Dear editor,
Karachi, once the vibrant heart of Pakistan’s economic and cultural landscape, is now plunging into an alarming downward spiral, signaling a city teetering on the edge of collapse. This sprawling metropolis, which should be a beacon of hope and opportunity, has instead become a chilling representation of systemic failure. Environmental degradation, rampant crime, crumbling infrastructure, a broken transportation system, and entrenched corruption are just the surface symptoms of deeper, more insidious neglect and mismanagement that have plagued the city for decades. The environmental state of Karachi reflects the broader decay engulfing the city. According to a recent study conducted by the Institute of Environmental Studies at Karachi University, the city’s air quality has plummeted to dangerously low levels, consistently ranking among the worst in the world. Residents are forced to inhale air laced with particulate matter and toxins far exceeding safe thresholds. This silent, pervasive poisoning is slowly strangling the city’s population, deteriorating their health and quality of life. Moreover, the reckless depletion of mangrove forests, which act as vital ecological buffers, leaves Karachi even more vulnerable to the ravages of climate change. Despite their critical importance, these green spaces are being decimated, sacrificed on the altar of unregulated development and aquaculture. The unchecked destruction of mangroves not only threatens biodiversity but also strips the city of natural protection against coastal erosion and flooding, driving Karachi closer to an environmental catastrophe. Infrastructural decay is another glaring indicator of Karachi’s decline. The much-needed K-IV water supply project, intended to address the city’s chronic water shortages, has become a never-ending tale of delays and mismanagement. As a result, the city’s residents are left at the mercy of the notorious water tanker mafia, forced to pay exorbitant prices for something as basic as water. This mafia thrives due to the failure of the municipal water supply system, turning what should be a public service into a lucrative racket that preys on the city’s most vulnerable. The Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA), formerly known as the Karachi Building Control Authority, has become synonymous with corruption. Rampant illegal construction, enabled by bribery and negligence, has led to a cityscape of structurally unsound buildings, further eroding the already fragile infrastructure. A recent report by the Sindh Accountability Commission revealed widespread graft within the SBCA, where rules are routinely bent, and illegal developments are sanctioned for a price. The public transportation system in Karachi is another area in dire straits. Once the city had a robust transport network, but years of neglect have left it in shambles. The buses and minibuses, the lifeline for millions of daily commuters, are old, overcrowded, and unsafe. The Green Line BRT project, initially heralded as a game-changer for the city’s transport woes, has been marred by delays and mismanagement, with limited coverage that fails to address the needs of the entire population. The absence of an efficient mass transit system forces citizens to rely on hazardous and inefficient alternatives, further exacerbating the city’s traffic woes. Karachi’s security situation is equally dire, with the city becoming a breeding ground for violence and lawlessness. The Overseas Investors Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OICCI) has raised alarm over the worsening security situation, particularly in Karachi, which has seen a significant uptick in street crime. In the first half of 2024 alone, over 44,000 incidents were reported, with motorcycle thefts surpassing 31,000 cases, along with 11,800 mobile phones and 1,200 cars stolen. The much-lauded Safe City project, originally conceived in 2011 to curb such incidents, remains stalled, its cost ballooning from an estimated Rs 10 billion to Rs 40 billion over 13 years, with no visible progress. The streets of Karachi, once bustling with life, are now marred by fear, where residents live under the constant threat of violence and extortion. The city’s frequent infernos, particularly in densely populated and commercial areas, further expose the incompetence of local authorities. An audit survey revealed that 260 out of 266 commercial buildings along major thoroughfares such as Sharea Faisal, I.I. Chundrigar Road, and Shahrah-i-Quaideen lack basic fire safety systems. Shockingly, 60% of these buildings don’t even have emergency exits, putting countless lives at risk. The recent fire at the Cooperative Market in Saddar is just one tragic example of the recurring disasters that seem to elicit little more than temporary outrage from those in power. The economic consequences of Karachi’s decline are devastating. Once the economic powerhouse of Pakistan, the city is now witnessing a mass exodus of businesses, investors, and skilled professionals, fleeing in search of safer, more stable environments. Unemployment is soaring, and the middle class—traditionally the backbone of the city’s economy—is rapidly shrinking. The escalating cost of living, coupled with a deteriorating quality of life, is driving those who can afford it to leave, further draining the city of its vitality and potential. Political polarization has exacerbated the crisis, with governance fractured along ethnic and political lines. The ruling elites, entrenched in their power struggles, have consistently ignored the urgent needs of Karachi’s citizens. Their failure to address the city’s critical issues has deepened public disillusionment, as evidenced by the recent local government elections, marred by accusations of rigging and voter intimidation. Karachi’s plight has caught the attention of international organizations, with the World Bank and the United Nations highlighting the city’s dire state. These institutions have called for urgent reforms in urban planning and governance to prevent further decline. However, the federal and provincial governments seem content to pass the buck, leaving Karachi’s residents to fend for themselves in an increasingly hostile environment. Karachi is at a tipping point. The city’s survival hinges on decisive, comprehensive action that addresses the root causes of its decline. This includes significant investments in public infrastructure, enforcement of environmental regulations, and a radical overhaul of the governance structure to prioritize transparency, accountability, and the rule of law. Undeniably, Karachi’s downward spiral is a sobering reminder of what happens when a city is abandoned by those entrusted with its care. The time for empty promises and half-measures is over. Karachi’s future—and by extension, Pakistan’s—depends on the collective will to confront this crisis head-on and take bold, transformative action. The city’s fate hangs in the balance, and with it, the future of the nation- Majid Burfat