s the third-largest city of the country and an industrial hub, Faisalabad has a key role in boosting exports and attracting foreign direct investment, especially with the establishment of the country’s largest economic zone under the China Pakistan Economic Corridor. However, years of neglect, political unrest and a lack of community ownership have left some of the city’s core issues unresolved.

These persistent problems not only affect the quality of life for residents but also hinder its development. The absence of a functional local government system has left the city’s governance entirely to the bureaucracy, resulting in superficial measures with minimal citizen engagement to ensure transparency.

As 2024 draws to an end, TNS has reached out to Faisalabad’s residents to understand their experiences over the past year, the challenges they faced and their hopes for 2025. Here are some key insights from the citizens.

Sadia Batool, a student at the University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, identified lack of a public transport system as a major issue in 2024. “Faisalabad has had no public transport system for decades. This has resulted in significant challenges, especially for women and students,” she said.

Sadia expressed hope that 2025 would bring an affordable and reliable public transport system. “As Punjab’s first female chief minister, Maryam Nawaz must prioritise resolving mobility issues for women,” she said.

In 2023, the Punjab government had announced plans to launch a public transport system with 100 environmental-friendly electric buses to be inducted by 2024. However, the launch has been delayed until August 14, 2025 and the fleet has been curtailed to 86 buses.

Muhammad Shehzad, a student of history at Government College University, Faisalabad, complained about the deterioration of the city’s cultural heritage. “In December 2023, a mentally challenged individual damaged the historic Clock Tower. Its restoration has not started so far,” he said.

He also pointed out delays in the restoration of several historic buildings under the Dilkash Lyallpur project, initiated years ago. “The iconic Gumti and gateway in Rail Bazaar, restored earlier, have been again encroached upon. No proper system is in place for their maintenance or protection,” he added.

Muhammad also expressed disappointment over the inactivity of the Lyallpur Heritage Council, which was established a decade ago to safeguard the city’s cultural assets.

“We, the citizens, must take responsibility for preserving our city’s historic landmarks. Bureaucrats, who serve here for a limited tenure, may not have the same concern for the city’s history or the damage caused by unchecked encroachments,” he said.

According to Advocate Maria Rustam, a member of the District Bar, there has been much gender-based violence during the year. This has included the so-called ‘honour’ killings, child abuse, assault and murder.

“This indicates an urgent need for focused efforts to curb such crimes. Faisalabad has consistently reported the highest rates of these offences in the Punjab in recent years,” she said.

Maria Rustam also highlighted the rising number of complaints related to the Revenue Department.

“If the government is serious about ensuring justice at the grassroots level, it must hold the Revenue Department accountable and address the widespread corruption involving patwaris and land record staff, which continues to affect ordinary citizens negatively.”

While expressing little hope for revolutionary changes or improvements in the justice system in 2025, she advised citizens to enhance their legal awareness to better protect their rights.

Hafiz Muhammad Nouman Ijaz, a businessman actively involved in social work, shared another perspective. “Everyone hopes that the future will be better than the past. With time, it should become evident that what we’ve left behind was the best we had.”

He lamented the slow progress in providing basic amenities and developing infrastructure in Faisalabad, despite being a major industrial city. “The issue of access to clean drinking water is worsening by the day. While the wealthy can afford to purchase water, it remains out of reach for the underprivileged.”

Ijaz also raised concerns about the adverse effects of air pollution and smog, which not only exacerbate health problems but also disrupt business activities.

“To combat air pollution, the city needs more trees, but scarce resources are being allocated to other initiatives. I hope that the coming year sees a genuine focus on resolving these fundamental issues through concrete measures,” he said.

Muhammad Altaf, a retired school teacher and resident of Chiniot Bazaar, expressed his frustration with the local administration. “In 2024, they failed to address long-standing issues related to parking, encroachments and traffic management in the city,” he said.

He criticised the lack of proper parking facilities in the eight bazaars surrounding the historical Clock Tower. “The parking company has set up stands on the streets, leading to constant traffic congestion. Meanwhile, shopkeepers have encroached on sidewalks and roads, leaving no space for pedestrians,” he complained.

Altaf said he saw little hope for improvement in 2025, blaming corruption and poor governance for the city’s deteriorating state. “Being one of Faisalabad’s oldest areas, this region deserves special attention, but it suffers the most neglect even though government offices are only a short distance away,” he said.

He said that an active local government system could resolve many of these issues at the grassroots level, as access to lawmakers and bureaucrats remains limited for ordinary citizens.

“If local governance were functional, many problems could be resolved without the need to see officials and lawmakers, who seem indifferent to the public’s challenges,” he stated.

Muhammad Shafiq, a resident of People’s Colony, remarked that weather-wise 2024 had been relatively favourable for Faisalabad. He said the city had received more rain compared to previous years. However, due to the inefficiency of the district administration and the WASA, the rainfall had resulted in inconvenience for many citizens. Rainwater had stagnated on roads for several days, causing significant inconvenience.

