Protests Erupt Across Karachi Over Worsening Water Crisis

(MENAFN- IANS) Islamabad, June 6 (IANS) Pakistan's Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) party staged protest demonstrations at multiple locations in Karachi over the worsening water crisis in the city, warning that it would intensify its agitations through sit-ins and a strike if the authorities failed to address the issue, local media reported.

The central demonstration was organised on Friday by the local government representatives of the JI outside the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) building, where the mayor's office is located, who concurrently chairs the Karachi Water and Sewerage Corporation (KWSC).

The elected JI local government representatives led the protest outside the KMC building on M.A. Jinnah Road, causing major traffic disruptions in the area and hardship to the public, as reported by the Pakistani daily Dawn.

The traffic snarls were also reported in many other areas, with thousands of vehicles caught in a two-hour-long gridlock on Korangi Road.

Carrying placards and banners, the protestors raised slogans against persistent water shortages, the tanker mafia, and what they described as the provincial government's "visionless leadership".

They also demanded the early completion of the K-IV water supply project and strict action against water theft.

Karachi is currently grappling with a water shortfall of more than 600 million gallons per day (MGD) against a demand of 1,250 MGD, forcing many residents to rely on irregular supplies or expensive private tankers.

Addressing the crowd, JI Karachi acting chief and opposition leader in KMC, Saifuddin, accused the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) government and the city mayor of lacking both the ability and will to resolve Karachi's problems.

He alleged that Karachi has been neglected by the authorities despite being Pakistan's economic hub.

"Citizens are begging for every drop of water while 70 to 80 per cent of the city faces acute shortages," Dawn quoted him as saying. He further alleged that residents were compelled to buy tankers for Pakistani Rs 10,000 to Rs 15,000 that previously cost Rs 2,000.

Saifuddin dismissed official claims that the water crisis was under control, citing ongoing shortages in Surjani Town, Orangi, Lyari, New Karachi, Gulshan-i-Iqbal, Safoora, Nazimabad, and Murad Memon Goth.

He also raised concerns over the recurring technical breakdowns at Dhabeji Pumping Station, alleging that such faults repeatedly occurred ahead of Ramazan and Eid.

Warning of stronger action, the JI leader said the party would resort to sit-ins and a strike if the "artificial water crisis" was not resolved.

Last month, Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) lawmakers held a protest in the Sindh Assembly over water shortage in Karachi and demanded immediate restoration of water supply ahead of Eidul Azha. They gathered in front of the podium and shouted the slogan "Give water to Karachi", Dawn reported.

Opposition Leader Ali Khurshidi said that Karachi "was thirsty for every drop of water" while the authorities watched like silent, senseless spectators. Khurshidi said that there is no water in the taps and added that he had tried to get a tanker for two days but failed, as per the report.

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