KARACHI: The Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) on Friday staged protest demonstrations at different locations over the deepening water crisis in the city and warned that the party would expand its movement using all democratic options, including sit-ins and a strike, if the issue was not resolved.

The central protest was staged by the local government representatives of the JI outside the KMC building that houses the office of the mayor, who also happens to be the chairman of Karachi Water and Sewerage Corporation (KWSC).

Karachi’s water crisis has worsened significantly over the past two months, driven by repeated breakdowns at Dhabeji Pumping Station. Consequently, millions of residents are now dependent on expensive private water tankers for drinking and household needs.

In May, multiple technical faults and power outages cut supply by more than 100 million gallons per day (MGD). Shortages intensified ahead of Eid, hitting several parts of the city, with residents and political parties severely condemning the provincial government and the water utility for failing to ensure a smooth water supply.

Party warns of expanding movement if relief is not provided; multiple protests cause traffic mess on main thoroughfares

The city currently faces an estimated shortfall of over 600 MGD against a demand of 1,250 MGD, leaving a large number of people across the city dependent on irregular supply or costly private tankers.

The JI in a press release said that it organised simultaneous demonstrations at different key locations across the city, denouncing the city’s worsening water crisis and warning of sit-ins and a citywide strike if relief was not provided immediately.

Elected JI local government representatives led the protest outside the KMC building on M.A. Jinnah Road, bringing traffic on the key road to a standstill.

Commuters reported long queues and diversions as far as Saddar, Preedy Street, and surrounding areas.

Traffic congestion was also reported in many other areas. On Korangi Road, thousands of vehicles were stuck in a two-hour-long gridlock, moving at a snail’s pace.

Protesters carrying placards and banners chanted slogans against prolonged water shortages, the tanker mafia, and what they called the provincial government’s “visionless leadership.”

They demanded urgent completion of the K-IV water supply project and a crackdown on water theft.

Addressing the crowd, JI Karachi acting chief and Opposition Leader in KMC Advocate Saifuddin accused the PPP government and the city mayor of lacking both competence and intent to solve the city’s problems.

He said that despite being Pakistan’s economic hub, Karachi had been abandoned. “Citizens are begging for every drop of water while 70 to 80 per cent of the city faces acute shortages,” he said, adding that people were forced to buy tankers for Rs10,000 to Rs15,000 that once cost Rs2,000.

Advocate Saifuddin rejected official claims that the crisis was under control, citing continued shortages in Surjani Town, Orangi, Lyari, New Karachi, Gulshan-i-Iqbal, Safoora, Nazimabad, and Murad Memon Goth.

He also questioned why technical faults at Dhabeji Pumping Station repeatedly occurred ahead of Ramazan and Eid.

The JI leader warned that if the “artificial water crisis” persisted, the JI would expand its movement using all democratic options, including sit-ins and a strike.

He directed all Town and UC chairmen to mobilise and stand with citizens.

JI District South Ameer Sufyan Dilawar and Deputy Secretary Muhammad Naseem also spoke at the KMC protest.

Published in Dawn, June 6th, 2026