Islamabad, Jan 19 (NationPress) The bustling metropolis of Karachi, recognized as Pakistan's primary city and financial nucleus, is currently grappling with a severe lack of water and energy resources. According to a recent report, residents are forced to acquire water from the tanker mafia, which operates under corrupt practices, and many have turned to alternative energy solutions like UPS systems, solar panels, and generators. The report also highlights that citizens are financing their own security.

Rather than assisting the populace, government agencies are perceived as a hindrance. Additionally, gas supplies in Karachi face sudden rationing, as noted in an opinion piece from Business Recorder. The city's roads are in disrepair, presenting a challenging landscape where it appears no stretch of road remains undamaged.

Sirajuddin Aziz, a prominent banker and freelance economist, raised a crucial question in Business Recorder: if citizens are paying for services that are typically provided by the government in other nations, are their taxes merely serving to inflate the egos of politicians, who parade in extensive convoys? Essentially, it is the private sector that sustains the vibrancy of the city, despite persistent efforts—intentional or otherwise—to drive it toward decay.

In light of the government's absence, various groups have urged that authorities pay heed to Karachi's rapid decline, a city experiencing substantial population growth through both natural increase and migration. A member from one such group recently claimed that approximately 300,000 individuals migrate to Sindh's cities monthly in search of better economic prospects.

Officially, Karachi’s population is cited as 20 million, although estimates suggest the actual figure could range from 20 to 30 million. The report indicates that the process of devolving power to local governance in Karachi has stagnated.

The Business Recorder opinion piece emphasized the urgent need to devolve authority to the city's residents, advocating for a reassessment of resource allocation and its implementation. For Pakistan to achieve export targets exceeding USD 50 billion within the next 5 to 8 years, Karachi must be transformed into a fully operational city.

The writer questioned why authorities have not considered establishing additional administrative units, asserting that this would foster unity rather than division. Empowering the populace to adhere to the highest governance standards with strict accountability is essential. Let the local government function effectively, repair infrastructure, and facilitate exports, as this is crucial for Pakistan's export-led growth, with Karachi being the pivotal element.