KARACHI:
I am a resident of the F-7 Markaz in Islamabad which is situated adjacent to a famous Christian slum known as the France Colony. My daily commute involves crossing the area. Despite being located just across the street, the sheer contrast between the streets of F-7 and the katchi abadi is evident. The colony is dilapidated and grossly neglected. Due to the lack of amenities such as electricity, gas, potable water and proper waste disposal, the area is filled with garbage and sewage sludge. Despite the presence of a primary school, a minuscule number of children attend it because of the lack of basic facilities.
The colony was hit hard by the deadly coronavirus and the absence of a proper healthcare facility made the situation even worse. Moreover, rumours are spreading that people from the colony indulge in drug trafficking and theft — something that has now alarmed the entire neighbourhood. This is a pressing issue that has long been ignored by the authorities. We need to come up with a way to make such neglected colonies sustainable and self-sufficient rather than thinking of demolishing them altogether.
Soha Nisar
Islamabad
Published in The Express Tribune, July 11th, 2021.
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