Cohabitation and Challenges Between Musharraf Colony and 500 Quarters
Musharraf Colony, a community situated near Hawksbay in Keamari Town, Karachi, is a settlement that originated as a result of urban displacement. Its creation dates back to the early 2000s, during the construction of the Lyari Expressway—a major urban infrastructure project that necessitated the relocation of thousands of residents from Karachi's central neighbourhoods. These displaced families were moved to Musharraf Colony, an area previously characterized by sparse development and limited resources. Over the years, Musharraf Colony evolved into a bustling community, home to individuals striving for stability and better opportunities despite facing infrastructural and economic challenges.
Key community figures in Musharraf Colony have included local leaders like Malik Fazal Elahi, a former Union Council Chairman, known for addressing civic issues and guiding the community through periods of difficulty. Social workers such as Banaras Khan have played an instrumental role in supporting community development initiatives, while educators like Zarqa have worked to bolster educational access amid scarce resources. The contributions of these leaders reflect the ongoing efforts within Musharraf Colony to build a cohesive society in the face of adversity.
The adjacent settlement known as 500 Quarters in Block 5, Sector 5 of Hawkesbay’s Mauripur Town, emerged under different yet interconnected circumstances. Established by the Sindh Government as a temporary relief site, 500 Quarters was originally constructed in response to the 2010 Super Floods in Sindh. This natural disaster devastated large parts of rural Sindh, displacing countless families from regions such as Jacobabad, Dadu, Shahdadkot, and Qambar. Initially referred to as Tent City in various media reports, 500 Quarters was composed of 500 tents designed to provide emergency shelter to those who lost their homes. As floodwaters receded and recovery efforts shifted focus, the residents of 500 Quarters began to transition from temporary shelters to more permanent, albeit makeshift, housing.
The community at 500 Quarters represents a population that has navigated multiple waves of displacement. Over time, the makeshift structures evolved into a combination of straw, bamboo, keekar wood, panaflex printing material, and repurposed clothing, showcasing the resourcefulness of its residents. However, the population continues to face socio-economic challenges and limited access to basic services. Most residents, formerly dependent on farming in their native districts, have adapted to new livelihoods, primarily as daily wage labourers in nearby industrial areas and factories. Despite the adaptation, the average monthly income for these residents remains low, at approximately 12,000 PKR (39 USD).
The relationship between Musharraf Colony and the residents of 500 Quarters has been shaped by shared struggles and limited resources. The 2010 floods that initiated the formation of 500 Quarters were not the last such event; subsequent climate events, most notably the severe 2022 floods, further exacerbated the pressures on Karachi's peripheral communities. Musharraf Colony found itself not only dealing with its own limited infrastructure but also hosting newly displaced families during times of crisis. Temporary measures, such as converting schools led by educators like Zarqa into shelters, were taken to provide relief. However, these efforts impacted the continuity of educational programs and further strained already scarce resources.
The water crisis is one of the most pressing issues faced by both Musharraf Colony and 500 Quarters. The settlements, located approximately 20-24 km from Karachi’s city centre, have limited access to potable water. Residents in 500 Quarters rely heavily on water tanks within the settlement, a responsibility that often falls on children and women, adding to their daily workload. Initiatives to improve water access, such as the installation of an RO plant in Musharraf Colony, have been vital. The RO plant allows for an hour of water distribution each day, which, while helpful, is not sufficient to meet the full needs of both communities.
Electricity access in 500 Quarters remains limited and inconsistent. The residents have established makeshift electrical connections through self-help methods, leading to low voltage and limited appliance use. These conditions contrast with Musharraf Colony’s relatively better, though still strained, infrastructure. Cooking fuel in 500 Quarters relies on wood as the main source, as the community lacks state-provided gas connections. These resource-related limitations highlight the persistent challenges of cohabitation between host communities like Musharraf Colony and the climate-displaced residents of 500 Quarters.
Healthcare access in both settlements presents significant obstacles. With limited local facilities, residents of 500 Quarters often need to travel long distances—up to 17 kilometres—to reach government hospitals in Karachi. This travel, combined with the reliance on private clinics for immediate medical needs, adds a financial burden on families already struggling to make ends meet. The healthcare challenges are compounded by the living conditions within the settlements, where makeshift homes are more susceptible to health risks.
Educational access is similarly constrained. While 500 Quarters has a tent school, only a small number of children, estimated at 20-25, are enrolled. Many families face difficult choices, balancing the need for their children to collect water or contribute to household income against the opportunity for education. In contrast, Musharraf Colony has made gradual improvements in educational facilities, spearheaded by committed individuals like Zarqa. It has dedicated educational facilities provided by the Government, including Primary Schools and High Schools which housed the climate displaced community after the 2010, 2013, and 2022 floods in Sindh. However, these improvements are fragile and can be disrupted by new waves of displacement or economic downturns.
Despite these challenges, both communities have demonstrated resilience. The residents of 500 Quarters, many of whom have transferred their electoral votes from their native regions in rural Sindh to Karachi, show a commitment to establishing themselves as part of the urban fabric. The small prayer areas, including mosques and madrasahs, provide spaces for religious and communal gatherings, contributing to a sense of identity and social cohesion.
Musharraf Colony and 500 Quarters illustrate the complex dynamics of urban settlements grappling with the pressures of displacement, limited resources, and climate impacts. While these communities continue to navigate significant challenges, they do so with an underlying determination to build stability amidst adversity. The cohabitation between a long-established urban settlement like Musharraf Colony and a climate-displaced community such as 500 Quarters underscores the need for holistic urban policies that address the root causes of displacement, enhance resource management, and improve infrastructure to support sustainable co-living environments.