Sir: No doubt wars, conflicts and violence leave deep scars on the psyche of society. Terror and targeted killings, ethnic and sectarian slaughter and mafia-wars have left many people displaced, disabled and living in refugee camps with a complete loss of their source of livelihood in the once peaceful and tolerant city of Karachi. Sadness, fear, agitation and inability to sleep or eat well are only some of the ongoing symptoms that its inhabitants grapple with every day. Mothers, sisters and wives are seen traumatised when their nearest and dearest leave their homes in this terror-hit city.
In order to address the emerging needs after large-scale displacement, loss of lives and livelihoods that have taken place during the targeted killings on ethnic and sectarian grounds, there is a dire need to provide psychosocial services such as counselling, medical support, physiotherapy, relaxation techniques, raising awareness of the consequences of violence and assistance to the people in Karachi on a more sustainable and wider scale. Keeping in view the increasing psychological troubles and traumas of all age groups in Karachi, the NGOs and government departments should come together to address this issue and lessen the psychological torture and trauma of the inhabitants of Karachi.
HASHIM ABRO
Islamabad