IN recent days, over a dozen low-intensity earthquakes have been felt in different parts of Karachi, sparking panic among the residents and bringing several long-standing concerns about the city’s resilience to seismic activity back into public view. While there has been little damage so far, questions have been raised regarding Karachi’s general preparedness for disaster situations. Although experts say that the chances of a major earthquake are low, Karachi, home to over 20m people, with high-rise towers crowding its skyline and vast stretches of informal housing, could see devastation if it were to be struck by an intense jolt. Experts have warned that a strong quake could trigger widespread structural collapse, particularly in poorly constructed buildings. In worst-case scenarios, rescue operations could face severe delays in the city’s most densely populated areas due to narrow streets, inadequate access routes and limited emergency resources. Casualties and damage to critical infrastructure such as hospitals, roads and utilities could cripple Karachi for weeks.

An academic and expert who led the development of the Pakistan Building Code has warned that an earthquake measuring 5 or 6 on the Richter scale could devastate the city because of the questionable safety standards of most buildings. There is “a lot of corruption in the construction industry”, according to the expert, and substandard materials are often used to raise buildings. “The building code, which is supposed to ensure safety, is not being followed,” he said. This signals a massive lapse of regulatory oversight that has potentially placed millions of lives at risk. The city’s authorities must immediately begin a risk-assessment drive and ensure that contingency plans are in place. It is high time for building codes to be enforced, and existing vulnerable structures to be retrofitted with the necessary reinforcements. Public awareness campaigns and regular earthquake drills are also essential to ensure that citizens know how to respond when disaster strikes.

Published in Dawn, June 4th, 2025