The Asian Development Bank released a report on Monday that said that by 2030, the proportion of Pakistan’s urban population will increase to 40 percent and around 10 million people will live in cities.
The city says the bank Population increases so rapidly cannot be afforded, because the facilities like water, electricity, hospitals, sewage, education and transport are not being provided in proportion to the speed with which the population is increasing.
Independent Urdu has tried to find out through its correspondents what kind of problems Pakistan’s four major cities are facing due to the rapidly growing population.
Karachi: Amar Garu
Karachi, the largest city of Pakistan, is facing a continuous increase in population. There are many reasons for population growth. Due to the two ports and being the most important business center of the country, Karachi has many economic opportunities and people from all over the country come to Karachi in search of better employment.
Besides that Environmental change Because of this, people affected by disasters in different regions also turn to Karachi. The population of Karachi, which had a population of five lakhs in the decade of 1905, has now reached almost two crores.
But the basic infrastructure of a city with such population is insufficient.
A family celebrates Population Day in Karachi on July 11, 2017 (AFP)
There are inadequate facilities for the growing population. Due to dilapidated roads, traffic jams have become the norm. Due to lack of proper drainage system, the city faces urban flooding every year.
Due to lack of water, not only slums but also posh areas are severely affected.
Due to lack of required electricity for the growing population, many areas are suffering from prolonged power loadshedding.
According to international standards, an urban area should have about nine square meters of green spaces or public parks for every 1,000 people, but this ratio is extremely low in Karachi. Public parks in the city are negligible in proportion to the population.
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Due to the division of powers between six military cantonments, dozens of federal government institutions, city government, provincial government in the city, there are piles of garbage everywhere in the city due to disagreements over basic work including garbage collection.
The condition of the poor communities in the city is alarming, moving towards further poverty, while on the other hand, communities like DHA and Bahria Town are benefiting from better facilities.
Lahore: Arshad Chaudhry
The urban population is also growing rapidly in Lahore, the capital of Punjab. In the census of 1917, the population of Lahore was more than 1.11 million, while in 2023, it has increased by 1.9 million during five years to 1.3 million. New housing societies and population spread around the city at an alarming rate, due to which agricultural land is being used for construction.
The Ring Road was built around the city to reduce congestion in the city, but shantytowns are also being built around it. Hospitals, schools, colleges, sewage systems, parks, grounds, police stations, electricity systems and other basic facilities are becoming less and less due to this rampant expansion of population. The construction of many multi-storied plazas in colonies and cities in green lands is going on rapidly.
If the increase in this urban sprawl is not controlled, after some time the private life of the citizens is likely to face more problems
Peshawar: Izhar Allah
According to the Asian Development Bank, one of the reasons for the population of Peshawar Merger of tribal districts in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa It has to be.
However, this is not the only reason because according to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Urban Policy Unit, migration from Malakand Division and tribal districts and settlement of citizens in Peshawar during militancy is another major reason for the growing population of Peshawar.
Similarly, according to the Urban Policy Unit, the population of Peshawar has increased from about 2 million in 1998 to more than 4.2 million as of 2017 census, with a growth rate of 3.9 percent.
According to the same organization, one of the reasons for the increasing population in Peshawar is the settlement of a large number of Afghan refugees here.
An official of the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics identifies a house after going door-to-door to collect information from a resident during the first digital national census in Lahore on March 1, 2023 (Arif Ali/AFP)
Now due to this increasing population, according to the Asian Development Bank, Peshawar is becoming less livable due to the decrease in facilities with the increasing population and there is a lack of facilities here.
According to the Urban Policy Unit, Peshawar has experienced water shortages due to its growing population, while at the same time, increasing solid waste management or garbage disposal has led to difficulties in disposing of it.
Similarly, according to the Asian Development Bank, Peshawar is also facing the problem of public transport, but it has improved slightly when BRT was started in Peshawar.
But this is insufficient. About one and a half lakh people travel on BRT on a daily basis while according to Asian Development Bank report, about seven lakh people have to travel on a daily basis in Peshawar.
Apart from this, due to the increasing population in Peshawar, the rush has also increased in the hospitals and especially in the government hospitals, thousands of people go for treatment on a daily basis.
This photo taken on October 14, 2022 shows newborn babies lying in cradles in the maternity ward of a hospital in Peshawar (AFP)
Islamabad: Hasnain Jamal
Islamabad is the newest city in Pakistan, and the only city that was built under a plan. But according to the Asian Development Bank, even this city has not been spared from population pressure and its planning has gone awry.
There is definitely an organization called Capital Development Authority, but in recent decades, the major burden of population in the city has been borne by societies, whose main function is not to provide facilities to the people but to make profit.
