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Smog season
Lahore seems perfectly content, perched upon the list of most hazardous cities in the world with its AQI soaring through the roof, the government’s anti-smog steps have so far failed to achieve anything worthwhile.
Year after year, talk-of-the-town smog season comes back to haunt us with an increasing tenacity while those at the helm of the affairs are forced to blow dust off some snap-shot interventions and pray for a miracle has been the norm for the last so many years.
The emergency situation may result in a reactive line of action from the concerned departments but Pakistan has yet to formulate a comprehensive long-term sustainable plan to protect its citizens.
Although dramatic visuals of arresting small shopkeepers do make for high-impact headlines, perhaps the caretaker government could take a step back and strike at the bigger picture. Smog, being a direct result of industrialisation on top of the increased use of fossil fuels in road transportation, is known to all. In addition to creating awareness about the impacts of burning crop residue and garbage, the authorities should point their loaded guns towards the industrial sharks who continue to trample upon the environment in their greed for profits.
MUNAWAR SIDDIQUI
Lahore
Food and water scarcity
Within the intricate weave of global challenges, a few issues stand as more urgent and universally impactful than the interwoven crises of food and water scarcity. As the global population burgeons and climate change intensifies, ensuring access to ample nourishment and clean water becomes an overriding concern. Disparities in agricultural productivity and persistent water scarcity create an enduring cycle of hunger and thirst across continents, affecting millions.
Climate-induced phenomena, like prolonged droughts and unpredictable weather patterns, disrupt traditional farming practices, turning once-fertile lands barren and worsening food shortages. Concurrently, water scarcity looms large due to pollution, over-extraction, and inefficient resource management depleting this vital life source. The consequences extend far beyond individual households, resonating through communities, nations and the intricate fabric of our interconnected global society.
Stark outcomes include malnutrition, compromised health and the perpetuation of poverty. Yet, within this complexity lies the opportunity for transformative action. Sustainable agricultural practices, resilient water management strategies and technological innovations shine as beacons of hope. Empowering communities through education on water conservation, fostering international collaboration for equitable resource distribution and investing in resilient crop varieties can chart the course towards a more sustainable and nourished world.
The urgency calls not just for immediate solutions but for a collective commitment to reshape the very foundations of how we produce, distribute and consume food and water. In addressing these scarcities, we embark on a journey towards a future where no one sleeps hungry, no child thirsts for clean water and the Earth’s bounties are shared equitably among all its inhabitants. This journey demands global cooperation, innovative thinking and a shared responsibility for the well-being of our planet and its people.
FAHAD ALI
Sukkur
Sensitive people about AIDS
World AIDS Day is celebrated every year on December 1 to show solidarity with the people living with AIDS, to commemorate those who succumbed to this fatal disease and to raise public awareness. The first World AIDS Day took place in 1988, providing a platform to raise awareness about HIV and AIDS and honour the lives affected by the epidemic.
AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) is a public health hazard. It is caused by HIV which can enter the body through unprotected sex with an HIV-infected person, sharing needles during intravenous drug use, contaminated blood transfusion, sharing razor blades and infected mother to her child through the placenta.
A person infected with HIV suffers from declining immunity with symptoms like pneumonia, diarrhoea, tiredness, weight loss and fever. This impairment of the immune system can be slowed down by effective treatment and medication but cannot be fully cured. With AIDS, death is inevitable.
Although the prevalence of AIDS is comparatively less in India, it has steadily increased over the last two decades. The population at risk in our country includes blood donors, drug addicts, prisoners and sex workers. Government and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) should jointly raise awareness of its causes, symptoms and diagnosis.
Moreover, it is the government’s job to build more rehabilitation centres for drug users, provide free nucleic acid tests (NAT) to determine its presence and open up job opportunities for transgender people to replace their sex work. Adequate public health awareness is urgently needed before the prevalence reaches an alarming limit. The theme of World AIDS Day 2023 is “Let communities lead”.
JUBEL D’CRUZ
Mumbai, India
Box letter
Lack of libraries
I am writing to express my concern regarding the inadequate availability of government libraries in Karachi and the significant impact it has on the intellectual growth and educational development of our citizens. Libraries play a crucial role in fostering a culture of learning, promoting access to knowledge and nurturing the intellectual development of individuals, particularly for those who may not have the means to afford private libraries or access to digital resources. Unfortunately, in Karachi, the scarcity of government libraries is evident, leaving many individuals, especially students, without a proper environment for learning and exploration. The absence of government libraries limits the educational opportunities for our youth and hampers their ability to acquire knowledge and expand their horizons. It is disheartening to see a dearth of easily accessible resources, including books, reference materials and study spaces, which are vital for academic success and personal growth. It’s a request to the government to prioritize the establishment and improvement of government libraries across Karachi. These libraries should be equipped with a diverse collection of books, periodicals and digital resources, catering to a wide range of interests and subjects. Additionally, trained librarians should be employed to assist visitors in utilizing the available resources effectively.
MAHEEN AZAM
Karachi
