KP’s Urban Crisis: Rising Population, Shrinking Resources
Fakhar-e-Alam
Peshawar: As Pakistan’s population surpasses the 250 million mark, the demographic pressure on urban centers, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), has intensified.
Rapid urbanization, coupled with poverty and unemployment, has created a complex web of challenges for urban infrastructure, exacerbating the burden on essential services.
With an increasing influx of migrants flocking to cities in search of better opportunities, urban services in KP are under severe stress.
Housing shortages, inadequate educational and healthcare facilities, a lack of clean drinking water, and inefficient transportation have become pressing concerns, especially in major cities like Peshawar.
The proliferation of unplanned housing societies on agricultural land has further complicated the situation, pushing demand for jobs and essential services to unsustainable levels.
Unchecked urban expansion is not merely a logistical concern but also poses a serious threat to social and economic stability.
As poverty levels rise and essential services become overstretched, the region faces mounting food security challenges. A walk through Peshawar’s inner-city areas such as Kohati, Gunj, Khalasa, Hazarkhwani, Lateefabad, and Faqirabad reveals a grim picture—contaminated water, clogged drainage channels, and uncollected waste contribute to an alarming public health crisis.
“Leakage of stinky sewerage water from pipes and uncovered drainage channels exposes residents to various ailments,” lamented Suliman, a resident of Gunj, Peshawar.
“Historic sites like Wazir Bagh and other Mughal-era gardens have been marred by waste and encroachments, while traffic congestion has further deteriorated air quality.”
Despite government efforts to tackle urban sanitation and population growth issues, much remains to be done. Safe drinking water provision and replacement of leaking water pipes are critical to mitigating health hazards such as hepatitis, polio, and cholera.
Unplanned Growth Chaos
Dr Zilakat Malik of the University of Peshawar underscores the severe strain on basic amenities like housing, schools, hospitals, and sanitation due to rapid urban migration.
“Between 1951 and 2017, Pakistan’s urban population has grown exponentially, with nearly 750,000 people migrating to cities annually. This surge has placed immense pressure on socioeconomic services,” he explained.
“In the next 15 years, approximately 55 percent of Pakistan’s population will shift to urban areas, further burdening housing, infrastructure, and essential services. KP alone requires an additional 2.5 million housing units, with demand projected to rise by 1.1 million new units annually over the next 14 years,” he added.
Ikhtair Wali Khan, Coordinator for the Prime Minister on KP Affairs, has also voiced concerns about the environmental impact of rapid urbanization in Peshawar.
“Air pollution is visible to the naked eye from Jinnah Park due to the destruction of green belts for the ill-planned Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project and the continued operation of brick kilns and marble units on the city’s peripheries,” he said.
“The BRT corridor has worsened traffic congestion, leaving motorists stuck on roads during Iftar. The city’s shopping malls lack adequate parking, while the influx of beggars, scarcity of basic amenities, and an inadequate drainage system have left citizens frustrated,” he added.
Criticizing the previous government, he noted, “The PTI government failed to fulfill its promises of a uniform education system, constructing five million houses, and building 350 mini-dams in KP.”
Civic Neglect Worsens Sanitation
Hassan Khan, spokesperson for the Water and Sanitation Services Company (WSSC), highlighted that sanitation services, particularly in informal settlements, are severely affected due to the unregulated construction of large buildings and infrastructure.
“We are expected to shoulder the responsibility alone, but keeping cities clean is a shared duty of civic bodies and residents. Blaming us for systemic failures is unjust,” he remarked.
He pointed out that the 12-year Municipal Services Program, funded with USD 44.6 million through USAID, has significantly improved Peshawar’s sanitation infrastructure.
“Through this initiative, we have established 140 clean drinking water facilities benefiting 448,000 people, replaced 25,700 meters of old and rusted water mains across 21 union councils, and rehabilitated sewerage and drainage systems to serve 1.7 million residents.
Additionally, waste management services have been improved with 575 specialized vehicles and a dedicated maintenance workshop,” he elaborated.
Forests Combat Urban Smog
Junaid Diyar, Project Director of the 10 Billion Tree Tsunami program, emphasized urban forestry as a solution to combat air pollution in Peshawar and Malakand.
“Around 2.4 million saplings have been planted on 2,300 hectares in Agara, Malakand, and 3.2 million plants in Ghari Chandan, Peshawar,” he stated.
Experts stress the urgent need for structural reforms in urban planning and governance. Institutions must receive technical, legal, and regulatory support to ensure sustainable urban development.
Strict enforcement of laws is necessary to curb the negative effects of urbanization.
Moreover, politicians, media, and religious scholars play a crucial role in shaping public awareness.
Their active involvement in resource conservation efforts and civic education is essential to mitigate the consequences of rapid urbanization and ensure a livable future for KP’s growing urban population.
The feature report was released by APP on March 23, 2025.
Disclaimer: The information and statistics presented in this report are solely the responsibility of the reporting organization.
