Two naughty little boys are having a conversation sitting on top of an empty king-sized sewerage
pipeline behind a swarm of city officials surveying Manzoor Colony nullah.
“Tera ghar to gira rahey hain,” one of them says. They’re demolishing your house.
“Abey, tujhe kaise pata?!” How the hell do you know?
“Kyunke wo nishaan laga ke gae na!” he replies—and then, as if to assuage his buddy’s feelings, hastily
and a tad mournfully, adds: “Meri to poori galli ja rahi he.” Because they marked it. My entire alleyway
is going…
“Abey, tujhe kaise pata?!” How the hell do you know?
“Kyunke wo nishaan laga ke gae na!” he replies—and then, as if to assuage his buddy’s feelings, hastily
and a tad mournfully, adds: “Meri to poori galli ja rahi he.” Because they marked it. My entire alleyway
is going…
This pint-sized neighbourhood expert is talking about a massive demolition operation by the Karachi
Metropolitan Corporation or KMC in which houses and shops lining the nullah are being removed so
the muzzled waterway can be cleaned and widened. This work is being deemed imperative along its
6.5km length so that neighbourhoods to the north do not flood. Manzoor Colony nullah’s unenviable
job, you see, is to daily carry sewerage and, depending on the season, the city’s swollen rainwater
torrents away from the city and into the sea.
Metropolitan Corporation or KMC in which houses and shops lining the nullah are being removed so
the muzzled waterway can be cleaned and widened. This work is being deemed imperative along its
6.5km length so that neighbourhoods to the north do not flood. Manzoor Colony nullah’s unenviable
job, you see, is to daily carry sewerage and, depending on the season, the city’s swollen rainwater
torrents away from the city and into the sea.
What the little chap got wrong, however, was that his entire alley is not on the chopping block. Far
from it, the KMC guillotine is going to fall on specific ‘encroachments’. He was correct in telling his
friend, however, that a red spray-painted arrow on his house means that it would be partly if not fully
flattened.
from it, the KMC guillotine is going to fall on specific ‘encroachments’. He was correct in telling his
friend, however, that a red spray-painted arrow on his house means that it would be partly if not fully
flattened.
This story is then, at least on the surface of it, about a nullah, and there is no shame in admitting that
nullahs and stormwater drainage are topics that would put anyone to sleep. Mention ‘culvert’ and we
would rather quarantine ourselves than be subjected to a lecture on hydrology. It is difficult to summon
sympathies for inanimate urban infrastructure much less understand their inner workings. But what if
we told you that whatever is happening today at this nullah will be make or break for Karachi when it
rains next year? We trust that you have not forgotten what happened in August…
nullahs and stormwater drainage are topics that would put anyone to sleep. Mention ‘culvert’ and we
would rather quarantine ourselves than be subjected to a lecture on hydrology. It is difficult to summon
sympathies for inanimate urban infrastructure much less understand their inner workings. But what if
we told you that whatever is happening today at this nullah will be make or break for Karachi when it
rains next year? We trust that you have not forgotten what happened in August…
How the Mehmoodabad nullah operation started
And so, this story starts in August last year when apocalyptic rains flooded Karachi. It had rained like
it had never rained in ninety years. By October, the city had somewhat limped back to normalcy with
its people permitting themselves recuperative amnesia of the monsoon’s terror—you have to move on
after all—but the Sindh government did not have this luxury. The chief minister had already enlisted
the help of old class fellows at NED University of Engineering and Technology. A technical team was
to survey all of the city’s choked drains or nullahs in a bid to get them back to their wider 1987
Master Plan shape.
it had never rained in ninety years. By October, the city had somewhat limped back to normalcy with
its people permitting themselves recuperative amnesia of the monsoon’s terror—you have to move on
after all—but the Sindh government did not have this luxury. The chief minister had already enlisted
the help of old class fellows at NED University of Engineering and Technology. A technical team was
to survey all of the city’s choked drains or nullahs in a bid to get them back to their wider 1987
Master Plan shape.
That month, the chief minister, corps commander, National Disaster Management Authority and top
bureaucrats sat down to grapple with solutions. At that point the problem was said to be the 13,000
houses and nearly 3,000 businesses hemming in Karachi’s four major drains and its Malir River.
The prevailing wisdom was that the city had flooded because encroachments were throttling these
waterways.
bureaucrats sat down to grapple with solutions. At that point the problem was said to be the 13,000
houses and nearly 3,000 businesses hemming in Karachi’s four major drains and its Malir River.
The prevailing wisdom was that the city had flooded because encroachments were throttling these
waterways.
The Executive was not the only branch of government to understand that something had to be done.
By November, the Judiciary had thrown its lot into the fray. Irritated with the progress by the Sindh
and Karachi governments, the Supreme Court instead ordered the federal government’s National
Disaster Management Authority to dredge the nullahs and told the local government to make itself
very helpful. Under this pressure, the local administration decided to at least start with the major
nullah between Manzoor Colony and Mehmoodabad because KMC had complete jurisdiction here
(unlike in other neighbourhoods where more powerful institutions ruled). A map from the Sindh
Katchi Abadi Authority or SKAA was hauled up with the nullah’s measurements and up to 1,000
houses on one side were marked for demolition.
By November, the Judiciary had thrown its lot into the fray. Irritated with the progress by the Sindh
and Karachi governments, the Supreme Court instead ordered the federal government’s National
Disaster Management Authority to dredge the nullahs and told the local government to make itself
very helpful. Under this pressure, the local administration decided to at least start with the major
nullah between Manzoor Colony and Mehmoodabad because KMC had complete jurisdiction here
(unlike in other neighbourhoods where more powerful institutions ruled). A map from the Sindh
Katchi Abadi Authority or SKAA was hauled up with the nullah’s measurements and up to 1,000
houses on one side were marked for demolition.