According to the data of CDA itself, there are around a hundred illegal societies in the city, but no serious action has been taken against them. Also slums are a different matter and within the posh sectors of the city slums are set up and with a few steps it seems like you have suddenly gone from the first world to the third world.
Why do people migrate from villages to cities? Obviously for convenience sake. But due to the rapid increase in urban population, the facilities in the cities are becoming less and less.
The solution to this problem is very easy to say but perhaps as difficult to implement is to provide facilities for treatment and education in the villages themselves so that people do not have to leave there.
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Interview with Urban Development Expert on Pakistan’s Rapid Urbanization
Host: Welcome to our show. Today, we have the privilege of speaking with Dr. Faizan Khan, an urban development expert, to discuss the recent report by the Asian Development Bank regarding the rapid rise of urban populations in Pakistan. Dr. Khan, thank you for joining us.
Dr. Khan: Thank you for having me. It’s a pleasure to be here.
Host: The report mentions that by 2030, Pakistan’s urban population is projected to increase to 40 percent, with around 10 million people living in cities. What do you think is driving this urban migration?
Dr. Khan: There are several factors contributing to this trend. Firstly, economic opportunities in urban centers like Karachi and Lahore attract individuals seeking better employment prospects. Additionally, environmental changes and natural disasters in rural areas are pushing people towards cities in search of refuge and improved living conditions.
Host: That’s insightful. However, the report indicates that the infrastructure in these cities is not keeping pace with this rapid population growth. Can you highlight some of the key infrastructural challenges faced by major cities like Karachi?
Dr. Khan: Certainly. Karachi, as the largest city, is grappling with significant challenges. The roads are dilapidated, leading to constant traffic congestion. There’s also a severe lack of public parks and green spaces—international standards dictate about nine square meters of green area per 1,000 people, but Karachi is far below this ratio. Additionally, the water supply is inadequate, even affecting posh areas, and frequent power outages are common due to insufficient electricity provision.
Host: What about other cities like Lahore and Peshawar? Are they facing similar issues?
Dr. Khan: Yes, Lahore is experiencing rapid urban sprawl, compromising agricultural land for residential and commercial developments. This unchecked expansion is leading to overcrowding in essential services like hospitals and schools. Meanwhile, Peshawar’s population has surged, partly due to the merger of tribal areas and settlement of Afghan refugees. This has strained the city’s resources, including water supply and waste management systems.
Host: It sounds like a complex issue. What recommendations would you suggest to address these challenges?
Dr. Khan: Urban planning is critical. Authorities need to improve infrastructure to cater to the growing population, focusing on sustainable development. Comprehensive policies should be implemented that include waste management, water supply systems, and spatial planning to preserve green spaces. Additionally, there should be better collaboration among government entities at various levels to streamline services and infrastructure development.
Host: Thank you, Dr. Khan, for shedding light on this urgent issue. It’s clear that urbanization in Pakistan presents both challenges and opportunities.
Dr. Khan: Thank you for having me. It’s a crucial discussion for the future of our cities.
Host: And thank you to our viewers for tuning in. Let’s continue to follow these developments closely as we consider the future of urban living in Pakistan.
To a shortage of essential facilities like hospitals, schools, and parks. Peshawar, on the other hand, is seeing a population surge due to the merge of tribal districts and the influx of refugees. The city is becoming less livable, struggling with water shortages, waste management issues, and inadequate public transport, even with recent improvements like the BRT system.
Host: It seems like a multifaceted challenge. What do you think are some potential solutions to address these issues?
Dr. Khan: The solutions are complex but necessary. First and foremost, urban planning must be prioritized to better manage the existing population and anticipate future growth. This includes developing sustainable infrastructure, ensuring equitable distribution of essential services, and expanding green spaces. Additionally, it’s vital to invest in rural development to reduce the pressure on cities by improving facilities such as healthcare and education in rural areas.
Host: Those sound like crucial steps. In your opinion, how important is government policy in addressing these urbanization challenges?
Dr. Khan: Government policy is pivotal. Strong regulations are needed to control urban sprawl, ensure effective waste management, and improve public services. Policies that promote affordable housing, investment in public transportation, and collaboration between federal and local governments can be effective in addressing urban issues. Furthermore, stakeholder engagement—including communities, civil society, and private sectors—can foster solutions that are more inclusive and sustainable.
Host: Thank you, Dr. Khan, for sharing your insights on this pressing issue. It’s clear that as urban populations rise, proactive measures will be crucial for the future livability of cities in Pakistan.
Dr. Khan: Thank you for having me. It’s important we continue to have these dialogues to address urban challenges effectively.