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Mayors

Karachi Mayor Seeks Inquiry into Widespread Water Scavenging in the City

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

A recent surprise inspection in Karachi, led by Mayor Murtaza Wahab, revealed widespread and unauthorized tapping of water resources in both the federal trunk main (FTM) and Customer and Technical Maintenance (CTM) Divisions. The inspection, conducted on May 10, 2025, uncovered serious lapses in oversight and calls for immediate accountability. Mayor Wahab has sought a formal order by Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah to conduct an inquiry into the issue, suspending two KW and SC officials for gross dereliction of duty. The city's water scarcity has reached alarming levels, with a population exceeding 20 million facing a chronic water shortage.

Key Takeaways:

  • A surprise inspection conducted by Mayor Murtaza Wahab on May 10, 2025, revealed widespread and unauthorized tapping of water resources in both the FTM and CTM divisions.
  • The inspection uncovered serious lapses in oversight and called for immediate accountability, with Mayor Wahab seeking a formal order by Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah to conduct an inquiry into the issue.
  • Two KW and SC officials, Executive Engineer (Civil) CTM Division, Ahsanullah Shaikh, and Assistant Executive Engineer, FTM Division, S.M. Ahsan, were suspended for gross dereliction of duty.
  • The city's water scarcity has reached alarming levels, with a population exceeding 20 million facing a chronic water shortage.
  • The city requires an estimated 1,200 million gallons per day (MGD) of water, yet only about 550 to 600 MGD is actually supplied, resulting in a massive black market in water.
  • Senior MQM-Pakistan leader Senator Nasreen Jalil has condemned the alleged collusion between the Sindh government and KW and SC, calling it deliberate deprivation and accusing the Sindh government of weaponising water scarcity to punish dissenting neighborhoods.

Statistics:

  • Karachi's population exceeds 20 million.
  • The city requires an estimated 1,200 million gallons per day (MGD) of water.
  • Only about 550 to 600 MGD is actually supplied, resulting in a massive black market in water.
  • Two KW and SC officials were suspended for gross dereliction of duty.

Sources:

  • Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC)
  • Water Commissioner's Office
  • Sindh Provincial Government
  • Senator Nasreen Jalil

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