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.
Whither medical allowance?
Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation (Radio Pakistan) had its own pay scales since its inception and all serving and retired employees were being provided medical facilities through approved medical stores.
Former federal government on coming into power very quietly had replaced PBC (Radio Pakistan) pay scales with the government scales in July 2022. The government scales entail provision of fixed medical allowance to the scales to the serving and retired employees. But the Radio Pakistan serving and retired employees are being denied the facility of medical allowance for the last one year and a quarter and there are no indications of this facility being provided to a large number of Radio Pakistan’s serving and retired employees throughout the country.
Fortunately, the incumbent caretaker Federal Information Minister Murtaza Solangi some years back had served as PBC Director General. He is requested to kindly look into this important humanitarian matter on a priority basis as the Radio Pakistan serving and retired employees direly need this facility addition to their salaries/pensions at the earliest possible, please.
It may also be pointed out here that Radio Pakistan’s serving and retired employees had been purchasing medicine from their own pockets when these were not available from PBC approved medical stores and were submitting the medical bills for reimbursement. But even these were pending for a couple of years adding to their financial problems. Former federal government had done one good thing of deciding to add Rs 15 Radio Fee on the electricity bills since Radio Pakistan did not have adequate financial resources of its own and was mostly dependent in this regard.
The worthy incumbent Federal Information Minister is requested to kindly look into these matters and save serving and retired employees from the impending financial crisis. It is a bitter fact that prior to induction of the caretaker set- up at the federal level, Radio Pakistan’s serving and retired employees were delayed their salaries/pensions for a couple of months which created a lot of problems for them.
M Z RIFAT
Lahore
Suicides cases
I am writing to bring to the attention of the higher authorities a pressing concern affecting the province of Balochistan—suicide, an alarming and prevalent societal issue. Suicide, the tragic act of ending one’s own life, is driven by a multitude of factors such as unemployment, depression, and various other socio-economic pressures.
The number of suicide cases in Balochistan is escalating at an alarming rate. In the year 2021, approximately 80 cases were reported. Particularly concerning is the rise in suicide cases within the Makran division, where factors such as harassment, mental torture and family pressure contribute to this distressing trend.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Pakistan experiences over 1,500 reported suicide cases annually, with 25% of these involving teenagers. This distressing statistic underscores the urgent need for immediate action and intervention to combat this harrowing crisis.
I beseech the authorities to take swift and decisive action to address this escalating issue. It is imperative that we implement comprehensive measures to provide support, raise awareness and create a safe and nurturing environment for those struggling with their mental health. Collaborative efforts involving community engagement, mental health education and targeted interventions are vital steps in combating this crisis effectively.
I look forward to a prompt attention and action on this matter. Together, we can make a significant difference and save precious lives.
FOZIA HAMEED
Karachi
Varsity’s ill practices
I want to express my regrets about being bullied by varsity management. Please share my voice so that others can relate and add potential to it. In the year 2017, I was enrolled at the University of Karachi and graduated in 2021. It’s been 2 years since I have been facing harsh blows waiting outside KU’s abandoned administrative buildings and offices. The poor administration and incompetent staff are making it difficult for ex-students when it comes to any kind of documentation. What else can we expect from such an illiterate and incompetent Pakistani clerk? I regret to say this, but it is true that morality is dead among Pakistanis, and we have failed as a nation.
The varsity’s incompetent administration does not know how to type a document properly, and how could it be possible if the recruitment is based on quota even if the individual is illiterate, but if he is falling in the quota then it will become his birthright to move to this city and be the reason for native’s disparity. Such are the kinds who are employed in varsity, and they are wasting the time of many students who just want proper documentation for various reasons.
No one is willing to stand against them and tell them what they are doing, on the contrary, those unskilled and incompetent staffers are encouraged by the crowd who facilitates them just to get their documentation procedure done on time. And why should I request the concerned authorities to act against such staff and what they are doing? This is a wake-up call for all of them to open their eyes before it is too late. The country is already struggling from brain drain and it will continue and prevail to a massive figure if such practices without morality are carried out.
TANZEEL KHANZADA
Karachi
Box letter
Clean environment
Living in a clean environment is the fundamental right of every citizen. However, in most places in Pakistan, dust and impurities are prevalent. Due to pollution, people face many dangerous diseases, and it affects their lives greatly. Recently, eye diseases have become hard to bear, disrupting students’ studies. Pollution is also causing climate change, with temperatures rising day by day. Additionally, we are experiencing lower rainfall, which is contributing to inflation. People suffer from malaria and many other diseases, and we can’t tackle these problems due to various barriers in Pakistan. Health is wealth, and if we face difficulties and barriers from childhood, it becomes challenging to deal with future problems. The children who should be in school are often in hospitals, and their futures are uncertain. They are the future of Pakistan. Our country should not endure these problems, and the government must make efforts to control pollution and promote afforestation. Plants and trees should be grown abundantly, and the cutting of trees should be declared a crime. Lastly, citizens should establish and maintain a beneficial relationship with nature. This way, we can not only preserve nature but also harness the benefits of science and technology for a better future.
SHARATOON AKHTAR
Karachi
