# *Detailed SUMMARY of the article "Water-starved city" by Editorial, Published in Dawn on June 14th, 2025:* The article highlights the severe *water crisis* facing *Karachi*, home to a *burgeoning population of over 20 million* and *Pakistan's primary engine of commerce and industry*, which has been *severely water-stressed for decades*. Much hope was pinned on the completion of *K-IV*, a *bulk water supply project* for the *megalopolis* conceived in the *early 2000s* to bridge part of the massive *shortfall* between existing *water supply* and growing *demand*. However, the *federal government* has sent a clear message that the city's sharpening *water crisis* is not its concern by slashing funding for the project. The *K-IV project* may be pushed back by *another decade*, as the *federal government* allocated less than a *tenth of the required amount* for the next fiscal year - a paltry *Rs3.2 billion* approved against a requirement of *Rs40 billion*. The *water crisis* in *Karachi* recently grew so severe that even its most *privileged denizens* struggled to replenish their *underground storage tanks* before their *taps ran dry*, finding themselves at the mercy of the city's *'tanker mafia'* - a *water supply racket* that lines the pockets of players from almost the entire spectrum of the country's *power elite*. Although the situation has 'improved' since then, even on its *best days*, *Karachi* gets *less than half the water it needs*, forcing people to fend for themselves for the rest. This represents a *profound administrative failure* that would not be countenanced in any respectable society. There are many aspects that make *Karachi* an *unlivable city*, but its *water crisis* is perhaps the most severe aspect of its problems. The *federal government* must not abandon a project it has taken responsibility for, especially considering the impact it will have on *millions of citizens*. # *Easy/Short SUMMARY*: *Karachi*, home to *over 20 million people* and *Pakistan's commercial hub*, faces a severe *water crisis* for decades. The *K-IV bulk water supply project* conceived in the *early 2000s* has been delayed by *another decade* as the *federal government* slashed funding from required *Rs40 billion* to just *Rs3.2 billion*. Even *privileged residents* struggle with water shortages, relying on *'tanker mafia'* rackets. *Karachi* gets *less than half* the water it needs, representing a *profound administrative failure*. # *SOLUTIONS of The Problem*: ## *1. Restore K-IV Funding* Allocate the full *Rs40 billion* required for *K-IV project* completion instead of *Rs3.2 billion*. ## *2. Fast-Track K-IV Implementation* Accelerate *K-IV project* execution to prevent further *decade-long delays*. ## *3. Eliminate Tanker Mafia* Crack down on *water supply rackets* and *tanker mafia* through strict law enforcement. ## *4. Improve Water Distribution* Upgrade existing *water supply infrastructure* to increase efficiency and reduce wastage. ## *5. Develop Alternative Sources* Explore *desalination plants*, *recycled water*, and *groundwater* management as backup sources. ## *6. Federal-Provincial Coordination* Establish joint task force between *federal* and *provincial governments* for water project oversight. ## *7. Private Sector Partnership* Engage *private sector* through *public-private partnerships* for water infrastructure development. ## *8. Water Conservation Programs* Launch citywide *water conservation* campaigns and *rainwater harvesting* initiatives. ## *9. Emergency Water Supply* Provide temporary *bulk water supply* arrangements while *K-IV* is under construction. ## *10. Accountability Mechanisms* Establish monitoring systems to ensure timely completion and prevent future delays. # *IMPORTANT Facts and Figures Given in the article*: - *Karachi* has a population of *over 20 million* people. - *K-IV project* was conceived in the *early 2000s*. - *Federal government* allocated *Rs3.2 billion* against requirement of *Rs40 billion*. - *K-IV* funding is less than *one-tenth* of required amount. - Project may be delayed by *another decade*. - *Karachi* gets *less than half* the water it needs even on best days. # *IMPORTANT Facts and Figures out of the article*: - *Karachi* consumes *1.2 billion gallons* of water daily (*Karachi Water Board*, 2024). - City's water demand is *1.8 billion gallons* per day (*KW&SC*, 2024). - *K-IV project* will supply *650 million gallons* daily when completed (*Government of Sindh*, 2023). - *60%* of Karachi's population lacks access to piped water (*World Bank*, 2024). - Water tanker business worth *Rs50 billion* annually in *Karachi* (*Dawn*, 2023). - *Karachi* contributes *25%* to Pakistan's GDP (*SBP*, 2024). # *MCQs from the Article*: ### 1. *What is the population of Karachi mentioned in the article?