Civic suffering

Civilians in any state should be able to expect at least a basic standard of living. This is a part of the basic contract between them and the entity termed ‘their nation’. But the reality today is that people face greater and greater hardships. In Lahore, as winter has ridden in, the supply of natural gas and power has begun to dwindle from households. While the Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited announced extensive cuts in gas supply a few months ago and a schedule for power outages in industries, there is a lack of clarity about gas cuts to homes. In some cases, aging distribution systems and the fact that CNG stations located near residential areas pull away gas compound the problems of the people, which means a lack of heating and fear of a worsening crisis. Power cuts added to this do nothing to brighten a bleak situation. It is all rather like living in Dickensian times.

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 7^th, 2012.