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.
Illiteracy
Since independence, Pakistan continues to face social problems and illiteracy is one of them. Literacy refers to people who are 15 or more than can read as well as write. According to 2023 reports Pakistan’s literacy rate stands at 58.9 percent, with 46.49 percent of women beings literate and 69.29 percent of men. However, its four provinces stood at different level of literacy rate. Punjab province has highest literacy rate of 63 percent while Balochistan with lowest 44 percent of literacy rate. And Sindh is with 60 percent of literacy rate and KPK with 53 percent of literacy rate what has having 3rd lowest literacy rate in Pakistan.
Pakistan is having very low literacy rate as compared to other states in the region. India got independent on same date as Pakistan, but still there is a huge difference between their literacy rates. Bangladesh was a part of Pakistan and became separated from Pakistan in 1971, but still it has highest literacy rate than Pakistan. Who should be blamed, it’s social, political, economical structures or corrupt public and bad governance.
A RAZZAQ
Via email
Child marriage
Child marriage has become a big issue in our country as children are getting married at such tender age. Numerous people compel their children due to traditions, customs and lack of education. Apart from these, a child bride encounters a lot of difficulty during pregnancy as well as delivery. In Pakistan, several child brides lost their lives during delivery. Government must make such laws where children should be protected against this evil practice.
ASMA NASIR
Turbat, Balochistan
Importance of water
Water is one of the most vital natural resources for life on earth. The availability and quality of water determines not only where people can live, but also their quality of life. Even though there is plenty of fresh water, it is not available where it is needed. Only five percent of the world’s water is deemed fit for consumption and this figure is shrinking day by day. Thus, it must be treated as a limited and precious resource. Without water, all human activity would be affected and come to a standstill. It is said that one can survive for some time without food, but only a few days without water. Since water is source of all life, it is time due importance is placed to conserve it.
Faris Khaliq
Turbat, Balochistan
Tech disruption, job automation
Technological disruption and job automation refers to impact of technological advancements, particularly artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, and automation in labour market and employment opportunities. These innovations have numerous benefits as they build up people’s productivity etc yet it destroys people’s talent, skill and raise concern about job displacement.
According to a study by World Economic Forum, it is estimated that by 2025, automation will lead to a net loss of over 85 million jobs globally across various industries. People have been as much with touch to automatic jobs and resources as they have led their lives in the belief of these technologies that can be a good servant but a dangerous master.
Technological advancement will again force people to be in slumber and will never awake them from stagnation. ChatGpt, which is an AI sourced website or app which has motivated students to be the part of it. It helps students in school notes etc which is a bad sign to students creativity. Technologies can bring a great change for few but it brings destruction for all others.
QAMBER AZEEM
Kech, Balochistan
Social media
According to reports, more than four billion people across the globe have access to social media. Social media is an extraordinary technology that gives information about other states and creates connectivity. Through it people can efficiently shop, read, earn money and do many more things. During COVID-19- pandemic people learnt and took online classes since it is a source of getting education, entertainment and relaxation.
Apart from these, unlimited usage of social media for useless things can affect a person mentally and physically. And it is the main root of anxiety, depression and suicide. Finally, creating connections with social media can give you a lot of advantages yet parents must keep a strict watch on their children to forestall any abuse.
ASMA NASIR
Via email
Alarming rise in Naegleria
Naegleria, commonly known as the “brain-eating ameba”, is spreading rapidly. Many cases were reported recently and yet nothing has been done to control it. According to health department spokesperson, a woman lost her life recently, while a 45-year old man was second victim of this deadly virus and lost his life on May 26.
It lives in soil and warm fresh water, such as lakes, rivers and hot springs. The first case of naegleria was reported in 2008. At least, 150 people have died due to this brain-eating ameba over past 14 years. But one can reduce the risk by making sure that water should not go inside the nose during ablution or swimming.
AYESHA BASHIR
Via email
Diversity saga
Throughout history every human being has a different reasoning, taste, belief, colour, state of opinion on religious, societal, economic and political issues. These differences create classes in society that sometimes prove blessings for a nation and sometimes otherwise. The diversity saga in Pakistan has a strange history as we rarely take it as an advantage, though it can strengthen our society. We, as a nation, are divided into various religious sects, ethnicity, regional languages, culture that are based on heroes, heritage, habits, political and social demands etc. Even such diversities are now found in economic domains as well. Pakistan, before partition, comprised an enormous diversity of languages, ethnicities, cultures, faith, traditions and customs.
MUHAMMAD QASIM
Islamabad
Box letter
Lost childhood
Most of our children in the country are living in deplorable conditions with no hopes. At the age of getting education, most of these children across the country work in different places to earn two times meals for their families. According to statistics, million of children are engaged in child labour, many work in agriculture sector. Similarly, many parents because of poverty send their children to work in homes to earn a little amount in order to survive. Most of these children face various types of abuses. Our governments spend nothing for development of children. Many children are eager to be involved in education, but unfortunately their parents are not able to fulfil their basic wishes as they belong to low-income families. Every government, without any delay needs to take serious steps to solve this issue in order to save precious lives of children. Every child should be given awareness about importance of education and should be provided basic needs.
IMTIAZ JAVID
Awaran, Balochistan
