RAWALPINDI:
Residents of Rawalpindi cantonment areas face increasing difficulties in accessing basic civic facilities due to the absence of elected representatives and a security guard system.
Problems with water supply, sanitation and damaged roads have intensified.
According to a report compiled by The Express PK Press Club, visits to posh and densely populated areas – including Westridge Valley Road, Peshawar Road Lines, Tench Bhatta, Peoples Colony, Abid Majeed Road, Bakra Mandi Kamalabad, Misrial Road, Seham, Chohar Harpal, Range Road, Dhoke Chaudhrian, Dhoke Banaras, Millatabad, Niazi Town, Naseerabad and Chak Madad Khan – revealed poor sanitation, pothole-filled streets and a faulty water supply system.
The worst situation is that of street lights, either missing or non-functional, plunging areas into darkness soon after sunset, looking more like isolated rural localities than a cantonment.
Sources said the maintenance work was delayed due to shortage of materials. Previously, these issues were highlighted by elected officials, providing incentives for timely action.
Former cantonment board members Rashid Khan and Haji Zafar Iqbal said their tenure had ended and their offices had been closed, leaving them unable to address public concerns despite pressure from residents.
