KARACHI: The Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) on Monday staged protest demonstrations at more than a dozen key locations across the city to condemn the worsening water crisis in the metropolis.

The protests were held at Sharea Faisal near Malir Halt, Orangi Town-5, Gulberg in Federal B. Area, Power House Chowrangi in North Karachi, Lea Market Chowk and other areas, where residents joined the JI workers demanding immediate government intervention to restore water supply.

At one of the demonstrations held outside a water tankers’ hydrant near NIPA Chowrangi, JI Karachi chief Monem Zafar addressed the crowd and lashed out at the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP)-led Sindh government, accusing it of deliberately mismanaging Karachi’s water distribution system and promoting tanker mafias.

“This crisis is not a result of natural shortage; it’s a manufactured problem. The Sindh government has failed miserably to provide water — a basic right — to millions of Karachi residents,” he said, adding that the “entire neighbourhoods have gone without a drop of water for weeks, yet tankers are seen lining up at hydrants, selling water at exorbitant prices. Who is behind this mafia?”

He also criticised the Karachi Water and Sewerage Corporation (KWSC) for its inaction, alleging that water meant for residential areas is being diverted to commercial consumers under political pressure.

Published in Dawn, May 17th, 2025