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Open Letter to Editor by: Alisha Mehmood (Quaidabad Karachi, Pakistan)
Dear Editor,
I am writing to bring your attention to the state of our country's roads, which are not being given their due rights. It is important to note that roads have rights as well, as they are constructed by the government to provide the public with ease of transportation of goods, smooth traffic flow, and safe journeys. In exchange for these benefits, roads require care and maintenance, which is their right.
Unfortunately, on-road markets often have high road banks or ends due to the construction of shops at a higher level than the roads themselves. This results in stagnant rainwater and debris remaining on the roads, which becomes dangerous with the passage of time and can lead to significant damage to the roads. Additionally, business activities decrease as the front of shops is surrounded by stagnant water, which is a clear sign of our failure to maintain clean surroundings.
Another concerning issue is the fact that roads are often blocked during mishaps, which subjugates their rights. Our holy Prophet SAW rebuked his companions when they blocked the road even during times of war. In-city roads are also in poor condition, with main holes often left open and heaps of garbage scattered around, which can become hazardous during heavy rainfall.
It is disheartening to see that many people do not care about pollution and bad odors in their surroundings and refuse to take responsibility for cleaning up the filth. However, cleanliness is half faith, and it is our religious and moral duty to keep our surroundings clean. In order to achieve this, roads and streets must be cleaned properly, and the level of roads must be higher than the sewerage to allow proper drainage. Filth must be removed to block the holes of sewerage gutters, and main holes must be kept safe to prevent any loss of life.
It is crucial that we raise a sense of civic responsibility among the public through various channels, including social media. We must adopt a "first act, then preach" policy to ensure that our surroundings remain clean and safe. A clean and safe environment is a guarantee of a healthy life and will ultimately reduce pressure on the economy.
I am asking everyone in Pakistan to think about how important it is to take care of our roads and keep our surroundings clean. I also want the government of Pakistan, including the Sindh Provincial government, to pay attention to these issues and work to fix them. We can use the media to help raise awareness and put pressure on the government to do something about it. It's up to all of us to take responsibility and make sure our cities and towns are clean and safe for everyone.
Sincerely,
Alisha Mehmood
(Quaidabad Karachi, Pakistan)