METRO EXPERIENCE: I had a stressful experience while travelling from Katcheri station to Gajjumata via a Metro Bus in Lahore. The bus was packed to capacity and the air conditioners were not working properly. The passengers were soaked in sweat and were irritated because of extreme suffocation. It is unfortunate that the decent mode of transport is losing its charm because of poor maintenance. The authorities concerned should maintain some standard of service and maintenance in order to ensure the convenience of the passengers frequenting Metro Bus service.

Najeeb Durrani
Loralai

DEADLY CULTURE: A gut-wrenching incident took place recently in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Swabi area when a schoolboy was killed over familial enmity while he was returning to his home. Swabi is not some remote rural area, but the culture of honour killing and use of weaponry are common traits that are gaining momentum with time. The law and order situation in the district is a nightmare, and the use of drugs is increasing by the day. There is a need to implement the existing laws to protect the people, especially children.

Tauseef Iqbal Khan
Islamabad

QUETTA LIBRARIES: With a population of 2.6 million, Quetta is the only cosmopolitan city in Balochistan. The provincial capital is unfortunately in the grip of problems, such as traffic congestion, road blocks, potholes, absence of public parks and dearth of healthcare facilities. The city has only three public libraries having a pooled seating capacity of about a thousand at a time. These libraries are swarmed by students, especially by those preparing for various competitive exams in the hope of getting onto public-sector employment. As Balochistan has the lowest literacy rate in the country, the government should move quickly to set up more public libraries in the city.

Honaryar
Quetta

Published in Dawn, November 22th, 2023