Sir,

Recently I visited Plaza (famous for automobile parts’ shops) at M.A. Jinnah Road in order to repair minor car-door defects.

When I slowed down two boys, apparently ‘agents’, guided me to the roadside to carry out the work. There four so-called mechanics invaded my car.

I told them clearly that I wanted only minor repairs to one door and I agreed to pay Rs400 for it.

Then the so-called mechanics started removing the rubber packing of the car doors’ glasses. I told them not to do this as there was nothing wrong with the rubber packing or doors, but they did not stop and removed the packing of all the doors.

Then they demanded Rs2,000 to buy some pins for re-fixing the packing. I told them that I didn’t want any work done and they should put back the packing with or without pins. They said that the work of removing and re-fixing the rubber packing would cost Rs53,000 — unless this amount was paid to them they would not allow me and my car to go.

When I refused they started dismantling my car doors.

They said if I didn’t have the money I should get it from the bank or my house.

Luckily a police van with an ASI stopped there. I requested the officer to get me released from the clutches of these criminals.

He, instead of scolding or arresting them, advised me to settle the matter with them and drove away, saying that he would return after a round of the area!

I was stranded there for two hours. At one point I felt that these criminals would not let me go alive.

At last after emptying my wallet (of Rs1,500) they let me go after crudely fixing the rubber. I had to go to another mechanic to re-fix the rubber packing and repair the doors.

I want to advise the Karachi public to never go to Plaza for any automobile repairs by these road-side thugs. Please don’t park your car where these criminals rule. The IG police should take notice of this.

This is another example of the collapse of law and order in Karachi. Where are Karachi and Pakistan heading?

M.M. SYED Karachi

CBC and building safety

Sir, DHA residents breathed a sigh of relief on learning that the Cantonment Board Clifton (CBC) has finally established its writ by initiating enforcement of building by-laws requiring a fire escape staircase in buildings.

They have thus set a good example for all other building reg ulatory bodies.

In the recent past there have been a number of fires in factories and buildings where numerous lives were lost due to lack of adequate fire-fighting equipment and/or fire escape provisions.

This lack of essential building regulatory provisions had always been a concern of the representatives of DHA residents in the CBC’s Building Regulatory Committee.

Consensus had built up to enforce the building by-laws. Therefore, the Association of Defence Residents (ADR) members in the CBC Building Regulatory Committee took upon themselves the urgent task of enforcing the required provisions relating to fire safety and prevention of fire hazards. As expected their efforts have at last borne fruitful results.

A busy cinema complex in DHA finally complied and has erected a fire escape staircase in the back alley of the building.

The DHA residents and certainly the moviegoers feel relieved that such an important provision has now been finally established for their safety.

This is an encouraging example of how the residents’ efforts, in cooperation with the local government, can remove hurdles and a change can be made for the good of all concerned.

The voluntary efforts of the DHA residents’ representatives deserve commendation, which is to be equally shared with the CBC’s CEO for his efforts and cooperation as well as the efforts of the engineering department, besides others.

The above is a good example of where there is a will there is a way. Hopefully, all regulatory bodies shall take the cue and follow suit in implementing apparently difficult (but quite doable) essential public interest regulations.

AIJAZ NABI Member Association of Defence Residents Karachi

McLeod Bahadur

Sir, I found Peerzada Salman’s write-up ‘McLeod Bahadur’ (Dec 9) in Stone Age very interesting as I am very fond of Karachi’s original architecture. Too bad not much is left and whatever remains is mostly dilapidated and likely to be pulled down sooner rather than later.

TARIQ EFFENDI Via email

mailbag@dawn.com