Two tuition centres have been established and are operating on our street, causing a daily traffic gridlock
KARACHI: Through your esteemed newspaper, we, the residents of Defence Housing Authority (DHA) Karachi, wish to register a strong protest against the indifferent attitude of DHA with regard to its public dealings. When aggrieved residents take up a case for being inconvenienced, tortured, and mentally agonised by the tuition mafia — their genuine and logical pleas fall on deaf ears. Two tuition centres have been established and are operating on our street, causing a daily traffic gridlock, noise and appalling disturbance, as well as compromising our privacy and peace of mind. These two tuition centres are located opposite to each other and generate a volume of approximately 50 to 200 cars every single day — mostly humongous double-cabin SUVs and trucks, in an unstoppable stream. The offspring of filthy-rich individuals attend tuition classes at these centres and are always accompanied by their multiple gunmen who possess loaded weapons. The drivers of these vehicles park their mighty cars at every nook and cranny of our neighbourhood — making it difficult for residents to get through. This exasperating situation has been going on for the last eight months. Also, these busy tuition centres have around 200 children and teenagers enrolled, making it susceptible to all kinds of trouble. Needless to say, they are in fact, vulnerable to terrorist attacks, as no security measures have been adopted for their safety and wellbeing. It is a frightening thought that another Peshawar tragedy may re-occur.
We have been lodging our complaints with the administrators of DHA and its Vigilance Department, both verbally and in writing to convey the message that the opening of tuition centres amidst our homes is in contravention of clause number 28 of DHA’s own by-law, “Construction By-Laws 2000”. Nevertheless, DHA’s Vigilance Department has taken sides with the owners of the tuition centres, both of whom happen to be women. Unfortunately, the tuition centres have not been shut down, even after eight months. It is pertinent to mention here that both the centres are only 200 yards away from Saba Commercial Area. Why can’t the tuition centres be moved to the commercial area, where they actually belong?
In the light of the above, we request the Corps Commander of Karachi to intervene in the matter and order the closure of the tuition centres as soon as possible.
Safir A Siddiqui
Published in The Express Tribune, September 5th, 2015.
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