“The city’s groundwater has long been rendered unfit for drinking due to contamination by industrial waste. Rainwater must be used to recharge the groundwater,” he said.

Shafiq lambasted the WASA for neglecting this crucial issue, pointing out that parks and other locations across the city could be used to dig recharge wells for rainwater. He emphasised that in 2025, citizens must play a more active role, pressuring the government to address this pressing concern.

Tajammul Waheed, a resident of the Christian Colony in Jaranwala, said his home had been looted and set ablaze during the riots that erupted following allegations of blasphemy on August 16, 2023.

He said he had been living in rented houses, as the financial aid promised by the government had not materialised. A daily-wage sanitation worker, he said, he had been unable to repair and rebuild his home on his own.

He said he had decided recently to move back into the damaged house to save on the rent he could no longer afford.

He said that dozens of other victims of the Jaranwala riots were still waiting for the promised financial assistance. Despite his struggles, he expressed hope that the New Year would bring the fulfillment of the government’s commitment, allowing him to finally start restoring and repairing his home.

Shamshad Ali, a resident of Ghulam Muhammadabad, has been a power loom worker since the age of 14. He said that 2024 had brought severe financial difficulties due to rising inflation.

“There is almost no compliance with the minimum wage law. Power looms are shutting down at an alarming rate, leaving workers with limited options,” he said. Shamshad urged the government to strictly enforce the minimum wage law, improve workplace safety measures, and ensure the protection of labour rights.

Muhammad Zeeshan, export manager at a textile mill, noted that while 2024 saw some improvement in textile exports compared to the previous year, his salary remained stagnant.

“Jobs are scarce. Despite the financial gains from increased exports, mill owners are unwilling to raise employees’ wages. Anyone who raises their voice risks losing their job,” he said. Zeeshan called for the government and international labour organisations to address the challenges faced by workers.

Looking ahead to 2025, Zeeshan expressed optimism about the continued growth of textile exports, which could potentially lead to fairer compensation for employees. “The significant reduction in interest rates, stabilisation of the Pakistani currency against the dollar and declining global inflation have brightened prospects for the textile industry. This could foster competition in the market, leading to more jobs and better wages,” he added.

Ahmed Ali, a research associate affiliated with AWAM, a local NGO, said the year 2024 had been better in every way than 2023.

“This year, we worked extensively with students to promote religious harmony, social interaction and inclusivity. Students from the UAF and the GCUF, in particular, conducted substantial research on interfaith harmony and composite heritage, significantly more than in 2023,” he said.

He said students of international relations and social sciences were actively engaging in such activities, understanding the importance and relevance of these topics.

“From the perspective of challenges, the less educated or illiterate youth seem largely unconcerned about such issues, which leads to a growing lack of tolerance among them. Unfortunately, they often remain unaware of this,” Ahmed Ali remarked.

“Regarding public transport in Faisalabad, it is essential to align the proposed Metro Bus route with two major educational institutions, the University of Agricultural and the GC University and connect it to the city’s technology hubs, such as D-Ground and Kohinoor City. A large number of students travel between these points,” he added.

Sonia Patras, a human rights defender, described 2024 as a year of mixed gains and challenges, particularly for minorities and marginalised communities in Faisalabad. The societal and political climate had often felt uncertain, amplifying difficulties for minority women like herself.

The year highlighted the devastating impact of climate change on vulnerable workers in Faisalabad. Extreme weather events, such as heat waves and erratic rains, disrupted the livelihoods of women home-based workers, sanitary workers and sewer men.

Sonia expressed disappointment with the government’s economic and social policies. She said commodity prices and utility bills remained high, straining household budgets and failing to meet public expectations. She said the government’s decision to privatise schools threatened to widen the educational divide. Sonia said that education was a cornerstone of empowerment, especially for minorities and women. She said privatisation of schools risked excluding the already underserved communities.

“The rise in hate speech against minorities and women was another alarming trend. Such divisive rhetoric deepened societal divisions, fostering fear and alienation among marginalised groups,” she said. Despite these challenges, Sonia cherished her participation in the democratic process.

Looking ahead to 2025, Sonia hoped for tangible change addressing climate change, economic instability, educational inequities and rising intolerance. She urged authorities to prioritise robust climate adaptation strategies, modernise urban infrastructure and support vulnerable workers. She said economic relief must focus on reducing inequality and improving living standards.

She said combating hate speech and fostering inclusivity were critical to creating a fairer, more harmonious society. Sonia envisions a future where governance prioritises equality, justice and the well-being of all citizens, paving the way for a brighter and more equitable Faisalabad.

The voices of Faisalabad’s residents paint a vivid picture of a city grappling with a range of persistent challenges, from poor public transport and heritage neglect to environmental degradation and economic hardships. Amidst the frustrations and disappointments of 2024, the hope for a brighter future shines bright. Citizens are calling for greater accountability, stronger governance and meaningful reforms to address their concerns.

The writer has been associated with journalism for the past decade. He tweets @naeemahmad876