THIS refers to the incompetence of Darakhshan police who have erected barricades at various busy roads in Defense Housing Authority, Karachi, on both sides of roads, apparently to catch hold of criminal elements while, in fact, they tend to cause inconvenience to poor motorists.

The worst part of it is that it is being done without any illumination during the night. One such barricade is at Khyaban-i-Ittehad, phase VI, without any warning lights to warn the oncoming vehicular traffic late in the evening.

This is done especially on the fast, right track of the said street as well as very close by on the left side. This is a matter of great concern for motorists, who often hit the barricades as it becomes totally invisible during night, more so because the oncoming traffic from other side of road usually comes with full beam lights. This makes it difficult for the drivers from other side to notice any police barricades without any warning lights.

In such a situation, on July 3 at about 8.00pm, while coming home from DHA Golf Club, without noticing/seeing at distance, I went through police barricades, badly damaging my Toyota Altis car (BBY-576).

Its repair, including but not limited to, replacing the entire front, bumper and some parts of damaged engine, etc., will cost me lots of money which, in fact, should be compensated by the police department in all fairness.

Such carelessness on the part of police is unfortunate. I am sure such barricades by police in other areas of DHA must have been a cause of concern and inconvenience to the motorists.

Shahid Murtaza

Karachi

Published in Dawn, July 13th, 2020