Severe Water Shortage Cripples Karachi’s SITE Industries

KARACHI: A critical water shortage has brought industrial production to a standstill in Karachi’s SITE area, as confirmed by Ahmed Azeem Alvi, President of the SITE Association of Industry. The lack of water supply for two weeks has left workers idle and caused significant delays in fulfilling export orders.

The ongoing water crisis has particularly affected textile processing units, which are heavily dependent on a reliable water supply. As industries struggle to operate, financial losses are mounting due to the inability to meet delivery deadlines.

The situation has forced industrialists to shutter their operations and consider layoffs as an alternative. Water supply through tankers remains both expensive and insufficient to meet demand. According to Mr. Alvi, the current water supply is a mere 2.5 million gallons per day (MGD) against a requirement of 50 MGD.

Compounding the issue is the stalled Hub Canal water supply project, which was approved to provide 23 MGD to the SITE area but has yet to be implemented. Mr. Alvi questioned how industries could contribute to the national economy and earn foreign exchange under these challenging conditions.

In a bid to find a solution, Mr. Alvi has called on Karachi Mayor Barrister Murtaza Wahab to expedite the development of a 35 MGD Waste Water Recycling Plant at TP-1. Such a project would not only mitigate the water shortage but also ensure environmental compliance, a key concern for foreign buyers.

The SITE President has appealed to all relevant authorities, including the Mayor of Karachi, MD KWSC, and MD SITE Ltd., to address the water crisis permanently.