5 apartments in my block, owned by navy, are in most dilapidated and crumbling condition, with unchecked wild growth.
KARACHI: The Seaview Township in DHA Karachi consists of almost one hundred blocks with nine apartments in each block. Probably, among the institutional owners, the Pakistan Navy (PN) occupies the largest number of apartments in the township. Contrary to the notion that military institutions would be a blessing to the community due to their discipline and efficiency, the valuable assets owned by the PN have become a source of constant anxiety, hazard and friction for the civilian residents, as well as the naval residents, including serving officers of the PN.
To illustrate this point, five apartments in my block, owned by the navy, are in a most dilapidated and crumbling condition, with unchecked wild growth in their open areas, overcrowded servant quarters and so on. It is a three-dimensional constant peril to the entire community; disintegrating structures (dropping plaster often shatters night silence like falling meteoroids); infested wild growth; and unchecked large number of unwelcome visitors. All these issues have been highlighted to the PN authorities in writing, with photos, more than once. Their response consists of a visit by the Naval Police, inquiries into the nature of complaints — and then complete silence!
The purpose of this letter is not to malign someone, but to draw the attention of the authorities concerned (the PN, the DHA and the Clifton Cantonment Board) to help the residents recover their peace of mind when at home and not live under constant anxiety and threat of a looming disaster.
Imtiaz Piracha, Basit Qadri, Mrs Ahmed and Mrs Aslam
Published in The Express Tribune, August 31st, 2013.
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