Karachi, the economic hub of Pakistan, has been facing serious problems because of poor governance and the negligence of the provincial and city governments. Basic civic facilities are deteriorating, roads are in poor condition, traffic congestion has become a daily problem, and citizens are suffering from numerous difficulties. Unfortunately, development works, which are meant to improve people’s lives, have themselves become a source of trouble for Karachiites.
Whenever a road, underpass, or flyover is to be constructed, the authorities start digging up the roads without making proper alternative arrangements for traffic. Construction materials are dumped on roads, making it difficult for commuters to pass. Work continues at a very slow pace, and projects that should be completed within a few months often remain incomplete for a long time. The authorities seem least concerned about the problems faced by the public.
The situation becomes particularly difficult during school and office hours. Students reach their schools late, employees struggle to reach their workplaces, and patients may face delays in reaching hospitals. Moreover, construction work produces clouds of dust, which can cause serious health problems, especially for children and elderly people. Narrow and damaged roads, along with poor traffic management, also increase the risk of accidents and financial losses.
The situation sometimes becomes so frustrating that motorists begin arguing and fighting with one another while trying to pass through congested roads. The absence of proper traffic management makes matters worse. It is unfortunate that ordinary citizens have to suffer because of the negligence and poor planning of the authorities.
Another serious problem is that contractors often stop construction work without giving any clear reason. Roads remain dug up, projects are left incomplete, and people are forced to wait for months. The authorities neither provide satisfactory explanations nor announce clear deadlines for completing these projects. As a result, citizens are left in the lurch and have no idea when their suffering will end.
The prolonged construction work on University Road is a clear example of this mismanagement. Many citizens have expressed their frustration by saying that the road might have been completed much earlier if it had been named after a political personality, as happened in the case of Sharae Bhutto. Such remarks reflect the disappointment and anger of the people towards the authorities.
Unfortunately, the timely completion of development projects has become a rare occurrence in Karachi. If the authorities had planned these projects properly, supervised the work regularly, and taken strict action against careless contractors, much of the public’s suffering could have been avoided. Development projects should bring relief to the people rather than create additional problems for them.
It is high time that the Sindh government, the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation, and other relevant authorities took immediate action. Every project should have a fixed deadline, and contractors should be held responsible for unnecessary delays. Proper alternative routes, effective traffic management, and measures to control dust must also be ensured during construction.
Karachiites do not demand special treatment. They simply want good roads, basic civic facilities, and responsible governance. It is regrettable that a city which contributes so much to the national economy is being neglected in this manner.
Karachi has increasingly become a politically orphaned city, with no authority appearing genuinely interested in resolving its problems. The citizens have suffered enough and can no longer afford to endure endless delays, broken roads, and empty promises.
I hope this letter will draw the attention of the authorities concerned and persuade them to take practical steps to resolve the problems faced by the people of Karachi.
Zahid Rajput (Karachi)
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026