KARACHI: The city’s water supply is expected to normalize as repair work on the 84-inch main pipeline on University Road has been completed.
According to a spokesperson for the Karachi Water and Sewerage Corporation (KWSC), water supply to affected areas will resume in full flow by tonight. Restoration work has already begun at 12 pumping stations across the city. Areas such as Clifton, Defence, Old City, and Lyari have started receiving water, while supply to Khudadad Colony, PECHS Society, and Liaquatabad is underway.
The spokesperson also confirmed that pipelines serving Nazimabad and Gulshan-e-Iqbal will soon be operational, bringing relief to residents who have been facing acute shortages.
The pipeline was initially damaged on November 29, 2024. On December 9, the KWSC announced the completion of repair work on the 84-inch main water line. However, a subsequent leakage developed just days later, disrupting the water supply once again.
Karachi’s water crisis: A closer look
Karachi receives only half of its required water supply. Of this, nearly one-third is either stolen—attributed to the alleged tanker and hydrant mafias—or wasted due to aging and poorly maintained pipelines. The crisis disproportionately impacts low-income households, with women and young girls bearing the brunt of the burden, as they are often tasked with sourcing water for their families.
Amber Alibhai, a civil society advocate and head of Shehri-Citizens for a Better Environment, stressed the need for equitable distribution to promote fairness and reduce wastage. “When people perceive fairness, they are more cautious about wasting water,” she explained.
Dr. Noman Ahmed, Dean of the Faculty of Architecture, emphasized the importance of improving the distribution system, stating that better management of existing water resources could alleviate much of the crisis.
Geologist Simi Kamal from the Hisaar Foundation advocated for greater inclusion of women in policymaking, arguing that their involvement could lead to more practical and effective solutions.
