BAHAWALPUR: Bahawalpur Commissioner Dr Ehtesham Anwar Mahar says good quality toilets have been established for women along the major highways in the Bahawalpur division.

Talking to Dawn on Sunday, the commissioner said the facility had been made available at select fuel stations and in the first phase, five, six and 10 sites have been selected in Bahawalnagar, Rahim Yar Khan and Bahawalpur districts, respectively.

He added that toilets had been established on the directions of the Punjab chief secretary.

Except for the motorways, separate toilets for women are not available along major roads in the country and women have to use general toilets by compromising on hygiene and privacy.

Therefore, orders have been issued by the provincial government to all divisional and district administrations to establish separate toilets for women in their respective jurisdictions.

As per details, available with Dawn, a small fee would be charged from the users to make the facility sustainable and to provide necessary supplies such as soap, hand wash, tissue papers and round-the-clock cleanliness.

The commissioner said a management committee, comprising representatives of the union councils concerned, would look after these toilets and overall supervision would rest with the assistant commissioners.

The display of phone numbers of the management committees as well as provision of a complaint box at every facility had also been ensured.

A uniform signage on a pink backdrop has been developed for easy comprehension by womenfolk.

Published in Dawn, September 4th, 2023