Multiple problems perturb Pindiites

Rawalpindi: Unfortunately, the infrastructure of Rawalpindi city has been posing serious questions as local administration and cantonment board authorities could not provide solutions to lingering problems like, water scarcity, encroachments, parking woes, lawlessness, garbage, poor sewerage system, mismanagement, bad transport system and ever-increasing corruption in all government departments for over five years. Neither government officers nor leaders of different political parties took any kind of initiative to address public grievances and spent time with ‘underhand dealings’ for over five years.

For over three years, more than 80 per cent residents of the city are facing worst shortage and have to wander here and there to address this genuine issue but in vain. The most important department Water and Sanitation Agency (Wasa) is near to collapse where salaries of employees have been stopped, contractors stopped any kind of working due to pending bills and corrupt officers demanding 6 per cent ‘bribe’ commission to clearing their bills but big bosses have not moved even a single inch against such malpractices. The Wasa employees remained on roads demanding to ‘Save WASA’ from corrupt mafia but big bosses are still silent.

Similarly, encroachment mafia was freely ruling the roads and streets and even the Murree Road. The ambulances could not pass through due to ever-increasing encroachments all around. There has been a rise of more than 40 per cent encroachments in last three years but Municipal Officer (Regulation) Imran Ali is still on his seat for over four years.

Over 90 per cent commercial buildings are illegal here in the jurisdiction of Metropolitan Corporation Rawalpindi (MCR) while Chief Officer Chaudhry Amjad was still present on his seat. The non-technical staff has occupied the whole building department here in MCR for years but big bosses are seeing the whole drama with closed eyes.

Similarly, there is a mushroom growth of illegal housing societies in the limits of Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA). Punjab government expressed strong reservations over the mushroom growth of illegal housing societies in Rawalpindi but big bosses are satisfied and seeing the whole drama with closed eyes. The key post officers allegedly involved in under hand dealings to establishment of illegal housing societies named Jamshed Aftab, Samiullah Niazi, Waseem Tabish and several others are still facing inquiries here in Anti-Corruption Department and National Accountability Bureau (NAB). But, all these officers are still working in RDA on same position and same posts.

The condition of Rawalpindi Waste Management Company (RWMC) was not different from others that over 50 per cent garbage lifting vehicles were faulty. The concerned management hired private vehicles to life garbage from city areas. The former Managing Director (RWMC) Rizwan Sherdil is still facing investigation in corruption cases.

In 2015, the then Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif inaugurated the multi-billion rupee metro bus project. The project had brought a healthy change in public transportation in the city, where there had been no major bus transportation for commuters. The residents of the city had welcomed the project, which facilitated hundreds of thousands of commuters travelling between the twin cities.

But, the condition of metro busses and metro stations was very poor. The Sixth Road Metro Station, Rawalpindi was still not operational for over six months. The commuters of 6th Road were facing hell like situation. The whole metro track in Rawalpindi portion was in dilapidated condition but big bosses are satisfied and showing their performance on papers.

The Punjab government and the city district management, however, have remained unsuccessful in initiating long-awaited projects to overcome water shortages in Rawalpindi. Residents have long been hearing about projects such as the Chirrah Dam, Daducha Dam, and Murree Bulk Water Supply, but with no tangible results. As far as the law and order situation is concerned that the residents of Rawalpindi continuously facing street crimes, theft cases etc.

The revenue related issues were numberless where innocent public have to face difficulties in routine. First time in history, the residents of Rawalpindi are facing numerous difficulties in all government departments and leading a difficult life. The bosses completely flopped to address public grievances which was the big question mark on the poor performance of key post officers and political leaderships.