Multan’s Outskirts Drowning in Neglect as Sewers Fail

APP

Multan: As Multan’s cityscape continues to expand at a rapid pace, residents in peripheral neighborhoods are grappling with a growing crisis of basic civic services, including sewerage, road infrastructure, and urban planning.

Localities along Nawabpur Road, Budhla Road, and Shujabad Road have emerged as flashpoints for public frustration over what citizens describe as prolonged official neglect.

Over the past few years, population growth has pushed residential development toward the city’s outskirts. While some settlements were laid out with urban planning in mind, many others have sprouted haphazardly, leaving residents without proper drainage systems, functional sewerage, or even basic road access.“Despite paying taxes and utility charges, we are deprived of essential civic facilities,” said Salman Asim, a resident of Nawabpur Road. “The government’s focus remains limited to central urban areas, while the outskirts are completely ignored.”

Residents report that even where sewerage lines were technically installed by developers, there is no functioning disposal system beyond the pipes.

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Wastewater often overflows onto streets and residential lanes, creating unhygienic conditions and posing serious health risks. “In some areas, even basic manhole covers are missing, turning open gutters into a constant danger for pedestrians and children,” added Danish, another local.

Poorly maintained roads in these neighborhoods compound the problem, making commuting difficult and restricting access for emergency and sanitation services. Stagnant wastewater has become a breeding ground for mosquitoes, raising the risk of diseases such as dengue and malaria.Malik Javed, another resident, warned, “If timely action is not taken, these areas could become major public health crises.” Citizens are now urging the Punjab government and relevant municipal authorities to implement a comprehensive development plan targeting the city’s peripheral zones.

Residents called for immediate attention to functional sewerage systems, proper drainage, durable roads, and long-term urban planning. They emphasized that the city’s growth is an ongoing reality that cannot be ignored, and that balanced development is essential for the sustainability of Multan’s expanding neighborhoods.

“The city cannot be allowed to grow only in the center while the outskirts suffer,” said Salman Asim. “Special development funds must be allocated, and civic facilities extended to all areas equally. Otherwise, the neglected peripheries will face environmental and health disasters in the near future.”

With Multan’s boundaries expanding faster than municipal services can keep up, residents warn that without immediate intervention, the outskirts may become ground zero for a civic and public health crisis.