The Karachi Water and Sewerage Corporation (KWSC) on Friday rolled out a comprehensive emergency plan for Ashura, directing officials and field teams to remain on high alert to ensure uninterrupted water supply and efficient sewerage services for mourners across the city.
The emergency measures were issued under the directives of Mayor Karachi Murtaza Wahab and Chief Executive Officer KWSC Ahmed Ali Siddiqui, with the aim of providing reliable water and sewerage services during Muharram processions and religious gatherings.
According to an official directive issued by Chief Operating Officer KWSC Engineer Asadullah Khan, all concerned officers had been instructed to maintain close coordination with the district administration, police, elected representatives, Shia scholars, the Jafaria Alliance and other religious organisations to facilitate smooth arrangements throughout Ashura.
The water utility had ordered the completion of all water supply and sewerage-related work before Ashura, particularly around mosques, imambargahs, majalis venues, sabeels and procession routes. Superintending engineers had been directed to remain in continuous contact with district authorities, while water and sewerage officials had been instructed to ensure uninterrupted water distribution, clean sewer lines, repair damaged manholes and make manhole covers readily available.
The KWSC had also directed all jetting and suction machines to remain operational and instructed departments to keep emergency response teams on standby to address any unexpected situation without delay. Special duty rosters would remain in effect during the Muharram holidays to enable an immediate response to public complaints.
The Hydrants Cell had been tasked with ensuring an adequate supply of water at mosques, imambargahs, majalis, sabeels, procession routes and other religious gathering sites to prevent any inconvenience for mourners.
According to KWSC, Aftab Alam Chandio, Muhammad Zahid, Shafqat Maghan and Shahbaz Bashir had been appointed as focal persons to oversee the implementation of Muharram arrangements.
KWSC officials said that providing uninterrupted civic services to residents and mourners during Muharram remains the organisation’s top priority, adding that negligence or lapses in carrying out the emergency plan would not be tolerated.
