THE Chak Shahzad Residents Association (CSRA) was founded some years ago to safeguard the area’s interests, which included provision of security to its residents and upkeep of the area etc and began collecting monthly contributions from its members.

However, when proper accountability of funds was not provided and the funds were spent on unnecessary projects, some members voiced their concern to the association’s office-bearers but to no avail. Subsequently, a number of residents discontinued their monthly contribution to the fund.

A few weeks after Gen (r) Musharraf returned to Pakistan, Chak Shahzad was in the spotlight, and citing security concerns, his security detail cordoned off the area around his farmhouse.

The residents have been unable to access the area’s roads leading to their houses and have had to take the inconvenient and bumpy route through neighbouring Shahzad Town, adding greatly to their woes.

Recently, CSRA office-bearers sprang into action and decided to issue cards to the paying members, who are now able to pass through the security cordoned around Musharraf’s house.

To the best of my knowledge, a road made by taxpayers’ money is a public utility, access to which is a fundamental right. I wish to inquire how certain affluent people can be given access to it, while others are denied access only because they stood up for their right to information and declined to contribute till their grievances were addressed.

A Resident

Islamabad