By Muhammad Ubaidullah Mirani
Korangi, the industrial heart of Karachi, was once regarded as one of the city’s greatest economic strengths. Its factories powered Pakistan’s manufacturing sector, provided employment to hundreds of thousands of workers and sustained countless families whose livelihoods depended on the district’s industrial activity. The prosperity of Korangi was never measured only by the goods produced in its factories but also by the communities that grew around them. Today, however, that image has faded behind a growing crisis of neglected civic infrastructure, raising difficult questions about governance, public spending and accountability.
Residents across Korangi increasingly find themselves dealing with problems that should have been resolved long ago. Broken roads, overflowing drains, stagnant pools of dirty water, mounting piles of garbage and unreliable water supplies have become an accepted part of everyday life rather than temporary inconveniences. For an industrial district that contributes significantly to Karachi’s economy, the deterioration of basic municipal services presents a troubling contradiction.
The budgets for the fiscal year 2026-27 have now been presented by all four towns of Korangi district—Korangi, Landhi, Shah Faisal and Model Colony. As in previous years, billions of rupees have been allocated by the Sindh government for local councils and development schemes, with Korangi receiving a substantial share of these funds. Budget documents contain impressive figures earmarked for road rehabilitation, sewerage improvements, sanitation, streetlights and other essential civic facilities. Yet the condition witnessed on the streets tells a different story.
As a journalist reporting regularly from different parts of Korangi district, I have repeatedly observed the striking gap between official claims and public reality. Whether visiting Korangi Number 6, Chakara Goth, Universal Town, Mehran Town, Bengali Para, Dhai Number, PNT Colony or several other neighbourhoods, the same concerns continue to emerge. Damaged roads make daily travel difficult, sewerage lines remain broken, stagnant water accumulates for days after even light rainfall and business activities are frequently disrupted because of poor infrastructure. These are not isolated complaints but recurring problems that have persisted despite repeated promises of improvement.
One conversation in Chakara Goth remains particularly memorable. An elderly resident summed up years of public frustration in a single sentence: “We cast our votes, we paid taxes, but even today all we received is broken roads and dirty water.” His words captured the disappointment of countless citizens who feel increasingly disconnected from the development projects announced in official documents. For many residents, the issue is not merely the poor condition of roads or drains but the growing belief that public expectations are rarely matched by meaningful results.
Landhi Town, under Chairman Abdul Jameel Khan, has witnessed certain sanitation campaigns and streetlight installations. Nevertheless, drainage failures, overflowing garbage and deteriorating roads remain widespread concerns in its densely populated neighbourhoods.
Shah Faisal Town, led by Chairman Gohar Ali Khattak, has also seen limited development initiatives. However, complaints regarding stagnant rainwater, damaged roads and ageing sewerage infrastructure continue to dominate public discussion.
Model Colony Town, headed by Chairman Zafar Ahmed Khan, similarly reflects a mixed picture. While some development projects have been undertaken, residents continue to raise concerns about encroachments, sewerage failures and the gradual decline of roads that were once considered comparatively well maintained.
Town administrations frequently cite shortages of funds and limited administrative authority whenever questions are raised. Those constraints may well be genuine. However, many residents argue that routine municipal responsibilities such as regular garbage collection, timely drain cleaning, prompt repair of damaged roads and better maintenance of public spaces can still be managed more effectively through improved planning and stronger oversight.
Equally concerning is the apparent lack of coordination among the Water Board, the Sindh Solid Waste Management system, town administrations and other relevant institutions. Official water supplies remain inadequate in many neighbourhoods, yet private water tankers continue to operate with remarkable ease. Cleanliness campaigns are regularly announced, but overflowing garbage bins and unmanaged waste remain visible across numerous localities. These contradictions continue to weaken public confidence in local governance.
During reporting assignments across the district, disappointment is perhaps the emotion expressed most consistently by residents. Many believe that the promises made during election campaigns should now be reflected in cleaner streets, functioning drainage systems and roads that last longer than a single season. Instead, they see recurring announcements but limited transformation in their daily lives.
Korangi occupies a vital place in Karachi’s economy, and its decline affects far more than the residents who live within its boundaries. An industrial district cannot remain productive if its supporting civic infrastructure continues to deteriorate. Restoring public confidence will require more than larger budget allocations. It demands transparent spending, rigorous monitoring of development projects, stronger accountability at the town level and genuine coordination among all public institutions responsible for delivering municipal services.
(The writer is a columnist, mostly writes social and political issues. He could be reached at editorial@metro-morning.com)
