THERE is an Islamabad Model College for Boys in Chak Shehzad. It is situated just 50 yards from Park Road. This college has 800 students on its roll and conducts classes from VI to FA and FSc.

For the last eight years I pass twice a day by this college. Both in the morning and the evening — arrival and departure times — hundreds of students come to the main road, some as small as 10 years old. Whenever I happen to see them, they are in a relentless effort to seek a lift from passing vehicles.

While doing so, many a time they put themselves in a dangerous situation.

Some of them use bicycles for commuting in the huddle of our abundant and unruly vehicles. If they reach home safe, it may not be a thing less than a miracle.

The other day I had a chit-chat with a teacher who happened to be standing there. On inquiry, he said the college did not have its transport, and the students manage things on their own. As many students belong to poor families, they cannot arrange their own transport.

My question is: who is going to solve these students’ transport problem?

M. Ashtar Chattha
Islamabad

Published in Dawn, June 1st, 2015

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