Karachi, Pakistan (HRNW)- In a swift reversal, Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab has walked back his earlier statements regarding the potential closure of water hydrants and tanker services within the city. Speaking at the foundation stone-laying ceremony for the reconstruction of Jahangir Road in District Central, the Mayor highlighted the stark inequality in the city’s water distribution. He pointed out that while some residents suffer for up to 90 days without a drop of water, others receive a surplus sufficient for washing vehicles—a disparity he termed a “reflection of grave injustice.”
Addressing the controversy over hydrants, Wahab clarified that the existing contracts for the Water Board’s seven official hydrants have expired. He noted that while these contracts typically run for two years, the administration is currently weighing three options: issuing new tenders, extending existing contracts, or shutting them down entirely. Despite his initial critical stance, the Mayor acknowledged that the tanker service is a long-standing necessity for areas lacking piped infrastructure, signaling that a total shutdown may not be feasible given the current supply gaps.
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