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.
Default risk averted
It seems that with elections just around the corner, the coalition government has managed to avert the threat of default, and with the inflow of $4.2 billion, Pakistan’s forex reserves have thus doubled. This clearly means that Pakistan is not likely to default any time soon. Bolstering of reserves had led to a strengthening of the rupee. For a start, one of the conditions imposed by the IMF was the opening up of imports. As the pent-up demand exaggerates the outflow of foreign exchange, the rupee will come under pressure.
As it was, if the present coalition, or the expected caretaker government, or both, try to bring the present load shedding under control by importing furnace oil for thermal generation, the import bill will climb up. The coalition has ridden the crisis and the caretakers do not have one to face, while it will be up to the elected government to take the steps needed for an end to crises. If it doesn’t watch out, the elected government could find itself once again embroiled in a crisis as soon as the middle of next year.
Actually, the economy must either be able to export more, or attract sufficient foreign direct investment, to service its debt, and stop incurring more. That is only possible by long-term investment in human capital and in other areas where the state has stunted before. Such measures are not possible for the present government, or the caretakers, simply because there is not enough time.
Indeed, even if the government, dethroned as a result of the coming elections, was to focus on such measures, it would find that it had laid the groundwork only if it managed to complete its full five-year tenure. To help it, whatever its complexion, to stick to the task, it is essential that all parties, government or opposition, come together, and agree on what steps are needed, and further to agree to implement those steps if elected to power. In short, there must be a Charter of the Economy. If there isn’t, the next crisis is inevitable.
MUNAWAR SIDDIQUI
Lahore
Water scarcity in Gwadar
I am writing to bring attention to the pressing issue of water scarcity in Gwadar, a coastal city of Balochistan. This serious problem is not only affecting the livelihood of the residents but also hindering the sustainable development of the region. Immediate steps must be taken to address this issue and provide a viable solution to the water crisis in Gwadar. Gwadar, with its strategic location and immense economic potential, has become a centre of global attention.
The success of the Gwadar port, as a game-changer in regional trade and transit, has attracted investment and promises of prosperity. However, it is disheartening to witness how the water scarcity issue is overshadowing the immense possibilities that this region holds. Access to clean and reliable water is a basic human right, yet the residents of Gwadar struggle daily with the lack of it.
The population is growing rapidly due to increased economic activities, thanks to the CPEC, leading to higher demand for water. Unfortunately, the existing infrastructure and resources are insufficient to meet this demand. The consequences are dire, with residents forced to rely on inadequate and often contaminated water sources, leading to health problems and impeding their ability to lead fulfilling lives. Immediate action is needed to tackle the water scarcity in Gwadar. The government, in collaboration with relevant authorities and international organizations, should take proactive measures to address this challenge.
Time is of the essence and the water crisis in Gwadar cannot be ignored any longer. It is our collective responsibility to act swiftly and decisively to alleviate sufferings of the residents and pave way for a prosperous Gwadar. Together, we can ensure that every individual in this region has access to a reliable and safe water supply, empowering them to thrive and contribute to the development of their city and country. It is a call for urgent action.
FARIS KHALIQ
Kech
Sleepless people
Never-ending inflation blesses us with sleepless nights. Rates are very high with low wages. This is worst combination ever we have seen. Currency has shown some downfalls which impact our overall economic situation. This is factor which contributes a lot to making health worse.
People are seen as fit by their physical health but the reality is contradictory. Mental health is suffering and there is a steep rise in psychological disorders. People love to hide their mental health issues as they love to hide their financial ones. To bring bread to the table people now opt for doing work for more than 12 hours a day. At the start, humans love working for this long but with time, this thing drains people’s energy because our brain needs rest to function optimally the whole day.
Sleep is very necessary for human life because it is the rest of the body and a natural phenomenon where the body repairs its damaged tissue. Sleep-deprived people became the prey of many infections because it affects the immune system holistically.
The youth think it is great to suffer sleep and work harder whereas they must think about how they adjust their sleep and work smartly. A disturbed sleeping schedule will bless you with depression, anxiety and irritability. The brain needs to rest and sleep is the best solution for it. Our organs are working 24/7 and with sleep, they get little rest. Rest is a very underrated medicine in human science because it naturally cures many things if scheduled perfectly.
Working hard sounds heroic but this is a foolish thing to suffer your sleep and which indirectly affects overall health.
ARISHA IRSHAD ALI
Karachi
Box letter
Men in green
Asia Cup is around the corner. Cricket has always had a unifying effect on Pakistanis and has the potential to bring smiles to the otherwise lifeless faces in the overall grim socioeconomic situation. Let’s hope this event will live up to the expectations and beyond! I’m confident the boys will bring the trophy home but even if we lose in at any stage it needs to be said at this very point that this team has exceeded our expectations. At least, I don’t think I’m alone when I say this, didn’t expect us to be where we are right now with at 2nd position in ODI, No 4 in T20 format ranking and by yesterday’s win in Test format, the victory sees Pakistan to join India at the top of the World Test Championship standings with a 100 percent win-percentage after one match apiece in the new cycle First time in 40 years, Pakistan batted just 8 maiden overs in a Test innings that had more than 100 overs. Keeping in mind all the unfortunate setbacks we have gone through last year by losing WC final to England facing eviction in Semi Final of T20 WC. This team gives us number of blissful moments. So so proud of this bunch. Apart from bringing their top skills to pitch on match-days they’ve fought for every single run like true champions. They gave us all we wanted then some more.
UNZILA TAHIR HUDA
Karachi
