Back in 2010, when the rains hit, we were made aware of how our growing

need for housing (and more) had led to habitats being built close to the
riverbeds, which was a major reason for the immense destruction. This was
highlighted again and again, as we carried out improper construction in urban
centres such as Karachi and even Islamabad. But a decade later, it appears no
steps were taken to address the issue.

And now, once again, we speak of hotels built too close to River Swat or the
habitation in the kacha. But rest assured, there will be little more than talk
once the waters — as well as the images on television screens — recede. For
this is an issue linked directly to our population numbers, which has been
ignored for decades.

Focus is key. The torture the other day of a physically frail Sonia Gandhi being
summoned by the government’s revenue sleuths to their offices was
despicable. The BJP thrives on being mean with critics and opposition parties.
When BJP’s senior leader L.K. Advani was grilled, however, over charges of
dubiously transacted election funds wealth, which implied money laundering,
the Congress ensured that all questions were asked at Advani’s residence. It
was not his privilege, just a courtesy to a senior opposition leader.