# *Detailed SUMMARY of the article "Abandoned Karachi" by Editorial, Published in Dawn on June 19th, 2025:* The article discusses how the explosive mix of *decay*, *institutional apathy*, and *corruption* has once again placed *Karachi* among the bottom five of *"the world's least liveable cities"* in *The Economist's* global survey. The metropolis fared poorly in five categories: *healthcare*, *culture and environment*, *education*, *infrastructure*, and *stability*. According to the *Economic Intelligence Unit*, Karachi is ranked *170 out of 173 countries* with a score of *42.7*, with only *Dhaka*, *Tripoli*, and *Damascus* below it. In *2024*, the city was compared with *Lagos*, *Tripoli*, and *Algiers*, standing at *169 in 2023*. The *Asian Development Bank (ADB)* stated that *Pakistan's cities* were declining in liveability as urban areas grew more unproductive, scoring dismally on competitive indices due to *congestion*, *unsightliness*, and *pollution*. In *July*, Karachi scored *93.12 out of 100* as the *second riskiest city* for tourists in a *Forbes Adviser* list. Despite being a melting pot of *20 million people* that contributes *12-15%* of *Pakistan's GDP* according to the *ADB*, Karachi has been in shambles for decades. Persistent negligence by successive *federal*, *provincial*, and *local authorities* has created a situation where *taps run dry*, *sewerage*, *public transport*, and *solid waste disposal systems* are broken, *crime is intensifying*, and basic amenities and infrastructure are controlled by powerful *racketeers*. The assessment confirms that Karachi has the *highest personal security risk*, reflecting threats from *crime*, *violence*, *terrorism*, *climate*, and *economic vulnerabilities*. *Population explosion* and evolving *demographic trends*, given the city's status as a job center for *migrants*, should compel the administration to implement a comprehensive policy with *empowered local governments* to ensure *good governance* so residents can live with dignity. The present trajectory is described as *untenable*, with *inequitable resource supply*, poor *infrastructural* and *environmental health*, and *soaring crime* suggesting that Karachi may not feature on the list of livable cities for some time. # *Easy/Short SUMMARY*: *Karachi* ranks *170 out of 173* in *The Economist's* liveability survey, scoring *42.7* due to poor *healthcare*, *infrastructure*, *education*, and *stability*. Only *Dhaka*, *Tripoli*, and *Damascus* rank lower. Despite contributing *12-15%* of *Pakistan's GDP* and housing *20 million people*, the city suffers from *institutional apathy*, *corruption*, broken *sewerage* and *transport systems*, *water scarcity*, rising *crime*, and control by *racketeers*. Karachi scored *93.12/100* as the *second riskiest city* for tourists. *Population explosion* and *demographic changes* require *empowered local governments* and comprehensive policies for *good governance*, but the current trajectory remains *untenable*. # *SOLUTIONS of The Problem*: ## *1. Establish Empowered Local Government* Create strong *local government* with financial autonomy and administrative powers to address urban challenges. ## *2. Implement Comprehensive Urban Planning* Develop integrated *urban planning* policy addressing *population explosion* and *demographic trends*. ## *3. Upgrade Infrastructure Systems* Rebuild broken *sewerage*, *public transport*, and *solid waste disposal systems* with modern technology. ## *4. Ensure Water Security* Establish sustainable *water supply systems* to address the crisis of *taps running dry*. ## *5. Combat Crime and Terrorism* Strengthen *law enforcement* and *security measures* to reduce *personal security risks*. ## *6. Eliminate Racketeering* Dismantle *racketeering networks* controlling basic amenities and infrastructure through strict enforcement. ## *7. Improve Healthcare Services* Invest in *healthcare infrastructure* and services to improve the city's health indicators. ## *8. Enhance Environmental Standards* Address *pollution*, *congestion*, and *environmental health* through green initiatives and regulations. ## *9. Strengthen Economic Governance* Improve *economic governance* to better utilize Karachi's *12-15% GDP contribution* for city development. ## *10. Address Climate Vulnerabilities* Develop *climate resilience* strategies to protect against *climate-related risks* and disasters. # *IMPORTANT Facts and Figures Given in the article*: - Karachi ranked *170 out of 173 countries* in liveability with score of *42.7*. - Only *Dhaka*, *Tripoli*, and *Damascus* rank below Karachi. - City was ranked *169 in 2023* and compared with *Lagos*, *Tripoli*, *Algiers* in *2024*. - Karachi houses *20 million people* and contributes *12-15%* of *Pakistan's GDP*. - City scored *93.12 out of 100* as *second riskiest* for tourists