Articles and letters may be edited for the purposes of clarity and space.
Choking skies
As the winter sun struggles to pierce through the thick veil of smog enveloping our city, a familiar dread settles in. The vibrant hues of the sky have bled into a dull, hazy grey and the air, once crisp and invigorating, hangs heavy with a noxious cocktail of pollutants. This is not just a seasonal inconvenience; it’s a public health crisis, an economic burden and a stark reminder of the environmental neglect we’ve sown.
Each breath feels like a betrayal, a scratchy rasp against the tender lining of our lungs. Children playing outside return home with stinging eyes and burning throats. The elderly, vulnerable to respiratory woes, are confined indoors, their walks replaced by worried glances at the smog-choked horizon. This is not a picture of progress; it’s a tableau of suffering, a silent testament to the price we pay for our inaction.
The economic consequences of this annual siege are no less dire. Flights are grounded, businesses suffer losses and tourism takes a nosedive. The vibrant tapestry of our city, usually humming with life, is reduced to a muted scene, shrouded in an unsettling silence. The smog, a toxic stew of vehicular emissions, industrial pollutants and agricultural burning, chokes not just our lungs but also the lifeblood of our economy.
But amidst this despair, a flicker of hope remains. The growing public outcry, the tireless efforts of environmental activists and the nascent initiatives by policymakers are testaments to our collective will to fight back. We, the citizens, have a crucial role to play in this fight. We can choose to walk, cycle or use public transport instead of our cars. We can demand stricter regulations on polluting industries and support sustainable practices. We can raise awareness, educate our communities and hold our leaders accountable.
KASHISH SHAIKH
Larkana
Israeli savagery
Using Palestinian children as human shields is a war crime for Israeli forces. Numerous documented instances exist of Israeli troops in Palestine committing such heinous crimes, as documented in various human rights reports. However, the West continues to reward these war crimes and their perpetrators with more weapons. This enables the killing of many more youngsters who, incidentally, play no part in this horrific struggle.
Israeli agriculture and settlement labour employs Palestinian children. For the occupants, young children as early as 10 years old. After using pesticides carelessly while working on settlement farms, Palestinian children vomit and experience light-headedness. The apartheid government forbids them from receiving medical care. Israeli occupation forces deny Palestinian farmers access to markets, freedom of movement and water.
The Palestinians want to cultivate their own lands and build an economy that will enable them to support their offspring and provide for their educational needs. The settlers deny all of this. The West presents itself as the protector of children’s education, but the invaders in Palestine prohibit pupils from getting to school and assault them under the guise of “security.” And the West is unconcerned by all of this.
Attacks against Palestinians are carried out by Israeli settlers under the protection of the army and under the direction of the government. Yazan al-Rajbi, a Palestinian toddler, was hospitalised after being violently abused by Israeli extreme settlers. 40 children were reportedly slain and 750 others were detained by Israeli occupation troops in 2022 alone, according to Palestinian human rights organisations. But despite this, the Americans and Europeans—who are only European settlers on native American territory—continue to give Israel WMDs.
ZAINAB IMRAN
Islamabad
Box letter
Climate change
Climate change poses a severe health threat in Balochistan, impacting individuals constantly and spreading virtual diseases. It has become a paramount health challenging issue that causes numerous hardships to the citizens of Pakistan, particularly in Balochistan. Unfortunately, the authorities have not adequately addressed this paramount matter seriously, resulting in increasing greenhouse effects and being the cause of globalisation, desertification and many others. Therefore, urgent intervention from the health department is important to protect lives and look into the matter as soon as possible.
SAFIA HASIL
Karachi
