The majority of faulty traffic lights, closure of u-turns, roads and traffic diversions creating immense problems for the commuters of the federal capital where traffic wardens seem helpless to control the traffic mess at peak hours or during emergencies. The problem of traffic signals is not something uncommon as various major roads in city have malfunctioning traffic signals. “We are always criticized for not obeying the traffic laws; however, anybody among the concerned officials never took any action because they are not sincere in addressing the worsening traffic condition,” motorist Asghar Shah in F-6 area said.
Citizens say it is now overdue to overhaul the entire traffic system, including code of conduct for cops, raising civic sense awareness among masses, renovation of infrastructure, implementation of traffic laws and more importantly keeping traffic lights in working order.
Due to load shedding, most of the signals in the city often remain dysfunctional, whereas wardens are deployed only at some signals to control the heavy flow of traffic. The commuter Ali Tahir while talking to APP said that the long queues on traffic signals were also causing inconvenience for ambulances.
The commuters demanded the traffic police high-ups deploy at least three to four personnel at each signal, as it was not possible for one warden to control the heavy flow of traffic.
An official of the traffic police said that the load-shedding was the main reason of the faulty traffic signals. He said that the main focus of the traffic personnel was on that side which has heavy flow of traffic. He said the SSP traffic also issued directives to the concerned officials to deploy more traffic personnel on the main points. The official said that measures are being taken for effective control of the traffic mess in the metropolis. The traffic police would finalize an effective traffic plan within a week for smooth flow of traffic inthe city.
SCO to provide platform to discuss bilateral issues: Dr Sarfaraz: Professor Peshawar University, Dr Sarfaraz Khan, has said that Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) provides a platform to the countries of the region to negotiate on bilateral issues and Pakistan gives importance to it.
Talking to a private news channel, he said it was established to cope with terrorism and prevent drug trafficking in the region after the incident of 9/11.He added that gradually economic cooperation among the member countries also became part of the organization. Dr Sarfaraz Khan said that Pakistan was not a part of the SCO in the beginning but due to its gradual interest in the organization, it has been given the status of observer.
He further said if Pakistan has understanding with the regional countries on preventing drug smuggling and terrorism, it will not only assist Afghanistan in establishing peace, but will present its standpoint before other countries of the region and the world.
Awais elected BAAP general secretary: Dr Awais-e-Siraj has been elected general secretary of British Alumni Association of Pakistan, (BAAP), Islamabad chapter, during the elections held recently, under the auspices of British Council Pakistan. “Dr Awais has already been an active supporter and promoter of the activities of BAAP despite the fact that he was not an elected member of the executive committee”, said the outgoing President Zubair Abbasi. Educated at Strathclyde Graduate Business School in Glasgow, UK, during 1996-97, Dr. Awais is now running his own company offering specialized management consultancy services in strategy and competency-based measurement services in addition to pharmaceutical and healthcare business in Islamabad,
Venus crosses sun’s face: Venus the second planet of the Sun andthe Earth’s neighbour on Wednesday crossed the sun’s face in an unusual astrological event that will not happen again until the year2117. Venus which is known as planet of beauty took about six hours to complete its transit, appearing as a small black dot on the sun’s surface. This celestial phenomenon known as the `Transit of Venus’ is one of the most eagerly-awaited events in sky watching. Venus passed between Earth and the Sun, appearing through the telescope as a tiny black spot.
According to Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO), the Venus planet was visible between sun and the earth on 9:50am in Pakistan and it happened after 105 years.
