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?
The federal government had changed the autonomous corporation, Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation (Radio Pakistan) own pay scales by its own in July 2022. Under the rules, serving and retired employees of the Federal Government in up to government scale 16 are entitled to 25 per cent of their salaries/pensions as medical allowance whereas those above are paid 20 per cent as medical allowance.
Despite the federal government replacing PBC pay scales with its own scales, Radio Pakistan’s serving and retired employees are not being paid the medical allowance to which they are entitled now. In view of the prevailing economic crisis-like situation in the country, it may not be possible for the federal government to pay six months arrears now, but the medical allowance must and should be paid to Radio Pakistan serving and retired employees at least from January 2023.
This will help them to cope, to some extent, with ever-increasing inflation , higher cost of living and medicine prices. In passing, it may also be mentioned that Radio Pakistan’s serving and retired employees are not being reimbursed their submitted medical bills for months and months together.. In view of this, not so appreciable situation, some of them have already stopped submitting the medical bills for reimbursement of their limited resources spent on purchase of medicines for themselves and their families from their own pockets, please.
M Z RIFAT
Lahore
Psychological issues and Culture
In our country, many people are facing numerous mental health issues like anxiety depression, hypertension and many more. About 10 to 16pc people are suffering from mild to severe mental issues. The main cause of these unresolved issues is lake of awareness about psychological counselling. There is no culture of taking psychological consultation for these issues. In many areas of our country, many serious psychological problems are ignored by taking it as a cultural/mythological term like Ghost attack and all other illogical terms.
Therefore, people should be made aware about the psychological issues and about the availability of psychological and psychiatric consultation. And the availability of psychological consultation should be provided to everyone. Another crucial issue is the lack of awareness about psychological career counselling and lack of facility for psychological career consultation in educational institutions that should be noticed and resolved as soon as possible.
Government Pakistan and institutes of mental health should be concerned about these issues. Government should launch awareness campaigns in print and electronic media and other social media platforms.
SAYIL HUSSAIN HUR
GILGIT BALTISTAN
Rising Pollution
With due reverence, I want to attract your attention on a very alarming topic nowadays that is POLLUTION. Pollution is rising at a very high rate in our environment. It has become one of the major problems of today’s world. This has caused alot of devastation in our surroundings. Many people are affected by it.
Lahore is the most highlighted one in this regard. Mainly there is so much air pollution here. Smoke rising from factories, industries,machines and vehicles has contributed alot in the spreading of many human diseases. Asthama,Heart issues,Hearing problems and Skin disorders are caused by it.Every second person is suffering from severe health problems due to pollution .
It is Humbly requested to (PEPA) “Pakistan Environment Protection Agency “ to kindly take an action in this regard. There should be adequate arrangements to control pollution. Carbon free vehicles should be used and more public transport facilities should be provided.More trees should be grown because they help alot in the control of pollution.
This would help us alot in this hour of need and we will be able to protect our environment.
UMAMA RIZWAN
Lahore
Syrian earthquake 2023
Through your prestigious newspaper, I want to express my concern towards the devastating conditions of Syria after the earthquake. The earthquake has caused immense destruction and the people of Syria, who are already facing much economic crisis, are having a hard time coping up with the present challenging situation.
The earthquake has resulted in loss of many lives and damage to infrastructure. The number of deaths in Syria is reported to be more than 4,500 people and around 400,000 people are in need of basic essentials of life. The affected areas are struggling to cope up with the aftermath and there is an urgent need for international aid to help those who have been impacted. Syria has been in a state of conflict for several years which has resulted in the migration of millions of people, destruction of homes and an unstable economy. The earthquake has only worsened the situation and now many people are struggling to access the basic necessities such as food, shelter and medical aid. Urge the international community and people to raise awareness on social media platforms and come together to provide humanitarian aid to those who have been affected by the earthquake. It is essential that we provide support to the people of Syria in their time of need and help them rebuild their lives and their country.
In conclusion, the earthquake has had a severe impact on the people and the country. The international community must come forward to provide aid and support to the Syrians and help them recover from this devastating event.
Hadia Anwar
Lahore
