In response to Karachi’s escalating water crisis, Mayor Murtaza Wahab convened a City Council meeting on May 27, 2025, aiming to foster consensus among council members to tackle the issue. He highlighted initiatives such as elevating the K-III water line to curb illegal connections and water theft, and implementing strict monitoring of water hydrant nozzles, including obtaining written affidavits from responsible officers. Additionally, a committee comprising both government and opposition members was formed to oversee hydrant issues.
Mayor Wahab also addressed the disparity in water billing, noting that out of 1.4 million registered consumers, only 500,000 receive water bills, and even fewer make payments. He announced that funding had been approved to exempt water supply and drainage pumping stations in Lyari and Saddar Town from power outages. Since assuming office, the water utility’s revenue increased from Rs1.1 billion to Rs1.8 billion.
The meeting saw tensions rise due to the absence of top officials from the Karachi Water and Sewerage Corporation (KWSC), whose appointments had been suspended by the Sindh High Court. Mayor Wahab expressed strong reservations over their absence and proceeded with the meeting, stating that key points would be communicated to the relevant officers later.
Opposition members criticized the KWSC for its failure to provide a smooth water supply and called for increased coordination with Union Committee and Town Chairmen. Council member Zubaida Iqbal advocated for the installation of solar panels at pumping stations to mitigate the effects of prolonged load-shedding on water supply.