Much like the rest of the Indian Sub-continent, Lahoris are bursting with adrenaline rush for ‘the’ clash between Pakistan and India. The South Asian arch-rivals will battle for a slot in the finals of ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 to meet Sri Lanka in Mumbai on April 02, 2011. What are Lahoris planning for the clash of the titans? Well, there is a mass-fever going on with projector screenings planned in public parks, open spaces, university campuses and even mohallas. Special arrangements are being done by corporates to entertain their employees with a company sponsored party. DHA Cinema and Cinestar both are selling over-priced tickets for the grand affair while all the happening eateries in Lahore including cafe’s, bistros, restaurants, hotels and even dhabas will play the match live from Mohali. Still, the majority of Lahoris will enjoy the match in comfortable confines of their homes with their close family and friends. Facebook and Twitter are already overloaded with over-optimistic, gladiatoristic rants and ‘naaras’ while the media on both sides of the border are buzzing in overdrive.

Whatever the consequence of tomorrow’s ultimate clash (or Thursday’s in case of rain) , the whole nation will stand united for one day at least. We do hope that Pakistan wins and beats ‘India’, yes, we do want to beat ‘India’ first and win the World Cup later. :)

Reposted from Mubarakpur

Traffic is becoming a major issue for dwellers of this city of 10 million, especially for the vast majority of population that cannot afford to drive Corollas or fancy Range Rovers. The current Punjab Government has been epic in initiating unplanned, unreasonable and unjustified projects just for the sake of gaining mass publicity and a possible nod from the Western governments and donor agencies. Transparency and good governance are two important issues in which the Punjab government, according to some observers, was apparently faring better as compared to the center and other provinces. Any sane person from the general population, however, will highly disagree with this false notion when he still has to enjoy the effects of these supposedly successful initiatives. Urban planning is one important issue where each of our governments handsomely fails. The long-awaited Lahore Rapid Mass Transit system has almost been laid to rest while highly questionable strategy of road widening and tree cutting continues. Meaningless small stunts like construction of the Park n Ride plaza on Liberty Roundabout hardly have done anything to resolve the planning crisis and make our city more livable. The ugly structure, by the way, is hardly used by anyone and emits more carbon thanks to its free shuttle service to Liberty Market (located just a few hundred meters away) using diesel coaster buses.

Ahmed Rafay Alam, in his recent article published in the The Tribune, pretty much summarizes the flaws of recently inaugurated Kalma Chowk underpass project. He writes,

“Investment in public transport (and removal of private automobiles from roads) is the only long-term solution. Three years ago, the Punjab government launched the Lahore Transport Company with the promise to import some 1,300 buses into the city within three years. Well, it’s been three years and no such buses have been imported. Meanwhile, the Lahore Transport Company continues to pay salaries to its many officers and employees. The construction of the Kalma Chowk overpass excuses the failure by the Punjab government to adopt any long-term public transport alternatives. This should not be so and taxpayers should be informed of the reasons why no public transport is being provided, as promised.”