SHIRKING RESPONSIBILITY: The Sindh government has recently asked people to remain vigilant while purchasing apartments, and approach the relevant authorities to be sure that the projects have been officially approved. It is the responsibility of the government to ensure that no unauthorised construction is taking place within its jurisdiction. It reflects badly on the government when it advises people to get the housing projects verified instead of making sure itself that no housing scheme is illegal.

Salar Lateef
Karachi

GOVERNANCE FAILURE: Every year, post-monsoon flash floods continue to cause widespread disturbances in the country. We often call it natural calamity when it is actually our own incompetence and negligence. Efficient under- ground drainage systems could have worked wonders, but they remain non-existent or terminally clogged. As such, successive governments have been focusing on infrastructure above the ground because it gives them political mileage. Unfortunately, what lies underground is invisible to the public and, therefore, politically unrewarding. Until and unless we prioritise subterranean sustainability, we will remain victims, not of nature, but of wilful inaction.

Ijaz Durrani
Lahore

RESIDENT’S APPEAL: I am a teacher and owner of what once used to be Flat #803 in the now-demolished Nasla Tower in Karachi. The building was demolished on Supreme Court directives. The auction of the land has left us homeless. The compensation we are likely to receive is far below than what we paid in 2017-18 when the dollar was worth Rs108 compared to today’s value of Rs286. Unfortunately, rebuilding or purchasing a home with this compensation is impossible. All I am seeking is justice: either rebuild the tower and give us our homes back, or return our paid amounts as per today’s property value so we can buy another place to live. Will someone listen to our plea?

Muhammad Kamran Shakir
Karachi

Published in Dawn, August 1st, 2025