Is K-IV a pipe dream?

For two decades, Karachi residents have been waiting for the K-IV Greater Karachi Bulk Water Supply Scheme, a project conceived in 2006 to alleviate the city's chronic water shortages. Despite its long gestation, the scheme remains unfinished, leaving millions dependent on costly and often contaminated water tankers.

The K-IV project aims to supply 650 million gallons of water daily from Keenjhar Lake. Approved in 2014 after an eight-year delay, it has since been plagued by funding constraints, missed deadlines, and frequent changes in leadership. The project has seen multiple inaugurations, including by former chief minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah in June 2015, Sindh governor Dr Ishratul Ibad in 2016, and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in 2023, yet water has yet to flow.

Experts report that the project's costs have escalated dramatically, increasing almost seven-fold from an initial Rs25 billion to Rs171 billion. These costs are expected to rise further due to ongoing delays. Investigative journalists previously highlighted how design flaws, bureaucratic wrangling, and political interference have hampered the scheme since its inception.

While the project is reportedly nearing completion, the "last mile" is proving the most challenging. A common refrain in high-level meetings is "if all goes well," reflecting the uncertainty surrounding the final stages. Insiders suggest that the core elements of K-IV might be completed by the end of this year, but the project's full functionality hinges on resolving issues related to a 50 MW power supply. The latest official completion deadline is December 2028, but past performance suggests this date is not set in stone.