Sir,

The residents of Nazish Apartment, Sector 7D/4, North Karachi are facing great difficulties due to acute water shortage. As a matter of fact water supply to the complex has been discontinued for a long time. The residents are paying a heavy cost for getting water through tankers: every resident pays Rs1,000 per month for water instead of Rs400 maintenance charges. It seems that the shortage is artificial just to create business for the owners of water tankers.

This situation has created great inconvenience for the people of this apartment complex. It is the duty of the department concerned to maintain regular water supply. Many complaints have been lodged with the authorities concerned but all efforts have been in vain. It is pertinent to mention that water is being supplied on a regular basis to the areas adjoining our apartment complex.

It is suggested in the larger interest of the public that water tanker service should be supplied free of cost till regular supply is restored because currently residents are themselves paying for the tankers.

The residents appeal to the chief minister, chief secretary, minister for local government, secretary local government and the MD of KWSB to please pay personal attention to the matter and strictly advise the chief engineer and other related officers concerned to redress this complaint immediately and to restore water supply immediately. Otherwise residents of the apartment complex will be entitled to claim a refund of the paid charges.

NISAR AHMED President

Residents' Association Sir,

I want to ask the IG police why police officials, at times, ride motorbikes without registration plates. Are they exempted from this rule?

Suppose a common citizen rides a motorcycle without registration plates. The police will fine him accordingly to the law. The law must apply to all people, whether in uniform or not. It should not matter if one is in power, famous or well-connected — it makes no difference before the law. Islam teaches us these values.

Take the example of pillion riding. We see that the prohibition on this is strictly applied to common citizens but police officials and their family members are free to flaunt the ban whenever it is in place. Why this double standard?

Because of these double standards our country has become a joke. It is frankly shameful to note that the rule of law does not matter here. My message is that the law should be equal for everyone and selected people should not be exempted from observing the law.

ASHFAQ SHARIF Karachi