KARACHI – Actor and television host Ayesha Omar has expressed concern over Karachi’s deteriorating infrastructure after the city was ranked among the world’s least liveable cities in the Economist Intelligence Unit’s (EIU) Global Liveability Index 2026.
Reacting to the latest rankings on social media, Ayesha Omar said the result came as no surprise, pointing to the everyday challenges faced by residents of Pakistan’s largest city.
The EIU’s Global Liveability Index 2026 placed Karachi 170th out of 173 cities assessed worldwide, citing low scores in areas including stability, healthcare, infrastructure and the environment. Only Dhaka, Tripoli and Damascus ranked lower.
Commenting on the report, Ayesha said Karachi’s residents “deserve medals” for enduring the city’s difficult living conditions. She highlighted problems such as damaged and polluted roads, prolonged traffic congestion, unreliable gas and electricity supplies, and persistent concerns over street crime.
The actor also noted that despite these hardships, the city’s residents continue to work hard, pay taxes and contribute significantly to Pakistan’s economy.
Ayesha Omar has frequently spoken out on social and public issues in Pakistan. She has also urged technology companies and artificial intelligence developers to take stronger action against image-based online abuse and digital harassment.
In addition to her entertainment career, Ayesha serves as a Goodwill Ambassador for The Citizens Foundation, a non-profit organisation that provides educational opportunities to underprivileged children across Pakistan.
On the professional front, she was recently seen in Mera Lyari, a project highlighting issues such as crime, poverty and the challenges faced by young people, while promoting hope and resilience within local communities.
Her latest remarks have sparked renewed discussion on Karachi’s infrastructure, public services and overall quality of life, following the city’s poor performance in the latest global liveability rankings.
