Articles and letters may be edited for the purposes of clarity and space. They are published in good faith with a view to enlightening all the stakeholders. However, the contents of these writings may not necessarily match the views of the newspaper.
Underpass at Kalma Chowk Lahore
I am writing to express my admiration for the revamped Kalma Chowk underpass in our city. Recently, I had the opportunity to pass through it and I must say, it left me amazed with the magnitude of the project. The whole vicinity is completely transformed.
What impressed me the most was that the work which though was at its final stages, was not disturbing the traffic flow as such during the construction phase with utmost safety measures ensuring the safety of the people passing through it.
I also found out while visiting and going through the billboards at the underpass that a newly formed authority has changed the development landscape of the provincial capital. I hope to see more such remarkable projects in the future.
MUHAMMAD BADAR
Lahore
Rising inflation in Ramzan
I am writing to express my concern about the rising inflation in Pakistan during the holy month of Ramadan. It is disheartening to see that the prices of essential commodities have skyrocketed, making it extremely difficult for people to afford basic necessities during this holy month.
Ramadan is a time of giving with generosity, but unfortunately, the inflation has made it challenging for people to fulfil their religious obligations of charity and helping the less fortunate. The high prices of food items, including fruit, vegetable and meat have made it difficult for families to prepare iftar and sehri meals, which are crucial for maintaining good health during the month of fasting.
Moreover, the pandemic has already caused immense financial stress on people, and the inflation has further added to their economic burden. The government needs to take immediate action to control the prices of essential items and ensure that people can afford to provide for their families during this holy month.
I urge the government to take necessary measures to curb the inflation and make essential items affordable for the common people. Ramadan is a month of compassion, and it is our responsibility to ensure that people can observe it with ease and peace of mind.
ALWISHA SHEIKH
Karachi
Poor road networks
It started as cracks and the cracks developed and stretched ending up with potholes, now the city of Harare has devastated, Bulawayo just to mention a few. Every month they claim road tax but Zimbabweans they have never seen the use of these funds, small local towns now have resolved to dust roads. The roads that were constructed during the time of Ian Smith have helped Zimbabweans the current government has failed to deliver to its citizens.
These roads are not even safe to use the number of accidents happening on a daily basis because of these roads, vehicles are no longer fit to ferry civilians on a daily basis. This current government of President Mnangagwa has failed and he should just step down and give fresh minds and someone who is fit for the office. President Mnangagwa has failed to resuscitate Zimbabwean economy and end rampant corruption. He should let another person take over and govern Zimbabwe.
NEWTON TAPIWA MPOFU
United Kingdom
Two-wheeler riders
The roads in Karachi are known for their chaos and risk, and it’s crucial for every road user to take responsibility for their safety. While motorcyclists often rely on car drivers to follow the rules and take care of them, it’s important for them to recognize their own responsibilities too Recently, I had a harrowing experience with a group of motorcyclists on a congested road. They were speeding on the wrong side of the road and didn’t seem at all concerned about the danger they were creating.
Unfortunately, this kind of behaviour is all too common among motorcyclists in Karachi. They take dangerous U-turns, don’t use indicators and frequently violate traffic rules. Traffic wardens are present on almost every corner, yet they often fail to enforce the rules. We need to recognize that even minor accidents can have fatal consequences, and everyone must drive with care and responsibility. As a concerned citizen, I urge all motorcyclists in Karachi to drive carefully and follow all traffic rules. Let’s prioritize safety over reckless adventure and ensure a safer, more responsible transit system for all.
BISMA SHAIKH
Via email
Water scarcity
Pakistan is an agricultural country and its economy heavily relies on water resources. Underground water is a critical source of water in Pakistan, especially in the arid and semi-arid regions of the country. However, the underground water situation in Pakistan is concerning, as over-extraction and misuse of this resource have led to several problems.
According to a report by the Pakistan Council of Research in Water Resources (PCRWR), the underground water table in many parts of Pakistan is falling at an alarming rate of 0.3 to 3 meters per year. This decline is mainly due to over-pumping of groundwater for irrigation, which is not being replenished at the same rate.
Another major issue is the contamination of underground water due to the disposal of industrial waste, agricultural runoff and inadequate sanitation system. The PCRWR report states that up to 60% of the underground water in Pakistan is contaminated with toxic substances such as arsenic, fluoride and nitrates which are hazardous to human health.
To address these issues, the Government of Pakistan has launched several initiatives, including the National Water Policy and the National Drinking Water Policy, to ensure sustainable use and management of water resources. These policies aim to promote efficient water use, reduce wastage and improve the quality of water. Additionally, the government is working to promote the use of alternative irrigation techniques such as drip irrigation and to regulate the use of groundwater through the implementation of laws and regulations. However, much more needs to be done to tackle the underground water crisis in Pakistan.
CH SAIFULLAH EJAZ
Lahore
Box letter
Gas load-shedding
I am writing to express my concern about the gas load-shedding in my area (Saudabad Karachi). It has been going on for months now, and it is really frustrating. It is causing a lot of problems for us, especially during this holy month of Ramadan. Due to daily importation of food the budget is running out due to which we, the people, have to face a lot of trouble. We have been waiting for a long time with a hope that the issue would be solved but and it is really unfair that we have to go through with this for a long time. I hope you can help us by publishing this piece of mine which would certainly go before the eyes of concerned authorities and would attract their attention for its fixation.
KAINAT ZEHRA
Karachi
