While those with ‘great expectations’ remained glued to the television, seeking any new development towards a new Pakistan, in the city, life pretty much goes on as it has in the past. A large part of the city remains dug-up, a past testament to the various large-scale infrastructure projects initiated under the previous government, to sway the voters. A senior minister of the Punjab government has promised that all mega projects will be completed as planned. One can only hope soon for the sake of daily commuters.

Speaking of the senior minister, his name keeps cropping up in connection with the soon to be launched anti-encroachment drive against the powerful and politically influential land-grabbers or ‘qabza groups’. The drive, following one the Capital earlier, is scheduled to start from today in Lahore. If pursued sincerely and seriously it is sure to yield enormous political, financial and publicity dividends for the new government.

For families seeking greener pastures, the Governor House is now open to the public on Sundays. The initial response from the public has been positive. Yet, as is usually the case with us, we somehow manage to turn a positive into a negative. The visiting families with little regard for the privilege, left litter all over the place and also managed to damage some property. It is hard to comprehend how we have become a nation, entirely devoid of basic civic sense.

While on the subject of civic responsibility, traffic is another area where its complete absence is apparent; a subject which the new government is trying hard to tackle. A new law for underage drivers, entailing fines and possible prison time for parents, appears to be a step in the right direction. Despite stricter enforcement of traffic laws, especially for motorcyclists – it is always easier to go for the low hanging fruit – traffic continues to grow at a exponential rate and increasingly chaotic. It is little wonder then; its flow is often interrupted due to certain unforeseen events. Apart from the accidents and car breakdowns and various protests, the major traffic snags are entirely the fault of our highly qualified drivers.

The efforts have made some headway; even milkmen are wearing helmets, while zigzagging through traffic with their numerous milk containers piled-up dangerously, a traffic hazard in their own right. Yet, there are some locals who somehow feel terribly offended if they have to follow rules. Another milkman, a sight for the sore eyes, was witnessed whizzing his way through traffic with his helmet lovingly balanced over the head of his copper pot.

While political pundits point out the numerous major challenges which await the government, hardly anyone addresses the question of our mindsets – #MeOnly. Can we only conform if punitive measures are in place or if we are incentivised? Any political dispensation would be hard pressed to carry out major changes, until our attitudes change and we collectively agree to ‘being civic’.

Turning to the weather, with the recent rains in quick succession, Lahoris can at last let out a sigh of relief. The hail mixed with the rain perhaps is a portent of the end of summer, or so one hopes. The nights now hint at the coming chill. Sitting out, a ritual to which a large part of the population no longer subscribes has now become a pleasant option. During the daytime, it is still rather hot under the harsh sunlight but it does not feel as terrible with the absence of the energy-sapping humidity. Yet, a word of warning, with the changing weather comes various maladies.

In a lighter vein, during the weekend storm, lightning struck near the’ Shimla Pahari’ at the intersection of Davies and Empress Road. Now this is also in vicinity to where the press club lies. Too close to home as they say. Not one to believe in signs, could this be a message for the fourth estate? — (AmLahori@gmail.com)

Published in Dawn, October 1st, 2018