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.
Managing chronic diseases
Laboratory, clinical and population-based research has revealed that a few risk factors are responsible for prevalence of most chronic diseases. Unhealthy diet, consumption of high
energy foods and drinks, lack of physical activity and use of tobacco. Alcohol intake, environmental pollutants, age and hereditary factors also play a role. These risk factors are same in men and women and across all regions in the world. The associated healthcare, financial and social burden of chronic diseases, which include diabetes mellitus, coronary heart disease, asthma, chronic obstructive airway disease, hypertension, chronic depression, osteoporosis, end stage renal failure and stroke are progressively on the increase.
Chronic diseases are a tremendous burden to individuals and to countries and the available traditional healthcare methods are not able to meet the requirements for preventing and reducing this burden. It is because of this problem that chronic disease management has emerged as a new approach towards caring for patients with chronic diseases. Chronic disease management in clinical circles can be defined as an elaborate, systematic, multi-component strategy to delivering healthcare while involving all members in the population or community who suffer from similar infections.
ASHFAQUE SANGI
Karachi
Cyber bullying
It is an alarming issue all over the world but unfortunately in our country different hackers do cyber bullying and most of them are bullying women for their personal interests such as taking money, sexual harassment or just for fun. According to a report dozen of cases are reported to cyber crime department while most of the females will not complain as they think that family will become aware of it. Due to this these bullies will blackmail females threatening to upload each and everything on social media. It is my request to all females that whatever happens to you in social media and if you feel unsafe than kindly inform your parents. A humble request to every father that never react on such situation if you react harshly then your daughter may take a wrong decision. Simply lodge a complain about that person to Cyber crime department so that your daughter and family is protected.
SHAKIR KB
Turbat, Balochistan
Deforestation
Balochistan is unfortunately impacted by deforestation. According to experts, forests should cover at least 25% of the total area of a country. Unfortunately Balachistan is not that much covered with forests. Deforestation is a main environmental concern in the world. Deforestation includes cutting down, burning, and destruction of trees and other shrubs. It is the first link in a chain of environment degradation that includes erosion, climate, changes, air pollution and loss of hardwood and fuel wood.
The forests are being cut down in Balochistan at a great speed. Balachistan is not self sufficient in wood based products. Due to less supply of natural gas, people cut down trees for heating and cooking purposes in many areas. Increasing deforestation is decreasing biodiversity
NASIR ALEEM
Khuzdar, Balochistan
*******
This refers to letter, ‘winter trials’ (December 01, 2022) by Sumaira Iqbal. The letter highlights an extremely important issue. Gas crisis in Pakistan, however shortage of gas has become a common problem in different parts of the country during every winter. Rather many children are forced to go to school without breakfast. Additionally, nowadays, gas prices are higher than ever before. In many parts of the country whether people are getting gas or not but they have to pay huge bills. Not sure if any government in Pakistan could ensure better gas management during winter.
MUBARAK FARYAD
Khuzdar, Balochistan
Entangled state structure
State structure of a country defines its governance and public deliverance. Accountability, rule of law, separation of powers, transparency, efficiency and capacity building are some of the important factors that contribute to this structure. State structure of Pakistan is highly intricate as it is mostly derived from colonial period and militarised authoritarianism. Military interventions and the concept of Troika made it power centric.
Militarised rule faded away political and constitutional struggles leaving political vendetta as its remnants. Political parties have failed to establish institutional lines. Unfortunately, there is no credible electoral process as every regime uses administrative machinery to manipulate polls in its favour. Provincial autonomy is a constant issue due to dependence of provincial governments on centre. Government of a party at centre don’t welcome opposition government in provinces. A single centralised command can never address challenges and issues of a multi polar and plural society. Participation plays a pivotal role in the growth and life of democracy. Pakistan is a federal republic with three tiers of governments; national, provincial and local.According to Article 32 and Article 140-A provincial governments are bound to establish LG systems to devolve political, administrative and financial powers to local level. Absence of local govts creates bureaucratic inertia as bureaucracy fails to respond to public issues. To sort out governance issues we have to turn our authoritative state structure to participatory devolution of power, avoiding overlapping of jurisdictions, confronting according to constitutional lines by predetermined and defined roles.
ALI AKBAR
Lahore
