It has become a common site to see poor people forage for leftovers
in the big mounds of trash in the dustbins that are often
uncollected in the street for days. Though there seems to be no
sustainable plan in site to reduce poverty in the country, the best
option for the Government is to at least increase the number of
dustbins in the cities thus enabling many to fill their bellies
instead of dying of hunger.—Islamabad
Need of pedestrian bridges
Saba Gul
I want to draw the attention of the Chairman CDA for the urgent need
of two pedestrian bridge at H-9 sector at least two sites of Sunday
Bazar. There is urgent requirement for the two pedestrian bridges at
two different directions; one which may conjoin Allama Iqbal Open
university Road with Sunday Bazar passing over (9th Avenue) and
other one may be constructed on Motorway side which can cover the
requirement of G-9 sector. It is very amazing when 9th Avenue was
being constructed and the place of Sunday Bazar was being re-located
at H-9. No planners/thinkers of CDA and the Capital realised the
expected and growing traffic mess at this spot as we are now facing
and witnessing during three days in a week at H-9.
Ironically, while planning for such mass public places we totally
ignore the need and space for pedestrians and we do not think and
carve out easy and fuel- free entrance and outgoing for majority of
the population which may provide an easy window for incoming and
out-going for the people. It has been witnessed many times that our
planners/ engineers or the people who are at the helm of the affairs
in the capital feel satisfaction by inflicting majority people in
problems and mental anxiety. Time wasting and fuel wasting in any
form has become our national emblem. I suggest there should be
proper bus-or wagon stand at both sides of the Bazar for the people
who have no personal vehicles which may not hinder the traffic of
main road. I suggest that one of the adjacent nursery to Sunday
Bazar may be removed and fix it for wagon and bus stand for
facilitating the general masses.
In this way, we can shift vehicles load totally on one side which is
now stretching from all sided. It feels quite indiscipline and
in-organized because all roads around Bazar are swarming with
vehicles in different parking style. I request to Chairman CDA that
two pedestrian bridges at suggested places will ease out the
people’s in-coming and out-going. The existence of pedestrian
bridges at such busy places promote the idea of fuel-free among the
people so that the people who can come and go easily from G-9 and
AIOU sides without involving vehicles, can be facilitated. There is
always haphazard situation, floods of cars, no public transport at
the nearest pavilion of the bazar gate in organised way, no
pedestrian bridges, or overhead bridge at this busy place over 9th
Avenue. What kind of planners/ and engineers we have or we have lost
far-sightedness as a nation? Or if PM or President once in month
personally visit the Bazar then changes may occur. Planners may come
in the motion. As we make every best planning for VIPs not for the
general masses. —Islamabad
Fighting a war
Ambreen Fatima
Pakistan is one of the largest Muslim countries in the world and its
nuclear power status as the only Islamic nation plays significant
role. Pakistan is an ally of US post-9/11 as a frontline state in
the war against terror. Despite its declared policy of peace,
sovereignty, security, national interest and international
cooperation, the country is facing its history’s biggest challenges
of existential nature. Discussion is not that whether the decision
was true but it is about why after joining the WOT Pakistan is
facing such a critical situation. It wants terrorism eliminated and
requires a joint strategy to root out this menace. It is a threat
posed to all countries. We are facing a different form of terrorism
and there is need to joining hands together for the sake of peace.
Here the case is different. Unfortunately it is Pakistan that is
doing all such efforts against terrorism and facing insurgency from
different terrorist groups. Everyone is frightened and a victim of
it because terrorists are targeting different civilian places, Army
personnel, different security and government institutions, even
educational institutions are also being targeted. Every Pakistani is
suffering and paying the price. It is like Pakistan is facing the
9/11-like situation every day. Using its own weapons and arsenal,
own resources and energies, Pakistan is going to exhaust its
reserves. No country is providing Pakistan sufficient economic and
military assistance to Pakistan. This all is being done on its own.
America says Pakistan is a partner in war but practically it is not
partner in receiving but paying.
This we have to understand that the war we fighting now is not that
of America but our own war, the war of Pakistan’s own survival. It
poses Pakistan an existensional threat. We have to fight it, no
matter how alone or isolated we are, we have to win this war at all
costs. One thing is more important that if every individual along
with our leaders think honestly and prefer national interests as
compared to personal interests then there will be no need of any
assistance or aid from any of country because Pakistan is doing best
with the available capabilities.—Rawalpindi
Kashmir: a separate entity
Dr Manwar
Kashmir is a disputed territory representing core political conflict
between India and Pakistan. The people of Kashmir are suffering in
the hands of Indian illegal occupation and their oppressive rule.
Pakistan keeps on voicing her concerns to persuade India to resolve
the Kashmir issue as per the will of the Kashmiri people and in
accordance with the UN resolutions on the issue. Unfortunately India
has never been comfortable to Pakistani suggestions and has always
jealously attempted to show Kashmir as its integral part.
China as a regional power has taken a different position on Kashmir
based on principles and philosophy of ethical diplomacy. China
considers Kashmir as a separate entity and is ready to extend all
sorts of help and moral support to Kashmiri people to improve upon
their present state of affairs. Chinese Embassy has been issuing
visas to some Kashmiris on a separate sheet of paper instead of
passports, like in the case of those hailing from Arunachal Pradesh
on which Beijing lays its claim. The visas are stamped on separate
papers which are stapled to the passport. The practice of issuing
such visas on separate papers has been there for years. On the other
hand China maintained that they have issued valid visas to the
people of Indian held Kashmir and that the problem laid with Indian
immigration authorities who do not wish to allow Kashmiris to
proceed abroad for higher education.
Indian decision to stop Professor Shakil A Romshoo to visit China
has sent distressing signals to Kashmiri students desiring to study
in China. It has simply infused discontentment amongst Kashmiri
sufferers who can expect nothing good from Indian authorities. The
issue has also added to the already existing tension between India
and China. There have been Indian media reports about Chinese maps
for tourist visiting Tibet and sale of globes in India depicting
Kashmir as separate entity. India must realize that Kashmir is a
disputed territory deserving resolution at all costs. —Via email
Traffic condition
Asad Ali Shah
I am a citizen of Lahore and would like to protest the poor traffic
and road conditions which exist on Bhatta Chowk. The fact that the
road is too narrow is worsened by the fact that the road has come
apart by the passage of larger vehicles. Large pools of water form
around an absurdly massive speed breaker which leads from Defense
into a crater of rocks where one would expect the road to continue.
During traffic hours the dust is kicked up as pedestrians squirm
through the narrowly packed lane. Lane-breakers only worsen the
problem by trying to get ahead, instead blocking the entire
one-and-a-half lane street.
Winter gives the city administration a good opportunity to fix the
problem. Seeing as how this is one of the few roads which connects a
large part of Lahore to the airport, it helps everyone in the city.
Fixing this problem would help a lot of people, rich and poor alike.
And it would certainly ease the problems for the traffic wardens who
brave the chowk in shifts due to the absence of a traffic light. If
re-routing the heavy vehicles proves too costly, simply paving the
area wider will definitely ease the passage of vehicles. The road is
wide enough, but some of the terrain is simply too unfriendly for
tires currently. The amount of work involved is minimal, and
ignoring these problems just reflects a lazy and irresponsible
attitude towards the civil rights of the citizens of this fine
country.—Lahore
