Undocumented infrastructure seen behind Karachi project delays



Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah says excavation during development works frequently uncovers undocumented utility lines and underground installations, complicating infrastructure projects across the city.

IV Report

KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has identified undocumented underground infrastructure as a major factor contributing to delays in Karachi's development projects, saying that excavation work frequently reveals utility lines and installations for which engineering records are unavailable.

Speaking at a ceremony organised by the Karachi Association of Trade and Industry (KATI) on Wednesday, the Chief Minister said major infrastructure schemes in the city often encounter unforeseen challenges stemming from decades of incomplete documentation and planning.

"During excavation work, previously undocumented utility lines and infrastructure frequently emerge, causing delays in development projects," he said.

Murad Ali Shah noted that Karachi, like many large metropolitan centres, continues to grapple with complex urban challenges that require time, resources and coordinated planning to resolve.

He said the absence of engineering drawings and records for older underground installations frequently hampers the timely completion of development works, necessitating redesigns, additional excavation and coordination among relevant authorities.

The Chief Minister's remarks highlighted longstanding urban planning and documentation challenges in Karachi, where multiple agencies have historically exercised overlapping responsibilities.

His observations drew attention to the institutional complexities that continue to affect infrastructure development in Pakistan's largest city.

The Chief Minister observed that Karachi's scale and complexity often present unique challenges for planners and engineers, particularly when undertaking projects in densely populated and heavily built-up areas.

"Karachi is my city, and I have a special affection for it. Like every major metropolis, it faces challenges, but the government is continuously working to address them," he said.

Murad Ali Shah also urged residents and stakeholders to adopt a balanced perspective on Karachi's development, cautioning against projecting an unduly negative image of the city.

"Repeatedly speaking negatively about our own city creates a distorted perception internationally. We all share a responsibility to highlight Karachi's strengths and contribute positively towards its development and reputation," he said.

The Chief Minister's remarks come amid the continued implementation of major infrastructure initiatives across Karachi, including projects aimed at improving transportation networks, industrial connectivity and urban mobility.

Urban development experts have long identified fragmented institutional arrangements, inadequate documentation and coordination gaps among civic agencies as persistent obstacles to infrastructure development in Karachi. 

Photos: Official sources

With an uninterrupted 23-year career in daily journalism (1991-2013), the author/editor of this blog currently serves as Editor of Social Track, a weekly newspaper focused on social sectors, based in Karachi. Holding a master's degree in Mass Communications from the University of Karachi (1990), his professional experience includes roles as senior reporter at Daily Dawn, Karachi (May 2001-August 2013) and Chief Reporter at The News International, Karachi (April 1991-May 2001). He has a strong background in development journalism, he has an extensive portfolio of news stories, analytical reports and features covering a wide range of sectors. He has had the privilege of covering numerous high-profile figures, including Pakistani presidents, prime ministers, army chiefs, foreign dignitaries, and VVIPs and attending conferences and workshops abroad. He began his journalism career in the early 1980s. Throughout his career, he has received several national awards from government and private organisations. He has contributed to various radio and TV/channel broadcasts and has also served as a trainer at workshops in Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad, focused on training journalists.

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