Road to Thar

The impression among people regarding the Thar coalfield was that of a drought stricken area. But the region is well built, with smooth roads right at the entrance of Tharparkar and mobile phone outlets in Mithi and Islamkot.

Old 6-wheel drive army trucks are used for transportation of water. Travelling at night is not a problem however one has to watch out for the wandering cattle and the vehicles without the headlights. Few air-conditioned buses also run in Islamkot. Although the road has recently been overhauled, the credit for that goes to former chief minister of Sindh, Arbab Ghulam Rahim, who built a dirt track into a road. This gives hope that the current state of the district can get better if work is done with pure intentions.

Syed Hussein El-Edroos

Islamabad