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Friday prayers and VIP culture Sir, Every Friday Abdul Aziz Mosque, located at Khayaban-i-Mujahid, is overcrowded during Juma prayers. The two-storey mosque does not have the capacity to accommodate the number of worshippers and hence people are forced to pray on the main Khayaban-i-Mujahid on prayer mats.
Usually, the road is blocked when some influential people, along with their protocol vehicles and heavily armed private militiamen, step out of their unregistered vehicles. The road is also blocked by policemen who allow worshippers to park their cars at a distance from the mosque on the main khayaban.
This is where the problem begins; the traffic coming towards the Khadda Market is oblivious of the road obstruction ahead. Several hundred people suffer, especially schoolchildren, those in public buses and private vehicles, which are forced to turn around and use alternative routes.
The major chunk of the road is blocked by the private security men who are extremely abusive to the people stuck in traffic who dare ask what the matter is ahead. It is typical feudal mentality that harasses the common citizens of this country.
Realising by now that this is a significant problem, the DHA should pre-empt this obstruction and create a diversion at the Khayaban-i-Mujahid and Khayaban-i-Shaheen intersection from 1.45pm to 2.10pm. They should either put up a signboard, or a few DHA vigilance guards can help direct traffic away from the roadblock, so people can avoid the inconvenience.
We should also bear in mind that our worship should not result in others’ inconvenience.
DR JAHANZEB EFFENDI Karachi
Traffic chaos increasing Sir, It has been observed that traffic chaos is increasing day by day in the metropolis. Not stopping at a red light during peak hours or coming the wrong way just to save fuel are a few examples.
Motorcyclists and public transporters should drive on their approved side; this will make a lot of difference. It’s the responsibility of all of us to be law-abiding citizens and follow traffic rules.
MINHAS MANSOOR ALI Clifton Stone Age Sir, It was a pleasure to read Peerzada Salman’s write-up about my old college, S.M. Arts and Commerce College, under the title ‘Designs for education’ (Dec 2).
I have studied in this institution from 1950 to 1954 when Syed Ghulam Mustafa Shah was its principal. Those were the golden days of the college. Except for two small rooms, the roof was open and we often brought chairs from downstairs and sat during vacant periods.
It was in its hall that we listened to Begum Liaquat Ali Khan, Begum Atiya Faizi and Mr Z.A. Bukhari of Radio Pakistan, who had presided over a mushaira, and many more luminaries of society.
JUSTICE (R) SALAHUDDIN MIRZA Via email
