GUJRAT: The city faces an acute shortage of public toilets that causes problems for not only local shopkeepers but also to the outsides visiting its various areas, including busy markets.

The only public toilets which are functional in the city are at the general bus stand.

Even one of the busiest market areas of the city, Muslim Bazaar, is without any public toilet.

There used to be some public toilets in the middle of the bazaar that was once a meat market. However, these were demolished following the Gujrat Municipal Committee sold out the commercial area through a controversial auction some 17 years ago.

In the absence of any public toilet, the shopkeepers of Muslim Bazaar have to use the washrooms of nearby mosques. But the respective administrations of these mosques deem it improper as according to them these toilets are meant for only those who say their prayers there.

The Tehsil Municipal Administration (TMA) had built a block consisting of at least six public toilets -- four for males and two for females -- in the parking area of the Zahoor Elahi Cricket Stadium two and a half years ago. These toilets were also used by the lawyers as well as litigants from the nearby district courts.

However, these toilets are no more a public facility as their doors have been locked and there is no signboard to inform the public about these.

A TMA official said that currently the keys of these toilets were in the custody of some shopkeepers of the stadium’s market and only they used the facility.

According to Tehsil Municipal Officer (TMO) Khurram Tarehngi, these toilets were fully functional and a sweeper had also been deputed for keeping these clean.

He said that he would suggest installation of another door of the stadium parking towards Bhimbher road so that more people could use the facility.

Published in Dawn, October 31st, 2016