
Out on the streets, things are not much better, either. Due to ongoing work on multiple construction projects — for some reason begun simultaneously by the Punjab government — the flow of traffic on major roads and key arteries are badly affected. The result is traffic logjams, which means it can take hours to move a few kilometres. No real plan to manage the situation has been put in place, perhaps because with so many roads being worked on together, there are no real alternatives to reach one’s destination. CNG shortages have added to the misery of commuters, who have no choice but to brave the roads.
There are countless other problems. With the rule of law near total collapse, street crime is more and more common: cars vanish from roadsides; muggings and cell phone theft is common in these traffic jams and street crime has become increasingly common. People no longer feel safe even in their own homes. This is a tragic situation to be faced with. Civilians have basic rights which need to be safeguarded. People deserve the respect enshrined upon them by virtue of being citizens and they should not need to suffer so much hardships on a daily basis.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 7th, 2012.
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