Christmas Day: Transport problem hinders festivities

On the Christmas Day, people including Christian populace faced transport shortage due to the closure of CNG stations.

ISLAMABAD: On the Christmas Day, people including the Christian populace faced transport shortage due to the closure of CNG stations.

With the taxis overcharging and lack of other options it became difficult for them to reach their destination, especially the Churches to perform their religious obligations.

According to 1998 census, there are 21 million Christians in Pakistan, out of which 32738 live in Islamabad. Majority of them are living in underprivileged areas of the capital. A number of families were found standing at bus stop waiting for the local transport as majority of them could not afford cabs. They were of the view that the government should have considered the importance of their religious occasion and issued orders to open CNG stations.

Saleem Salik, who along with his family members was standing at a bus stop, expressed his concern over the closure of CNG stations and said this reflects how much is being done for minorities.

“Christmas is a day for which we wait throughout the year, this is the day when we meet all our near and dear ones and go out to enjoy together. But this time around, it has become to difficult to commute due to expensive travelling cost”, he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 26^th, 2010.