I RECENTLY had an opportunity to visit Sukkur, which is the third biggest city of Sindh. I have no reservations in saying that it is the worst city in Pakistan.

It is falling behind in all walks of life but rapidly progressing in social evils and afflictions.

There is mismanagement of state land, misuse of national exchequer, underdevelopment of human resources.

The city has large numbers of unemployed and underemployed people living in slums.

Tribal conflicts are on the surge.

Hide and seek of electricity is the order of the day.

The judiciary, among others, is the worst sufferer because of non-availability of electricity.

Apart from the power crisis, some areas of the city only have water for two hours a day. It has the worst roads, sanitation and sewerage system. Pitiably, Sukkur is almost devoid of civic amenities. Neither past politicians nor the present from the city have done anything for it.

Since this historic and commercial city is located on the bank of the Indus, it will have a lot of attractions for local and foreign tourists if it is developed on modern lines.

I also had the opportunity to visit Sukkur’s Darul Aman. This shelter for women was in a very bad shape. Scores of nameless women who cannot speak for themselves, bound in chains of oppression and suppression, are languishing in the centre.

Many of the women are illiterate and are living like prisoners. Nobody has taken notice of the violation of their rights, the discrimination and injustices meted out to them.

These ill-fated women are being exploited. They are verbally, emotionally, physically and sexually abused.

When such women, with an injured psyche, become mothers, they give birth to children who take revenge from society when they grow up.

Nuclearisation is not as important as the liberation of our nation from obsolete, archaic tribal and feudal mindset and rituals.

We have no concept of a thing called civilisation. Is there anyone in the corridors of power to look after this historic city?

H.A. Islamabad