IN the last few years the city of Lahore has improved considerably, but there are still areas which paint a horrible picture.

In Jannat-ul-Qurba — PP-159, near Purana Kahna — the sewerage system is completely non-existent. There used to be a nullah here.

The land mafia took control of the patch of land and sold it. A housing scheme was constructed on top of it along with a factory.

The area residents lodged several complaints with the local MNA about it. But, four years on, no action has been taken. The chief minister’s cell had also been made aware of this through an application, but to no avail. An application in this regard was sent to the irrigation secretary and the deputy commissioner, but no action was initiated.

The local mosque has a ground in front of it which is used for Taraweeh prayers during Ramazan. Sadly, because of the sewerage water this year the ground is unusable.

Recently a three-year-old girl fell into a pond of stagnant water while playing and died.

As father of a hepatitis-ridden son, I request the government and the Punjab chief minister to help us.

The irony is that this is happening in the very constituency where Shahbaz Sharif won the 2013 elections with 60,603 votes.

Syed Akbar Khan
Lahore

Published in Dawn, May 26th, 2017