NOSHKI EXPLOSION: The horrific fuel tanker explosion in Balochistan’s Noshki area has once again exposed the alarming state of our emergency response system and healthcare infrastructure. Dozens lost their lives or suffered severe burns due to the explosion and lack of medical care. The absence of burn units, trained staff and immediate emergency services meant that most of the victims had to be shifted to Quetta, or even Karachi. The government must act now. Safety protocols for fuel transport need urgent revision. Emergency teams must be trained and properly equipped. Most importantly, investment in hospitals, burn centres and mobile health units in all the remote districts is a necessity.

Fatima Abdul Shakoor
Hub

CHAOS ON THE ROAD: The situation has deteriorated drastically over the last few years in and around Pakistan Bazaar in Karachi’s Orangi area. The road is occupied by pushcarts, vendors and makeshift stalls. Permanent parking of vehicles in the middle of the road has further reduced the space for traffic. As a result, no public transport and even ambulance is able to operate smoothly, causing immense hardship to the daily commuters. What is more troubling is the silence on the matter of the local administration and police. The authorities should remove the encroachments, restore public transport routes, and reclaim the road for the people it was meant to serve.

Muhammad Latif Mehdi
Karachi

REPAIR THE ROAD: The Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) recently laid gas pipelines across various residential establishments in Malir. However, the quality of the backfilling work carried out afterwards is deeply disappointing. The streets that were dug up have not been properly restored. The surface remains uneven, with loose debris and depressions posing a serious risk to pedestrians and vehicles alike. The poorly restored roads also contribute to water stagnation. The authorities concerned should ensure proper backfilling and surface restoration.

Shaheen Iqbal
Karachi

Published in Dawn, May 14th, 2025