On November 19, the KMC and District East teams arrived with bulldozers. According to KMC
Metropolitan Commissioner Afzal Zaidi, they thought they would clear up to 200 feet from the nullah
by removing the lines of houses. Rioting broke out and the city teams were pelted with the very rubble
they had produced. The mob blocked the Shaheed-e-Millat expressway and tore down the
Mehmoodabad fire station’s boundary wall. Needless to say, the work had to be abandoned.
Metropolitan Commissioner Afzal Zaidi, they thought they would clear up to 200 feet from the nullah
by removing the lines of houses. Rioting broke out and the city teams were pelted with the very rubble
they had produced. The mob blocked the Shaheed-e-Millat expressway and tore down the
Mehmoodabad fire station’s boundary wall. Needless to say, the work had to be abandoned.
Where are Mehmoodabad and Manzoor Colony?
Manzoor Colony and Mehmoodabad are not neighbourhoods of the elite imagination. They are
impenetrable working class sprawls generally forgotten by planners. Over time, they were rendered
invisible by big roads that allowed people to sail past them without even realising it. And so if you
ask people if they know these neighbourhoods, you have to also forgive many of them for drawing
a blank. But perhaps this will help.
impenetrable working class sprawls generally forgotten by planners. Over time, they were rendered
invisible by big roads that allowed people to sail past them without even realising it. And so if you
ask people if they know these neighbourhoods, you have to also forgive many of them for drawing
a blank. But perhaps this will help.
Go to the end of DHA. If you take a left at the KPT flyover jalebi at Qayyumabad (from the big
Imtiaz superstore), you will turn on to the long curved shortcut to Shahrah-e-Faisal. As you speed
along, look left. You’ll pass the Express news office, white prison Iqra University, furniture and
Moltyfoam shops, a Byco pump and a dumpster that is perennially on fire. The abadi behind all
this, which disappears from sight, is Manzoor Colony. Stop. Just before you get on to the flyover
by City School PAF Chapter, on the left, is the Mehmoodabad fire station. If you turn in here and
go down, you’ll be at the mouth of the nullah and in the middle of Manzoor Colony and
Mehmoodabad, which are part of a greater interlocking triangle of abadis that include
Liaquat Ashraf Colony, Rehman Town, KAECHS, Azam Basti…
Imtiaz superstore), you will turn on to the long curved shortcut to Shahrah-e-Faisal. As you speed
along, look left. You’ll pass the Express news office, white prison Iqra University, furniture and
Moltyfoam shops, a Byco pump and a dumpster that is perennially on fire. The abadi behind all
this, which disappears from sight, is Manzoor Colony. Stop. Just before you get on to the flyover
by City School PAF Chapter, on the left, is the Mehmoodabad fire station. If you turn in here and
go down, you’ll be at the mouth of the nullah and in the middle of Manzoor Colony and
Mehmoodabad, which are part of a greater interlocking triangle of abadis that include
Liaquat Ashraf Colony, Rehman Town, KAECHS, Azam Basti…
You can’t see the nullah because it was covered with concrete slabs, which give it the appearance
of a seam. If you retrace it from here, you will go through multiple katchi abadi neighbourhoods,
back to Qayyumabad from where the nullah crosses Korangi road and heads back into DHA Phase
VII until it reaches the sea and falls, unfiltered, into Gizri Creek at Creek Road.
of a seam. If you retrace it from here, you will go through multiple katchi abadi neighbourhoods,
back to Qayyumabad from where the nullah crosses Korangi road and heads back into DHA Phase
VII until it reaches the sea and falls, unfiltered, into Gizri Creek at Creek Road.
If you have been watching the news, you would have repeatedly heard reporters and officials say an
operation is being conducted at Mehmoodabad nullah. This is a mistake because the strip where the
demolition is taking place at the time of this story’s publication is Manzoor Colony nullah. The two
join up at right angles as the Mehmoodabad nullah comes travelling down from Shahrah-e-Faisal.
operation is being conducted at Mehmoodabad nullah. This is a mistake because the strip where the
demolition is taking place at the time of this story’s publication is Manzoor Colony nullah. The two
join up at right angles as the Mehmoodabad nullah comes travelling down from Shahrah-e-Faisal.
The second mistake is perhaps one of semantic drift, for the word nullah (nala, nallah, natural
stormwater drain) conjures gutter, the kind that slithers past thresholds like a black liquid tapeworm.
Manzoor Colony nullah never actually was a nullah in the first place.
stormwater drain) conjures gutter, the kind that slithers past thresholds like a black liquid tapeworm.
Manzoor Colony nullah never actually was a nullah in the first place.
History of Manzoor Colony and its nullah
If there had been a river here, you would not be able to tell today, but mercifully, the old maps bear
witness. In the starkest one, you see an arm of the Malir River branch off for a bit and then rejoin
itself a short distance down. (See the map). This meandering gave birth to a tiny island, which is
what came to be known as Manzoor Colony.
witness. In the starkest one, you see an arm of the Malir River branch off for a bit and then rejoin
itself a short distance down. (See the map). This meandering gave birth to a tiny island, which is
what came to be known as Manzoor Colony.
The history of the area was documented by engineer Salim Aleemuddin for the Orangi Pilot Project
a long time ago. “It was Pagganwala land and was used for agriculture,” he told SAMAA Digital.
“People say garbage burning used to be a problem here even back then.”
a long time ago. “It was Pagganwala land and was used for agriculture,” he told SAMAA Digital.
“People say garbage burning used to be a problem here even back then.”
