A STEADY breeze has been blowing these days, especially in the morning, as is announcing the imminent advent of autumn. I just wish the breeze would blow away the country’s problems and provide its citizens some much needed relief.

As inflation and taxes erode the purchasing power of the average consumer, the floods have only exacerbated the misery and plight of the common man. Petty crimes are on the rise and the future looks very bleak. As the economic disparity widens the chasm between the rich and the poor, increasing dissatisfaction and intolerance leads to higher levels of crime.

Lahore struggles to breathe and is splitting at the seams. It is already struggling with a huge population. Resources are depleting rapidly, but we continue to pile on the pressure with little concern for this city, like an old man struggling to put one step in front of the other, but doing his best to do whatever he can as his energy levels deplete rapidly. Are we going to lighten his burden or keep on adding to it with little concern for his welfare and wellbeing?

Gaitee Ara Siddiqi
Lahore

Published in Dawn, October 16th, 2022