Water has never been naturally plentiful in Karachi. This has created opportunities for vested interests to monopolise water distribution in the city. This ‘managed’ supply of water by a deeply entrenched, monopolistic bureaucracy has left people in a quandary.
Hydrants in thickly populated areas have become an eyesore for the residents. It is strange that people are being deprived of this basic necessity while it is commonly seen that water has been overflowing at filling stations for hydrants. People are not wrong in speculating about some kind of collusion between the hydrant mafia and the authorities concerned. The mafia is fleecing people by pocketing their hard-earned money. This is in addition to the monthly bills that people are bound to pay in order to save their dry water pipelines from being disconnected. The authorities need to urgently look into the matter in view of the rising temperatures in the coming days.
Rubab Sohail Baig
Karachi
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It was not shocking to read the UK-based WaterAid report that states that around 16 million Pakistanis do not have access to clean water. There is no doubt that clean water is not available easily in the country. Even in a city like Karachi water is a big issue. Many areas are without water and they have to rely on heavily-priced water tankers.
It is also surprising that water is always available for tankers even if the entire city is facing a shortage. Print, electronic and social media, and multinational corporations (MNCs) can play a vital role in this regard. MNCs should at least provide clean water for drinking in villages and slum areas as their corporate social responsibility (some MNCs are already doing it). I have no expectation from the government in this regard. Therefore, there is no need to demand action from it.
Mubashir Mahmood
Karachi