Karachi: In a decisive move to curb widespread water theft and enhance long-term water governance, the Karachi Water & Sewerage Corporation (KWSC) has approved a policy to seize properties involved in illegal water connections.
The decision was made during a meeting of KWSC’s board of directors held on Saturday, where top officials reviewed the city’s growing water supply challenges and the financial losses stemming from unauthorized consumption.
According to officials, the corporation will now take legal action, including confiscation of properties and assets, against individuals and businesses found guilty of large-scale water theft. The policy marks a shift toward stricter enforcement to protect the city’s already strained water infrastructure.
“This is about accountability,” a KWSC spokesperson stated. “We cannot allow illegal connections to drain public resources while law-abiding citizens suffer from shortages.”
The board also discussed long-term reforms aimed at modernizing Karachi’s water distribution system, reducing leakage, and increasing revenue through improved metering and billing mechanisms. Efforts will be made to digitize supply monitoring and improve coordination with law enforcement during future crackdowns.
Water theft—particularly through illegal hydrants and tampered pipelines—has cost the city billions of rupees annually, further burdening an already overtaxed utility system serving over 20 million residents.
Authorities hope the property seizure initiative will act as a strong deterrent and signal a new era of transparency and compliance in the city’s water management.
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