MASS VACCINATION: Even though the Sindh government has increased the number of 24/7 Covid vaccination centres in Karachi, the overcrowding is still unmanageable. There is a need to increase the number further, and the government would do well to consider using the various stadiums in the city which will accommodate the masses in an open-air setting and would facilitate social distancing as well.

Moonis Shakil
Karachi

LOCKDOWN EFFICACY: The Covid pandemic is now a permanent feature of life and the virus has now become a part of our environment. Will making lockdowns a part of life solve anything? These restrictions are affecting the economy badly. The government should enhance the capacity of hospitals, and ensure strict implementation of SOPs rather than shutting the cities down. The incapacity of the healthcare system should not be an excuse to impose lockdowns.

Zubair Ahmed
Hyderabad

A.T.M. CARD: I lost my ATM card recently, and visited the Model Town branch of the National Bank of Pakistan at Daska to apply for a new one. A few days later, I received an SMS that the card was ready for collection. When I went to the bank, however, the card had not reached the branch. I received the same message five more times, and the same thing happened every time. The faulty online complaint system never registers a complaint either.

Rehmatur Rehman
Sialkot

CITIZEN’S PORTAL: A streetlight in Gulshan-i-Iqbal Block 16 has been out of order for several months. After filing a number of complaints with the relevant office, I filed a complaint on Citizen’s Portal (110621-88521592), which was closed without rectification of the problem. Later, I received an email stating that an appropriate action will be taken soon as per schedule and budgetary position. I wonder what to do next.

Syed Taqi Abedi
Karachi

Published in Dawn, August 4th, 2021