MESSAGE OF SOLIDARITY: It was heartening to see the prime minister and the army chief attending the funeral of Sepoy Haroon William, a courageous member of the armed forces who lost his life in Kurram district. Their presence at the service held at Saint Paul’s Church in Rawalpindi sent a strong message of unity and inclusivity. This act of solidarity, especially towards a Christian soldier, underscored the commitment of our leaders to a Pakistan that respects and honours the contributions of all its citizens. In these challenging times, when extremism threatens to divide the nation, such gestures reaffirm our collective resolve to stand together as one nation, dedicated to the defence and progress of the country and its future.

Ali Raza Soomro
Karachi

LEARNING FROM LAHORE: I recently witnessed government vehicles lifting animal waste from different parts of Lahore, which made me draw parallels with what happens in Karachi year after year. I could draw none. There was no parallel; just contrasts. Unlike Karachi, Lahore does not suffer from heaps of animal waste during the three days of Eidul Azha and even beyond. I wonder why it is possible for the administration in Lahore to keep the city clean, and why it is so utterly beyond the means of its counterpart in Karachi. It is high time Karachi learnt a few relevant lessons from Lahore.

Sameer Umrani
Karachi

WATER WOES: Like many other parts of Karachi, Federal B Area’s Block 7 has been suffering from non-availability of water for a long time. People in the locality hardly receive water for three to four hours every day. As such, even during those four hours, the pressure in the lines is so low that people struggle to finish household chores. Besides, whatever water the locality receives through taps is contaminated and is not drinkable. I wonder why the relevant department demands water tax when it is unable to provide even clean, drinkable water.

Alishba Fatima
Karachi

Published in Dawn, July 4th, 2024