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.
Street crimes
Steer crime is a loose term for criminal offence taking place in public places. Now a days street crimes are commonplace in Pakistan instance of such crime include pick pocketing, mobile scanting, wallet snatching, cars and auto snatching, purse snatching and even target killing. Nowadays every individual has their own story of how their mobile and / or wallet were snatched. It sometime feels like nobody’s life and property is safe anymore. Government should take serious steps to control these crimes.
SHAISTA NAZ
Karachi
Foreign debt, a global issue
Foreign debt refers to money that a government borrows from another government or lenders. The obligations to organizations such as World Bank, International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) are also categorised as foreign debt. The short-term debt can be used in combination with long-term debt to form foreign debts. The rapid growth in external debt of developing countries first became a key issue in the early 1980s, and it persisted into the 21st century. Debt itself is not something that is unique to the developing world. Debt becomes a potential problem only when the borrower is unable to generate sufficient funds to meet the repayments. Many developing (and some developed) countries have encountered such difficulties, and often commentators use the term debt crisis to describe the situation.
The issue among developing countries took prominence in August 1982 when Mexico declared that it could no longer meet repayments on its external debt. In the following decades, many of the poorest countries in the world had to make sacrifices in key areas of public spending (sometimes called austerity measures) in order to service their debt. Foreign debt has gradually risen in recent decades, with unexpected bad effects for some borrowing countries. This includes slower economic growth, especially in low-income countries, crippling debt problems, stock market instability, corruption and even secondary consequences such as rising human rights abuses. Foreign debt can also be referred to as external debt.
SYED TAHIR RASHDI
Shahdadpur, Sindh
Journey to where
The struggle of young men in Pakistan to find their place in a society that caters only to the elite is a systemic issue that has been highlighted in literature. One such example is the novel “The Reluctant Fundamentalist” by Mohsin Hamid, which tells the story of a Pakistani man named Changez who goes to the United States to pursue the American dream, but eventually becomes disillusioned with the society’s values and returns to Pakistan.
Similarly, in Pakistan, the lack of social mobility and opportunities for those born into poverty creates a cycle of struggle and disillusionment. The system is designed to benefit those with connections and resources, leaving majority of the population behind. This is reflected in behaviour at the airport, where people run like wild animals, and some are allowed to skip the queue based on their status or connections.
For young men who seek a better life, the dream of finding their own treasure and achieving happiness may never be realised in their own country. They may end up leaving Pakistan to find work and opportunities abroad, doing jobs they never imagined they would do. However, even abroad, they may struggle to find acceptance and may spend a lifetime trying to be acceptable to others, never fully embracing their own identity.
TAHIR JAMALI
Karachi
Power theft
Power theft is a crime, not only in terms of its financial implications but also in terms of safety. The thieves who engage in this activity often employ ingenious methods that surpass technological advancements, thereby outwitting smart meters. Reports indicate that most of the power theft cases worldwide occur in residential areas, while remaining in commercial and industrial premises.
The question that arises is, why do individuals engage in power theft? The reasons are varied, including cost-saving measures, overcoming regulatory hurdles, avoiding other consequential taxes, and festive season demands. The implications of power theft are significant, and utilities have been forced to bear the brunt of associated costs. Recovering the expenses of stolen energy is often achieved through imposing additional taxes on utility bills of the general public. To combat the menace of power theft, government, along with concerned officials, has been actively involved in social awareness campaigns, strict law enforcement, and implementing effective anti-power theft operations.
JAWAD HUSSAIN CHANNA
Larkana, Sindh
Avoiding plastic pollution
Despite widespread awareness about environmental impact of plastic, it continues to be produced at an alarming rate further contributing to pollution and ecological damage. Plastic pollution is also harmful to wildlife and marine creatures. Plastic waste can take hundreds of years to decompose, leading to long-term pollution of our oceans, rivers, and landfills. In addition, plastic waste can also release harmful chemicals into the environment, posing a serious threat to human health.
It is time that we take concrete actions to reduce plastic waste. This can start with small changes in our daily lives, such as bringing reusable bags to grocery stores and avoiding single-use plastic products. However, more significant change must also come from government and industry. We need legislation that encourages reduction of plastic waste, as well as investment in alternative materials and recycling infrastructure.
As consumers, we also have the power to demand change from companies. We can choose to support businesses that prioritise sustainability and responsible production practices. By choosing to buy from these companies and boycotting those that contribute to plastic pollution, we can send a powerful message that environmental responsibility is a priority.
ABDUL RAHMAN
Karachi