In 1969, this island was unofficially ‘sold’ to two or three land grabbers. In his research, Aleemuddin
discovered that the agriculture department, police and KMC were involved. The land grabbers divided
the land into parcels of 200 to 400 square yards. They were laid out on a grid-iron pattern with a
hierarchy of primary, secondary and tertiary roads and streets. This new colony was spread over 295
acres and divided into nine sectors and is roughly the same size till today. “In 1986, Manzoor Colony
was notified as a katchi abadi for regularisation by the Katchi Abadi Directorate of KMC.”
discovered that the agriculture department, police and KMC were involved. The land grabbers divided
the land into parcels of 200 to 400 square yards. They were laid out on a grid-iron pattern with a
hierarchy of primary, secondary and tertiary roads and streets. This new colony was spread over 295
acres and divided into nine sectors and is roughly the same size till today. “In 1986, Manzoor Colony
was notified as a katchi abadi for regularisation by the Katchi Abadi Directorate of KMC.”
Down the line, those plots were further subdivided into 120 square yard ones as demand grew. It is an
interesting side story that when people were kicked out of Jacob Lines and Khudadad Colony so that
Shahrah-e-Quaideen could be built, they ended up buying those Manzoor Colony plots. (They had
initially been sent to New Karachi on the outskirts, but sold those plots to return to the centre of the
city to stay close to work).
interesting side story that when people were kicked out of Jacob Lines and Khudadad Colony so that
Shahrah-e-Quaideen could be built, they ended up buying those Manzoor Colony plots. (They had
initially been sent to New Karachi on the outskirts, but sold those plots to return to the centre of the
city to stay close to work).
This brings us to the history of Manzoor Colony’s nullah. Remember the errant distributary of the
Malir River? At one point people used to fish in it, so clear were its waters. But it is unlikely that the
stream would have survived the forces of demography and real estate. And indeed, two developments
—mostly for the profit of the Korangi factory seth—set in motion the stream’s depreciation from a
distributary to a drain.
Proof surfaces in a 1972-4 topographic map by the Survey of Pakistan which shows the Malir River
outlined in black and filled with dots. But then, the river is suddenly cut off with a road marked ‘under
construction’ from Shahrah-e-Faisal. This road would become the extension of Shaheed-e-Millat.
It cuts the river off at Manzoor Colony.
outlined in black and filled with dots. But then, the river is suddenly cut off with a road marked ‘under
construction’ from Shahrah-e-Faisal. This road would become the extension of Shaheed-e-Millat.
It cuts the river off at Manzoor Colony.
The second development seals the stream’s fate. In 1985, according to businessman Zubair Chhaya,
industrialists demanded the Sindh government make it easier for them to travel to their factories in
Korangi from their homes in the plushy side of town (MAHS, PECHS…) When the government
refused, they spent Rs500,000 to do it themselves. The party that paid the most money got to name
the single-track 2.5km road from Baloch Colony embankment or bund to Korangi bund. As this
happened to be English Biscuit Manufacturers (Rs100,000), this road was named the EBM
Causeway. By 2011, it was widened to a double track for which the government coughed up
Rs120m that came from the Rs250m budget for the industrial zone.
industrialists demanded the Sindh government make it easier for them to travel to their factories in
Korangi from their homes in the plushy side of town (MAHS, PECHS…) When the government
refused, they spent Rs500,000 to do it themselves. The party that paid the most money got to name
the single-track 2.5km road from Baloch Colony embankment or bund to Korangi bund. As this
happened to be English Biscuit Manufacturers (Rs100,000), this road was named the EBM
Causeway. By 2011, it was widened to a double track for which the government coughed up
Rs120m that came from the Rs250m budget for the industrial zone.
And so, that slim branch of the Malir River that led to the creation of Manzoor Colony was forever
cut off and over time, turned into a sewer. The NEDUET experts record these developments plainly
in their report as well: “Historically Mehmoodabad Nallah was connected to the Malir river taking
its flow to the sea and was originally 100 feet wide at the fire station. But with the passage of time
[it] was cut off from Malir River mainly because of the construction of the expressway and new
settlement across the expressway.”
cut off and over time, turned into a sewer. The NEDUET experts record these developments plainly
in their report as well: “Historically Mehmoodabad Nallah was connected to the Malir river taking
its flow to the sea and was originally 100 feet wide at the fire station. But with the passage of time
[it] was cut off from Malir River mainly because of the construction of the expressway and new
settlement across the expressway.”
If the nullah’s waters had run clear at any point in time, the population of Manzoor Colony would
have sullied it with their sewerage. They used to empty their bucket latrines into the street and
wastewater used to flow in the lanes. A few houses had cheap soak pits but they needed to be emptied
every fortnight. “However, soak pits raised the underground water table and also caused health
problems,” Aleemuddin wrote for OPP. The rising water table damaged walls and it didn’t help that
rainwater would enter the low-lying colony’s houses when the Malir River flooded.
have sullied it with their sewerage. They used to empty their bucket latrines into the street and
wastewater used to flow in the lanes. A few houses had cheap soak pits but they needed to be emptied
every fortnight. “However, soak pits raised the underground water table and also caused health
problems,” Aleemuddin wrote for OPP. The rising water table damaged walls and it didn’t help that
rainwater would enter the low-lying colony’s houses when the Malir River flooded.
By 1997, the colony’s residents asked the OPP for help and its team (Perween Rahman, Anwar Rashid)
developed the nullah as a boxed trunk main and rainwater drainage channel. This would make it easier
to clean and improve the flow of water.
developed the nullah as a boxed trunk main and rainwater drainage channel. This would make it easier
to clean and improve the flow of water.
NED’s plan to fix Manzoor Colony-Mehmoodabad nullahs
Fast-forward two decades to 2020 and experts from NEDUET’s Department of Urban & Infrastructure
Engineering become the second entity after OPP to take on the nullah’s health.
Engineering become the second entity after OPP to take on the nullah’s health.
