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.
Pakistan Post services
For many of us, the long queues at NADRA (National Database and Registration Authority) centres have been a frustrating aspect of accessing government services.
However, a recent development offers a glimmer of hope and convenience for citizens tired of these arduous waits, Pakistan Post will now provide various government facilities, including the renewal of national identity cards. This initiative is the result of a 10-year agreement between NADRA and Pakistan Post, aimed at bringing essential services closer to the people and easing the burden on NADRA centres.
Under this agreement, special counters have been established at Pakistan Post offices for the replacement of lost identity cards, registration of changes in marital status and the issuance of new national identity cards up to one year after expiry.
This expansion of services represents a positive step towards more accessible and efficient public service delivery, and it should not stop here. One can’t help but consider the potential for extending these services to include passport-related matters.
The lines at passport offices across the country are similarly notorious for their length and wait times. By leveraging the reach and infrastructure of Pakistan Post, the government could further alleviate this burden on citizens seeking these essential documents. In the early decades of Pakistan’s existence, the postal department played a vital role in delivering pensions, handling financial transactions, facilitating bill payments and serving as the primary correspondence system. It was an essential part of the nation’s infrastructure, ensuring connectivity and access to essential services.
While the post offices remain ubiquitous, their role has diminished over the years as the private sector has stepped in to provide similar services with greater efficiency. Some of these institutions have undergone privatization and have shown improvement under private ownership, so the Pakistan Post should be privatized for the betterment of this institution as well as of the people.
This transformation would not only benefit the public but also open new avenues for revenue generation through e-commerce, logistics and other modern postal services.
MUNAWAR SIDDIQUI
Lahore
Role of AI in classrooms
AI has taken over, it’s everywhere but does it really belong where we nurture our future generations? The innovation provided by AI is emerging successfully in schools around the globe. Does it affect personalised learning and the eminency of children? These are the main concerns.
AI understands the individual patterns, it is personalised from student to student, meaning it lets everyone work at their own pace while ensuring eminency. The best thing is that there isn’t a hard and fast rule. While many teachers fail to understand that no generalisations can be made in the classroom, AI understands individual student behaviour.
While AI is believed to have impacted the student body alone, it is obvious that AI aids the teachers as well. AI helps come up with different assignments, activities, etc. AI is good for data analytics as well, as it can track students who need more help than the others, and while tracking performance and attendance.
AI is an inclusive and welcoming tool, it can help students with disabilities, for example, it provides text-to-speech capabilities. This greatly impacts the lot of students who are not accepted due to their disability. AI allows students to master what they’re interested in while also keeping track of performance in weak areas.
While the bene?ts of AI are signi?cant, it does raise moral concerns. AI has a lot of information that is personal for many, getting tracked constantly can be nerve wrecking for students and can hinder their performance. Students might not learn true independency while having AI in their hands. Privacy concerns about the students’ data con?dentiality also arise, as we haven’t fully comprehended the type of data it collects.
MANAHIL SAFDAR
Via email
Medical malpractice
In recent years, Punjab has been marred by distressing incidents of medical malpractice, leaving patients with irreversible damage and shattered hopes. The use of expired or substandard medical devices on unsuspecting individuals is not only unacceptable but also raises serious concerns about the quality and management of our healthcare institutions. It is imperative that we delve into the root causes of these incidents and take decisive action to prevent such negligence from occurring again.
The recent case of diabetic patients receiving the Avastin injection, resulting in potential loss of eyesight for 68 individuals, is a stark reminder of the urgent need for government intervention. While an investigative committee has been formed by the Punjab health authorities to ascertain the cause of this tragedy, it is essential that this committee operates with transparency and expediency. Identifying whether it was negligence on the part of doctors or a specific batch of the drug is crucial in holding the responsible parties accountable.
Furthermore, it is heartening to see the Punjab health minister’s promise of free treatment for those affected and the suspension of 12 health officials. However, we must question whether these measures alone will be enough to bring about a true wake-up call. To restore faith in our healthcare system, we need a comprehensive approach that addresses the culture of negligence and impunity.
NASIR ALI
Karachi
Electricity equality
Electricity theft is a common problem that not only affects the financial security of electricity providers but also burdens legitimate consumers due to the negative impact of unpaid bills. To solve this problem, it is important to establish special courts and special police stations that will effectively prevent electronic theft. These special institutions will expedite the investigation and ensure that those involved in this crime face the necessary punishment. Electricity theft not only affects the efficient operation of electricity distribution but also causes unfair financial consequences for honest taxpayers.
In addition, addressing the issue of expensive electricity is important to reduce the financial burden on various sectors, including business, agriculture, industrial printing and domestic customers. An important step towards achieving this is reducing the fee charged by independent power producers (IPPs). These utilities typically pay the lowest price for electricity production, which is passed on to customers. By implementing fair energy standards, costs to consumers can be reduced and electricity can be made more affordable for everyone.
Electricity is the life of daily life, economic power, promotes agriculture, promotes trade and promotes economic growth. It is not fair for honest consumers to have to pay unaffordable bills due to electricity theft and high electricity prices set by BES. Establishing special courts and police to combat electricity theft will have a positive impact, and reducing the BES price will ensure that electricity is available and affordable for everyone. With these steps, we cannot only end economic poverty through trade, but also strengthen our nation’s highways, growth and success by promoting fair and honest energy use.
AHSAN UL HAQ SHAIKH
Lahore
Box letter
World Animal Day
World Animal Day (celebrated on October 4) helps bring people together to increase awareness and improve education worldwide so that animals can live the lives they deserve. The day is a wonderful reminder of different ways in which animals enhance our lives. Together we can change the way the world works and end animal cruelty and suffering forever. The theme for World Animal Day 2023 is “Great or Small, love them all”. The mission of this year’s World Animal Day is to raise the status of animals in order to improve welfare standards around the globe.
JUBEL D’CRUZ
Mumbai, India
