SHIKARPUR, the historic city of Sindh, was once known as the economic corridor that used to connect Asian states. It was one of the largest trade centres in its heyday. On the social side, waste management and drainage system was exemplary. It was clean, well-developed and beautiful. The covered market, known as Dakh Bazaar, was a great piece of art owing to its fine teak woodwork. It was not without reason that the city was called the Paris of Sindh.

It is a pity that Shikarpur has lost its past glory. Today, it is everything that it was not in the bygone era. Most of the educated people have migrated to other cities for better lifestyle, education and health facilities. The city hardly has any well-equipped library for girls, particularly for those aspiring to sit competitive exams. The existing library for boys has outdated books.

The city was famous for its pickle which was exported across the globe. One of the major reasons behind it was the quality of groundwater. Unfortunately, the water quality has gone down over the years. The level of total dissolved solids (TDS) in water for the suitability for drinking purposes ranged from 250 to 300 units. However, the existing TDS level in Shikarpur is four times that much. The water is not potable any more.

The present situation in Shikarpur calls for extraordinary measures. It is high time the government, the civil society and the youth worked in tandem to restore the glory of the city by eradicating the existing flaws effectively, and by playing their due role in its development with heart and soul.

Nuzair Jamro
Shikarpur

Published in Dawn, October 5th, 2021