Its team is headed by VC Prof. Dr Sarosh Hashmat Lodi and includes Prof. Dr Syed Imran Ahmed,
Prof. Dr Adnan Qadir, Assistant Prof. Engr. Shoaib Ahmed, Asst. Prof. Engr. Syed Muhammad Fahad
Abdullah, research associates, lab technicians and undergraduate students. They used GIS mapping,
flooding projections, drones and computer simulation to generate a full picture of the entire
Mehmoodabad nullah network that empties into Manzoor Colony nullah.
Prof. Dr Adnan Qadir, Assistant Prof. Engr. Shoaib Ahmed, Asst. Prof. Engr. Syed Muhammad Fahad
Abdullah, research associates, lab technicians and undergraduate students. They used GIS mapping,
flooding projections, drones and computer simulation to generate a full picture of the entire
Mehmoodabad nullah network that empties into Manzoor Colony nullah.
To put it very simply, they studied rainfall records and made liberal and conservative projections of how
flooding could take place. They found that the network was generally adequate but some revamping
would be needed in a 3.5km section and at some major spots.
flooding could take place. They found that the network was generally adequate but some revamping
would be needed in a 3.5km section and at some major spots.
They said that if garbage is removed, it will considerably improve the flow of water. They recommended
that the nullah’s width be increased gradually from 20ft to 80ft and it be dredged to improve its carrying
capacity. As part of the redesign, they recommended that 15 feet be kept clear on both sides. The 15 feet
will be used for a 12-foot road on both sides and a three-foot pavement.
that the nullah’s width be increased gradually from 20ft to 80ft and it be dredged to improve its carrying
capacity. As part of the redesign, they recommended that 15 feet be kept clear on both sides. The 15 feet
will be used for a 12-foot road on both sides and a three-foot pavement.
KMC restarts the anti-encroachment operation
If 15 feet have to be kept clear on both sides of Manzoor Colony nullah, this means that anything
coming in its way will have to be removed. The NEDUET plan is slightly less destructive for it found
that only 238 structures were falling within this perimeter and of them only 56 would be damaged
beyond 30%. This was a far cry from the 1,000 houses and shops that the KMC tried to remove with
its SKAA map back in November as a result of which it was violently driven out.
coming in its way will have to be removed. The NEDUET plan is slightly less destructive for it found
that only 238 structures were falling within this perimeter and of them only 56 would be damaged
beyond 30%. This was a far cry from the 1,000 houses and shops that the KMC tried to remove with
its SKAA map back in November as a result of which it was violently driven out.
By January, news of the NEDUET plan had trickled down and government promises of the 12-foot
road seemed to mollify the people who thought it would improve the value of property along it. By
the time the KMC bulldozers returned, the mood was rather sanguine.
road seemed to mollify the people who thought it would improve the value of property along it. By
the time the KMC bulldozers returned, the mood was rather sanguine.
“Whatever is in principle is in principle,” said one man. “If the government wants to take 20 feet…
the Manzoor Colony folks are happy that at least all this garbage will end. We were sitting in filth…
Everyone is stuck. So if the government is working, it should be allowed to work. Now if we can’t
even give 12 feet…”
the Manzoor Colony folks are happy that at least all this garbage will end. We were sitting in filth…
Everyone is stuck. So if the government is working, it should be allowed to work. Now if we can’t
even give 12 feet…”
The KMC teams were able to go around and identify structures to be taken down by spray-painting on
them the NEDUET numbers 0 to 238 in red. This did not mean that some people were still not desperate
to save their properties. By January 9, KMC senior director Mazhar Khan from Katchi Abadies was
found tramping up and down the strip with a team fumbling with a mile-long inchi-tape they held from
edge to edge. “We’re re-checking the markings,” Mazhar Khan explained. “Some kids from the
neighbourhood went and spray-painted over our marks.” The punks had figured out that a red arrow
meant cutting so they went around either writing “no cutting” over KMC signs or tried to spray paint
over the arrow. One enterprising bigwig from the area by the name of Javed Kumboh was rumoured
to have had his house whitewashed overnight in an attempt to hide the spray paint. Needless to say,
this manual subterfuge was no match for a satellite’s science.
them the NEDUET numbers 0 to 238 in red. This did not mean that some people were still not desperate
to save their properties. By January 9, KMC senior director Mazhar Khan from Katchi Abadies was
found tramping up and down the strip with a team fumbling with a mile-long inchi-tape they held from
edge to edge. “We’re re-checking the markings,” Mazhar Khan explained. “Some kids from the
neighbourhood went and spray-painted over our marks.” The punks had figured out that a red arrow
meant cutting so they went around either writing “no cutting” over KMC signs or tried to spray paint
over the arrow. One enterprising bigwig from the area by the name of Javed Kumboh was rumoured
to have had his house whitewashed overnight in an attempt to hide the spray paint. Needless to say,
this manual subterfuge was no match for a satellite’s science.
Leases, conspiracies and politics: PTI vs PPP
It is at this point that this story becomes difficult to tell because it moves beyond civic engineering and
enters the realm of politics and messy geographies. The journalistic instinct is to be able to prove and
document beyond a shadow of a doubt what is transpiring on the ground. The simple instrument to
deploy is one of corroboration by cross-questioning the actors. But what we found in Manzoor Colony
was too slippery to develop into conviction—and it would be misleading to do so.
enters the realm of politics and messy geographies. The journalistic instinct is to be able to prove and
document beyond a shadow of a doubt what is transpiring on the ground. The simple instrument to
deploy is one of corroboration by cross-questioning the actors. But what we found in Manzoor Colony
was too slippery to develop into conviction—and it would be misleading to do so.
Karachi’s anti-encroachment operations tend to be political battles because they almost always risk
voter affections. But add sarkar (or government) to the mix and you are possibly looking at a deep
conspiracy to alter constituency fortunes. While reporting on this story, we came across one accusation
in particular which surfaced from multiple mouths.
voter affections. But add sarkar (or government) to the mix and you are possibly looking at a deep
conspiracy to alter constituency fortunes. While reporting on this story, we came across one accusation
in particular which surfaced from multiple mouths.
