Karachi: The chairman of the Pasban Democratic Party (PDP), Altaf Shakoor, criticized the rapid yet haphazard suburban expansion in Karachi, highlighting the absence of essential services in new suburban communities, which forces residents to rely heavily on the already overwhelmed facilities in the main city. In a statement on Sunday, Shakoor called for a more organized suburban development to alleviate pressure on downtown resources and improve living conditions in the outskirts.
According to Pasban Democratic Party, Shakoor elaborated on the sprawling suburbs forming around Karachi without necessary infrastructures such as schools, hospitals, and public transport. This disorganized expansion has led to severe congestion in the city’s major hospitals and a strain on other essential services. He pointed out that schemes like the Hawksby Scheme-42 of the Lyari Development Authority have remained unimplemented for nearly two decades, leaving allottees disillusioned and underserved.
Shakoor criticized the corrupt management within key development authorities like the Karachi Development Authority (KDA), the Lyari Development Authority (LDA), and the Malir Development Authority (MDA). He accused these entities of being staffed predominantly with political appointees from previous coalition governments who fail to fulfill their responsibilities. He demanded reforms to purge these agencies of corruption and enforce a robust check and balance system that ensures they serve the public efficiently.
Moreover, Shakoor urged the government to initiate development in the suburbs by establishing new hospitals, schools, and colleges equipped with all basic utilities, including electricity, gas, water, streetlights, paved roads, and drainage systems. He emphasized that a systematic approach to suburban development is crucial for reducing the urban load on central Karachi and improving the quality of life for its peripheral residents.