Islamabad [Pakistan], December 15 (ANI): Waste management in Pakistan’s major cities is in crisis, with Islamabad and Karachi struggling to maintain cleanliness, Dawn reported. Streets, roads and open spaces across urban and rural areas are littered, leaving residents exposed to foul odours, dust and toxic air.
In Islamabad, rural areas have been particularly neglected. With no formal system in place, residents dispose of garbage in nullahs and open grounds. Secondary collection by the Capital Development Authority (CDA) is irregular, and rural waste-management contracts that expired a year ago have not been renewed, leaving services inconsistent. Urban areas receive temporary coverage through CDA staff, ex-contractor workers and machinery, but repeated efforts to outsource waste management across the city were cancelled several times this year. Several bids submitted in response to a November tender are currently under evaluation.
In Karachi, waste collection remains a major challenge across both formal and informal settlements. Overflowing bins, unattended garbage along main roads, and open dumping along riverbanks and nullahs have created similar health and environmental hazards. Residents near the Malir River reportedly endure stench, dust and toxic gases, with air pollution and unhygienic conditions disrupting daily life and increasing disease risks.
Dawn also noted large numbers of birds and flies around dump sites, worsening unsanitary conditions. Citing World Health Organization and UN-Habitat guidelines, the report warned that transfer stations should only provide temporary, covered storage of waste; without sealed containers or proper facilities, such sites effectively become dumping grounds, threatening public health and urban living in Pakistan’s two major cities.
Failed contracts, inconsistent services and inadequate infrastructure indicate authorities have been unable to maintain basic sanitation, exposing residents to severe health risks. (ANI)
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