Articles and letters may be edited for the purposes of clarity and space. They are published in good faith with a view to enlightening all the stakeholders. However, the contents of these writings may not necessarily match the views of the newspaper.
Reduced gas pressure
For the past two weeks many areas of Rawalpindi city are facing gas shortage. Pressure of gas is so low that housewives are facing problem to prepare meals. Shortage of natural gas had started even before arrival of winter. Gas pressure was normal until last week but now it has decreased considerably. Low gas pressure starts early in the morning forcing citizens to adopt old means of fuel such as coal or LPG cylinders.
People are angry, as government has greatly increased gas tariff but miserably failed to improve gas supply. Government need to take it as a serious issue and ensure proper gas supply to Rawalpindi city and rest of Pakistan.
ZEESHAN SHABEER
Rawalpindi
Avoid anarchy
It was difficult to predict which side the camel of Azaadi March will sit but now cat is out of the bag. Fazl is giving indication that crowd may not be in his control. Ultimately situation may go worse if not properly handled. There is a dire need for both sides to observe restraints and settle the issue as soon as possible before it is too late. Our history is replete with examples where excessive agitation not only derailed democracy but also put country on backtracks. We are presently between the devil and deep sea. Internal and external threats are quite visible and spreading “Anarchy” at this point of time will further deteriorate political and economic situation. United we stand and divided we fall is an old English maxim but presently unity among all is the need of time.
The other aspect is more dangerous in nature. The two cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad have come to a halt. Students, workers, patients could not reach their destinations. If the protest prolongs what will happen to daily wage workers who earn their bread & butter on daily bases. JUI-F is requested to come to table and solve their issues with government without disturbing daily routine life of two cities.
IFTIKHAR MIRZA
Islamabad
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JUI-F azadi march in Islamabad is beyond one’s understanding as what agenda Maulana Fazlur Rahman wanted to accomplish? In his speech, we couldn’t hear him raising any voice against unemployment, inflation, crumbling economy, lawlessness and top of all, the Kashmir cause.
This march has diluted the Kashmir issue at a time when international community and media took it as a grave concern and got wary of Indian atrocities and gross humanitarian crises unfolding in Indian-held Kashmir. Even our own media switched their cameras from Kashmir issue towards this march. Maulana had remained Kashmir Committee Chairman for a decade yet not for once he spoke about Indian barbarism and state terrorism in IHK. In fact, this march merely smacks of political revenge. Maulana’s political sanity converted into political vengeance?
ZAHID ALI ZOHRI
Gilgit-Baltistan.
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Dharna is an ugly trend that was started by PTI against the PML-N government way back in 2014. Now a days, another dharna effort of Maulana Fazal of JUI (F) is in the offing against sitting PTI government in Islamabad. Imran Khan government is making every possible effort to persuade Maulana against this venture.
In reality this new trend in politics of protest has greatly hampered ordinary and routine life of people, who feel greatly disturbed. My point of view is that if dharna was right for the PTI at that time, why is it wrong for JUI (F) now?
MUHAMMAD HAIDER
Karachi
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The Opposition parties and their leaders are raising uproar for the last many days demanding immediate resignation of Prime Minister Imran Khan and stepping down of his government calling him by many names. Like millions of fellow countrymen, this scribe has also been pondering as to why the opposition parties are demand resignation of PM Imran Khan while he is only in second year of his 5 years constitutional tenure and doing more or less good work to the best of his capabilities, energies and commitments.
After pondering over it for some days, this scribe has reached conclusion that this is double-edged weapon of the opposition parties and their leaders. As a result of day and night efforts with determination and commitment by the Prime Minister and his team for months together in the face of severe criticism, things on economic front as well as in other fields have started showing signs of improvement.
International financial institutions including IMF and World Bank have after being critical for sometime also started saying some good and nice words about economic and other sectors of Pakistan. Opposition parties and their leaders are pressing hard for the Prime Minister’s resignation because inwardly they all are afraid of PM Imran Khan’s achievements and success on both internal and external fronts and on the basis of these plus points, his party may also sweep next polls when these are going to be held sometime in 2023. As such, they do not want Imran Khan to remain in power for long and complete his stipulated constitutional term peacefully. And, if PM Imran Khan steps, all hullah gullah and cases about their corruption and other wrong doing would also be put under the carpet accordingly.
M Z RIFAT,
Lahore
Unchecked population growth
Pakistan is one of the most populated countries in the world. Unchecked population growth in Pakistan is among one of the serious challenges that the country faces today. Arguably, this rapid rise in population poses biggest threat to State’s plans to achieve self-sufficiency in different human development indicators.
With rapid rise in population, country’s demographics have changed dramatically. This has directly put strain on country’s existing urban centres. More than 20 percent of Pakistanis now live in just 10 major cities whose population has virtually doubled during the last fifteen years. Pakistan is not an agrarian country anymore. Unfortunately, this has happened for all the wrong reasons too.
While Pakistan has not had any policy to control exploding rates of population, a majority of the lands that are now being turned into villages, towns, and housing societies were once part of the country’s vibrant agricultural landscape. If the population rise continues to take place with current pace, in a few decades, Pakistan will turn into a country where food insecurity looms large.
HUDA ABID
Rawalpindi
Depression and anxiety
Childhood and teenage exposure to stress substantially increases likelihood of psychiatric disorders that will arise later in life. Your teenage years should be one of your life’s best times. But the truth is that it is common to experience severe depression in teens. Up to 30% of teenagers have at least one episode of it, and 50 to 75% of teenagers with anxiety, impulse control, and hyperactivity disorders develop it during teenage years. For example, approximately 70% of those in the juvenile justice system have a mental health disorder.
Adolescence is a stressful time for many children. Stress in adolescents has been related to solitary confinement, violence, risky behaviour and abuse of drugs. Teenage warnings of stress overload might include headaches or frequent illness, withdrawal from friends and activities, changes in sleep and eating, anger, irritability, and hopelessness. Suicide, the third leading cause of death in young adults, is the greatest risk in stress overload and mental illness in young adults.
Don’t ignore symptoms of depression or anxiety. Talk with someone. Learn stress reduction techniques. These can include deep breathing; progressive muscle relaxation; and creative activities like music, writing, and art. Exercise regularly, don’t skip meals, and get enough sleep, Attempt all great healthy lifestyle habits. Avoid high-caffeine drinks, drugs, tobacco, and alcohol. Replace negative self-talk with positive self-talk. Set realistic goals and break down tasks into manageable bites. Avoid pressure from high expectations. Avoid people, places, and things that cause stress. Surround yourself with supportive friends and healthy activities.
Stress can trigger severe depression in teenagers and can cause psychological illness in vulnerable young adults. The teenage brain is more sensitive to stress hormones and may be damaged by adult stress. On the other hand, due to rapid development of the teenage brain, good habits to deal with stress can also last into later life. Learn to say no to stress.
ANBIYA ANNU
Via email
No electricity
Kolwa is a small village near Dasht. It has a pleasing environment but due to lack of electricity people are facing many problems. Though Solar energy is an easy source of producing electricity and is being used here yet it is expensive and majority of people are poor so they can’t afford it. Authorities concerned are requested to help people of area to gain access to this important utility.
GANJI NAEEM
Dasht, Balochistan
