Perpetual drought and severe water shortage has increased the miseries of people living in several areas of Karachi. Water shortage has helped creating a strong mafia of tanker operators who are minting money by supplying water. Water tankers in Karachi are high in demand, catering to thousands of people, hundreds of industrial units, hotels, service stations, and commercial ventures. It is observed that in Karachi, in addition, there are hundreds of tank-mounted vans and donkey carts supplying millions of gallons of water across the city to domestic users, industrial units, hotels and other businesses where water is required in abundance.
Many areas of Defense, Lyari, Gulistan-e-Johar, Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Landhi, Sohrab Goth, Bhitaiabad, Burns Road, Ibrahim Hyderi, Maripur and slum localities have been facing water shortage since long time but the relevant authorities are seen disinterested to initiate more water provision projects.