The accusation is that since the NEDUET folks were class fellows of Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah
(PPP), they are sparing an illegal PPP vote bank on the left of Manzoor Colony nullah and
demolishing legal houses in a PTI constituency on the right.
(PPP), they are sparing an illegal PPP vote bank on the left of Manzoor Colony nullah and
demolishing legal houses in a PTI constituency on the right.
PTI MPA Bilal Ahmed, who won from Liaquat Ashraf Colony, Mehmoodabad No 5 and 6, says he
will not allow anyone to demolish legal houses—a statement he would be amiss not to make. He
wants compensation at market rates and not the Rs15,000 a month for two years to anyone who loses
over 30% of their property. He said the NEDUET plan should have been shared with the people and
he accused PPP MPA Saeed Ghani of using his influence to protect illegal houses in his constituency
across the nullah.
will not allow anyone to demolish legal houses—a statement he would be amiss not to make. He
wants compensation at market rates and not the Rs15,000 a month for two years to anyone who loses
over 30% of their property. He said the NEDUET plan should have been shared with the people and
he accused PPP MPA Saeed Ghani of using his influence to protect illegal houses in his constituency
across the nullah.
For his part, Saeed Ghani said that when all of this was being discussed he had meetings with the
PTI’s Ali Zaidi and Asad Umar. Everyone knew what they were heading into. “I own all these people,
” he said, referring to the neighbourhood. “Ye sab apne log hain.”
PTI’s Ali Zaidi and Asad Umar. Everyone knew what they were heading into. “I own all these people,
” he said, referring to the neighbourhood. “Ye sab apne log hain.”
There was one way to check. The NEDUET list has a total of 238 houses or shops or structures that
fall inside the nullah’s wider new boundary: 122 are on the PTI Mehmoodabad side and 116 are on
the PPP Manzoor Colony side. This is nearly an equal number. There appears to be no ostensible
bias and the properties were marked with satellite imagery and not government maps.
fall inside the nullah’s wider new boundary: 122 are on the PTI Mehmoodabad side and 116 are on
the PPP Manzoor Colony side. This is nearly an equal number. There appears to be no ostensible
bias and the properties were marked with satellite imagery and not government maps.
But the accusation deepens that leased properties are getting the axe on the PTI side and illegal ones
on the PPP side are not. “Out of 56 units, 43 leased houses of Mehmoodabad No 5 and 6 [PTI side]
are affected on the right side, and only 13 non-regularised houses would be in line in Manzoor Colony
Sector I [PPP side],” said KMC senior director Mazhar Khan, when asked about the split between
illegal and legal properties.
Muhammad Anwar of Liaquat Ashraf Colony says he has a lease and has been living there since 1975.
“Bad-qismati dekho yaar… katchi abadi mehfooz he aur pakki abadi kay makanaat toot rahay hain,”
he said. Look at my bad luck. The slum is protected and the formal settlement’s houses are being
broken down. “Hum ko PTI ka saath dene ki saza di ja rahi he.” We are being punished for voting PTI.
“Bad-qismati dekho yaar… katchi abadi mehfooz he aur pakki abadi kay makanaat toot rahay hain,”
he said. Look at my bad luck. The slum is protected and the formal settlement’s houses are being
broken down. “Hum ko PTI ka saath dene ki saza di ja rahi he.” We are being punished for voting PTI.
Some people on the right side also blame the Orangi Pilot Project, saying that when it fixed the nullah
in 1997 it did not “construct it” in the center of the road. They maintain that they are paying a price
now as their properties are too close to the nullah. According to Arif Hasan, who was around when the
OPP did this work, this does not bear out. The OPP teams did not alter the route of the nullah (they
couldn’t ‘move’ it) and it was flanked by a 24-foot wide space back then. Where has that space
disappeared since then?
in 1997 it did not “construct it” in the center of the road. They maintain that they are paying a price
now as their properties are too close to the nullah. According to Arif Hasan, who was around when the
OPP did this work, this does not bear out. The OPP teams did not alter the route of the nullah (they
couldn’t ‘move’ it) and it was flanked by a 24-foot wide space back then. Where has that space
disappeared since then?
What is a more likely explanation is that over the years people illegally extended legal or leased
properties to keep creeping in on the nullah on both sides. But either way, KMC leases have a
condition that gives it the power to ask for land back if it is needed for public works.
properties to keep creeping in on the nullah on both sides. But either way, KMC leases have a
condition that gives it the power to ask for land back if it is needed for public works.
It is with almost no conviction that one can explain why the KMC SKAA map of houses marked for
demolition was abandoned in November and the NEDUET one was used in January (except that it was
overall less destructive). Under the first map, most of Saeed Ghani’s constituency was to face damage.
Compared to this, the NEDUET map says that some leased plots of (the PTI side of) Liaquat Ashraf
Colony will be hit. They were not on the earlier map. This is why people have been accusing the PPP
and the university of being in cahoots.
demolition was abandoned in November and the NEDUET one was used in January (except that it was
overall less destructive). Under the first map, most of Saeed Ghani’s constituency was to face damage.
Compared to this, the NEDUET map says that some leased plots of (the PTI side of) Liaquat Ashraf
Colony will be hit. They were not on the earlier map. This is why people have been accusing the PPP
and the university of being in cahoots.
One thing that can be said with conviction in this city is, however, that its rulers want to make money.
In time, we will be able to see if illegal properties on the PPP side are made legal and if the 12-foot
road that the government is building, according to the university recommendation, will be used to
the advantage of real estate developers.
In time, we will be able to see if illegal properties on the PPP side are made legal and if the 12-foot
road that the government is building, according to the university recommendation, will be used to
the advantage of real estate developers.
