A CRUEL JOKE: The Senate recently passed a piece of legislation revising the salaries, allowance and privileges of past, present and future chairmen, putting enormous burden on an already impoverished nation. More than the burden, however, it is the egregious sense of entitlement these legislators so brazenly flaunted that will actually hurt the nation. This arrogation of resources for self, in disdainful disregard for the plight of their countrymen, is obscene. What further proof is required to acknowledge that Pakistan’s democracy is a sham? There should have been a furore and outrage, but what we have is muted reporting in the media, with little or no commentary to condemn such shameful and self-serving legislation.

Hasan Pervez
Karachi

LIVING IN A ‘JUNGLE’: Living in a concrete jungle — a word used for urban centres like Karachi — has become a difficult task as the residents have to face problems that are beyond their capacity to keep a count of. One has to jump over broken pavements and cross roads and streets filled with sewage. Public places, such as parks and grounds, happen to be lacking even the most basic of facilities. The authorities concerned should look into these and other issues.

Fariha Saleem
Karachi

ELECTRICITY THEFT: Despite installing anti-theft Aerial Bundled Cables (ABC), K-Electric (KE) has failed to eliminate the ‘kunda’ culture from Karachi. Electricity theft directly from the distribution lines is rampant across the city, but KE officials, perhaps intentionally, remain oblivious to this heinous crime. Besides, line-fixing has been another issue that needs to be looked into. Shamefully, in this case, KE’s lower staff, such as linemen, are involved in the illegality. Resultantly, KE has been punishing customers who have been paying their bills honestly and regularly by sending them exorbitant monthly bills. Will the KE management wake up and take action in this regard?

Hatim Zoeb Ali
Karachi

Published in Dawn, August 17th, 2023