Rising inter-city bus fares are making it difficult for people to visit their families and hometowns. For a distance of about 500 kilometres, the one-way fare used to be Rs1,000 not too long ago. During the recent Eid holidays, the transporters were charging up to Rs2,500. The authorities concerned must take stringent action against bus operators. They should keep a regular and vigilant eye on the fares being charged on inter-city routes.

Adil Ahmed
Karachi

BATTERED INFRASTRUCTURE: Precious lives were lost during the recent rains in Karachi. Putting up fancy lights on roads and flyovers is not governance when the roads remain inundated with rainwater. The city’s crumbling infrastructure has made rain an agony to bear for the residents. Politicians and administrators should wake up to the reality and come up with a practical plan in order to save human lives and to minimise the misery during monsoons.

Mazhar Yousuf Ansari
Hyderabad

QUALITY OF POLITICS: There is an urgent need for politics of tolerance in the country. Right now, our politicians practice hate speech, and label the opponents traitors, hitting them below

the belt. All such tactics have unfortunately become the prevailing norm these days. It is time to sit back, take stock of the situation and take steps that may promote peaceful politics of decency.

Saleem Raza
Quetta

DISCOUNTED OIL: Taking advantage of the heavy discounts, India has steadily increased its oil intake from Moscow. According to a report, India has received 4.8 million metric tonnes of discounted Russian oil since the Ukraine-Russia war broke out. Why is Pakistan purchasing costly oil? Where is the concept of the free trade if Pakistan is not allowed to buy oil from Moscow? The government should make the most of what is available in our neighbourhood and save close to $25 per barrel.

Siraj Ahmed Khatian
Shahdadkot

Published in Dawn, July 24th, 2022