Why did infrastructure and sanitation remain difficult problems in Karachi?

Infrastructure and sanitation challenges in Karachi have been driven by rapid, overwhelming population growth and persistent administrative fragmentation. As the city’s economic prominence attracted a massive influx of job-seeking immigrants, its existing infrastructure was pushed to the breaking point. This led to the proliferation of informal settlements known as katchi abadis, which typically lack basic services like running water, electricity, and sanitation.1

Furthermore, the delivery of essential services has been hindered by ongoing confusion regarding jurisdictional responsibility. While municipal services are managed by district municipal corporations and the government of Sindh, reforms enacted in 2013 decentralized these services and increased provincial oversight. This shift created ambiguity over which entities are responsible for financing and providing basic utilities, resulting in the continued deterioration of infrastructure and sanitation systems. While the city operates sewage treatment plants and maintains water supply networks, these systems have struggled to keep pace with the needs of the city's expanding population and outer suburban areas.12