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.
World of plastic
We are living in a world of plastic. A lot of products are made of plastic and this is injurious to our health. Although its use makes people’s life a lot more convenient yet it has harmful effects on our life. Disposable things are made of it that is not only polluting environment but also contains harmful substances for life.
If we take example of plastic bags, they are used for lot of purposes but cause several types of pollution. If they are burned smoke produced contains several toxic gases. They greatly disturb marine life in rivers and oceans and if buried in soil take many hundred years to disintegrate. Government should raise awareness about it and therefore paper bags that are environment friendly and are easily degradable must replace plastic bags.
ZAINAB AHMAD
Khanpur, Punjab
Improve schools in Balochistan
Generally people of Balochistan are deprived of basic needs like water, electricity, food and most importantly education. The education system in the province is the neglected. Approximately 7000 schools in Balochistan are without facilities like classrooms, furniture, toilets, potable water etc.
There are over 850 ghost schools in the province, 2 million fake students’ registrations and no proper records of teachers. However other problems being faced by students are libraries, competent teachers. Cheating is common in every institution of the province and prevents students from hard work. Concerned authorities should take immediate action to resolve these matters.
SATTAR SAMAD
Turbat, Balochistan
Dishonouring women
Sadly we live in a society where sexual violence has become a norm. Over the past few years, Pakistan has observed a phenomenal upsurge in rape, assault and physical abuse cases.
If we talk about rape statistics in Pakistan, at least dozens of rape cases are reported daily with only 1,866 cases reported to police in last one year.
Many women in Pakistan do not file a report against harassment and assault, as it is deemed sensitive to talk about such issues in public. Another big reason that stops the victims from reporting is absence of trust in the judicial system. Reported cases are mostly put on back burner and remain unsettled in courts. As a result, culprits get away due to weak and defective prosecution.
Do not let gender stereotypes configure your actions. It’s time for undertaking and implementation. It’s time for authorities to act harshly so that no one dares to commit such a sinful act.
EMAN MUDASSAR TARAR
Sargodha, Punjab
Juvenile driving
The rapid rise in road accidents across the country is immensely alarming. Reports from Pakistan Bureau of Statistics suggest that there were 9,701 accidents in 2021, which resulted in 5,436 deaths and 12,317 were injured. Main reason for this increase is increase in number of underage drivers while traffic police has failed to tackle this menace. There is a certain age limit for getting a driving license all over the world and same rules apply in Pakistan. We witness underage drivers on roads everyday, threatening their own self as well as lives of others.
Driving by minors has resulted in numerous accidents with serious consequences and in some cases even death. Juvenile drivers pose a threat to population, a serious threat to their lives. In addition to cars, most children ride motorcycles and in some cases rickshaws / Chung Chi. Unfortunately, some parents take pride in their children being able to drive at an early age. In fact there is nothing to be proud of. This should be a matter of extreme concern and parents should act strictly and sensibly.
The government should find ways to curb the menace of underage driving. Knowledge of traffic laws should be made part of curriculum in primary and secondary schools. Appropriate training should be provided to those seeking driver licenses.
INSHRAH KOMAL,
Abbottabad, KP
Mental health matters
Mental health refers to an individual’s psychological and emotional well being. It also means keeping our mind healthy. Proper mental health results in proper mental functioning which results in being productive in activities. People usually forget that the mind is also a part of our being, actually the most important part of our body. Many people generally focus on keeping their physical body healthy.
Man is only considered superior to other creation because of his highly developed brain. So, it is very important for us to keep our body and mind fit and healthy. Both mental and physical health is important for quality of life. An emotionally fit person will always feel vibrant and truly alive and will easily manage emotionally difficult situations. Mental fitness follows physical fitness. There are many emotional factors that significantly affect our fitness level, like depression, aggression, negative thinking, anxiety, frustration etc. A person who is physically and mentally fit can easily cope up with any situation of distress and difficulty.
TAWASSUL FATIMA SAMO
Karachi
Child marriage
Child marriage is an inhuman act that is common in rural and tribal areas of Pakistan. It is violation of women rights, civil rights and human rights as well. It is common in most of the tribal areas of Pakistan, where elders sacrifice the lives of these young girls for their own ego and sake of their norms. It is done because they are afraid of the fact that this girl will bow their head down, because it is their thinking from the very start that girls have no place in society, she is treated as a guest in her own home, the actual home is her husband’s home.
At an age when girls of her age are going to school, playing and enjoying their lively teenage hood, a new life is imposed on her. All her freedom vanishes away and she has to live like an adult who would think and worry only about her new family and not herself.
BISMILLAH AROOJ,
Via email
