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Margalla Avenue
Margalla Avenue, which starts from Sangjani near B-17 sector on GT road, will pass north of sectors C-15, C-14, and D-13 and terminate at the North Eastern end of sector D-12,is under construction. From D-12, the traffic is intended to use service roads North and East of D-12; Northern strip and Service Road East of E-11 to join Khayaban-e-Iqbal.
It is estimated that additional 30,000 to 35,000 vehicles will use the service roads which are not designed to carry this amount of traffic. Similarly, there will be enormous increase of traffic on Khayaban-e-Iqbal. It is pertinent to mention that Defence Complex Islamabad (DCI) is operational which also uses Khayaban-e-Iqbal. In this way, there will be a lot of traffic congestion on service roads as well as on Khayaban-e-Iqbal. Residents going to offices, school children, emergency service vehicles like ambulances, fire tenders and water tankers will be massively delayed.
It would be an immense source of disturbance for the residents of sectors D-12, E-11, F-11, F-10, DCI E-9 and E-8. The CDA authorities are, therefore, requested to construct an alternate road before the Margalla Avenue is made operational. One of the options is to construct a road from the North Western corner of D-12 to Srinagar Highway passing between D-12 and D-13 giving entry to roads en-route. In the meantime, service roads and Khayaban-e-Iqbal be widened to carry extra traffic to maintain smooth flow of traffic.
CDRE ANJUM SARFRAZ (R)
Islamabad
The trendsetter
Cadet College Larkana has been trendsetter and epicentre of learning in interior of Sindh. It has always played pivotal role in bringing its cadets up-to the best and second to none. It has completed thirty years of its establishment. Cadet College Larkana has been championing the cause of imparting quality education to its taught since its inception.
The quality education encompassing curricular, co-curricular and extra-curricular activities is coupled with state-of-the-art facilities. In order to attain higher pursuits in the field of modern education, the college has established IT Laboratories, Language Laboratories, one of the biggest Libraries, Multimedia classrooms and central data centre. The whole infrastructure is worth appreciating.
It’s indeed a proud moment that the cadets of this elite institution are serving in Pakistan defence forces and Civil Services of Pakistan. Cadet College Larkana celebrated its 30th Annual Parents on 21 December, 2021 organized at its magnificent Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Stadium, the event was graced by Major General Noor Wali Khan, General Officer Commanding 16 Division Pano Aqil Cantonment, Chairman Board of Governors of the College.
The Larkanians presented gymnastics, Karate, Horse riding and Commando shows and attained applause and appreciation by the audience. The Chief Guest, in his presidential address, stressed upon the Larkanians to make the most of facilities available at the college and focus on their future having sense of dedication and persistence. In the wake of prize distribution and inauguration of different college publications, Brigadier Ghulam Raza SI(M), Principal of the College, presented College Memento to the Chief Guest.
SAJJAD H CHEEHANI
Larkana
Climate Change
Pakistan is one of the most climate-change affected country in the world. It is due to various factors yet one of the most dangerous is deforestation. Prime Minister of Pakistan has launched plantation campaign to save country from grave consequences of climate change. It is of no use to launch a campaign of plantation in a country, where influential and political people are openly felling forests to earn money at any cost. In Sindh, deforestation by political people has become a norm. Kundah Forest of Sindh is repeatedly planted and cut down by influential people. According to the UN and WHO standards, a country should have at least a 25pc forest cover for a better environment and sustainable livelihood. Sindh is woefully short of this target.
Land grabbers are often from the ruling party of Sindh, who have illegally occupied the forest land. These occupiers are so powerful that even media persons fear to write against them. The forest officials take huge bribes from them, and allow them to cut down trees. This forest had watercourses during British rule but now all have been destroyed. The local people would get firewood and honey but deforestation has snatched these resources from them. On the other hand, temperature of the area has also increased compared to other parts of the province. This also affects our atmosphere a lot. Some thing must be done to stop this.
IMTIAZ ESSA HALEPOTO
Jamshoro, Sindh
Extravagant wedding ceremonies
Extravagant extended wedding ceremonies, especially of politicians, who aspire to hold elected public office, should never be reminiscent of the glamour displayed in Bollywood/Lollywood movies. Any public display does not reverberate well with their constituents, who look up to them as role models. It does not send the right message, especially when such weddings are held in Punjab, where the former CM Shahbaz Sharif imposed a ban of one-dish meals and time restriction of 10PM for the ceremony to end.
Unfortunately, holding these extended ceremonies within premises of farm houses, spread over several acres, goes against the spirit and intent of the decision by the former CM, for which he will always be remembered for. Wedding ceremonies of political families are normally private events and not an occasion to show abundance of wealth and riches. It does not serve politicians who while addressing political rallies talk about millions living below poverty line.
Arrogance has no place in democratic politics, nor is there any space for individuals who consider themselves to be ruling families. Media coverage is normally not allowed of wedding ceremonies hosted by political families, nor are videos of the event uploaded on social media. Strict security measures are adopted to maintain privacy of such events. At the most a picture is released of the event to the media.
ALI MALIK TARIQ
Lahore
