The soaring electricity charges have been a major problem for the people managing domestic budgets. The easiest way to fix the issue would be to end the current practice of supplying 2,000 units free of charge every month to high-ranking bureaucrats. The facility may be monetised to, say, Rs50,000 per month. As soon as this happens, contracts will be renegotiated, some plants will be nationalised, and some will be sold in the international market. These steps will ensure a rather significant reduction in electricity charges. This is with refer-ence to the news “CLICK contractors to rebuild damaged roads ‘for free’ as penalty” (Sep 22). The problem lies not in the quality of asphalt, but in the design of the road. Water will eat through the toughest asphalt if allowed to remain standing on the road. Our roads have no provision for drainage. The road must have an even slope that drains the water into rain gutters on the side of the road, which should harness gravity and empty out into larger storm drains. We are famous for digging up roads on a whim. One more dig for a good cause will not hurt. There is a severe shortage of medical facilities, equipment, qualified doctors, nurses and other medical personnel in Khuzdar district. Unfortunately, the doctors who are present are not serious about their duties. The situation has put the lives of thousands of people at risk. Many patients cannot afford private hospitals. The lack of essential medical equipment as well as supplies has broadly hindered effe-ctive treatment. As things stand, Khuzdar remains under the spotlight for having a high infant mortality rate and a high incidence of diseases, such as mala-ria, diarrhoea and respiratory infections. The relevant authorities should take immediate action, allocate funds to build new hospitals and clinics in Khuzdar, and provide essential medical supplies.