ndroon Multan, once the thriving heart of the city, now faces a severe drinking water crisis, leaving its residents struggling for access to clean water. A lack of government action and the contamination of underground sources have led to a dangerous situation, particularly affecting the health of the families residing in the area.

The historic heart of the city is known for its rich architecture, deeply rooted traditions and centuries-old history. The narrow streets and gates of Multan tell the story of a time when it was lit with life. Today, Androon Multan, like many other areas across Pakistan, has become an example of how even beautiful stories hide a painful reality. The vibrant heart of the city is now battling a crisis that has been ignored for years and threatens the health and future of its residents.

Sabun Wali Gali, in Haram Gate Multan, is evidence of how neglected areas of Pakistan’s cities have suffered when it comes to access to basic resources like clean water. The residents of Sabun Wali Gali feel abandoned.

“When my ancestors settled here after the Partition, the conditions were very different. Water was abundant and life was much easier,” says Farhat Imran, a resident of this area. Today, things have changed drastically. “Now, we have completely lost hope of having access to clean drinking water,” she says.

What was once a fundamental part of everyday life has now become a luxury for the residents of Sabun Wali Gali. Farhat, like many other residents, has been forced to rely on private water suppliers, paying for something that should be a basic right. “Water is a gift from God. Everyone should have access to it without having to pay for it. But here, we are forced to spend money on something that is essential for life,” she adds with frustration.

Multan, a city with a population of over 5.4 million, is currently facing an extreme water crisis. Underground water, which once served as a reliable and safe source, is now heavily contaminated with arsenic. According to the 2021 report by the Pakistan Council of Research in Water Resources on drinking water, the city of Multan has not shown any improvement in water quality: in 2015, 19 percent of the water was safe to drink; in 2020, the fraction had dwindled to 6 percent with bacteriological contamination being reported in 69 percent samples and arsenic contamination in 63 percent. Despite the alarming facts, the residents of Sabun Wali Gali have no choice but to continue using this water.

“I’ve complained several times but nothing has been done to fix the water pipes. The lack of action from authorities has only made our lives difficult,” says Farhat.

Adding to the misery of the people in Sabun Wali Gali is the collapse of the city’s sewage system. The network, which spans over 2,100 kilometres, is in a state of disrepair, with approximately 1,200 kilometres of pipes leaking. As a result, untreated sewage leaks into the ground, contaminating the scarce clean water supply.

The effects of the water crisis are particularly evident in the health of the children in Sabun Wali Gali. Muhammad Arif, another long-time resident, is deeply concerned for his children. “My daughter has been sick for five days. This is a regular occurrence at our home,” he says. “Every month, at least one of my children gets sick. We never know if the water we drink is clean or contaminated. This is affecting the health of my children.”

Arif says that the lack of a reliable water supply is taking a toll on the entire family. “Sometimes, we get line water but other times, it’s missing for days. We never know what to expect. When we do get it, it’s often dirty, making our situation even worse.” The uncertainty of where their water will come from has left many families like Arif’s in constant fear for their children’s health.

In Pakistan, waterborne diseases affect a significant portion of the population. Estimates suggest that around 2.5 million people die annually from diarrhoeal diseases. 80 percent of all diseases and 33 percent of deaths are attributed to waterborne illnesses.

The situation in Sabun Wali Gali reflects a broader issue affecting many inner-city areas across Pakistan. Neglecting these areas, home to the most marginalised and vulnerable populations, has resulted in a collapse of essential services, including water supply and sanitation.

“We just want clean water,” says Mujeeb-ur Rehman, a resident of the area. “It shouldn’t be too difficult. Water is life; if we don’t have it, what kind of life are we living?” Mujeeb’s words reflect the frustration of many others who feel that their cries for help have gone unheard.

Ali Imran, the Environment Protection Department, Multan’s deputy director, says that the department has charged the Water and Sanitation Agency in several cases. However, the worsening conditions in inner-city areas indicate a lack of effective intervention. “While the Metropolitan Corporation has installed water filtration plants at some locations, poor maintenance has rendered many of those ineffective. As a result, both the common man and the environment are suffering,” he says.

This reporter reached out to WASA officials multiple times but no response was received till the filing of this report.

The writer is a freelance multimedia journalist in Multan