Ever since I read about the girl who got seriously injured by a speeding passenger coach in Qila Saifullah district and was refused treatment by a surgeon because he was off duty, I’ve simply been lost for words. Perhaps gone are the days when we used to hear one has chosen medical profession to serve humanity – that cause has been replaced by monetary benefits at the cost of sick. Apparently, we have moved forward and what is left is arrogance and carelessness. That surgeon was an individual but it makes one think: perhaps institutes are also doing the same. Last week the Supreme Court took up the case of cutting of 1200 trees to build a pedestrian bridge near Karsaz in one of the Karachi cantonments. The respondents in the case are federal, Sindh and Karachi district governments, the Karachi commissioner, the cantonment board executive officer, the senior director transport and communication KMC, the director advertisement KMC, the naval commander Karachi, the naval commander Johar and advertising agency. The presiding judge’s comments highlight our helplessness towards this ugly carelessness: when government attorney showed reluctance in naming the guilt party, judge was spot on terming this as ‘burning of wings’ while telling the truth.
Perhaps Pakistan has changed forever; sadly it seems like this is all a journey towards nowhere.
Masood Khan
Saudi Arab
