Daily Times

Infrastructure is the fundamental physical system of a region or country including roads, railway transport systems, power, ports, airports, sewage system, water supply system and their efficient working. A sustainable and proper infrastructure tends to be acquired by costly investments and master-mind basic plannings. A well-planned infrastructure has vital importance for a country’s development, be it socially, economically or environmentally.

Infrastructure is the basic pillar of a country, and if it is sustainable, then prosperity and development will inevitably prevail. A proper infrastructure helps to alleviate hindrances in the path of development of a country. Both social and economic infrastructure increases people’s access to attain a standard living style and a healthy environment. Overall, a well-planned infrastructure plays a key role in the development and prosperity of any region.

Pakistan, despite being blessed with natural beauty along with a huge amount of natural resources, is lagging far behind in almost every field and aspect of life since its emergence on the world’s map. People suffer from social, ethical, economic and climate-related issues. And so do they from issues emerging from weak infrastructure. Pakistan has failed to create a strong and well-organized infrastructure which could have been a critical element for a good investment, a clean environment, and a stable climate. Major cities of Pakistan such as Karachi, Quetta, Peshawar, Lahore Pindi, Multan lack pre-planned infrastructure which now has resulted in the tight congestion of the mentioned cities.

Karachi, the former Capital City of Pakistan, and the current Capital City of Sindh is the biggest city of Pakistan and is also known as ‘The Heart of Pakistan’. The city is Pakistan’s hub of trade and economic activities. The city is home to the largest companies in Pakistan which are involved in various businesses. The most populous city with a population of an estimated 14.91 million, Karachi suffers the most due to a lack of a proper functioning infrastructure. It lacks key facilities such as sewage systems, water supply, housing systems, proper roads, and public transports. Given the increasing congestion, the city is facing frequent traffic jams and environmental problems. Due to heavy traffic congestion, fatal accidents often take place. Karachi was named as the 3rd least liveable city among the top 10 least liveable cities in the world by Economic Intelligence Unit (EIU)- the research and analysis division of the Economist Group — in The Global Liveability Index 2019. Karachi’s overall rating out of 100, which EIU stated, was 40.9, its stability rating was 20, healthcare 45.8, culture and environment 38.7, education 66.7 and infrastructure 51.8.

It rarely rains in Karachi, but when it does, the whole city submerges into the sewage water. Due to congestion and the absence of proper drainage systems, the rain converts the city into a swimming pool filled with sewage water, blocking the main highways, limiting the people inside four walls. Generally, rain is considered to be a blessing, but in Karachi, the rain tends to put the city in a chaotic condition. Recently, at least 23 people lost their lives in the wake of heavy rains when the monsoon lashed the city. The rains brought the public’s life to a halt as the city submerged into sewage water. To further worsen the situation, the standing water in the huge potholes of roads becomes the cause of prevailing fatal diseases such as Malaria, dengue, and typhoid. However, renovation processes take place each year, but the city’s infrastructure is now unlikely to be replaced with proper and sustainable infrastructure, Given the negligence of corrupt rulers. The poor masses now have no more option but to accept it as their fate.

Rawalpindi and Islamabad are known as “Twin-Cities”, but when it comes to comparison in infrastructure, both cities are totally in contrast. Given its natural beauty, well-planned infrastructure, and standard living style, Islamabad- the Capital city of Pakistan- is considered to be among the top beautiful capital cities in the world. On contrast, Rawalpindi- the fourth largest city of Pakistan- is suffering from more chaotic conditions than does Karachi due to its extremely congested infrastructure. It is severely affected by problems related to health, environment, climate, etc. Unlike Karachi, it frequently rains in Pindi, resulting in the emergence of all rain-related crises including blocked sewage, roads filled with sewage water and the emergence of fatal diseases, especially Dengue. Despite being the fourth largest city, the city’s plunging infrastructure is out of concerned authorities’ concentration.

Similarly, Hab Chowki, the city I live in, is the industrial hub of Balochistan. Notwithstanding, The city’s infrastructure is plunging day by day. The city which should have been the region of business, prosperity, and development is lagging far behind. Like other cities, Hab Chowk’s public as well suffers from problems appearing due to its weak and dysfunctional infrastructure. CM Jam Kamal, who’s homeland is Dist. Lasbela has never bothered to pay some attention to the poor of the City.

Other major cities like Peshawar, Quetta, and Multan are no exceptions when it comes to dysfunctional infrastructure. The lack of sustainable infrastructure is a huge barrier in the path of development for Pakistan. According to some reports, Pakistan has the highest rate of urbanization in South Asia which has put more pressure on the already stressed infrastructure. Especially the poor sector of the population has been the most suffered one. The absence of a proper transport system, Roads, power systems has proved to be a huge hindrance towards the growth of the country’s economy.

According to the World Bank, the present pattern of transport and trade logistics generates inefficiency that is costing Pakistan’s economy roughly 4-6 percent per year. According to the World Economic Forum Survey (2006_07), released by World Economic Forum, Pakistan ranked 67th among the 125 countries in the infrastructure category.

In the Global Competitive Report (GCR) (2012-13), Pakistan was graded among the bottom of 20 out of 144 economies around the world. In 2019, According to the report of the Global Competitiveness Index of the World Economic Forum (WEF) On the infrastructure, Pakistan’s position slipped by seven notches to 105, on ICT adoption, it lost four positions and slipped to 131 -among the bottom 10 nations. These reports show that Pakistan has paid a huge cost due to its weak infrastructure, but still, the current Government seems to be heedless towards this issue.

Instead of playing games with the nation by making pledges that are never kept, Imran Khan should take action in letters and spirit. The government must recognize the importance of improving and expanding the infrastructure service for attaining a sustainable economy, a stable climate, a healthy environment and a standard life-style for the people.