Karachi urban governance and infrastructure challenges

Karachi is facing significant challenges regarding urban governance, safety, and infrastructure. A fire at the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation building, which damaged Mayor Murtaza Wahab’s office, highlighted concerns over urban safety. Officials noted that electrical short circuits are responsible for approximately 80 to 90 percent of fires in the city.

Experts have warned that the city’s administration is fragmented among 26 different agencies, which hinders coordinated responses to environmental and public health crises. This lack of unified management is compounded by rapid urbanization; the city’s built-up area has increased by 32 percent since 2010, covering over 1,400 square kilometers.

Satellite analysis from SUPARCO indicates that the conversion of green spaces and agricultural land into concrete surfaces has led to a 40 percent loss of green cover over the last 15 years. This expansion is intensifying the urban heat island effect and increasing the risk of heat-related illnesses. Furthermore, the loss of natural ground increases flooding risks during monsoon seasons and places unsustainable pressure on the city’s electricity, water, and drainage networks.