We, the residents of Gulistan-i-Jauhar, feel nothing but envy for the residents of Defence Housing Authority, Phase VI, where a new post office was inaugurated by the Federal Minister for Communications, Mohammad Shamim Siddiqui, on Nov 3. We have been requesting the authorities to shift the Gulistan-i-Jauhar, Block 14, post office from its present location to a more accessible place – perhaps by the main road – so that those availing themselves of the facilities of the post office no longer have to face the kind of inconveniences that they currently do.
M. Shafique Ahmed Gulistan-i-Jauhar
Parking problems
Sir,
The number of vans or buses parked near the gate of Alamgir Masjid on Alamgir Road has been increasing. This obviously inconveniences motorists using the road and worshippers coming to the mosque, especially in the evening. We request the city nazim to ensure that a smooth flow of traffic is maintained on the road and offending vehicles removed.
Residents of Alamgir Road
Common courtesy>/b>
Sir,
I visited the Saudi consulate on Khayaban-i-Shamsheer a few days ago in connection with the attestation of some documents. There I found two large queues: one for male applicants and the other for female applicants. The visitors stood listlessly, with an October sun beating down on their heads. I was appalled to find that no proper seating arrangements had been made for the visitors. I also joined one of the queues and was soaked with sweat by the time my turn came.
It is worth noting that the diplomatic mission is otherwise equipped with the latest facilities, for the officials as well as for the visitors. I am certain that it would not be difficult – or extremely expensive—for the consulate to make available to visitors dignified seating facilities sheltered from the sun.
SHAMIM AKHTAR
Karimabad
Medieval attitudes
Sir,
With reference to Mukhtar Alam’s article ‘Aids poised to become second generation issue’ (Dawn Metro, Nov 10), I was horrified to read that as a result of social taboos, the virus is being passed on from mothers to their children. I am all for the ‘decency’ and ‘family values’ exhorted by our preachers but these can become the millstone around our neck which causes us to drown. They must not be allowed to stand in the way of nurturing an informed, healthy and open society. Aids is a reality and unless Pakistan initiates a public and widespread debate about the manner in which it can be contracted, it can engulf us as it has done Africa. Retrogressive and medieval attitudes disguised as ‘decency’ must not be allowed to stand in the way.
On the subject of a well-informed society, I would also like to put on the record that the curbs placed on the media under the Nov 3 PCO are no less than disgusting. The blackout of independent television channels has meant that the majority of the channels on air are Indian, which were banned by the same government in earlier times — an example of the two-faced nature of the power-brokers. Limitations on the media can only be set by their audiences; any attempt to impose them top-down is bound to fail.
GUL SATTAR
via email
Licensed conductors
Sir,
This is in reference to the report published in your newspaper under the headline “Bus owners told to get licences for conductors”, in the Nov 8 issue.
This is indeed welcome news for the millions of commuters who traverse the ever-growing expanses of this metropolis using the only affordable mode of public transport left for the common citizen: the bus.
Though it would be foolish to expect miracles overnight, at least this seems like a step in the right direction towards civilizing Karachi’s unruly transport culture. Also, the decision to not let bus owners employ anyone under 18 as a conductor comes as a relief, as young conductors, barely in their teens, are often exposed to abuse.
That these laws have existed on the books but have not been enforced speaks volumes about the efficiency – or lack thereof – of our police force.
It is hoped that the DIG traffic, along with the city government (they cannot be absolved of responsibility) help enforce these and indeed all traffic laws in letter and spirit to make the roads of this city safer.
KAMRAN HAIDER
Karachi
Phone woes
Sir,
My home phone number 461-5886 has been dead for the past eight weeks. I have made every effort to get the phone fixed, but to no avail. I request the PTCL authorities to do the needful.
TARIQ NISAR
Gulistan-i-Jauhar
Sir,
I am another victim of PTCL inefficiency. My phone numbers (5863521, 5838850) have been out of order for the past few months. I have lodged many complaints with the authorities and have made follow-up contacts with the officials concerned. I write these lines because my efforts have not been successful.
