THE traffic management arrangements made to observe the Chehlum of Hazrat Imam Hussain this year were inefficient and pathetic to say the least. The authorities placed the containers to provide security on the occasion in such a manner that they were more of an obstruction than helping the traffic flow.

Citizens who were keen to participate in the procession were stuck in this melee for more than three hours and went around in circles and could locate no opening to enter the procession. Many citizens returned without attending the procession as the vehicles were finding it difficult to cross the temporary barricades set up for the occasion.

At many of the barricades the policemen on duty were engrossed with their smart phones instead of facilitating the public.

Tasneem Allibhoy Tharia

Karachi

Published in Dawn, October 24th, 2019