KARACHI: Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) staged protests across Karachi on Friday against the worsening water shortage in the city, warning that it could launch a strike if authorities fail to restore an adequate water supply to residents. The demonstrations have once again brought the Karachi water crisis into the spotlight, with citizens demanding immediate action from the relevant authorities.
The main protest was held outside the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) headquarters, where a large number of protesters gathered carrying banners and placards highlighting the prolonged Karachi water shortage. According to JI representatives, the demonstrations were organized to protest what they described as an artificial water crisis and the continued failure of authorities to ensure a consistent water supply across the city.
Addressing the gathering, JI Karachi acting chief and Leader of the Opposition in KMC, Saifuddin Advocate, said protests were being held in different parts of the city to draw attention to the severe hardships faced by Karachi residents. He criticized city authorities for failing to resolve the issue despite repeated assurances from the Karachi Water and Sewerage Corporation (KW&SC).
Saifuddin questioned why large sections of Karachi continue to face water shortages despite reports that water is being supplied through the Hub Canal and that repairs to the Dhabeji transmission lines have been completed. He said many neighborhoods remain deprived of basic water access, creating difficulties for families and businesses alike.
The JI leader also raised concerns about the delayed K-IV project, a major initiative aimed at improving Karachi’s water supply. He noted that despite being launched more than two decades ago, the K-IV project remains incomplete, leaving residents dependent on limited resources and expensive alternatives.
During the recent Eid al-Adha holidays, many citizens reportedly faced severe difficulties due to water shortages, while water tanker prices surged amid growing demand. Saifuddin alleged that disruptions in the Dhabeji water supply system frequently occur before major occasions such as Ramadan and Eid, worsening the situation.
Jamaat-e-Islami demanded that authorities ensure a reliable pipeline-based water supply system instead of forcing residents to rely on costly private water tankers. The party warned that if immediate steps are not taken to address the Karachi water shortage, it may expand its protest campaign and consider a citywide strike.
