern Bypass, Superhighway, and Surjani, require urgent government intervention.

He pointed to Scheme 42 Hawksbay as a prime example of governmental neglect, criticizing the Sindh government’s Lyari Development Authority (LDA) for its failure to develop the area over the past two decades. Shakoor accused the LDA of corruption and inefficiency, calling for the replacement of its officials with honest and capable individuals. He emphasized that many people have invested their life savings in Scheme 42 and deserve better treatment.

Shakoor argued that providing water, gas, and electricity to these new housing societies would benefit hundreds of thousands of families and significantly boost Karachi’s economy. He added that it would also alleviate congestion in central areas of the city and improve its overall appearance. Shakoor also urged the announcement of new bus routes to serve the suburban areas.

He criticized the government for claiming it has surplus electricity and additional water resources, yet failing to provide these utilities to residents. Shakoor described this situation as a sign of bad governance, contrasting it with what he views as better management in Punjab.

The PDP Chairman called on officials from KE, the Water Board, Sui Gas, and the Sindh government to immediately provide utility connections to the new settlements. He also urged the LDA to expedite development work in Scheme 42 to make it livable. Shakoor concluded by stating that Karachi’s economy could potentially double if these new housing schemes are equipped with basic utilities.