Crumbling infrastructure in Karachi’s industrial areas is bleeding workers and businesses alike

For Karachi's industrial workers, the daily commute is a test of endurance rather than a matter of distance. Muhammad Ali leaves his home an hour early for his 8am shift at a pharmaceutical plant, but the final 6km to the factory takes twice as long due to potholes and gridlock. In Korangi Industrial Area, refinery worker Ishtiaq Ali loses four hours each day to public transport, dealing with endless construction and broken roads.

Karachi's infrastructure woes extend beyond the daily commute, affecting businesses heavily. Heavy vehicles transporting goods through industrial zones face hours of gridlock, leading to inflated fuel bills, damaged cargo, and costly delays for thousands of enterprises. Poor sanitation, water shortages, ineffective waste disposal, and deteriorating drainage networks compound the challenges for businesses and workers in these industrial hubs.

The industrial community has openly raised concerns over the economic impact of civic mismanagement, questioning how Karachi, which contributes significantly to Pakistan's revenue and exports, continues to suffer from crumbling roads, water shortages, unreliable utilities, deteriorating sewerage, and crime. Zubair Motiwala, chairman of Businessmen Group, emphasized the urgency of addressing these issues to create a liveable, secure, and economically competitive Karachi.

Despite the Sindh government's allocation of over Rs9 billion for road repairs and infrastructure maintenance, progress has been slow, leaving industrialists frustrated. The industrial community calls for timely completion of projects, improved coordination among authorities, and oversight for effective service delivery.