2 min read
Heaps of garbage piled along the wall of the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) headquarters have sparked renewed public anger after the Sindh Solid Waste Management Board (SSWMB) declared the issue “resolved,” despite visible waste remaining at the site. The incident has once again raised serious questions about cosmetic cleanups and Karachi’s failing waste management system.
The issue came to light after a citizen shared images on X showing large piles of trash dumped outside the KMC headquarters. The waste included plastic bags, leftover food, mud, and scattered debris lining the roadside, prompting calls for immediate action. In response, SSWMB assured the public that cleaning work was underway and later marked the complaint as closed, stating, “Your complaint has been resolved. Thanks. Team SSWMB.”
Instead of calming concerns, the “after” image shared by SSWMB intensified criticism. The photo showed only partial clearing, with visible litter, dirt, and waste still present along the wall. Social media users accused authorities of performing a token cleanup for optics rather than carrying out proper sanitation work. Many questioned how such conditions could be labeled as fully resolved, especially outside the city’s main municipal office.
Karachi produces more than 14,800 tonnes of solid waste daily, according to World Bank data. Despite multiple agencies and contractors tasked with waste collection, residents across the city continue to face overflowing garbage points, irregular collection, and weak monitoring. The latest incident near KMC headquarters has become a symbol of broader administrative failures, reinforcing public distrust in official claims of improvement.
Citizens on social media expressed frustration, noting that if garbage outside KMC cannot be properly managed, conditions in residential areas are unlikely to improve. The incident has renewed demands for transparent reporting, effective enforcement, and sustainable waste management instead of short-term, surface-level fixes.
