VEHICLE TESTING: In order to address the problem of pollution in Lahore, the Punjab government has introduced a vehicle emission testing system. But how can a few roadside emission testing centres test more than five million motor vehicles that are plying on the roads? On the other hand, motorcycles and rickshaws operate without catalytic converters, but there is no plan to make them undergo testing. The government should outsource the emission testing to reputable and certified vehicle service centres. Moreover, no motor vehicle should be registered without emission testing. Alternatively, a system of annual fitness testing be carried out by authorised service shops and bar-coded stickers be made available for one year.

Name withheld on request
Lahore

UNJUST DEDUCTIONS: In a span of few months, consumers of the Sukkur Electric Power Company (Sepco) have received additional charges ranging from Rs6,000 to Rs47,000 in their electricity bills. These large amounts have been imposed without any prior notice, expla-nation or proof of wrongdoing. These arbitrary deductions are deeply troubling. Despite repeated complaints and even after two official visits to my house by Sepco staff, the issue has remained unresolved. No written justification, no reversal of charges — just silence and apathy. Many others have faced the same issue. The people have been left helpless, forced to pay inflated bills under continued pressure as they fear either disconnection or further fines.

Khalil Ahmed Junejo
Larkana

CIGARETTES AND MINORS: Recently I gave my younger brother, a minor, some money and sent him to buy cigarettes. I wanted to check what the shopkeeper would do in such cases, hoping that he would refuse to sell cigarettes to a child. However, my brother soon retruned with a pack of cigarettes in his hands. I asked him if the shopkeeper had done anything to avoid selling cigarettes to him. None, he replied. This is shocking.

Ali Hassan
Hub

Published in Dawn, June 24th, 2025