A city with a population exceeding fifty thousand, has turned into a land of problems

Khewra, a city with a population exceeding fifty thousand, has turned into a land of problems. The roads are in a dilapidated state, and the water filtration plants worth millions of rupees are non-functional. Even the drinking water filtration plant installed by the Khewra Salt Mine administration for public convenience is unfortunately out of order. The ICI Soda Ash Factory has installed water taps in its walls, from which the local residents fetch clean water to meet their needs.
In this era of progress, our mothers and sisters are still seen collecting water from these taps—portraying the same image of the cultural past of Khewra that existed a century ago. Despite being home to Asia’s largest salt mine, the ICI Soda Ash Factory, the nearby Dandot Cement Factory, and several small gypsum factories—which collectively contribute millions in taxes to the national treasury—basic facilities remain a dream for the residents.
Educated individuals sit idle at home due to unemployment. Since the 1976 regulations, miners have been deprived of their rightful benefits. Employees of the Dandot Cement Factory are also deprived of their dues. While the factory owners are investing millions in expansion, they are unwilling to pay their workers.
In times of soaring inflation, imagine how people manage to pay for electricity, gas, and school fees. Young girls are waiting at home for their weddings, with no prospects in sight. The city was granted a hospital, but it is now being privatized. There is a shortage of doctors and a scarcity of insulin for diabetic patients. Ironically, alcohol is cheaper in the city while a tank of water is expensive.
Over the years, many political figures have come into power—late Raja Iqbal Mehdi as MNA, Raja Nasir as MPA twice, Chaudhry Nazar Gondal as MPA, Syed Shams Haider as MPA twice, Suwad Ayya, Fawad Ayya as MNAs, Chaudhry Nasir as MPA, and Raja Shehzad and Abid Jutana as Tehsil Nazims. Yet none of them managed to solve the city’s basic problems. During elections, they showed false dreams and gave fake assurances—and then disappeared.
One former Tehsil Nazim sold the Gaddhala Water Supply system for only 1.7 million rupees, which, if reinstalled today, would cost billions. Streets, alleys, and drains in neighborhoods were constructed with substandard material, now resembling ruins. The ICI factory, despite playing with public health, has the capacity to supply water to the entire city—but vested interests prevent this, as they only pursue personal gains with no regard for the city.
In Pracha Colony, rainwater drains are clogged, garbage lies scattered in front of homes, mosquitoes and foul smells make it impossible to sleep, yet the sanitation staff operates unchecked. The DC, AC, and Chief Officer only make statements but no actual cleanliness is done. Road conditions have deteriorated to the point that accidents occur frequently, claiming many lives.
Fawad Chaudhry did nothing for the people of Khewra, acting only as a spokesperson. Khewra is, and always has been, a stronghold of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N). But if the problems of the people are not resolved, it may no longer remain so.
Civic, social, and journalistic circles have called upon the Chief Minister of Punjab, Maryam Nawaz Sharif, and Prime Minister Mian Shehbaz Sharif to take immediate notice and initiate reforms.