Haleem Adil Sheikh holds Sindh govt, Mayor responsible for Karachi flooding

KARACHI: As relentless downpours submerge large swathes of Karachi, Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) Sindh president Haleem Adil Sheikh on Wednesday expressed grave concern over what he called “complete administrative failure” by the Sindh government and the city’s mayor.

Sheikh said overflowing streams and reservoirs had inundated dozens of neighbourhoods.

“Malir River is in spate, Gadap is facing flash floods, and Thado Dam has overflowed, pushing water into homes. Areas including Sohrab Goth are submerged while traffic on the M-9 remained completely suspended for hours,” he noted.

Recalling that the Met Office had already issued warnings of urban flooding, Sheikh accused the government of failing to take preventive measures and warned that continued rains could lead to a “major tragedy.”

“PPP ministers and advisers are nowhere to be seen, while citizens have been abandoned in their hour of need,” he added.

During visits to rain-hit areas including Saadi Town, Super Highway and adjoining localities, he said the mayor’s “tall claims” had collapsed in the face of reality, pointing out that Malir Cantt, Memon Goth, Airport Road and parts of District Central, East, West, South, Keamari and Korangi were also under water.

He also criticised the Sindh administration for failing to deploy rescue machinery or drainage teams. “The chief minister kept reassuring the public that all was under control, but after the rains the city has been left abandoned,” he said.

Sheikh further lashed out at K-Electric, saying its “inefficiency has been exposed once again” as several neighbourhoods had been without power for more than 24 hours.

Directing PTI office-bearers across Karachi to stand with citizens, he vowed, “We will not leave the people alone in these trying times,” and called for urgent measures to drain rainwater from inundated areas.