WRONG ESTIMATE: This is with reference to the report ‘Mayor inaugurates Rs900m solar-powered street light project on Sharea Faisal’ (Jan 5), which quoted the Karachi mayor as saying that the project would “save Rs25m in electricity bills” every year. I do not know whether to laugh or cry. A simple calculation (900 divided by 25) shows that the payback period for this project is 36 years. Ask anyone who knows the subject, and you will be told that the payback period should be of five years. The city mayor either does not know what he is talking about or someone has minted a lot of money.

Shakir Lakhani
Karachi

CULTURE OF BRIBERY: Recently, I was travelling from Jacobabad to Karachi on a local transport late at night. Due to heavy traffic, the movement on the road was slow. The bus driver took a shortcut and was soon stopped by four police officials. After a few minutes of argument, he handed over Rs200 to one of them. Without issuing a challan, recording any violation, or following legal procedure, the policemen allowed the bus to continue its journey. Indeed, this incident is not an exception, it reflects a normalised culture of bribery on Pakistan’s roads.

Maria Khoso
Jacobabad

ROAD CLOSURE: Whenever cricket matches take place at the cricket stadium in Rawalpindi, all surrounding areas are completely blocked by the relevant authorities for security arrangements. These road closures cause immense inconvenience to the general public. The twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad are connected through key routes, such as Faizabad, and when these crucial roads are blocked, people are unable to travel for work, education, medical emergencies, or other daily necessities. All they face are hours-long traffic jams, frustration and unending helplessness. The authorities should consider alternative arrangements, such as improved traffic management plans, alternative routes, or selecting venues that do not disrupt major roads.

Maham Imran
Islamabad

Published in Dawn, January 16th, 2026