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.
Plastic pollution
Plastic is everywhere, not only Pakistan but also every single country is part of this plastic crisis. Our oceans face a growing pollution crisis. According to reports, about eight million metric tons of plastic waste ends up in our oceans every year. There are already an estimated 150 million metric tons of plastic in our oceans because this problem hasn’t been addressed effectively. We need a global agreement to end plastic intrusion into the seas by 2030.
Marine plastic pollution has serious consequences for people’s wellbeing and their livelihood. And it also has a devastating impact on marine life – causing injury and death to fishes, sea turtles, whales, birds, coral reefs and much more. Every single country must be part of the solution: we need a united global response with the world’s governments taking accountability for ending marine plastics pollution. The people of the world ppeal authorities to create a global and legally binding agreement to stop the leakage of plastics into our oceans by 2030.
ANUM ZULFIQAR
Rawalpindi
Child marriage
Through the editorial column of your esteemed newspaper, I wish to draw the kind attention of parents regarding child marriage. Child marriage has become very common in our country and Due to this, we don’t move towards development. Youths study more and desire to do many things for the development sector of the country. Unfortunately, their parents find life partners for them and these partners will be like chains for binding them. They have to accept the decision of their parents respectfully, good daughters and sons never say no to their parents. Subsequently, girls or boys have to cut off many dreams. Whereas, the girls have to cut them off because of the religious and cultural norms. Child marriage jeopardises the life of girls because they can’t give birth to a new baby at early ages. consequently, they either become very weak or lose their isolated lives.
Additionally, Children aren’t that much mature to manage families. When girls are failed to fulfil their duties, they suffer from different forms of oppression such as domestic violence, verbal abuse and It’ll ultimately direct them toward either suicide or divorce. Therefore, parents are requested don’t destroy the lives of children and let them live know something about the world.
PARVEZ MOULA BAKSH
Karachi
PIA retirees
We, the retirees of the Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), who made it one of the best in the world, have been neglected. For example, after a seven-year struggle for an increase in pension, our pension was only bumped with a bit. Generally, it was supposed to be a 10 to 15 per cent increase equivalent to a few hundred rupees, despite the PIA management earlier agreeing to increase at least 35pc as first step during their meeting with a delegation of PIA Retired Employees Association (PIAREA). However, PIA retirees were surprised to know that only a minor amount was increased in their monthly pension.
It was surprising to note that the inflation created by the present federal government has particularly made the life of PIA retirees very difficult. It was sad to note that despite the long struggle of PIA of retirees, the national flag carrier’s management is obviously not ready to give importance to the retirees’ genuine demands.
I request the Prime Minister, the chief justice of the Supreme Court of Pakistan and the PIA chief to intervene. Government employees are being paid a group insurance amount after their retirement. The PIA management should also be ordered to pay this to us. The management had agreed to double the amount of pension when they would complete 10 years of retirement, but sorry to say the PIA management has not fulfilled their promises.
AATIF KHAN
Islamabad
Islamabad’s ice epidemic
Through your esteemed newspaper, I want to draw attention of authorities towards the drug addiction which is becoming quite common in our youngsters. Drug addiction basically affects all parts of the body. Youngsters usually start taking drugs in their teens. It can be said that drug addiction is the state of mind. Drug abuse is increasing in educational institutions across Pakistan, at an alarming rate, threatening not only their own future but those of people around them including family and friends.
Surveys reveal that 75% of female and 45% of male students in Islamabad are using ice crystal myth. We would have been in the middle of social chaos in the form of a high percentage of failing students, crime and health crisis with addicts overflowing psychiatric and rehabilitation facilities. These figures, although not completely accurate for reasons, however should not be disregarded altogether. Reportedly crystal myth is sold in toffee wrappers in canteens to young students in Islamabad. Charas aka Hashish or Hash is as common table salt and allegedly sold with the complicity of cops.
Ice crystal myth is mostly inhaled or insufflate and can be injected into the body where it stimulates the brain to create euphoria the only desired effect by the abuser. Crystal myth abuse for several days leaves a person fatigued and lethargic and with the very feeling he’s or she’s trying to avoid depression and isolation, weight loss, dry mouth, tooth decay and loss, dizziness and hallucinations and psychosis are other common adverse effects.
Unless serious measures are taken now, the very future of large chunk of today’s youth will be seriously compromised. The government needs to involve communities and media in highlighting the perils associated with drug addiction. The media has responsibility to highlight such issues with a view to educating people and building a consensus among them to forge a united stand against such scourges.
AHSAN JAWAD KHAN
Islamabad
Let Karachi move
In a bizzare move, Sindh transport department has awaken from its torpor and planned to embargo ride hailing services of Airlift and Swvl in Karachi. Amongst its numerous problems, non-availability of public transport is one of the compelling problem of the metropolis having population of 20 millions.
Sindh government has miserably failed to cater to the transportation needs of the masses of Sindh specially Karachi. It has even slapped value added tax(VAT) on ride hailing services viz Careem and Uber. Whereas, no other province is collecting such tax from passengers of these ride hailing services. I hope sanity will prevail and Sindh Government will let Karachi move.
MUHAMMAD MUDASSIR
Karachi
World Diabetes Day
November means diabetes awareness month and world diabetes day. Have you ever wondered what the concept behind the blue circle is? The circle indicates collective strength and combined efforts to fight against diabetes while blue colour reflects the sky. More than 425 Million people are presently living with diabetes worldwide. While 1 in 2 people currently living with diabetes is under-diagnosed.
It has been reported that Pakistan will have an increase from 4.3 million in 1995 to 14.5 million in 2025. Pakistan is a country with varied social, economic, cultural and educational patterns. The rural population has limited facilities for appropriate medical care however in the metropolitan cities medical facilities are fairly adequate. As the number of diabetic subjects is increasing at a rapid rate so it is important to educate the public regarding the disease and clear their misconceptions.
Diabetes is majorly preventable through proper healthy and balanced diet, regular physical activity and the promotion of healthy living environments. Families have animportant role to play in addressing the variable risk factors for type 2 diabetes and must be provided with the education, resources and environments to live a healthy lifestyle.
Quantum of life beyond us, quality of life is within our grasp. It is very important how we live our life. Treatment of diabetes begins with a commitment from patient to make life style changes which includes healthy food choice, exercise and active lifestyle. These actions, not only support to control diabetes but also its complications.
DR ABDUL REHMAN
UoK
*****
14 November is the World Diabetes Day. Diabetes is a condition that impairs the body’s ability to process blood glucose, otherwise known as blood sugar. Diabetes is a life-changing condition that requires careful blood sugar management and a healthy lifestyle for a person to be able to manage it correctly. It occurs when the body does not produce insulin and also happens when excess consumption of high-sugar foods flood the blood supply with glucose and reduce the production and effectiveness of insulin.
People can take supplementary insulin to manage the condition and improve glucose absorption. If a person has prediabetes, they can reduce the risk of full diabetes through regular exercise and a balanced, low-sugar diet. The findings underline the need for education and awareness to help people spot diabetes warning signs early.
A lack of knowledge about diabetes means that spotting the warning signs is not just a problem for parents, but is an issue impacting a cross-section of society. Left untreated or unmanaged, diabetes can lead to life-changing complications. These include blindness, amputation, kidney failure, heart attack and stroke.
MISBAH IMTIAZ
Islamabad
