An important thoroughfare from Malir Cantt to Malir Halt crumbles into a treacherous stretch of potholes and sewage that make daily commutes trials of endurance. Photo EXPRESS
LAHORE:
A study by the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has found significant inequality in access to clean water and sanitation across Lahore, with low-income and marginalized groups disproportionately affected.
The report, titled “Urban Exclusion in Access to Water and Sanitation in Lahore,” highlights that the city’s population of around 13 million is served by antiquated water infrastructure and a failing drainage system. Seasonal flooding during the monsoon has become routine, further exposing gaps in service delivery.
The study was carried out by specialist in public policy, Dr. Imdad Hussain. It states that bureaucratic inefficiencies, outdated legislative frameworks and limited citizen participation have exacerbated long-standing structural problems. Rapid urban expansion, uncoordinated planning and the growing impact of climate change have further strained access to clean water and sanitation.
According to the report, residents of informal settlements and low-income neighborhoods face the greatest barriers.
Women, transgender people, children and people with disabilities are identified as particularly vulnerable due to inadequate and non-inclusive sanitation facilities.
The HRCP has called for equitable and participatory urban water management and called on the authorities to recognize water and sanitation as basic human rights.
It recommends legislation to align national legislation with Pakistan’s international obligations on the right to water and sanitation.
The report calls for prioritizing informal settlements and low-income settlements to ensure that access to services is not linked to land ownership. It recommends that gender-inclusive and fully accessible public toilets be made available, along with enforceable legal protections for transgender people and people with disabilities.
Among other things, the study proposes the introduction of water metering to rationalize use and reduce waste.
It also urges authorities to stop dangerous manual entry of sewage and enforce strict occupational health and safety standards to protect sanitation workers.
The commission has also recommended the establishment of local community-based grievance mechanisms to resolve local water and sanitation problems promptly. It calls for institutionalized climate preparedness, including early warning systems.
