Karachi, The dream of transforming Karachi into a sustainable city is far from realization, primarily due to the absence of vision and commitment from successive governments, stated Altaf Shakoor, Chairman of the Pasban Democratic Party (PDP), in a press conference held on Sunday.
According to Pasban Democratic Party, Shakoor emphasized the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 11, which outlines the criteria for sustainable cities, including green, social, and economic sustainability, achieved through inclusive design and sustainable economic growth. Despite Karachi’s advantageous location, industrial strength, and educated workforce, the city remains plagued by environmental pollution, inefficient public transport, lack of green architecture, inadequate renewable energy sources, and poor water conservation and waste management practices.
Shakoor highlighted the dire state of public transportation in Karachi, describing it as the worst among global megacities. The city’s public transit system, including the Karachi Circular Railway (KCR), is largely dysfunctional, forcing reliance on rickshaws and ‘Chingchies’. Even the Green Line bus rapid transit (BRT) system is incomplete, and other BRT projects like the Orange Line and Red Line are either poorly planned or far from completion.
The PDP Chairman pointed out the necessity of a comprehensive public transport network, integrating BRT systems with the KCR, supplemented by feeder buses, to enhance commuting efficiency. However, he lamented the slow progress, blaming it on corrupt and visionless political parties and governments, suggesting that achieving an eco-friendly transport system might take several centuries at the current rate.
Shakoor also criticized the government’s inaction in addressing Karachi’s water crisis. He argued for the construction of big urban desalination plants, new reservoirs, feeder canals from the Indus River, check dams on rain-fed streams, water recharging wells, and recycling of wastewater for industrial use. He noted the failure to even begin a small Cogen water desalination plant in the DHA area.
Additionally, Shakoor condemned the ineffective solid waste management system in Karachi, despite costly contracts awarded to foreign firms. He called for an efficient and corruption-free solid waste system based on sustainable recycling.
Highlighting the untapped potential of solar energy in Karachi, Shakoor urged for the widespread adoption of solar panels in households, shops, industries, and other structures to combat costly electricity and load shedding issues. He also stressed the need for green areas, parks, coastal mangrove jungles, urban forests, and rooftop gardening to transform Karachi into a clean and green megacity.
Shakoor urged the construction of new hospitals, educational centers, urban housing schemes, and industrial zones, including the Karachi-Keti Bunder and Karachi-Hyderabad industrial corridors. He emphasized these developments would create sustainable job opportunities in Karachi and its surrounding areas.
In conclusion, Shakoor called upon the city, provincial, and federal governments to prioritize making Karachi a sustainable city, asserting that it would contribute significantly to the overall economic development of Pakistan.