LEGAL TENDER: The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) issued a 75-rupee commemorative banknote to mark 75th anniversary of the country’s independence. It is a beautifully designed banknote featuring portraits of the Quaid-i-Azam and other important personalities, and highlighting the nation’s commitment to addressing the climate change crisis. It is good that the SBP has issued the banknote as a legal tender which can be used as a medium of exchange for all transactions across Pakistan, unlike the commemorative banknote issued in 1997 on the 50th anniversary of independence which was not a legal tender.

Syed Ali Musa Zaidi
Rawalpindi

FROM FLOODS TO FIRE: Recently, 19 people lost their lives when a bus caught fire on Karachi-Hyderabad motorway. The passengers were flood victims who were returning to their homes. Such incidents are common in Pakistan as the authorities fail to keep a check on the maintenance of roads and vehicles. Also, there are no trauma centres on the motorway for handling emergencies. The government should take action in this regard.

Waqar Badar Kandhro
Larkana

BREAKING SIGNALS: I frequently commute from Gulshan-i-Iqbal to DHA Phase II. There are around five traffic signals on the way. It is disappointing to watch rickshaw drivers and motorcyclists violate these signals without thinking twice. Traffic constables act as silent spectators. They must take action against the violators.

Irfan Rasheed Baloch
Karachi

DOKHRUM BRIDGE: The recent floods caused huge destruction in major parts of the country. Balochistan was hit hard, with several bridges getting washed away by flash floods. Dokhrum Bridge was one of them. It was the main bridge in Kech district, connecting two very densely populated areas. The residents of the affected areas are facing huge and unimaginable problems in their everyday commute. The government should do what needs to be done rather urgently.

Arman Ameer
Kech

Published in Dawn, November 4th, 2022