Saifuddin further accused the board of implementing the hike to repay a $1.6 billion loan from the World Bank, a claim that has added to the controversy surrounding the decision
KARACHI: The Karachi Water and Sewerage Board (KWSB) has approved a significant 23 percent increase in water and sewerage bills, a decision that has sparked widespread outrage and frustration among the city’s residents. The increase, which includes a 14 percent rise in water charges and a 9 percent hike in sewerage charges, is set to take effect from next month.
The decision, made during a board meeting chaired by Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab on Tuesday, has been met with intense criticism. Residents of Karachi, already grappling with high utility costs including electricity and gas, have expressed deep concern over the additional financial burden. One local resident described the hike as a “water bomb” on the people of Karachi, highlighting the deteriorating state of water and sewerage services in the city.
Jamaat-e-Islami (JI), a prominent political party in Karachi, has been vocally opposed to the rate increase. Saifuddin Advocate, the party’s leader in the Karachi City Council, condemned the decision, calling it unacceptable. He criticized the Karachi Water and Sewerage Board as a failing institution that is unable to provide basic services to the citizens.
Saifuddin further accused the board of implementing the hike to repay a $1.6 billion loan from the World Bank, a claim that has added to the controversy surrounding the decision. He pledged that Jamaat-e-Islami would not only protest against the increase but also launch a vigorous campaign to oppose it. Critics of the rate hike argue that it comes at a time when Karachi’s residents are already struggling under the weight of multiple taxes and rising costs. The increase has been described by many as unjust, exacerbating the sense of frustration and desperation among the city’s populace.
The KWSB’s decision reflects broader challenges facing Karachi’s infrastructure and governance, with the city grappling with issues related to service delivery and financial management. As the new rates are set to be implemented, the city braces for further public backlash and potential protests against the hike. The situation underscores the urgent need for effective reforms and improved management of Karachi’s water and sewerage services to address the concerns of its residents and ensure fair and equitable access to essential services.
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