Veteran Pakistani actress Bushra Ansari has expressed her frustration and envy over the stark contrast between Punjab’s development and Karachi’s deteriorating condition. “Punjab mein jo kuch acha ho raha hai mein dekh kar jal rahi hoon, Karachi mein kyun nahi ho raha” (I feel jealous seeing the good things happening in Punjab, why isn’t this happening in Karachi), she remarked, voicing the concerns of millions of Karachiites.
In a recent heartfelt Instagram video, Ansari criticized the city’s crumbling infrastructure, mismanaged traffic, piling garbage, and failing law and order, questioning why authorities have neglected a city that sustains millions. Her comparison with Punjab’s visible development initiatives, including road improvements, public transport projects, and infrastructure upgrades, highlighted the growing disparity between Pakistan’s provinces.
“For the past 30 to 40 years, we have been hearing that no one is paying attention to Karachi,” Ansari said, referencing the city’s decline from a thriving post-Partition hub to a place plagued by infrastructure collapse and systemic neglect. While Punjab, particularly Lahore, has seen significant investments in metro services, orange line trains, and road networks, Karachi continues to struggle with basic civic amenities.
Ansari expressed exhaustion watching Karachi fall apart after decades of neglect, recalling a cleaner, welcoming city and asking why those in power never fix the metropolis that sustains millions yet receives almost nothing in return. Her “jealousy” is not mere envy but a desperate plea for equal treatment and investment in Pakistan’s economic hub.
The actress’s candid admission resonates with Karachi’s residents, who contribute significantly to Pakistan’s GDP yet witness resources being disproportionately allocated elsewhere. Her statement has sparked important conversations about provincial inequality and the urgent need for equitable development across Pakistan.
