A famous programme on a foreign TV channel features strange things that sometimes border on life-risking ventures and are hard to believe. Those who take part in that show do weird stuff mostly to have fun. If the makers of that programme visit Pakistan, they can easily discover many such feats being achieved by Pakistani citizens on a regular basis. What will further surprise them is the fact that quite a few Pakistanis risk their lives just to earn a living.
One such desperate act can be witnessed at Kemari. People travelling to and from Manora risk their lives daily, sometimes twice a day, to get to work on private launches. These launches take passengers to and from the island, and usually carry more weight than what a boat can bear.
An 18ftX38ft launch normally carries 25 to 30 passengers. But not so in Manora. It carries 70 to 80 (sometimes even 100) passengers without any safety measures being taken or equipments like life jackets being used. The reason why these people are forced to risk their lives is that there is no public transport available on the only road leading to Manora, and the rates that private transports charge are exorbitant, making launches as their only means of transportation. These launches charge only Rs10 per passenger; but the owners overload them, risking passengers’ lives, including those of women and children.
Government officials who can control this risky business are said to be hand in glove with the owners of these launches. It is a matter of grave concern.
One can only hope that the authorities concerned will look into the matter and act responsibly either by starting public transport on the road to Manora or by controlling this dangerous business.
A famous programme on a foreign TV channel features strange things that sometimes border on life-risking ventures and are hard to believe. Those who take part in that show do weird stuff mostly to have fun. If the makers of that programme visit Pakistan, they can easily discover many such feats being achieved by Pakistani citizens on a regular basis. What will further surprise them is the fact that quite a few Pakistanis risk their lives just to earn a living.
One such desperate act can be witnessed at Kemari. People travelling to and from Manora risk their lives daily, sometimes twice a day, to get to work on private launches. These launches take passengers to and from the island, and usually carry more weight than what a boat can bear.
An 18ftX38ft launch normally carries 25 to 30 passengers. But not so in Manora. It carries 70 to 80 (sometimes even 100) passengers without any safety measures being taken or equipments like life jackets being used. The reason why these people are forced to risk their lives is that there is no public transport available on the only road leading to Manora, and the rates that private transports charge are exorbitant, making launches as their only means of transportation. These launches charge only Rs10 per passenger; but the owners overload them, risking passengers’ lives, including those of women and children.
Government officials who can control this risky business are said to be hand in glove with the owners of these launches. It is a matter of grave concern.
