Barbed wire fencing
Erection of barbed wire fencing along road dividers and footpaths is proving dangerous to the Pindiites. Barbed wire use can be observed at many points of the city. Instead of using trees or rocks to make fences to protect the plants from trespassing, city fathers use barbed wire.
“There are also barbed wire booby traps in front of some buildings for security reasons. I believe that barbed wire fencing violates the public right of way on the land and they have the right to use it unhindered,” says Shumail Ahmad, a shopkeeper at Chandni Chowk. Continuing he says, “If they put plain wire, it’s a lot nicer for the public.”
Raheel Khan, a shop owner near Liaquat Bagh who wants to see the barbed wires removed, says: “Barbed wire stretched along a part of the roadside is a safety hazard for the many pedestrians who use this path every day to cross the road. It is especially dangerous at night as the path isn’t lit.”
Raheel also slammed the authorities for failing to take any action and have the fencing removed. “I am worried about this lack of action because I and the residents believe it is dangerous and a safety issue.”
“A month ago a biker trying to get out of the traffic jam slipped and fell on the fence and was badly hurt. It is not the first time that a person has been injured. Last week a pedestrian got his newly bought dressed torn by the barbed wire strung across road-divider,” says Nudrat Ali, a trader.
“A barbed wire fence is a nuisance in any situation. Torn clothing, nicked fingers and lost minutes are just a few of the inconveniences you have to endure while crossing near a barbed wire fence. Only a few lucky guys come out unscathed,” adds Nudrat.
“I was walking with my child on Sixth Road in front of a school the other day on a footpath that was less than 1-metre wide in places but had broken barbed wire extending beyond the fence. We used commonsense and didn’t stumble into it. Shame the same can’t be assumed for everyone anymore,” says Husnain Ali, a car dealer on Murree Road.
“I sliced across my torso on some barbed wire sticking out of the fence. Oh well, I healed. My shirt didn’t though but at least the bike got away with a few tiny marks,” says Mohsin Hameed, an office-goer.
“I dislike barbed wire use because of the hazard it presents to pedestrians. It’s just cruel to put up barbed wire. Some unfortunate accidents which badly hurt many persons that had gotten tangled up in a hung out barbed wire should serve as a part of the impetus to go with the ban on the fencing, says Akmal Hussain, an auto workshop owner near Fauji Tower.
“Have you ever been cut by barbed wire?” I asked a guy. He simply rolled up his sleeves to show the scars. Barbed wire is quite undesirable. It is far more vicious as it doesn’t bother if human skin is ripped to shreds.
“One of the weakest defences is the barbed wire fence. It consists of a coil of metal wire with sharp wire points protruding out of it. When people can’t cross it they cut it off. So, what’s its advantage?” questions Muhammad Naeem, who runs a chemist shop.
