Karachi, The residents of District Central in Karachi are grappling with a severe water shortage, with accusations of corruption and administrative negligence exacerbating the situation. Aziz Fatima, President of the Democratic Party Women’s Department at Pasban, has voiced strong criticism of the local administration’s failure to provide adequate water supply amid rising temperatures and ongoing load shedding.
According to Pasban Democratic Party, the water crisis in District Central has reached a critical point, with local citizens facing extreme difficulties due to the inadequate water supply from the Karachi Water Board. Complaints about the need to pay bribes for water access and the use of decrepit infrastructure have been prevalent, with newer pipelines reportedly serving only those who offer bribes or favors. Aziz Fatima stated that despite numerous visits and calls to the water board by desperate residents, the response has been negligible, leaving the community to rely on water for merely half an hour from old, failing lines.
The situation is dire as the temperature in Karachi has soared to 44 degrees Celsius, intensifying the hardships caused by both the heat and the lack of water. The Pasban helpline has received numerous reports from residents stating that the current system favors the tanker mafia and those with the means to pay, while ordinary citizens suffer.
The Pasban Democratic Party has demanded immediate action from the Managing Director of the Water Board, the Governor of Sindh, and the Mayor of Karachi. They are calling for a thorough investigation into the corruption within the water board, an overhaul of the complaint and tanker request systems, and the elimination of water tanker hydrants. Additionally, they advocate for the provision of free water tankers in areas lacking proper pipeline infrastructure.
The party insists that those responsible for depriving citizens of essential water supplies should be held accountable, emphasizing that the ongoing mismanagement and alleged corruption have caused prolonged suffering among the people of Karachi. The statement from Pasban underscores a desperate need for significant administrative and operational reforms within the Karachi Water Board to address and rectify the city’s water distribution issues effectively.