Pakistan’s largest city, Karachi, faces challenges in urban development according to a recent ranking by Oxford Economics. Karachi Ranked 918th out of 1,000 cities globally in the Global Cities Index.
This index assessed top cities worldwide based on 27 indicators across five key categories: Economics, Human Capital, Quality of Life, Environment, and Governance. While New York and London secured the top positions, Pakistani cities fell short.
Islamabad Ranked Highest Among Pakistani Cities
Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan, achieved a higher ranking than Karachi at 578th. Notably, Islamabad scored the highest among Pakistani cities in the Quality of Life category (772), indicating a comparatively better standard of living.
Karachi Ranked Low in Key Areas
Karachi’s low ranking stems from its performance in crucial areas. The city scored particularly low in Quality of Life (851), Environment (917), and Governance (874). Even its Human Capital score (612) fell below the average.
Lahore, another major Pakistani city, also faces development hurdles, ranking 878th in the index.
Global Cities Index Sheds Light on Urban Development
The Global Cities Index offers valuable insights into the strengths and weaknesses of various cities. London’s top ranking reflects its well-rounded performance across all categories. Dubai also impressed, securing the 6th position. Conversely, Sultanpur in India ranked lowest among the 1,000 assessed cities.
A Call to Action for Pakistani Cities
The Karachi Ranked low and the overall performance of Pakistani cities in the Global Cities Index highlight the need for improvement in urban development and governance. While Islamabad shows promise with its Quality of Life score, significant work is necessary, particularly in Karachi and Lahore.
This ranking should serve as a catalyst for policymakers and city planners in Pakistan to address these challenges and strive to elevate the living standards and global standing of their cities.
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