Female residents highlight grievances eloquently

Rawalpindi

Women of different union councils expressed their deep concern about several problems faced by them at a 'Khuli Kutcheri' held by Ilyas Mehmood Laali, chairman of UC-44 here on Tuesday.

Women came in large numbers to vent their grievances and highlight the problems they faced, in their locality as well as in society in general, says a press release.

Absence of streetlights was described as main issue. It was said that after the sunset there was total darkness, which gives a sense of insecurity not only to the residents but to women and children in particular. Women also protested against heaps of debris and garbage too. It was said that the locality has become a favourite haunt for anti-social elements and drug addicts also frequent the area.

Chairman Laali and TMA's streetlight inspector were also invited by Chaurdary Ilyas, the organiser of 'Khuli Kutcheri'. Other inspectors, Abdul Khaliq and S E Qasim Shahzad replied to the public questions and explained their position about absence of streetlights. They revealed that a plan was underway to install LED lights in 46 UCs in the near future.

Nasreen Bibi of Dhoke Khabba complained about live electricity wires lying on the roads whenever an electric poll is hit by a truck or tractor, which was a routine matter. According to the women of the area, the matter has been repeatedly brought into notice of Islamabad Electric Supply Company (Iesco) authorities, but they have always turned a deaf ear to their complaints.

Farha Bibi, a social welfare worker, urged the relevant police station to take immediate action against drug addicts who frequent the localities around posing a grave danger to the youth of the area. Rozina Khaliq of UC-42 complained that drain water was entering the houses and polluting the environment. The chairman issued directives to TMA to get the problem fixed.

Another social worker, Dr. Sadia, who runs a drug treatment and rehabilitation centre, offered services of her centre while emphasising the need of physical and mental treatment of drug addicts.

Speaking on the occasion Laali said that whenever they try to remove encroached stairs outside the houses to make new drains, the owners of the houses stop them to do so.

Organiser of the function, Chaurdary Ilyas, said that everything possible should be done to solve the problems and remove the grievances of the common man. He said that women deserve to be respected by all and sundry. They should have a feeling that they would not be harassed anywhere. He urged everyone to pay due respect to women.