Gwadar, a coastal city in Balochistan, is grappling with an ongoing struggle as the Gwadar Development Authority’s (GDA) aspiration for a clean and orderly city is undermined by the ineffectiveness of its own sewage system.
Residents report a rapid deterioration of living conditions, caused by the accumulation of wastewater and an overflow of sewage onto the city streets. “We are confronting these unsanitary conditions daily. It’s becoming a struggle to carry on with our normal lives,” expressed a local resident, echoing the concerns of many.
Critics of the GDA argue that the root of these problems lies in the organisation’s operational failures. “We had high expectations of progress, but what the GDA calls ‘progress’ has only led to further inconvenience,” lamented a citizen, reflecting widespread dissatisfaction with the body entrusted with the city’s development.
The situation in Ghatti Dhor is particularly grim. Here, the faulty sewage system has led to gutters overflowing near schools and mosques. The resulting foul odours are causing significant distress, particularly for students, teachers, and worshippers during school hours and prayer times.
Despite Gwadar frequently being showcased in advertisements and public statements as a beacon of progress and prosperity, on-the-ground reality, as depicted by residents, starkly contrasts these claims.
Citizens are urgently calling for immediate reforms to the sewage system. They are urging the government to shift its focus from sweeping statements and publicity campaigns, towards providing clean streets and other practical, tangible improvements to their daily living conditions.