Karachi Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Emir Monem Zafar has expressed grave concern over the deteriorating civic situation in the city following rainfall, holding the Pakistan Peoples Party’s (PPP) Sindh government, Karachi mayor and Sindh Solid Waste Management Board (SSWMB) responsible for the situation due to gross negligence and poor performance.
He termed the death of six people, including a five-year-old girl, in rain-related incidents in different parts of the city deeply tragic. He said Karachiites were bearing the brunt of the incompetence of the PPP government in Sindh, mayor and SSWMB as rainwater accumulated on roads and storm-water drains overflowed in several areas.
He said the latest spell of rain had once again laid bare the hollow claims and failed performance of the Sindh government and city administration. He said storm water drains overflowed immediately after the rainfall, causing water to spill onto roads, while the absence of an effective drainage mechanism led to widespread waterlogging on roads, highways, streets and residential lanes throughout the city.
He added that overflowing sewerage lines had worsened the situation, spreading filth and causing rainwater mixed with sewage to collect in various localities. As a result, citizens’ mobility, traffic flow, and commercial activities in markets and business centres were severely disrupted, causing immense hardship and distress to the public.
Criticizing the waste management authorities, he said the SSWMB had an annual budget of Rs43 billion whereas more than Rs40 billion had separately been allocated for drain cleaning, yet the city’s drains remained unclear and garbage continued to pile up in every corner.
“The entire city has turned into a dumping ground, while roads and major thoroughfares present the picture of ponds,” he said. He said Karachi produces around 14,800 tonnes of garbage every day, but only nearly 8,000 tonnes was lifted.
He noted that the waste management board had been functioning for the past 12 years with the mayor serving as its chairman, but the institution had failed to deliver and stands exposed as ineffective and incompetent.
He also criticised the Sindh government for refusing to devolve powers and resources to the grassroots level, and demanded that the system of garbage collection be handed over to town administrations and union committees for better efficiency and accountability.
