PEOPLE throw their garbage everywhere — in drains, streets, parks and even in front of mosques. These heaps of garbage block roads and cause traffic jams. This also helps mosquitoes breed, which may spread dengue.

Islamabad and Rawalpindi are twin cities, but both are different in terms of cleanliness. What is the reason behind this? While Islamabad being the capital city has resource, it receives more attention when it comes to maintaining cleanliness, while Rawalpindi is neglected despite being a few miles away from Islamabad.

The Rawalpindi Waste Management Company (RWMC) was established in the second half of year 2013 and it grew quickly in one year, claiming it will provide solid waste management services in a more efficient and effective manner.

However, garbage collection has cropped up as one of the major problems in the city despite RWMC. Our society needs awareness to keep our cities clean. The authorities concerned should arrange seminars and run awareness campaigns about cleanliness.

I hope the authorities will come up with some intelligent ideas to resolve the garbage problem in Rawalpindi.

Zeeshan Shabbir

Rawalpindi

Published in Dawn, February 11th, 2020