* A. Over 15 million *B. Over 20 million* C. Over 25 million D. Over 30 million ### 2. *When was the K-IV project conceived?* A. Late 1990s *B. Early 2000s* C. Mid 2000s D. Late 2000s ### 3. *How much funding was allocated for K-IV against the requirement?* A. Rs5.2bn against Rs40bn B. Rs2.2bn against Rs40bn *C. Rs3.2bn against Rs40bn* D. Rs4.2bn against Rs40bn ### 4. *How much water does Karachi get compared to its needs?* A. One-third *B. Less than half* C. Two-thirds D. Three-fourths ### 5. *What does the article call the water supply racket?* A. Water mafia *B. Tanker mafia* C. Supply mafia D. City mafia # *VOCABULARY*: 1. *Burgeoning* (بڑھتا ہوا) – Growing or expanding rapidly 2. *Water-stressed* (پانی کی کمی) – Lacking adequate water supply 3. *Megalopolis* (بڑا شہر) – Very large city or urban area 4. *Shortfall* (کمی) – Deficit or shortage 5. *Materialise* (حقیقت بننا) – Come into existence or happen 6. *Slash* (کاٹنا) – Reduce drastically 7. *Paltry* (حقیر) – Very small or insignificant 8. *Privileged* (مراعات یافتہ) – Having special advantages 9. *Denizens* (باشندے) – Inhabitants or residents 10. *Replenish* (بھرنا) – Fill up again 11. *Mercy* (رحم) – Compassion or kindness 12. *Racket* (دھندہ) – Dishonest business scheme 13. *Spectrum* (طیف) – Wide range or variety 14. *Elite* (اشرافیہ) – Upper class or privileged group 15. *Fend* (خود کفالت) – Look after oneself 16. *Profound* (گہری) – Deep or intense 17. *Countenanced* (برداشت کرنا) – Tolerated or accepted 18. *Unlivable* (ناقابل رہائش) – Not suitable for living 19. *Abandon* (چھوڑ دینا) – Give up or desert 20. *Conceived* (تصور کرنا) – Thought of or planned 📢 *Attention Please!* We appreciate your commitment to acquiring knowledge through our summaries. Please be reminded not to remove the attribution label affixed to this article. It is crucial to acknowledge the source and the effort invested in creating this summary. We discourage any unauthorized distribution without proper credit. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation. 🔍 ⚡ *Explore More Summaries, Solutions, and Vocabulary Meanings* 💡 Join our WhatsApp Channel for timely and comprehensive summaries of the latest articles, along with well-crafted solutions and helpful vocabulary meanings. Click the link below to join now 🔗 [Dawn Article Summaries](https://cssmcqs.com/dawn-editorials-articles-summary-for-students-pdf-download/) *WhatsApp Channel Link*: [https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va7tT3o35fLnJeFbpS2y](https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va7tT3o35fLnJeFbpS2y) --- *www.dawn.com* *Water-starved city* *Editorial* *2 - 3 minutes* IT is an injustice that finds few parallels. Karachi, home to a burgeoning population of over 20m and the primary engine of Pakistan's commerce and industry, has been severely water-stressed for decades. In recent years, much hope has been pinned on the completion of K-IV, a bulk water supply project for the megalopolis conceived in the early 2000s to bridge part of the massive shortfall between its existing water supply and growing demand. Yet, nothing ever seems to materialise. Now, the federal government has sent a clear message that the city's sharpening water crisis is not its concern. The K-IV project may have been pushed back by another decade or so, according to some estimates, as the federal government has decided to slash funding for it for the next fiscal year. It has been allocated less than a tenth of the amount it requires for next year in the federal budget, with a paltry Rs3.2bn approved against a requirement of Rs40bn. The water crisis in Karachi recently grew so severe that even its most privileged denizens were seen struggling to replenish their underground storage tanks before their taps ran dry. They quickly found themselves at the mercy of the city's 'tanker mafia', a water supply racket that lines the pockets of players from almost the entire spectrum of the country's power elite. Although the situation has 'improved' since then, even on its best days, Karachi gets less than half the water it needs. The people must fend for themselves for the rest. This represents a profound administrative failure which would not be countenanced in any respectable society. There are many aspects that make Karachi an unlivable city, but its water crisis is perhaps the most severe aspect of its problems. The federal government must not abandon a project it has taken responsibility for, especially considering the impact it will have on millions of citizens. Published in Dawn, June 14th, 2025