# Karachi Faces Severe Infrastructure and Service Crises Pakistan's economic hub struggles with power outages, water shortages, and urban decay. - **Source:** [France 24 – Asia Pacific](https://www.france24.com/en/asia-pacific) - **Published:** 2026-11-06 - **Topic:** [world](https://brifing.si/c/world) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/be177095-aeec-4ff6-a859-07b463bf6ef3 ## Protests Erupt in Karachi Residents of Karachi recently took to the streets to protest against persistent power cuts. These demonstrations involved blocking several major roads across the city. This public outburst highlights the deep frustration felt by citizens living in Pakistan's primary economic hub, which currently struggles to provide even the most basic essential services. ## Global Liveability Ranking In the 2026 Global Liveability Index, Karachi was ranked 170th out of 173 cities globally. The city sits just ahead of Dhaka, Tripoli, and Damascus in terms of quality of life. This low ranking underscores the severe challenges faced by a population exceeding 21 million people in a major urban center. ## Economic Hub Paradox Karachi serves as Pakistan's economic powerhouse, hosting a significant portion of the nation's businesses and wealth. Despite its critical role in the national economy, the city suffers from a stark contrast between its financial importance and the poor living conditions of its residents, who face daily struggles with failing urban infrastructure. ## Chronic Utility Shortages The city currently receives only 55 percent of its required water supply, leading to severe scarcity. Furthermore, residents in some neighborhoods endure power outages lasting up to 19 hours every single day. These chronic shortages of electricity and water have become a defining feature of daily life for millions of local inhabitants. ## Waste Management Crisis Karachi generates nearly 15,000 tonnes of waste on a daily basis. Alarmingly, almost a quarter of this total volume never reaches designated landfill sites, contributing to environmental degradation. This accumulation of uncollected refuse exacerbates the health and sanitation risks already present in the densely populated areas of the sprawling megacity. ## Infrastructure Growth Gap Despite the implementation of several major urban development projects in recent years, the city's infrastructure remains unable to keep pace with its rapid expansion. The gap between the city's population growth and its physical capacity to support that growth continues to widen, leaving essential services in a state of constant decline. ## Daily Life Challenges Beyond utility shortages, residents must navigate crippling traffic congestion and inadequate public transport systems. Crime rates further complicate the daily experience of living in the megacity. These compounding factors create an environment where the basic requirements for a functional urban life are consistently unmet, impacting the productivity of the entire region. ## Future Urban Outlook The situation in Karachi reflects the broader difficulties of managing rapid urbanization in developing economies. Without significant improvements to infrastructure and service delivery, the city risks further social instability. Observers are now looking toward whether future policy interventions can effectively address the systemic failures currently hindering the city's long-term development potential. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.france24.com/en/tv-shows/focus/20261106-pollution-shortages-crime-daily-life-in-pakistan-s-megacity-karachi — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._