PAINFUL CONDITIONS: The residential area around Badar Commercial in Karachi’s Defence Housing Authority (DHA) used to be a posh locality, but over the last few years, conditions have gone from bad to worse. The entire area is littered with all sorts of garbage, and shabby garbage-pickers constantly roam around unchecked by police, DHA vigilance teams or wardens of the Clifton Cantonment Board (CBC). These garbage-pickers are usually drug addicts who keep getting away with minor thefts. The roads are in a bad shape, and most of streetlights have stopped working. Despite several complaints to the CBC, no positive response has been received.

Tahir Hassan
Karachi

DEATH OF AN ACTIVIST: Ishaque Mangrio, who died last month (June 16), was a professional journalist who showed qualities of courage, compassion and integrity. From a young age, he was deeply rooted in his community, and became a passionate political as well as literary activist during the 1980s. Moreover, his commitment to social justice knew no bounds. He raised his voice for marganilised and once he visited Nagarparkar and met Miskeen Jahan Khan Khoso, a social worker in Tharparkar who tirelessly advocated for the rights of the marginalised. Ishaque’s legacy will continue to inspire young journalists and activists in Sindh.

Dr Khataumal
Mithi

WORRIED PARENTS: The burden of summer vacation fee is too much for low-income families, making it difficult for them to take a break from the hustle and bustle of daily life. Students do not receive education during vacations, but the parents are required to pay the fee for those months as well. This is an unnecessary and illogical burden on those who struggle to provide three meals a day. The teachers receive their pay even without having to do anything, while the parents are constantly worried about their children’s fee. The government must provide some relief to such parents.

Saba Anwar
Turbat

Published in Dawn, July 5th, 2024