WATER SHORTAGE: Nearly 60 per cent of the families in Orangi Town do not have access to piped water and rely on costly water tankers. Many low-income families spend about 20pc of their monthly income on water. This severe shortage of water has affected local sanitation and hygiene in addition to raising health hazards. Residents find it difficult to obtain even the smallest quantity of water for everyday use. The illegal water connections worsen the supply problems. The Orangi Town water pipeline network must be repaired and expanded immediately, and water distribution should to be regulated to provide fair access to everyone.

Mehar Khan
Karachi

CASH REFILLING: Most automated teller machines (ATMs) in Karachi either run out of cash or remain out of service for long periods. Additionally, many users face the frustrating issue of cards getting stuck, leaving them without access to their deposits. These issues create unnecessary stress, especially for those relying on ATMs for urgent cash withdrawals. Banks need to ensure regular maintenance and timely cash refills for ATMs. They should also improve customer service response time when issues like card-jams occur. By taking these simple steps, we can ensure smoother banking experiences, and avoid the unnecessary disruptions caused by malfunctioning ATMs.

Abeeha Asad
Karachi

A STRANGE PRACTICE: The law- enforcement agencies in India have initiated a new practice of demolishing the houses of accused. According to media reports, the Indian Supreme Court has raised objection against it, but the practice is continuing. Practically,

it is an unwritten law. Muslims are disproportionately affected by it. Nowhere in the world are the accused punished with demolition of their residential places. Governmments and International human rights bodies have to take notice of this grave violation.

Qasim Abbas
Toronto, Canada

Published in Dawn, November 9th, 2024