No mass transit

Karachi is the only megacity in the world without a mass public transport system. The cost of private transportation is estimated to have increased by over a 100 percent since 2000. Those who cannot afford the commute have been forced to live in unplanned, inner-city neighborhoods.

The increase in private cars on urban roads have caused severe congestion. The government has responded by upgrading several roads. However, the infrastructure for the most common modes of travel in Pakistan – such as pavements for walking or special lanes for bicycles – either does not exist or has been encroached upon. This is despite the fact that 40 percent of all trip in Lahore are made on foot. Mobility in urban Pakistan is also far more difficult for women. A recent study has revealed that almost 85 percent of working-women surveyed in Karachi were harassed in 2015.

Usama Khan

Karachi