Acting President of the Karachi Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KCCI), Altaf A. Ghaffar, has issued an urgent appeal to Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah and Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab, calling for immediate and concrete steps to repair the city’s severely damaged road infrastructure.
The ongoing deterioration, particularly following this year’s monsoon rains, has led to daily traffic jams, causing frustration and mental anguish among the city’s residents. Altaf A. Ghaffar highlighted that the KCCI has received numerous complaints regarding the poor state of Karachi’s roads, which have become nearly impassable due to severe damage and overflowing sewerage lines.
He stressed that the prolonged delays in road repairs have not only disrupted daily life but also severely affected the business community and the general public.
“Karachi’s roads are now neither commutable nor walkable, turning routine travel into a mental torture for citizens,” he stated. The Acting President pointed to key areas, particularly in the city’s southern districts such as Jodia Bazaar, Mauripur, Kemari, Bolton Market, Lyari, MA Jinnah Road, and Arambagh, which resemble war-ravaged zones. He warned that the public’s frustration is escalating due to the negligence, especially given that Karachi contributes over 65% of the country’s revenue and 95% of Sindh’s provincial earnings.
Despite this, Karachi remains deprived of essential infrastructure. Ghaffar also highlighted the dangerous consequences of the damaged roadways, noting that frustrated commuters often violate traffic rules, leading to life-threatening accidents and further traffic congestion. He urged the authorities to start patchwork repairs immediately to alleviate the constant traffic jams.
The KCCI representative criticized the stark contrast between Karachi’s elite-class areas, where basic facilities are maintained, and the rest of the city, where conditions are “extremely pathetic.”
This disparity, he warned, is fueling resentment and could lead to severe law and order issues if left unaddressed. Altaf A. Ghaffar concluded his appeal by urging the Sindh government and Mayor Wahab to focus on the city’s hardships and prioritize road repairs, emphasizing that Karachi, as Pakistan’s economic hub, deserves immediate attention from both federal and provincial authorities. “The city’s contribution to the nation should be reflected in the care it receives,” he added.
