Karachi’s civic planning must reflect its real population

Through your newspaper, I wish to highlight the widening gap between Karachi’s true population and the public resources allocated to it, particularly water.

According to the 2023 census, Karachi’s population is officially recorded at around 20 million. However, continuous migration from across Pakistan means that the actual number of residents now exceeds 30–35 million. This massive difference has created severe pressure on essential services, especially the city’s water supply.

At present, the Karachi Water & Sewerage Board supplies only around 600 million gallons per day (MGD). A figure calculated on census records, not the real number of people actually living here. Karachi is therefore being managed as a 20-million city on paper, while in reality it is a 35-million megacity.

Karachi is not only the capital of Sindh, it is the economic heart of Pakistan and the main destination for internal migration. Millions of workers from all provinces live and contribute here. Yet the burden of providing water, infrastructure, and urban services is carried almost entirely by Sindh and the city government, without adequate national-level support.The way forward — practical reforms

1. K-IV (K4) Water Supply Project must be completed on priority;

K-IV should be treated as a national project, with capacity designed, according to Karachi’s actual population including migrant residents.

2. Migration-Based Water Allocation Formula

Karachi’s water allocation must include:

• Sindh’s quota, plus

• an additional share proportional to migration from other provinces.

This is fair, logical, and vital for urban stability.

3. Official recognition of long-term residents

All citizens living in Karachi for more than one year should be counted as Karachi residents for:

• census records

• the National Finance Commission (NFC)

• electoral representation

• federal and development funding

4. Karachi should be treated as a city belonging to all provinces

Given its role as Pakistan’s economic engine, Karachi should be recognised as a national urban centre. Federal development funding including water supply, roads, hospitals, schools, universities, sanitation, and transport should be allocated according to the real resident population of around 30–35 million.

All provinces must share responsibility because their people live and work here, and Karachi sustains the national economy.

If reforms are not introduced, Karachi will continue to face chronic shortages in water and essential services, affecting both original residents and migrant families equally.

Karachi deserves planning based on truth, fairness, and national partnership — not outdated statistics.

Saeed Rasheed (Karachi)

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026