Too tragic for words
Sometimes even the unthinkable happens in Karachi when it comes to people dying for no fault of theirs. An emergency like situation was to be expected with the heat wave, since load shedding was increasing by the day and even drinking water had become scarce for some time now. But the government’s indifference – federal and provincial – was truly surprising, even given its own standards of apathy. After the Tharparkar deaths, this is another feather in their cap.
The halls of power were far more interested in the MQM affair. They could afford no more time for Karachi’s other problem than the usual blame game. Province holds the centre responsible; centre, according to Abid Sher Ali, is not responsible for people dying of heat, thirst, misery, etc; and everybody is sure K-electric is to blame. In any case, well over a thousand people have succumbed to this unforgivable paralysis of government, and there is no likelihood of water or electricity problems going away anytime soon. Those who counted on cooler weather to bring immediate relief will be disappointed for some time to come. Widespread dehydration has given rise to numerous diseases, including diarrhea, gastroenteritis, etc. With hospitals already strained, these diseases will cause more problems.
So far, only the army and Edhi services have been seen any kind of relief to the suffering. The government, it seems, could not be bothered. It has other, more politically explosive, matters to deal with. But it will not be able to brush this particular issue under the carpet for too long. Experts warn of the problem spreading beyond Sindh. Both power and water shortage will strain the grid further north. And with neither the weather nor the government’s attitude likely to change, people’s suffering is only likely to increase. There is no reason for this pain and suffering other than the government’s inability to do its most basic job. If this state of affairs continues, it will have only itself to blame if the people’s grief turns to anger.
