Why do some outer areas of Karachi experience water shortages?

While Karachi relies on water sources such as Lake Hāleji, Lake Kalri, and wells in the Malīr River bed, the city faces persistent challenges in distributing this resource to its outskirts.1

The primary reason for the acute water shortages in areas like Lāndhi, Malīr, New Karachi, and Mauripur is that the city's infrastructure has been severely overburdened by rapid population growth. Following the city's emergence as a major industrial and economic hub, a massive influx of migrants led to the development of numerous katchi abadis (shantytowns) that often lack basic utilities.12

Furthermore, the delivery of essential services has been complicated by ongoing administrative issues. In recent years, decentralization efforts and shifts in oversight responsibility have created confusion regarding the financing and provision of municipal services, which has contributed to the deterioration of infrastructure and the continued struggle to provide consistent water access to outlying regions.12