All said and done, the wheels have been set in motion. On Wednesday morning a single mazdoor was
swinging a mallet at the very first shop in line opposite the fire station. People have been undertaking
the demolition if their shop or house has been marked for they would rather take the offending portion
off themselves—the KMC bulldozer’s steel claw is not terribly discerning. If an RCC column can be
spared, then at least the rest of the structure can be saved. This is the scramble going on these days.
swinging a mallet at the very first shop in line opposite the fire station. People have been undertaking
the demolition if their shop or house has been marked for they would rather take the offending portion
off themselves—the KMC bulldozer’s steel claw is not terribly discerning. If an RCC column can be
spared, then at least the rest of the structure can be saved. This is the scramble going on these days.
Two young men, Atif and Faheem, were watching the digger from the vantage point of their rented
appliance shop, which is on the list. Its owner Mian Jawad, a lawyer, had said, “Do it once and get it
over with.” They point out a plot right opposite. “That was Danish Burger Wallah’s,” says Atif. “The
house was razed. He is now selling burgers on a thella.” They are all wondering what will happen to
bakery and mithai shop magnate Haji Baqir’s monstrous five-story building sitting half on the nullah.
“They broke it partially in 2016,” says Atif. “But he built it back up.” By Monday they had started
hacking it apart as well.
appliance shop, which is on the list. Its owner Mian Jawad, a lawyer, had said, “Do it once and get it
over with.” They point out a plot right opposite. “That was Danish Burger Wallah’s,” says Atif. “The
house was razed. He is now selling burgers on a thella.” They are all wondering what will happen to
bakery and mithai shop magnate Haji Baqir’s monstrous five-story building sitting half on the nullah.
“They broke it partially in 2016,” says Atif. “But he built it back up.” By Monday they had started
hacking it apart as well.
A second survey and critical view
When news of the demolition operation initially spread, some activists from the neighbourhood went
back to their old friends who had been at the Orangi Pilot Project and its allies. Perween Rahman’s
mapping student Muhammad Sirajuddin now runs his own research and mapping centre, TTRC. He
was joined by Zahid Farooq and Younus of the Urban Resource Centre and Fazal Noor from Sir Syed
University of Engineering and Technology. They went around with community leaders for 21 days
and based on old OPP knowledge did their own shoe-leather survey of the entire Mehmoodabad-
Manzoor Colony nullah network from Noorani Kebab house all the way to its end at Gizri Creek.
They visited and measured each house along the Manzoor Colony nullah down to how many floors
and load-bearing structures. This was important because they had learned the importance of
documentation for compensation from the devastation of the Lyari Expressway case.
back to their old friends who had been at the Orangi Pilot Project and its allies. Perween Rahman’s
mapping student Muhammad Sirajuddin now runs his own research and mapping centre, TTRC. He
was joined by Zahid Farooq and Younus of the Urban Resource Centre and Fazal Noor from Sir Syed
University of Engineering and Technology. They went around with community leaders for 21 days
and based on old OPP knowledge did their own shoe-leather survey of the entire Mehmoodabad-
Manzoor Colony nullah network from Noorani Kebab house all the way to its end at Gizri Creek.
They visited and measured each house along the Manzoor Colony nullah down to how many floors
and load-bearing structures. This was important because they had learned the importance of
documentation for compensation from the devastation of the Lyari Expressway case.
But aside from the details of the houses, they also discovered, as they had suspected, that the problem
was not what the government thought it was.
was not what the government thought it was.
Sewerage and rainwater from three nullahs above Shahrah-e-Faisal connect to form the Mehmoodabad
nullah network, explained Siraj. They drain the areas of Tipu Sultan Road, Hill Park, Mohammad Ali
Housing Society, PECHS, KDA flats, Nursery, Ambala Sweets, Tariq Road. The NEDUET mapping
also shows this network in detail. In fact, both groups document in detail severe blockages throughout
this network.
nullah network, explained Siraj. They drain the areas of Tipu Sultan Road, Hill Park, Mohammad Ali
Housing Society, PECHS, KDA flats, Nursery, Ambala Sweets, Tariq Road. The NEDUET mapping
also shows this network in detail. In fact, both groups document in detail severe blockages throughout
this network.
For example, opposite Habitt, under the railway track, the nullah’s three openings under the road out
of five are clogged. “At Gizri Creek, where the nullah meets the sea, there are 18 gates,” explained
Zahid Farooq. “Only five of them are working. The rest are silted up and choked.” So even if you
clean Manzoor Colony nullah, unless you unplug the exit point in DHA, you’ll still have flooding
above Shahrah-e-Faisal.
of five are clogged. “At Gizri Creek, where the nullah meets the sea, there are 18 gates,” explained
Zahid Farooq. “Only five of them are working. The rest are silted up and choked.” So even if you
clean Manzoor Colony nullah, unless you unplug the exit point in DHA, you’ll still have flooding
above Shahrah-e-Faisal.
What we also know is that these areas above Shahrah-e-Faisal flooded in August, as did DHA. The
joke is that Manzoor Colony and Mehmoodabad did not. But ironically, demolitions are taking place
in these neighbourhoods. “It is not an issue of encroachments,” says urban planner Arif Hasan.
“Until you clean [the outfall at] Gizri Creek there is no point in any of this. They can demolish as
many houses as they like.”
joke is that Manzoor Colony and Mehmoodabad did not. But ironically, demolitions are taking place
in these neighbourhoods. “It is not an issue of encroachments,” says urban planner Arif Hasan.
“Until you clean [the outfall at] Gizri Creek there is no point in any of this. They can demolish as
many houses as they like.”
