Only 315 letterboxes remain in Lahore

LAHORE:

In the streets of Lahore, rusty and forgotten letterboxes stand as quiet reminders of a time when letters were the primary mode of communication.

These relics of the past, once the lifeblood of personal and professional correspondence, now stand abandoned and overlooked, displaced by the rapid rise of social media, emails, and instant messaging.

Gone are the days when the arrival of a postman was eagerly awaited, and a handwritten letter carried a world of emotion.

Today, these letterboxes appear almost forlorn, as if waiting in vain for someone to drop in a letter, a card, or even a note.

The art of letter-writing—sitting in solitude to craft a heartfelt message on a piece of paper—has been replaced by the instant and impersonal tap of a keyboard or phone screen.

The joy of receiving a letter has become a rarity, and if one does arrive, it sparks surprise and curiosity more than anything else. Who wrote it? Why not just send a message?

The anticipation and excitement that once accompanied the postman's visit have been replaced by the instant gratification of texts and voice notes, where emotions and thoughts cross borders and oceans in seconds. Yet, the irreplaceable warmth and sentiment of a handwritten letter remain unmatched by digital substitutes.

Eid cards, once a cherished tradition, have disappeared along with handwritten notes, leaving letterboxes across the city to gather dust and rust.

These silent witnesses to countless stories of joy, love, and sorrow still stand at street corners and neighbourhood alleys, enduring the passage of time.

According to the Pakistan Post, Lahore alone still houses 315 operational letterboxes.

Across Pakistan, nearly 10,000 letterboxes remain in service, holding on to their purpose despite their diminished importance.

Postmaster General Punjab Irum Tariq acknowledged that while letterboxes have lost their prominence in urban areas, they remain vital in remote regions.

In small towns, villages and border areas where internet connectivity is limited or non-existent, letterboxes and post offices continue to facilitate communication.

For these communities, the postman and the letterbox are as relevant as ever, bridging distances and carrying messages of hope and connection.

Historically, Lahore's first letterbox was installed in 1852 (though some argue it was 1855), evolving over time from wooden designs to iron and copper structures.