I LIVE in the neighbourhood of Bilawal House and recently had a troubling experience which moved me to write this letter.

Marriage lawns in residential areas are a common sight these days and the residents have to bear the noise.

So, the other night was also one such night of jubilation for some enthusiasts, resulting in intolerable noise for me. As we also had a law of time restriction on weddings, I thought the agony would be over at midnight, and then hoped maybe at 1am, but the noise was ceaseless till around 3am.

This reminded me of one such night about six or seven years ago during Musharraf’s government when a ban on loudspeakers was enforced. I remembered calling 15, being responded to as an emergency call should be responded, and my complaint of the unlawful activity being attended to and due measures taken, with silence ensuing shortly afterwards.

This efficiency was such a surprise at that time that I still remember it. So, I tried the same this time from 1am to 3am again and again, but the police emergency phone number 15 was continuously engaged.

DR TANVEER ANJUM            Karachi