Citizens’ collective warns of mass protest over Karachi’s neglect

Karachi Restoration Movement demands urgent action by January or vows street agitation; calls for federal oversight and forensic audit 

IV Report

KARACHI: A newly formed citizens’ collective, the Karachi Restoration Movement (KRM), has issued a strong warning to the government, declaring that if Karachi’s civic and developmental woes are not meaningfully addressed by January 2026, it will mobilise mass public protests across the city.

Speaking at a press conference held at the Karachi Press Club on August 1, KRM leaders outlined a detailed list of grievances and demands, citing the city’s prolonged infrastructure decay and continued official inaction.

“The people of Karachi have silently suffered in their homes for too long,” said KRM Convener Ashraf Jabbar Qureshi. “This time, they will take to the streets and remain there until their legitimate demands are met. We are not here to be pacified by cosmetic approaches — we are here to reclaim our city.”

Qureshi emphasised that the provincial government must take the warning seriously and address citizens’ concerns on a priority basis. “Those in power must either deliver or step aside,” he added.

Other KRM leaders present included Dr S M Zameer, Zafarul Jameel Shaikh, Faisal Ali Baloch, Dr Syed Ali Salman, and Naeem Tahir, all of whom criticised what they described as the Sindh government’s persistent neglect of Karachi.

Dr Zameer called for placing Karachi under federal administration and urged that the metropolis be declared Pakistan’s secondary economic capital.

Zafarul Jameel demanded an independent forensic audit by a reputable private firm of all development funds allocated to Karachi since 2008 — particularly those allegedly misused by the Sindh government through federal transfers and taxes collected from the city.

Presenting a grim overview, Dr Salman pointed to several long-delayed and neglected infrastructure projects that have compounded the city’s misery. He noted that the K-IV water project has been pending since 2000, while the Green Line BRT remains incomplete since 2016. The Lyari Expressway and Northern Bypass, both critical for easing traffic congestion, are still not fully operational. He further highlighted that construction of the Kareemabad underpass, initiated over two years ago, remains unfinished, causing severe disruption for commuters and residents alike. Additionally, the much-needed Karachi Circular Railway project has failed to materialise, and the long-promised Safe City Project is still awaiting implementation.

“From water supply to public transport and security — nothing has been fully delivered to Karachi,” he remarked. “The city continues to suffer from systematic neglect.”

— Based on a post-press conference statement.