Pasban Democratic Party (PDP) Chairman Altaf Shakoor said on Sunday that the megacity, Karachi, is not only facing the issues of law and order and bad governance but also grave environmental threats which should be given a serious attention by the government.

Highlighting the thinning tree cover as a major concern, Shakoor noted the severe lack of parks and green spaces, with the city’s builder mafia occupying them. Despite Karachi’s long coastline, he emphasized the absence of provincial and local government plans to develop mangrove forests and beach parks. Shakoor pointed out the potential for urban forests along Lyari and Malir rivers, lamenting the government”s lack of interest beyond a few announcements.

Shakoor identified the acute shortage of drinking water as another critical issue. Residents are forced to use underground saline water, reducing the city’s water table significantly. He called for the development of lakes, ponds, and dug-wells to harvest rainwater and proposed desalination plants across the city to combat the spread of skin diseases and hepatitis, particularly in slum areas.

Addressing air pollution, Shakoor highlighted the burning of uncollected garbage and emissions from unfit vehicles as major contributors. He also mentioned that large-scale construction activities are worsening air quality by adding dirt particles to the air.

Shakoor urged the government to prioritize Karachi’s environmental challenges, ensure effective garbage collection, and address the issue of overflowing gutters. He stressed the need for clean, potable water for citizens and robust measures to control air pollution.

Criticizing the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation’s performance despite collecting substantial municipal taxes through electricity bills, Shakoor called for improved governance and resolution of civic and environmental issues in Karachi.