As continuous downpours have triggered severe urban flooding across Karachi, plunging large swathes of the city under water, Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) Sindh president Haleem Adil Sheikh on Wednesday expressed grave concern over the situation, squarely blaming the Sindh government and Karachi mayor for what he described as “complete administrative failure.”
Haleem Adil Sheikh said that overflowing streams and reservoirs had inundated dozens of neighbourhoods. “Malir River is in spate, Gadap is facing flash floods, and Thado Dam has overflowed, pushing water into homes. Areas including Sohrab Goth are submerged while traffic on the M-9 remained completely suspended for hours,” he noted.
He recalled that the Met Office had already issued warnings of urban flooding, yet “the Sindh government failed to take any meaningful preventive steps.” He warned that if the rains persisted, Karachi could face a major tragedy. “PPP ministers and advisers are nowhere to be seen, while citizens have been abandoned in their hour of need,” he added.
During visits to rain-hit areas including Saadi Town, Super Highway and adjoining localities, Mr Sheikh observed that the mayor’s tall claims had collapsed in the face of reality. “Saadi Town, Malir Cantt, Memon Goth and Airport Road are under water,” he said, adding that parts of District Central, East, West, South, Keamari and Korangi were also submerged.
The PTI leader criticized the Sindh administration for failing to deploy rescue machinery or drainage teams. “The chief minister kept reassuring the public that all was under control, but after the rains the city has been left abandoned,” he said.
Mr Sheikh also lashed out at K-Electric, saying its “inefficiency has been exposed once again” as several neighborhoods had been without power for more than 24 hours.
He directed PTI office-bearers across Karachi to stand with citizens and extend maximum support. “We will not leave the people alone in these trying times,” he vowed, calling for urgent measures to drain rainwater from inundated areas.
