Quetta reels under darkness, dog menace

Streetlight outages spark safety fears as stray dog attacks rise across city

QUETTA:

Residents of Quetta are facing severe difficulties due to the prolonged shutdown of streetlights in key areas of the provincial capital, plunging large parts of the city into complete darkness as soon as evening sets in.

Major and busy localities including Siryab Road, Arbab Karam Khan Road, Jinnah Town, Shahbaz Town, Brewery, Liaquat Bazaar, Mariabad, Spiny Road, Qumbrani Road, Zarghoon Road, Sabzal Road, Sirki Road, and Samungli Road are among the worst affected. In these areas, streetlights are either completely non-functional or working only partially.

Citizens complain that the darkness has not only worsened traffic problems but has also led to a noticeable rise in criminal incidents. Similar complaints were raised in the past, particularly regarding Siryab Road and other localities, where residents expressed serious concerns over their safety.

Local communities have strongly urged the district administration and the Quetta Metropolitan Corporation to immediately repair faulty streetlights and install new ones to provide a secure environment for citizens. They warned that failure to take timely action could result in a further increase in road accidents and crime during night hours.

In a separate but equally pressing issue, the growing population of stray dogs has become a serious menace for Quetta residents.

Packs of stray dogs are freely roaming streets, alleys, and residential neighbourhoods across the city, creating an atmosphere of fear and panic among the public.

Areas such as Qumbrani Road, Sabzal Road, Siryab Road, Jungle Bagh, Ghausabad, Eastern Bypass, and several others have been badly affected. Local residents say that especially at night, groups of dogs come onto the roads and attack pedestrians, children, and motorcyclists.

Multiple cases of dog bites have been reported in different parts of the city, with some victims requiring immediate medical attention and hospitalisation.