Ali Khurshidi, the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) Opposition Leader in the Sindh Assembly, has called on the provincial government and civic administration to implement preemptive measures to protect Karachi from the anticipated monsoon rains and urban flooding risks. In a statement issued from MQM-P’s Bahadurabad headquarters on July 19, 2025, Khurshidi warned that Karachi, already burdened by a multitude of civic issues, faces the threat of becoming a “city of misery” due to inadequate governance over the past 17 years. He criticized the Sindh government for failing to provide basic infrastructure, turning the “blessing of rain into a burden” for residents.

Khurshidi highlighted the recent cloudburst in Hyderabad, where low-lying areas remain inundated days later, as a cautionary example of what Karachi could face without proactive measures. “The city suffers the consequences of even short-duration rains for weeks, exposing the hollow claims of urban development by the so-called city government,” he stated, pointing to recurring flooding that disrupts daily life and causes significant property damage. He accused the Sindh government of deliberately neglecting Karachi, a city that contributes significantly to Pakistan’s economy through taxes “from gas to airplanes,” yet lacks basic amenities like effective drainage systems.

Khurshidi’s demand for proactive measures underscores the urgency of protecting Karachi’s more than 20 million residents from monsoon-related disruptions. As the city braces for heavy rains, the government’s ability to deliver on its preparedness promises will be critical to preventing another season of flooding and despair.