pall of gloom seemed to have descended on Karachiites when it was revealed that K-IV project will receive a sum of Rs 3.2 billion during the financial year against the Rs 40 billion requirement. This will further delay the completion of this vital water supply scheme needed to bridge the supply-demand gap.

The city needs more than 1,150 million gallons per day (mgd) but receives only 550 mgd. Then there are losses in the pipelines and other disruptions. Amid acute water shortages during June, a 36-inch diameter water pipeline burst during the Eid holidays near the University of Karachi. This aggravated the residents’ water woes. The water supply routinely collapses during the peak summer months. The concerned agencies - including the Karachi Water and Sewerage Corporation and the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation - come up with various excuses on such occasions.

It is disappointing to notice that while a broad-based water sector reform programme is in place since 2017 under the overall supervision of the international financial institutions and hefty loans have been taken, there has been no relief for the common consumer.

The Sindh High Court has suspended the appointments of the chief executive officer and chief operating officer of the KWSC. The matter remains under litigation. Yet, the water supply woes can be addressed if a few reforms are put in place without further delay.

One, the KWSC Act 2023 must be revisited. The law must empower the KWSC to make independent operational and financial........

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