Sir,Recently while going towards Saddar via I.I. Chundrigar Road I was forced to divert left from the corner of the Standard Chartered Bank building towards Memon Masjid. What I witnessed was something so outrageous that as a Karachiite I felt ashamed.

A huge garbage pile has accumulated against the wall of one of the most magnificent heritage buildings in the city of Karachi — the Overseas Investors Chamber of Commerce and Investment building located on Talpur Road, off I.I. Chundrigar Road. It is quite appalling that the authorities concerned have allowed the dumping of garbage on one of the busiest roads of Karachi.

This shocking practice seems to be a permanent feature as the pile of garbage looked like it was several months old. Not only is the garbage pile damaging a heritage building, it is right in front of a mosque due to which worshipers must be suffering badly. It is also a huge traffic hazard and is definitely injurious to health.

In addition to the filthy garbage pile, the road has also been encroached upon by cobblers, barbers and others, and there are all sorts of posters illegally pasted on the heritage building.

All over the world the authorities have strict laws on road hazards, preservation of heritage buildings and traffic management.

The garbage pile makes a mockery of all such laws, even if they exist in Pakistan. This should be shameful for the KMC.

I request the authorities concerned to clean the whole area and to ensure preservation of the heritage building and removal of traffic hazards and to restore all the heritage buildings which are part of the glorious history of the city of Karachi.

RABEEYA MOIN Via email

Lyari: a cauldron of issues

Sir, Probably one of the largest slums in South Asia, Lyari is amongst the oldest localities of Karachi. One of the main issues facing Lyari and its dwellers is overpopulation. When there are more consumers than resources, then issues come to the fore.

Besides, most of the people are not well-educated. As a result of illiteracy, many youngsters join criminal gangs and pick up arms. The lack of a solid foundation like a good education and proper guidance is missing in Lyari.

The mushroom growth of drug dealers, gangs and criminals of all sorts has made life difficult for ordinary people who are struggling hard to earn their living.

Many gangs in Karachi operate under a political umbrella and Lyari is no exception. In order to eradicate criminal elements, not just the government but all political leaders must disassociate themselves with these gangs. With no political and government patronage these criminals won’t have a safe haven and will either be in prison or on the run.

Another issue Lyari is facing is a lack of support for the sportsmen of the locality. Having extraordinary talent in football, boxing and other sports, most sportsmen and youngsters lose interest or fall behind owing to unavailability of equipment, training facilities, etc.

Connected to this problem is the issue of health. Water is mostly contaminated and garbage can be seen strewn everywhere in Lyari, attracting all kinds of diseases. The authorities concerned need to devise a plan for Lyari to bring clean potable water to households and arrange for regular removal of solid waste.

RABIA ABDUL GHAFFAR Lyari

Gutter overflow

Sir, This is to inform the relevant authorities that the road in front of our house has been totally destroyed due to the overflowing gutter, which has been fully choked for over two months. It is difficult to walk on the broken road.

I request the KWSB to take immediate notice and repair the road and gutter in front of our house (No 289/290 DMCH Society).

S.M. IDREES Karachi

Stone Age

Sir, Mr Peerzada Salman is doing a commendable effort of literally introducing the city of Karachi even to many of its old residents through his column in the Metropolitan section of Dawn.

Having lived in Karachi for over 42 years, I find myself a newcomer after reading the articles. Through the column the beauty of this city and its great history dawns on the readers.

I wanted to praise his efforts. Bravo! Good write-ups and pictures of old buildings.

CAPT ABID HASAN Via email

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