A few days ago, I walked from the General Post Office (GPO) to Police Club on the Race Course Road in Lahore. To my utter surprise, it was almost impossible to walk on the pavements running alongside the road.
The irksome journey started with tree branches hitting me in the head in front of the GPO. Outside the Lahore High Court (LHC), the footpath level was so high that it was hard to climb it. Zebra crossings were also not marked at the relevant points. From the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) to Regal Chowk, the footpaths were almost non-existent as they had either been encroached upon by vendors and beggars, or were being used as parking lots. On the Lawrence Road, there were no signs of a footpath on the left side, while on the right side it could be seen in bits and pieces.
Then came the Queens Road crossing where barriers of a government office had occupied most of the space on the left side of the road. Vendors had set up shops on the footpath in front of the city zoo and Lawrence Garden. Everyone knows such ‘establishments’ cannot function without the connivance of government officials.
And, finally, came the Race Course Road where cars were parked and chains/barriers were placed in such a manner that no space was left for pedestrians, and they were compelled to walk on the road. This was frustrating.
In contrast, footpaths in, say, the United Kingdom are carefully planned and constructed to make walking a comfortable and joyful experience. The slopes at the edge are built with spotted uneven stone tiles so that they are not slippery and easily accessible to pedestrians as well as people who use wheel-chairs or mobility scooters.
The decision-makers in Pakistan probably take a walk in parks and clubs in a smooth and safe environment. Hence, they do not think about the masses who want to and have to use the footpaths. There is a need to facilitate the pedestrians.
AMER RAFIQ BUTT
LAHORE
