Prior to occurrence of this tragic incident, road leading to Al Azhar Gardens remained in shabby conditions
KARACHI: May 13, 2015 will be remembered as a “Black Day” in the history of Karachi when 45 people belonging to the Ismaili Community became victim of the worst form of terrorism. At the main University Road in Karachi, from the bus stop of Mosamyat, a road goes to the Safoora Roundabout, and taking left turn, it goes into the residential colony of the Ismaili community, Al-Azhar Garden, where they have been living in peace for decades. Prior to occurrence of this tragic incident, for the last several years, these roads (Mosamyat to Safoora Roundabout and Safoora Roundabout to Kiran Hospital) remained in very shabby condition, street lights were out of order, the footpaths were filled with heaps of garbage. No relevant authority felt the need to level the series of small and huge craters, situated on the middle of main university road.
The day this unfortunate incident took place, the visit of the Prime Minister of Pakistan was expected in this area. The visits of high level civil and military officials were also being anticipated for condolence and investigation. The local administration which had been in deep slumber for many years, suddenly woke up. Street lights were being repaired while battalions of sanitary workers were engaged in lifting of garbage, craters were being leveled and the carpeting and maintenance work of roads was being carried out. The work was done on day and night basis hence whole environment improved in a day or two.
The Prime Minister of Pakistan did not visit the crime scene or Al-Azhar Garden, due to his busy schedule, but the effort of local administration to betray the high officials and to hide their incompetence and lethargy in such a deceiving manner is quite condemnable.
Syed Sajid Mahmood
Published in The Express Tribune, May 27th, 2015.
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