KARACHI: Residents of Karachi, Pakistan are currently suffering the effects of a heatwave. In the middle of summer, Karachi residents are experiencing widespread rolling blackouts and severe power cuts, making it difficult for them to survive in the scorching heat.
Though the heatwave is worsening in Karachi, there is still a glimmer of hope and relief for residents as some in the city’s business community have come together to help residents with water camps and other initiatives.
Muhammad Iqbal, a daily wage labourer working at one of the water camps, said, “This is a national initiative to quench the thirst of people. We are simply requesting the government to stop power cuts and organise such camps so that people can survive in the heat.”
When asked about children falling ill due to the scorching heat in summer, he said, “In this case, only the government can do something. We are trying our best to help people. The government needs to set up some committees to investigate, assess how bad the situation is really and take serious action against this issue. The situation is worsening with each passing day.”
Rickshaw driver Nasir Khan said, “Our area is suffering badly. It has been nearly 20 days since the area has had no running water. Even electricity is not available for more than 16 hours a day and there is no relief in that regard either. I don’t think the government is taking the issue very seriously. The government has closed public schools but private school students are still going to school in scorching heat. And with the 16-hour long power outage, children cannot go home and get relief. This is the reality for the people of Karachi.”
Muneeb, another resident of Karachi, said, “The scorching heat is a natural disaster but the government is not very cooperative. The electricity department is treating ordinary citizens with mercy and it is the worst-case scenario for us. People are paying bills worth thousands and lakhs of rupees but somehow there is no electricity in their homes. In this scorching heat, we are suffering from power outage for more than 12 hours while people are sitting in their air-conditioned offices.”
“If the tables were turned, they would not be able to bear any heat. I believe there is plenty of water but the entire problem is due to rampant corruption and other wrongdoings. The tanker mafia is stealing water that should be given to our people and selling it to the rich. Meanwhile, we have to suffer the heat here,” Muneeb added.
Though the heatwave is worsening in Karachi, there is still a glimmer of hope and relief for residents as some in the city’s business community have come together to help residents with water camps and other initiatives.
Muhammad Iqbal, a daily wage labourer working at one of the water camps, said, “This is a national initiative to quench the thirst of people. We are simply requesting the government to stop power cuts and organise such camps so that people can survive in the heat.”
When asked about children falling ill due to the scorching heat in summer, he said, “In this case, only the government can do something. We are trying our best to help people. The government needs to set up some committees to investigate, assess how bad the situation is really and take serious action against this issue. The situation is worsening with each passing day.”
Rickshaw driver Nasir Khan said, “Our area is suffering badly. It has been nearly 20 days since the area has had no running water. Even electricity is not available for more than 16 hours a day and there is no relief in that regard either. I don’t think the government is taking the issue very seriously. The government has closed public schools but private school students are still going to school in scorching heat. And with the 16-hour long power outage, children cannot go home and get relief. This is the reality for the people of Karachi.”
Muneeb, another resident of Karachi, said, “The scorching heat is a natural disaster but the government is not very cooperative. The electricity department is treating ordinary citizens with mercy and it is the worst-case scenario for us. People are paying bills worth thousands and lakhs of rupees but somehow there is no electricity in their homes. In this scorching heat, we are suffering from power outage for more than 12 hours while people are sitting in their air-conditioned offices.”
“If the tables were turned, they would not be able to bear any heat. I believe there is plenty of water but the entire problem is due to rampant corruption and other wrongdoings. The tanker mafia is stealing water that should be given to our people and selling it to the rich. Meanwhile, we have to suffer the heat here,” Muneeb added.
