Nullah Leh: once a lifeline, now a symbol of pollution and neglect

Once a vital artery threading through the heart of Rawalpindi, Nullah Leh has now become a distressing symbol of the city’s urban decay—choked by untreated sewage, plastic waste, and official apathy.

“Stretching from the twin cities’ densely populated neighborhoods to the Soan River, the nullah was historically a natural drainage channel. Over the decades, however, it has morphed into an open sewer, carrying domestic, commercial, and even industrial waste. With each passing monsoon, it resurfaces in public discourse—often only after it overflows, inundating surrounding localities,” says Hur Abbas.

“Illegal construction along the banks narrows the water flow, increasing flood risks. Urban sprawl has overwhelmed any existing drainage capacity,” says Ali Asghar.

“Despite repeated government promises and multi-billion-rupee rehabilitation plans, little has changed on the ground. Residents along the banks of the nullah describe the stench as unbearable and the water as a constant threat to health and property,” says Faruk Haider.

“We’ve lived here for 20 years, and nothing improves. Every summer, we fear flooding, and the rest of the year, we deal with filth. The government sends bulldozers when VIPs are expected, but it’s just for show,” says Ruqayya Bibi, a working mother.

“The Leh Expressway project—long touted as a solution to both the flooding and encroachment—has seen years of delay, with progress mired in bureaucratic red tape, shifting political priorities, and land acquisition hurdles,” says Rida Zainab.

“Environmental experts say the problem is not just cosmetic. Nullah Leh has become a toxic watercourse. Heavy metals, untreated industrial discharge, and municipal waste are polluting the soil and groundwater. It’s an ecological crisis in slow motion,” says Dr. Fayyaz Ali, an environmental scientist at a local university.

“Meanwhile, urban planners warn that unchecked encroachment and informal settlements along the nullah banks are compounding the problem. In the absence of strict zoning laws and enforcement, these settlements remain vulnerable to flash floods, with tragic consequences seen in the devastating floods of 2001 and 2021,” says Arif Hussain.

“Civil society groups have called for urgent reforms, including the construction of sewage treatment plants, relocation of high-risk settlements, and a comprehensive solid waste management strategy. However, for many residents, hope is wearing thin,” says Faraj Mehdi.

“Numerous cleanup and development plans have been proposed but either stalled or failed due to bureaucratic delays, lack of funding, or political will. Nullah Leh reflects how we treat our environment and our poor. If we cannot clean up a single waterway in our garrison city, what does it say about our urban priorities,” says Ummul Banin.

Zahid Hussain, an activist with the Urban Rights Forum, says, “As yet another summer approaches, the murky waters of Nullah Leh remain a silent but potent reminder: of promises made, and promises broken.”