in *Forbes Adviser* list. - Assessment covers five categories: *healthcare*, *culture*, *environment*, *education*, *infrastructure*, *stability*. # *IMPORTANT Facts and Figures out of the article*: - Karachi's *population density* is *24,000 people per square kilometer* (*World Population Review*, 2024). - City generates *70%* of *Pakistan's tax revenue* (*Federal Board of Revenue*, 2024). - Only *60%* of Karachi has access to *piped water supply* (*Water and Sanitation Agency*, 2024). - *40%* of the city's population lives in *slums and informal settlements* (*UN-Habitat*, 2024). - Karachi produces *16,500 tons* of solid waste daily (*Sindh Solid Waste Management*, 2024). - *Crime rate* increased by *15%* in *2024* compared to previous year (*Sindh Police*, 2024). # *MCQs from the Article*: ### 1. *What is Karachi's ranking in The Economist's liveability survey?* A. 169 *B. 170* C. 171 D. 172 ### 2. *What percentage of Pakistan's GDP does Karachi contribute?* A. 10-12% *B. 12-15%* C. 15-18% D. 18-20% ### 3. *How many people live in Karachi according to the article?* A. 18 million *B. 20 million* C. 22 million D. 25 million ### 4. *What was Karachi's score as riskiest city for tourists?* A. 91.12 *B. 93.12* C. 95.12 D. 97.12 ### 5. *Which cities rank below Karachi in liveability?* A. Lagos, Tripoli, Algiers *B. Dhaka, Tripoli, Damascus* C. Baghdad, Tripoli, Damascus D. Dhaka, Lagos, Damascus # *VOCABULARY*: 1. *Explosive* (دھماکہ خیز) – Likely to cause sudden violent reaction 2. *Decay* (تنزلی) – Gradual deterioration or decline 3. *Apathy* (لاپرواہی) – Lack of interest or concern 4. *Metropolis* (بڑا شہر) – A large, important city 5. *Liveable* (رہنے کے قابل) – Suitable for living in 6. *Dismally* (افسوس ناک طور پر) – In a depressing or dreary manner 7. *Congestion* (رش) – Overcrowding or blockage 8. *Unsightliness* (بدصورتی) – Unpleasant appearance 9. *Melting pot* (مختلف اقوام کا مرکز) – Place where different groups mix 10. *Shambles* (تباہی) – State of complete disorder 11. *Negligence* (غفلت) – Failure to take proper care 12. *Sewerage* (گندے پانی کا نظام) – System for carrying away waste water 13. *Racketeers* (بدمعاش) – People involved in illegal business 14. *Trajectory* (راستہ) – Path or course of development 15. *Untenable* (ناقابل برداشت) – Not able to be maintained 16. *Inequitable* (غیر منصفانہ) – Unfair or unjust 17. *Soaring* (بڑھتا ہوا) – Rising rapidly 18. *Demographic* (آبادیاتی) – Relating to population characteristics 19. *Empowered* (بااختیار) – Given authority or power 20. *Dignity* (وقار) – Self-respect and worthiness 📢 *Attention Please!* We appreciate your commitment to acquiring knowledge through our summaries. 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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* *Abandoned Karachi* *Editorial* *2–3 minutes* THE explosive mix of decay, institutional apathy and corruption has, once again, placed Karachi among the bottom five of "the world's least liveable cities" in The Economist's global survey. It fared poorly in the five categories of healthcare, culture and environment, education, infrastructure and stability. According to the Economic Intelligence Unit, the metropolis is ranked 170 out of 173 countries with a score of 42.7; below it are Dhaka, Tripoli and Damascus. In 2024, the city was compared with Lagos, Tripoli and Algiers. It stood at 169 in 2023. The ADB stated last year that Pakistan's cities were declining in liveability as urban areas grew more unproductive, scoring dismally on competitive indices due to congestion, unsightliness and pollution; in July, Karachi, with 93.12 out of 100, was the second riskiest city for tourists in a Forbes Adviser list. Despite being a melting pot of 20m, which contributes, as per the ADB, 12-15pc of Pakistan's GDP, Karachi has been in shambles for decades. Persistent negligence on the part of successive federal, provincial and local authorities has led to a state of affairs where taps run dry, sewerage, public transport and solid waste disposal systems are broken, crime is intensifying, and basic amenities and infrastructure are captive to powerful racketeers. It is not surprising that in the assessment, Karachi has the highest personal security risk, confirming the threat from crime, violence, terrorism, climate and economic vulnerabilities. Population explosion and evolving demographic trends, given the city's status of a job centre for migrants, should compel the administration to implement a comprehensive policy with empowered local governments to ensure good governance so that residents can live with dignity. The present trajectory is untenable. With an inequitable supply of resources, poor infrastructural and environmental health, and soaring crime, Karachi may not feature on the list of livable cities for some time. *Published in Dawn, June 19th, 2025*