A key road from Malir Cantt to Malir Halt crumbles into a treacherous stretch of potholes and sewage, turning daily commutes into tests of endurance. EXPRESS Photo
LAHORE:
A research study by the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) found significant inequality in access to safe drinking water and sanitation across Lahore, disproportionately affecting low-income and marginalized groups.
The report, titled “Urban exclusion in access to water and sanitation in Lahore”, highlights that the city’s population of around 13 million inhabitants has an obsolete water infrastructure and a poor drainage system. Seasonal flooding during the monsoon has become routine, further exposing gaps in service delivery.
The study was conducted by Dr. Imdad Hussain, a public policy specialist. It states that bureaucratic inefficiencies, outdated regulatory frameworks and limited citizen participation have aggravated long-standing structural problems. Rapid urban expansion, uncoordinated planning and the growing impact of climate change have further limited access to drinking water and sanitation.
According to the report, residents of informal settlements and low-income neighborhoods face the greatest obstacles.
Women, transgender people, children and people with disabilities are identified as particularly vulnerable due to inadequate and non-inclusive healthcare facilities.
The HRCP has called for equitable and participatory urban water governance, urging authorities to recognize water and sanitation as fundamental human rights.
Recommends legislation to align national legislation with Pakistan’s international commitments on the right to water and sanitation.
The report calls for prioritizing low-income and informal settlements, ensuring that access to services is not linked to land ownership. It recommends the provision of fully accessible and gender-inclusive public toilets, along with enforceable legal protections for transgender people and people with disabilities.
Among other measures, the study proposes the introduction of water meters to rationalize its use and reduce waste.
It also urges authorities to end dangerous manual sewer entry and enforce strict occupational health and safety standards to protect healthcare workers.
The commission has further recommended the establishment of community complaints mechanisms to quickly address local water and sanitation issues. It requires institutionalized climate preparedness, including early warning systems.
