Articles and letters may be edited for the purposes of clarity and space.
Dumb rulers
Following the martyrdom of Ismail Haniyeh, Chief Yahya Sinwar has also been martyred. His death represents a profound shame for Muslim countries, as many choose to remain silent about the ongoing war. This silence stems from Jewish dominance and influence over Muslims, which has weakened their power. Additionally, the Jewish community has secured the loyalty of many Muslim countries, which is why they are turning a blind eye to the situation in Gaza.
Israel has caused devastation on Gaza, conducting a relentless genocide against men, women and children. The situation in Gaza has reached catastrophic levels, with millions of bombs dropped on the region. The war is now extending to smaller Muslim countries, including Lebanon and Iran. Despite the killing of their major leaders, Haniyeh and Sinwar, Israel’s mission remains uncompleted.
Muslim countries must unite and actively participate in this struggle, similar to how the USA aids Israel with military support to eliminate Palestinians from Gaza. Facing the dire situation of Palestinians under Israeli oppression requires collaboration among Muslim nations. The unity of Muslims can significantly impact the situation against the Jewish community. It is crucial for Muslim countries to urgently address this prolonged genocide; otherwise, they may find themselves next in line.
SADAM HUSSAIN
Ghotki
AI and its growth
The revolution of artificial intelligence (AI) is an extraordinary opportunity and challenge, it is rapidly accelerating now as we are at the footstep of burgeoning an unimagined technological revolution. This transformation is not simply changing business sectors but fundamentally altering the DNA of our society.
Yes, it is obvious that AI offers great benefits for boosting productivity in companies and driving innovation or decision making. It extends beyond the world of healthcare from diagnosis and personalized treatment in clinical settings to education where it offers individualized learning experience, there are countless societal benefits. This is how businesses generate money because they use AI to operate more efficiently and cheaper, this in turn ensures economic growth.
However, these advances arrive with urgent concerns. We should also be having these conversations, but this time more cautiously about the ethics surrounding data privacy, employment displacement and even the call for transparency around AI decision making. Ensuring their alignment with human values and societal norms will be of utmost importance as AI systems become more autonomous. To establish frameworks that encourage the development of responsible AI, we need to build a collaborative dialogue among technologists, policy-makers and the general public. It will also be essential to invest in education and train work forces for the changing landscape. The advent of AI is full of potential for growth and prosperity, but as a society it is on us all to handle its coming development with true and great care.
LAIBA AHSAN
Lahore
Joint anti-smog efforts
Climate change affects all nations, making it essential for countries to work together. While global cooperation is important, it is equally crucial for neighbouring states to join forces in tackling shared environmental problems. Punjab’s Chief Minister, Maryam Nawaz, recently called for collaboration between Indian and Pakistani Punjab’s to fight smog, a pressing issue affecting both regions.
Air quality in cities like Lahore, Amritsar and Delhi is alarmingly poor, often ranking among the worst in the world. If both nations can work together, they could not only address their common air pollution issues but also advocate for solutions on a larger scale at global climate forums. However, political tensions make such cooperation difficult.
At the same time, Pakistan must not ignore its own role in worsening the smog. While stubble burning in Indian Punjab contributes to Lahore’s air pollution, local factors like vehicular emissions and pollution from unregulated factories also play a significant role. To improve air quality, both international collaboration and local efforts to reduce pollution are necessary. Tackling these issues together would be a positive step towards cleaner air for all.
TALAL RAFIQ RIND
Turbat