I WAS quite amused to read a news report (Nov 24) about PEPA asking SEPA to evaluate the effects of windmill project on visual landscapes, noise from spinning motors, harm to wildlife, loss of habitat, etc, in a far-flung area of Keti Bundar in Sindh. During the last many years I have not come across in the press anything about PEPA asking SEPA for a report on effects of smoke, noise, water, and now added radiation (due to installation of mobile towers on residential buildings) pollution in the city of Karachi where millions of people are suffering with several fatal diseases like lung diseases, ENT diseases, nerves diseases and intolerance, resulting in deaths and destruction.

Neither have these agencies ever bothered about cutting of hundreds of thousands of mature green trees in Karachi (and Sindh) in collaboration with the timber mafia. On the other hand, as reported (Aug 25), funds allocated to SEPA for the purpose could not be utilised by the time of expiry. It was also reported that an amount of Rs31 million was said to have spent without even starting the project.

Authorities supposed to control pollution come out with excuses which a common man cannot digest like SEPA not having trained staff. DIG Traffic Wajid Durrani, as reported ( Sept 27), says that his department does not have modern equipment to check fitness of vehicles. He also admits that 20 to 30 per cent unregistered vehicles are plying on city roads. One can see with his naked eyes smoke being emitted from thousands of vehicles and can hear the deafening noise of these faulty vehicles.

What we lack is the will and aptitude to implement court rulings/ decisions. In a situation like this the only option left is to suffer. 'There are only two types of people in our society - one who suffer and one who make them to suffer.

HAJI ASHFAQ
Muscat