YOUR editorial ‘Road Research’ came at a time when it had dawned upon most of our public men and public servants that the most urgent single need of Pakistan at this juncture is all-weather roads. The paucity of railway wagons and other rolling stocks alone is enough to awaken us to this dire need.

But allow me to say that what is wrong with our road-sense and road-science is not so much lack of data and technique for laying of road surfaces as lack of proper planning, lack of co-ordination, want of reliable contractors and honest execution of work.

…Much before the creation of Pakistan, the PWD decided to build no public building without putting in a half-an-inch thick layer of sand, cement and bitumen as water-resisting blockade, the utility of which had been proved thoroughly. But no building is being built on these lines with the result that heavy yearly repairs are a must. Thus it is not lack of data or technique which stand in the way.

Lack of reliable contractors resulting in giving of small contracts of different types of work to different men causes all the trouble. If soling is completed, the bajri or stones or bitumen is not forthcoming, and if these are ready on the site, the machinery is slow to arrive, with the result that the material depreciates. Then the engineers get transferred. The work generally suffers on account of sudden transfers at inopportune times.

If these factors are controlled, the need for research will not be so great.

ZIAUDDIN S. BULBULDadu

Radio Pakistan

RADIO Pakistan Karachi has wound up the songs programme of regional languages of Pakistan which were broadcast daily after news. This was a wonderful programme and also the best way to popularise regional songs.

In view of the fact that the Government is anxious to develop regional languages, it is strange that Radio Pakistan has put an end to the most entertaining and instructive programme in this regard.

A. HAMEED BALUCHKarachi