KARACHI bleeds silently while continuing to fuel the national economy by being its undisputed cash cow. According to recent reports, the Large Taxpayer Office (LTO) in Karachi collected Rs3.256 trillion this year compared to Rs2.515 trillion last year, showing a record increase of 29 per cent.

Karachi contributes 80pc to Sindh’s total revenue, and around 54pc to the federal government’s tax collection. The city that financially powers the nation is being constantly ignored. Life in the city is marked by broken roads, endless load-shedding, water scarcity, and failing municipal systems. How long will Karachi suffer simply for being the most generous?

The city is home to the highest number of registered taxpayers in the country, yet its development projects are few, and the pace and quality of their execution is pathetic. The city’s share in provincial development funds is shamefully low. All the city gets is a hoard of promises that change nothing.

Basic infrastructure remains neglected. Drainage systems continue to overflow, garbage dumps dot the length and breadth of the city, and public transport is a massive disaster. The Karachi Municipal Corporation (KMC), the primary municipal authority, has consistently failed to deliver.

Whether it is solid waste management, road maintenance, or urban planning, the performance has been disappointing at every single level. The city’s needs grow, but its resources shrink. Budget allocations are neither fair nor need-based.

The people of Karachi have the right to demand resources and development. The relevant authorities must act before public frustration turns into something worse. A city that gives so much deserves a lot better.

Amir Shahzad
Karachi

Published in Dawn, July 26th, 2025