UNSAFE DRINKING WATER: In various areas of Kingri tehsil of Khairpur Mirs, residents rely on contaminated canal water and malfunctioning hand-pumps, as functional water supply schemes are either absent or poorly maintained. Waterborne diseases, such as diarrhoea, hepatitis and typhoid, have become common. Low-income families are the worst affected, as they cannot afford alternative sources of clean water. Women are often forced to travel long distances to collect water, adding to their daily hardship. Despite repeated complaints, the issue remains largely neglected. Immediate measures are required, including the repair of existing water schemes, installation of filtration plants and regular monitoring of water quality.

Habibullah Bhutto
Khairpur Mirs

BIASED APPROACH: The so-called board inspection teams only appear during exams to control cheating, but they never visit educational centres during the academic year to check whether or not teachers are present in classrooms, and, if they are, effective teaching is taking place. Many teachers do not teach properly. They use mobile phones or chat with other teachers while in classrooms. As a result, students lose motivation regarding studies, and miss their classes. The Balochistan Education Department should keep a vigilant eye on such affairs as well.

Ameera Yousuf
Hub

WATER AND TRANSPORT: A housing society in Rawalpindi was established in 1964. At the time, water supply through tubewells was sufficient. Later, water was also supplied through pipelines from Khanpur Dam. However, with the passage of time, the population increased, and the underground water level fell. Also, the pipeline today stands severely damaged. The residents regularly pay their water bills to the Water and Sanitation Agency (Wasa). Therefore, it is the government’s responsibility to provide them with clean and adequate water. In addition, there is no public transport available to the area residents.

Madiha Sajjad
Rawalpindi

Published in Dawn, May 7th, 2026