Karachi needs attention not statements. 5 ways to reform Karachi
Karachi, the largest and most populated city of Pakistan, but still lacks basic facilities like water, infrastructure, transportation, and drainage system. The city had faced many dark days in the past but in 2014 when a military operation launched under civilian government; it brought peace and business in Karachi. However, it also showed the new picture of economic center, how Karachites have been living without water, electricity, and other necessities.
Previously these giant issues of the metropolitan city were ignored over a decade. The problems were already present but it never caught the eye of the administration. But still, it is not too late for state to reform and restructure of Karachi.
Economic Performance Decline in Karachi, but Strong Reduce Poverty
Karachi is the financial and economic center of the country, with a production of 12 - 15 % Pakistan Gross domestic product (GDP) and production center employment in the country. However, the city and its economic environment the agglomeration does not contribute to increasing the economic efficiency of the country. The night light strong evidence of economic activity shows a decline in economic activity in the main areas of the city and its strong growth suburbs, indicating that high value added economic activities are leaving the core of the city. This stagnation of economic activity in the central regions creates problems of long - term economic and social potential. On the other hand, Karachi In the 10 years to 2015, there was a significant reduction in poverty of 9%. The population of the city living in poverty in 2014 - 2015, compared to 23% in 2004 - 2005. This makes Karachi the least impoverished region of Sindh and the third least poor in the region. Despite this, there are areas of great poverty and great diversity wealth in Karachi due to its physical size and large population.
Low viability of Karachi and Basic Services
Karachi’s file in Global Livability Index is very dense, with over 20,000 inhabitants per square kilometer. City planning, management and service delivery lag behind the population growth, and the city seems to be turning into a spatially unbalanced, inefficient and abandoned form. There are open public spaces and cultural heritage sites, commercial development is threatened. The city greens are waning, it currently accounts for only 4 percent of the city's built-up area.
These are the five problems that are needed to be solved for the reformation of Karachi.
1. Infrastructure
The biggest issue right now Karachites are struggling with, is the infrastructure of the city. The city does not have a basic system of housing, traffic, electricity, roads, etc. the provincial government did not even launch a single housing scheme, master plan to reform Karachi.
If we just talk about housing and finance, there is a big gap between supply and demand. On March 2019, Imran Khan also pointed out this issue and ask the provincial government to allow all the builders to build high-rise buildings. But still, there is no progress, even the buildings are collapsing results of mediocre planning and construction.
If the state is interested in reforming Karachi, then infrastructure should be the priority for them. They are required to do something instead of giving statements and plans which was given to Karachi a second time.
Imran Khan tweeted about his vision on Pakistan’s urban development.
2. Transportation
The second biggest issue of city of lights facing is the transportation, there is not even a single public bus service for this metropolitan city although Karachi pays more tax than other cities in Pakistan. The population of the city is more than 250 million which is more than many countries but still not even a single mass transit project is functional. Sindh government has claimed again and again however nothing happened. Not having a mass-transit project is increasing personal vehicle culture, more than 3.8 million vehicles are running in Karachi and the ratio is increasing day by day.
If somehow the Sindh government and federal come on board for any public transport system which can be made functional in the next few years. Otherwise, the situation of traffic and the mental health of the people is going to be worse.
There is no coherent transport policy in Karachi, not even a thousand news cars are added to the roads daily. Traffic congestion and safety these are serious concerns. Limited access to modes of transport especially affects women. Karachi's transportation problems can only be solved by investing in infrastructure and facilities.
3. Water and Drainage system
We all have witnessed how water mafia and drainage systems work in Karachi. The recent rains have exposed the insufficiency of government. Citizens of Karachi have to buy the water from tanker mafia as Karachi water and Sewerage board has been unable to provide water due to the poor line connection and stealing. Moreover, 40% of Karachi’s water is being stolen and wasted due to the weak infrastructure.
Also, the drainage system is so bad, it cannot control 100mm rains, and water started floating on roads, most of the city sunk. But the local administration, cantonment boards, and provincial and the federal government didn’t take any measures to control it. Karachi generates 65% of the revenue but still faces minor issues, so it is high time as the political pressure is building for all the stakeholders to actual works instead of the announcement.
Karachi is experiencing a severe water and health crisis bad management. Funding for this sector is generally one-off and is targeted solving immediate needs, not long-term goals. Rationalization and theft is common. Many families rely on private vendors to sell tank water at high prices. Less than 60% of the population has access to public wastewater, and nearly all untreated wastewater remains untreated at sea hazardous and industrial wastewater. Less than half of the estimate is solid waste consequently collection and transport to open landfills harmful to health.
4. One Government System
The power of controlling the city is divided into three different i.e., local government, provincial government, and cantonment boards. The local government and provincial governments do not have control over cantonment boards. These areas come under the jurisdiction of the federal government. On the other hand, the local government used to complain they do not have the power, funds, and resources. If Karachi somehow gets the same status as the capital Islamabad then the situation can get better.
5.Citizens Responsibility
Even if all the issues which Karachi has been facing resolve; but still the situation remains the same if citizens do not show responsibility. If the government starts providing water at home, electricity 24/7, fix all the basic issues still people waste resources by claiming they have money to but then we are the part of the problem.
It is also clearly written in the Quran the way citizen’s act, they will have the same kind of rulers. So if the citizens do not act upon on their responsibilities then Karachi will remain the same as it is now.
Current Structure of City's Economy
Employment and manufacturing dominate the occupation in Karachi. They represent 63% of total employment in the city. Public administration, transport and telecommunications, health and education. They represent a significant percentage of local employment. Despite the small share of employment, finance and real estate this sector generated approximately 13.2% of Karachi's total gross value added 2012. The sector contributed significantly to Karachi's GDP growth. In the past decade and a half, especially the decade before 2010, when loans to the private sector have increased significantly, including loans. However, the extent of this is unknown. The share of the real estate sector was based on erroneous speculation in the real estate market and not on economic grounds.
Karachi's overall importance to Pakistan's economy is reflected in its excellence. gross domestic product per capita (GDP) and relatively high level of labor productivity. In 2012, Karachi generated at least 11.4% of the national GDP and accounts for nearly 5.5% of domestic employment. The city's per capita GDP was almost 44% higher National level Gross value added (GVA) per employee was highest in 2012 more than double the whole of Pakistan. Among the major cities of Pakistan, its level The GVA per employee is second to Hyderabad. Relatively high Karachi the level of labor productivity can be partially attributed to its total size. The city is a center of employment in industry. Geographically, Karachi forms an economically important manufacturing employment corridor along with the neighboring counties of Hyderabad, Tatta Lasbela. These three districts and Karachi (which is technically a subdivision) are synonymous nearly 71% of domestic employment in production in the formal sector in the field of vehicles and transport equipment. However, Karachi's relatively high GDP growth fueled by employment growth it was accompanied by an anemic increase in productivity. While Karachis GDP grew by 5.7% per year in 2000-2012. and employment has grown at an impressive pace Despite its manufacturing capabilities, Karachi competitiveness is declining compared to other Pakistani cities. There are also reasons to believe that Karachi's economic growth could block. This is in line with Karachi's speculative ownership and the land boom in between 2000 and 2007. This boom spurred growth in the construction sector and spurred the demand for low-skilled labor.
Some of these issues need to be catered to reform Karachi and revitalize the management that is lacking to boost the economy of the country in which Karachi is the highest contributor. These ways will help in growth of real estate sector and other professions with wide scope.
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