A snapshot of young lives in Karachi’s slums

Article Type

Article

Description

The article presents a field-based account of the challenges faced by residents, particularly young people, in Karachi’s informal settlements such as Rehri Goth and Azam Basti. The IBA-UNDP urban resilience project highlights inadequate sanitation, poor roads, unreliable transport, limited healthcare, weak educational opportunities, and scarce employment options. Young people are especially vulnerable to drug abuse because of poverty, frustration, limited opportunities, and the easy availability of drugs. These problems create a vicious cycle in which addiction contributes to poor education, health problems, low productivity, and continued poverty. The article recommends developing parks, community centres, sports facilities, vocational training, and employment opportunities to engage youth constructively. It also emphasises community participation in development projects to create local ownership and ensure long-term sustainability. The author ultimately calls for a more inclusive and resilient Karachi where residents of informal settlements have equal access to services, opportunities, and a better quality of life.

Publication Source

THE EXPRESS TRIBUNE - T-Magazine

Publication Date

5-30-2022

Pages

14

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