An eyewitness report (via sms courtesy Mr. Zaid Aziz) places an oil spill on Sunset Blvd, whereby causing a few accidents (including Mr. Aziz himself) – Approximately 9 cars smashed along with motorbikes… If anyone has a confirmation, please post a comment? Regardless, please be careful when you venture out in that area. Have already informed emergency services to verify and attend to the area.

Suitable for a tombstone maybe but for car’s a number plate ! at least I wouldn’t want THAT on mine. And this number plate is seriously fake as the numbers are not embossed, there is no stamped government monogram, the letters are just hand painted on a green tin plate, and the car is yet on the road.

 Filed beyond capacity, a bit too overloaded, posing a serious threat to it’s occupants, mostly children a few women too This Rickshaw passed by several traffic sergeants but was stopped no where. 

Today I received this email from a close associate and a very active civil society activist Naeem Sadiq, who shares his experience at Agha Khan Hospital. The email was not actually hitting out at AKU but was more or less finger pointing to the Urban Militia [good key word I must say] that roams around the city as if they own each piece of the land. It is the beauty of citizen journalism that such reports are brought to the attention of the public with the hope that it can possibly instigate a positive change.

Illeglally Parked car outside the Private Ward of AKU

AKU was once perceived as a disciplined, professional and caring hospital. It followed rules, provided excellent health care services and even operated a good patient welfare scheme. We were proud of the great hospital built by Prince Karim Aga Khan in the middle of the town.

The AKU has gradually chosen to bid farewell to its founding principles and make compromises, more so when it comes to dealing with the powerful and influential urban militants.
(more…)

How did he park there?

Every now and then we hear horror stories about reckless driving. I got to know of one such case where a person who was driving at speed of 120 without any reason. He first hit two motorcycles subsequently, killing both the commuters and then while he was being chased by the police, he lost control completely, he hit another car and now that guy is hospital in serious condition including fractures and head injury, and if he pulls it through then he will be in hospital for 3 months minimum. I hope he recovers. No good reason for anyone who is in such practice, even for the high which is sometimes stupidly proclaimed by some people.

This reminds me that there was some event of Car Racing organized in Hamara Karachi festival this year about which I wanted to write way back but I somehow forgot. Sab choro I mean how can you allow racing on the roads in the first place, even with whatever safety arrangements you claim. This decision was utter foolishness. Can’t we bring in some stuff except the boating, eating and racing?! C’mmon, wake up! I guess we seriously need some brains working.

I took this photograph around one month before but unable to post here earlier. Today, Faisal posted about parking problem and it reminds me this photograph. I agree, we need more parking spaces but the way we park our vehicles on roads, it’s just tremendous! You can see in this photograph, only one lane is functional out of 4 lanes. Don’t you think that we are creating problems ourselves? If you feel you are lucky one who got parking space there then next day you can be one among those who stuck in this traffic jam.

Karachi has a serious traffic problem. With only one artery which is the Shah Ra E Faisal running through out the city and non existant parking in the down town area of Karachi plus the parking mafia ruling the pavements has made driving anywhere and running even simple errands in the city a nightmare.

Although in the last few years many fly overs and amendments have been made to the road structure of the city one huge problem has been overlooked so far and that is parking.

Currently there is a move going on to make a huge 4 story parking plaza near bohri bazaar and another 3 story one at khadda market but this not going to be enough.

I suggest that the entire downtown area should be turned into a “no car zone” and only pedestrians walking should be allowed thus enabling office workers, businessmen and traders to go about their business in peace, rather then it taking 45 minutes to find parking and that too at the behest of the neighborhood sidewalk don who then has the leeway to throw your car whenever he wants, to be retrieved when you gingerly ask for it back, with fender benders and minor milage issues included.

Rickshaws come in handy when there is a ban on double sawari on bikes and when car burning is at peak, just
as it was yesterday across much of Karachi. I love Rickshaws. Do you?