NEDUET’s Dr Adnan Qadir agrees. He said that they found blockages at Zehri House, Mehmoodabad,
Nursery and Noorani Kebab House (above Shahrah-e-Faisal). They found a mosque squatting on the
entire drain at Noorani Chowrangi. Even a CPLC office was found in violation. At Mehmoodabad
Road, people had built four houses with their foundation columns inside the nullah. Sure, the people
of Manzoor Colony built a little extra, but their infractions pale in comparison to what the moneyed
folks did in the upper levels of this drainage system. For whatever it is worth, KMC’s Mazhar Khan
said that in the next phase they will be demolishing houses along these richer strips. He even hopes
that the powers that be will consider a recommendation he made: to build a new nullah from Shahrah
-e-Faisal that runs under Baloch Colony flyover and would ease pressure on the rest of the drains.
Nursery and Noorani Kebab House (above Shahrah-e-Faisal). They found a mosque squatting on the
entire drain at Noorani Chowrangi. Even a CPLC office was found in violation. At Mehmoodabad
Road, people had built four houses with their foundation columns inside the nullah. Sure, the people
of Manzoor Colony built a little extra, but their infractions pale in comparison to what the moneyed
folks did in the upper levels of this drainage system. For whatever it is worth, KMC’s Mazhar Khan
said that in the next phase they will be demolishing houses along these richer strips. He even hopes
that the powers that be will consider a recommendation he made: to build a new nullah from Shahrah
-e-Faisal that runs under Baloch Colony flyover and would ease pressure on the rest of the drains.
No one disputes that garbage and entire buildings need to be removed from these drains but it would
have been far more equitable if the encroachments pointed out by NEDUET in the richer areas were
taken down first and then the houses of poorer people. (This might have even deterred rioting). And
given that NEDUET has pointed out that the drain was reduced from a width of 80ft to 40ft as it flows
through DHA to the sea, why is no one talking about reclaiming that space?
have been far more equitable if the encroachments pointed out by NEDUET in the richer areas were
taken down first and then the houses of poorer people. (This might have even deterred rioting). And
given that NEDUET has pointed out that the drain was reduced from a width of 80ft to 40ft as it flows
through DHA to the sea, why is no one talking about reclaiming that space?
Administration after administration can fork out the cash and pay the Frontier Works Organisation (for
the NDMA) to keep removing the ‘encroachments’ on the nullahs (which would be rather fortunate
for the FWO’s pecuniary conditions.) But unless the choke points such as the mosques and mansions
on the drain and its exit point to the sea are cleaned, the problem will not be solved, as the independent
survey found.
the NDMA) to keep removing the ‘encroachments’ on the nullahs (which would be rather fortunate
for the FWO’s pecuniary conditions.) But unless the choke points such as the mosques and mansions
on the drain and its exit point to the sea are cleaned, the problem will not be solved, as the independent
survey found.
Wrong approach to rainwater
Arif Hasan adds that even if all the encroachments are cleared from the entire sewage system, it still
won’t work fully in the long run unless two other major considerations are made. Will the city’s
garbage be regularly removed so it isn’t dumped in the sewers? And, will the city plan ways to handle
rainwater beyond assuming the sewerage system will absorb it and drain it away from our
neighbourhoods?
won’t work fully in the long run unless two other major considerations are made. Will the city’s
garbage be regularly removed so it isn’t dumped in the sewers? And, will the city plan ways to handle
rainwater beyond assuming the sewerage system will absorb it and drain it away from our
neighbourhoods?
“We are told that rainwater disposal is through natural nullahs but this is not explained: how it will
get to those natural nullahs,” says Arif Hasan. “All the conversation about it has revolved around
natural nullahs being blocked.” It is no wonder then that our roads turn into rivers. They’re acting
like stormwater drains.
get to those natural nullahs,” says Arif Hasan. “All the conversation about it has revolved around
natural nullahs being blocked.” It is no wonder then that our roads turn into rivers. They’re acting
like stormwater drains.
This happens because the rain flowing down from roofs across Karachi has nowhere to go. And as
the city’s love affair with concrete and paving grew, the water was even less absorbed by the ground.
the city’s love affair with concrete and paving grew, the water was even less absorbed by the ground.
Arif Hasan points out that the government approach has always been to “channel” nullahs or direct
them as we wish, not acknowledge them. This is done by planners because they want to make optimum
use of the land, as in, extract neat plots. “The planner wants a particular environment, which is linear,”
he says. And so when he encounters a natural nullah running its course he imposes a straight line on
it—its natural shape is not acknowledged. They do this so they can configure their network of roads,
and by corollary their plots. “The problem surfaces when the linear and natural collide.”
them as we wish, not acknowledge them. This is done by planners because they want to make optimum
use of the land, as in, extract neat plots. “The planner wants a particular environment, which is linear,”
he says. And so when he encounters a natural nullah running its course he imposes a straight line on
it—its natural shape is not acknowledged. They do this so they can configure their network of roads,
and by corollary their plots. “The problem surfaces when the linear and natural collide.”
Our bylaws and zoning regulations do not bother with this. “The engineer’s thinking, according to his
education, is that Man and Community, if ordered, will dance to the dugduggee’s tune like monkeys,”
says Arif Hasan. “But this is not what happens [in reality]. A discussion on management becomes
necessary and the community in that case takes over the management.” If the KMC and Sindh
government expect Manzoor Colony’s nullah to stay garbage-free, it will have to involve its people,
or in the very least, ensure their garbage is collected.
education, is that Man and Community, if ordered, will dance to the dugduggee’s tune like monkeys,”
says Arif Hasan. “But this is not what happens [in reality]. A discussion on management becomes
necessary and the community in that case takes over the management.” If the KMC and Sindh
government expect Manzoor Colony’s nullah to stay garbage-free, it will have to involve its people,
or in the very least, ensure their garbage is collected.
The filthy, the ugly and the rich
Nearly a century and a half ago, famous writer Robert Louis Stevenson, the creator of Dr Jekyll and
Mr Hyde, wrote an essay, whose title one would have gladly borrowed for writing on Karachi: On the
Enjoyment of Unpleasant Places. Stevenson opened it with an admission and a prescription: “It is a
difficult matter to make the most of any given place, and we have much in our own power. Things
looked at patiently from one side after another generally end by showing a side that is beautiful.”
