Glass of relief in thirsty city
\nPESHAWAR
\nAs temperatures soar across Peshawar, 28-year-old Ehtisham Khan has found himself at the center of a growing crowd with stretched hands for his gur juice seeking relief of sweltering heat.
\nStanding behind his sugarcane juice cart in the bustling Hashtnagri bazaar, he works tirelessly from morning until sunset, serving thirsty customers in the walled city carrying a documented history of nearly 3,000 years.
\nFor motivated Ehtisham, the summer rush is more than a seasonal business boom rather it is a lifeline for his family in Peshawar where demands of the organic juices increased.
\nSurrounded by customers waiting for freshly prepared sugarcane juice, he pours glass after glass, selling small servings for Rs50 and large ones for Rs100.
\nThe steady stream of buyers including men and women besides elderly citizens reflects both the intensity of the weather and the increasing demand for affordable, natural beverages for better health.
\n\u201cI completed my graduation and applied for several government and private sector jobs,\u201d Ehtisham told APP. \u201cBut because of tough competition and lack of professional experience, I could not secure a suitable employment. Eventually, I decided to start this small business to support my poor father and help meet household expenses.\u201d
\nUnlike many enterprises that require substantial capital, the sugarcane juice business offered a practical alternative for youth.
\nEhtisham credits his family\u2019s foresight in storing sugarcane harvested from Charsadda last year for helping him maximize earnings during the current heatwave that kept many to remain in door.
\n\u201cPeople are buying the gur juice like hot cakes,\u201d he said with a smile, while preparing another round of glasses for waiting customers.
\nAmong the customers gathered around the cart was Faraz Khan and Riazul Haq, whom believe natural drinks are becoming increasingly attractive for residents struggling with rising living costs and deteriorating public services.
\n\u201cPeople prefer organic juices because they provide energy and are affordable,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cMany families cannot continuously buy expensive bottled drinks, and access to clean drinking water remains a challenge in several localities especially in Peshawar.\u201d
\nAccording to residents, aging water pipelines, leakages and declining groundwater levels mostly by cars washing stations have negatively impacted water quality in parts of the city.
\nIn many neighborhoods, concerns about water contamination due to pipes leakages have pushed people toward alternative sources of refreshment, mangoes, banana and gur juices during the summer months.
\nFor daily wage earners and lower-income households, a glass of sugarcane juice often costs less than commercially packaged beverages while providing immediate relief from the heat.
\nThe story of Ehtisham\u2019s thriving juice stall is also a reflection of a larger reality unfolding across Peshawar that is grappling with the pressures of rapid urbanization.
\nOnce celebrated as the city of flowers, Peshawar is increasingly struggling to accommodate a growing population drawn by opportunities in education, healthcare, employment and business, putting extra pressure on water.
\nResidents across neighborhoods including Kohati, Gunj, Hashtnagri, Faqirabad and Latifabad report mounting civic challenges, ranging from overflowing drains and leaking water pipelines to traffic congestion and shrinking public spaces.
\n\u201cThe smell from uncovered drains at Gunj, Nothia becomes unbearable during summer,\u201d said Haseeb Khan, a local resident.
\n\u201cChildren are exposed to unsafe water and poor sanitation conditions. These issues directly affect public health.\u201d
\nThe consequences of rapid urban expansion are visible throughout the city where roads remain congested during peak hours, hospitals and schools face growing pressure, and municipal services often struggle to keep pace with rising demand.
\nShafiq Khan, a resident of Hayatabad, said thousands of people continue to move to the provincial capital from other districts in search of improved educational and economic opportunities, putting water resources under stress especially at Hayatabad.
\n\u201cWe came here for our children\u2019s future,\u201d he explained. \u201cBut as the population increases every year with over two percent growth rate in KP, basic facilities are becoming more limited and public resources such as water are under increasing pressure.\u201d
\nExperts warned that unplanned housing developments on agricultural land surrounding the city are further complicating urban management. Many newly developed settlements lack proper sewerage systems, waste disposal facilities, road infrastructure and reliable water supplies.
\nProfessor Dr. Naveed Khan at the University of Mardan said unmanaged urbanization has placed enormous strain on public infrastructure and water resources especially in big cities like Peshawar and Mardan.
\n\u201cUrban migration to Peshawar has accelerated significantly over the years after water around River Kabul becomes unhealthy following repeated floods,\u201d he said.
\n\u201cThe city is expanding faster than the institutions responsible for managing it,\u201d he said, warning that without stronger urban planning, investment in infrastructure and effective governance, the burden on housing, healthcare, education and sanitation services will continue to intensify.
\nDr. Nvaeed said that Pakistan\u2019s urban population is projected to grow substantially over the next 15 years, creating demand for thousands of gallons water and additional housing units besides new hospitals and large-scale infrastructure development.
\nBeyond infrastructure challenges, environmental degradation is becoming increasingly visible in Peshawar where air pollution can be seen with naked eye.
\nAt Jinnah Park and other parts of the city, residents complained about worsening air quality caused by growing traffic volumes, industrial emissions and the loss of green spaces.
\nUrban expansion, experts said, has reduced natural buffers against pollution while increasing the city\u2019s vulnerability to climate-related stresses such as heat strokes.
\nPolitical leaders and residents alike have voiced deep concerns about traffic management, drainage systems and access to clean drinking water. Some continue to criticize aspects of the city\u2019s transport infrastructure, including congestion around major corridors.
\nOfficials maintain that efforts are underway to address many of the city\u2019s challenges especially water scarcity.
\nWater and Sanitation Services Peshawar (WSSP) officials said rapid population growth and unplanned construction have stretched municipal resources but emphasized that development projects are being implemented to improve conditions.
\nUnder various municipal initiatives, authorities have replaced aging water pipelines, rehabilitated drainage networks and expanded solid waste management services in different parts of the city.
\nThese positive measures have improved access to clean drinking water and sanitation services for nearly two million residents, they claimed.
\nAfforestation campaigns have also been launched in Peshawar and Malakand to help combat air pollution and mitigate the impacts of climate change.
\nThey said water from Mohmand dam to Peshawar will be brought after completion of the mega project.
\nAs the sun begins to set over Hashtnagri Bazaar, Ehtisham Khan continues serving customers eager for a refreshing drink after a long, hot day.
\nHis success story illustrates the resilience and determination of many young Pakistanis who create opportunities despite limited employment prospects.
\nHowever, the challenges faced by his customers ranging from water shortages and pollution to overcrowded infrastructure highlight the broader pressures confronting one of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa\u2019s fastest-growing cities.
\nFor residents of Peshawar, the struggle is not merely about coping with summer heat rather about securing clean water, reliable services, healthier living conditions and sustainable urban development.
\nAs the walled city continues to expand, experts warned that balancing growth with planning will determine whether future generations inherit a more livable metropolis or a city increasingly burdened by the costs of unmanaged urbanization that increases dwellers\u2019 problems.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Glass of relief in thirsty city PESHAWAR As temperatures soar across Peshawar, 28-year-old Ehtisham Khan has found himself at the center of a growing crowd with stretched hands for his gur juice seeking relief of sweltering heat. Standing behind his sugarcane juice cart in the bustling Hashtnagri bazaar, he works tirelessly from morning until sunset, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-552742","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","category-peshawar"],"yoast_head":"\n