Civic issues worsen in cantonment areas

Residents of Rawalpindi Cantonment areas are facing increasing difficulties in accessing basic civic facilities due to the absence of elected representatives and a caretaker setup. Issues related to water supply, sanitation and damaged roads have intensified. According to a report compiled by The Express Tribune, 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-ridden streets and a flawed water supply system. The worst situation is of streetlights, which are either missing or non-functional, plunging areas into darkness soon after sunset, resembling remote rural localities rather than a cantonment. Sources said maintenance work had been delayed due to lack of materials. Previously, such issues were highlighted by elected representatives, prompting 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.