Karachi's water crisis exposes deep rot as residents accuse authorities of deception

Karachi [Pakistan], May 10 : Karachi's worsening water crisis has triggered outrage across the city, with thousands of residents rejecting official claims that normal supply has been restored. Despite assurances from the Karachi Water and Sewerage Corporation (KWSC), taps in several neighbourhoods have remained dry for nearly two weeks, forcing citizens to rely on costly private tankers, as reported by The Express Tribune.

According to The Express Tribune, the KWSC announced that repairs at the Dhabeji Pumping Station had been completed and that 40 million gallons per day had been reintroduced into the system. Officials insisted that Karachi was once again receiving its regular 650 MGD water supply and claimed all pumping stations were operating smoothly without interruptions. However, residents from Korangi, Clifton, Liaquatabad, DHA, Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Malir and other localities disputed those assertions.

Many citizens said they had not received pipeline water since April 25 and accused authorities of presenting a misleading picture of the situation. Several residents alleged that while domestic pipelines remained empty, government hydrants continued functioning uninterrupted, intensifying suspicions of unequal distribution. A resident of Gulistan-e-Jauhar stated that families were spending heavily on tanker services despite repeated claims by officials that supply had normalised.

The controversy deepened after authorities uncovered a large-scale water theft operation connected to the city's main supply network. In a joint raid carried out by Rangers and KWSC officials near Lasbela Bridge, an illegal underground system syphoning sweet water from a 33-inch main line was discovered. Investigators found a concealed tunnel linked directly to the corporation's pipeline, along with a powerful suction pump and an illegal extraction setup allegedly used to steal clean water, as cited by The Express Tribune.

Laboratory testing of water samples reportedly confirmed low TDS levels, indicating the stolen supply was potable water rather than groundwater. Officials claimed the operation was linked to influential figures operating sub-soil networks in the area. Cases have been registered under the Water Corporation Act, while investigations continue, as reported by The Express Tribune.

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