Mr Hyde, wrote an essay, whose title one would have gladly borrowed for writing on Karachi: On the
Enjoyment of Unpleasant Places. Stevenson opened it with an admission and a prescription: “It is a
difficult matter to make the most of any given place, and we have much in our own power. Things
looked at patiently from one side after another generally end by showing a side that is beautiful.”
If you look patiently at Manzoor Colony, from one side of the nullah and the other, it will generally
end by showing you beautiful. Many beautifuls. Some of them were captured by Metropolitan
Commissioner Afzal Zaidi, one of the top bureaucrats tasked with implementing the university plan.
As he walked up and down the nullah while the work was underway, he photographed the teeming
animal life of this neighbourhood and posted them on Twitter. It is here that you can find blanche
egrets in neem trees, caramel puppies gambolling on the nullah’s cover, donkeys feasting on mounds
of carrot peel the colour of Hot Cheetos, kittens slipping and sliding through the plastic baggage.
end by showing you beautiful. Many beautifuls. Some of them were captured by Metropolitan
Commissioner Afzal Zaidi, one of the top bureaucrats tasked with implementing the university plan.
As he walked up and down the nullah while the work was underway, he photographed the teeming
animal life of this neighbourhood and posted them on Twitter. It is here that you can find blanche
egrets in neem trees, caramel puppies gambolling on the nullah’s cover, donkeys feasting on mounds
of carrot peel the colour of Hot Cheetos, kittens slipping and sliding through the plastic baggage.
Mehmoodabad-Manzoor Colony’s other beautifuls are spatial, for all along the shared nullah exists a
wideness which is rare in such dense built environments. It is here that you will find space for
charpoys groaning under gossipy old men and creaking merry-go-rounds laden with shrieking
children.
wideness which is rare in such dense built environments. It is here that you will find space for
charpoys groaning under gossipy old men and creaking merry-go-rounds laden with shrieking
children.
But perhaps the greatest beautiful in this place is one that cannot be seen but only felt. It is one of
potential. Consider this: There are two types of filth in Karachi, one is a removable, temporary kind
which just requires a bit of KMC elbow grease, and there is a stubborn kind which bakes into its
bone to become historic. The long running length of the Manzoor Colony nullah is marred by the
first kind of filth, the removable kind, for this neighbourhood’s only misfortune is to be located at
the receiving end of the gastrointestinal and commercial activity of richer real estate. It has
immense potential to be turned into a public space within which to play, laugh and run around,
all of which is already in ample evidence.
potential. Consider this: There are two types of filth in Karachi, one is a removable, temporary kind
which just requires a bit of KMC elbow grease, and there is a stubborn kind which bakes into its
bone to become historic. The long running length of the Manzoor Colony nullah is marred by the
first kind of filth, the removable kind, for this neighbourhood’s only misfortune is to be located at
the receiving end of the gastrointestinal and commercial activity of richer real estate. It has
immense potential to be turned into a public space within which to play, laugh and run around,
all of which is already in ample evidence.
These are small considerations that might be worth the decision-maker’s time, for at this point, the
nullah of Karachi is seeing somewhat of a remarkable resurgence in reputation and municipal
attention (operations are planned for Orangi and Gujjar as well). These attentions have arisen from
the workings of Mother Nature but were given impetus by the Supreme Court.
nullah of Karachi is seeing somewhat of a remarkable resurgence in reputation and municipal
attention (operations are planned for Orangi and Gujjar as well). These attentions have arisen from
the workings of Mother Nature but were given impetus by the Supreme Court.
The irony is that history appears to be repeating itself, for, loosely speaking the previous decade was
also one that attracted judicial comment on our urban fortunes. Only then it was for another kind of
blockage: the traffic jam. If that was the decade of asphalt solutions to the flow of traffic (flyovers,
signal-free corridors), this one might very well be of the flow of excreta (and the sewerage drain).
Both products of engineering are just as much fashioned a vehicle for movement as the other, with
the only exception that one is ulterior and the other subterranean. The tragedy is that both are equally
blighted by bureaucratic shortsightedness and stupidity.
also one that attracted judicial comment on our urban fortunes. Only then it was for another kind of
blockage: the traffic jam. If that was the decade of asphalt solutions to the flow of traffic (flyovers,
signal-free corridors), this one might very well be of the flow of excreta (and the sewerage drain).
Both products of engineering are just as much fashioned a vehicle for movement as the other, with
the only exception that one is ulterior and the other subterranean. The tragedy is that both are equally
blighted by bureaucratic shortsightedness and stupidity.
The crime then—and there are many of unpunishable ilk here—is not necessarily of the man who paid
for a 120 square yard plot in the wrong place with his sweat and bone. It could perhaps be of the one
who thought intentions alone would justify the application of power to decide the fate of entire
neighbourhoods along a 6.5km drain. Perhaps the crime is of those who expect this city to magically
function but who do not want to take the moral responsibility of knowing what happens after they
flush their toilet. A price is paid somewhere. It always is, even if you are too blind to know. And this
time, it is being paid by the man with the 120 square yard house.
for a 120 square yard plot in the wrong place with his sweat and bone. It could perhaps be of the one
who thought intentions alone would justify the application of power to decide the fate of entire
neighbourhoods along a 6.5km drain. Perhaps the crime is of those who expect this city to magically
function but who do not want to take the moral responsibility of knowing what happens after they
flush their toilet. A price is paid somewhere. It always is, even if you are too blind to know. And this
time, it is being paid by the man with the 120 square yard house.
Published in SAMAA | Mahim Maher and Sohail Khan - Jan 19, 2021
Tags:
Sewerage and Drianage