Karachi has been ranked 170 out of 173 cities in the Economist Intelligence Unit's Global Liveability Index, placing it below war-torn Kyiv and Tehran. The ranking underscores the city's severe deficiencies in infrastructure, stability, healthcare, and culture, despite attempts by the Sindh government to downplay the situation.
Infrastructure and Commute Woes
The city's roads are described as rocky, dug-up, and pothole-ridden, making even a simple commute a daunting task. For a city that serves as Pakistan's industrial hub and economic engine, such decay indicates a structural collapse. The ranking evaluates infrastructure alongside stability, education, healthcare, culture, and environment—most of which are either lacking or damaged in Karachi.
Stability and Healthcare Crisis
Stability in Karachi is undermined by inflation, violence, protests, crime, and negligence. Healthcare suffers from administrative corruption and the parchi system (a patronage-based referral system). Cultural degradation is attributed to political opposition. Education remains the only bright spot, with a score of 75 out of 100.
Brain Drain and Citizen Frustration
The results are unsurprising to many residents, who have already given up on the city, leading to a massive brain drain over recent decades. Those who stay demand accountability and improvement. The city, as Pakistan's largest and most populous, holds potential to transform the country's trajectory but requires proper attention and investment.
