Articles and letters may be edited for the purposes of clarity and space.
Education crisis
Balochistan’s educational ratio is significantly lower than that of other provinces, with a literacy rate of only 39 percent. The province is plagued by a multitude of problems, including absent teachers while almost 5000 ghost teachers who don’t perform their duties honestly and still receive full wages. The matter becomes worse due to the fact that 60% to 70% of children in Balochistan are not in school, with 78 percent of girls and 67 percent of boys being denied their right to education.
The current education crisis in Balochistan is due to outdated syllabus, absence of modern teaching equipment and dearth of basic necessities like electricity, water and bathrooms along with deficiency of infrastructure and buildings for educational institutions in rural areas. Balochistan’s government is obligated to promote education and guarantee that children have the right to education, enabling them to make a positive contribution to nation’s development and advancement.
IBRAHIM AZEEM
Awaran, Balochistan
Vulnerable women
Women in our societies often feel defenceless in every aspect of their lives. They are always victim of rape, kidnapping, harassment and killing in the name of honour. One gets astonished that despite advancement in science and technology, education and human behaviour, women are unable to protect themselves from such culprits. It’s a general believe that a woman is always safe inside Char Dewari (home) yet reports indicates that in majority of rape cases, culprits were close relatives of victims.
Reports from Sahil NGO estimated that every year nearly 5,000 women fall prey to rape and harassment, while majority of cases went unreported and only 1 out of 4 cases get registered all over Pakistan. Some families don’t report for the sake honour of their family and fearing a stigma of rape. Such ruthless behaviour against women must not be tolerated anymore.
SAMEER UMRANI
Karachi
her disconcerting trend is the apparent lack of respect for elders. Teachers, parents and other adults who once commanded respect now face defiance and disobedience from teenagers.
While it’s natural for adolescents to assert their independence, this should not translate into blatant disrespect. We need to foster a culture that values authority while encouraging healthy discussions and exchanges of ideas. Furthermore, disregard for personal responsibility and accountability is troubling. Some teenagers engage in risky behaviours without fully comprehending the potential repercussions of their actions. We should promote programmes that instil a sense of responsibility and educate them on consequences of their choices. The issue needs effective attention.
RAZIA KHALIQ
Turbat, Balochistan
Road accidents
I would like to draw attention of relevant traffic police authorities towards prevailing high ratio of road accidents. It poses significant challenges to lives of people. Due to poor roads and serious violations of traffic rules, every year large number of people becomes victim of serious road accidents that have become very common nowadays. Regrettably concerned authorities have not adopted any strategy to mitigate this alarming situation. Road accidents are bound to happen, yet teaching people to learn and practice road safety measures is very important. Government needs to look into the matter seriously.
AYESHA NOOR
Karachi
Ensuring accountability
In light of recent developments in Pakistan’s political landscape, I feel compelled to address the pressing issue of accountability. As citizens, we have a vested interest in ensuring that our political leaders are held accountable for their actions and decisions. Transparency and accountability are cornerstones of a healthy democracy. It is imperative that those in positions of power are held to the highest standards of integrity and ethics. Unfortunately, instances of corruption and misuse of authority continue to undermine trust of the public in our political institutions. I commend government and law enforcement agencies efforts in initiating anti-corruption measures and holding accountable those who engaged in corrupt practices. However, more needs to be done to root out systemic corruption and ensure that all individuals, regardless of their political affiliations, are subjected to same standards of accountability. Moreover, it is essential to strengthen the institutions responsible for oversight and accountability, such as the National Accountability Bureau (NAB), to ensure their independence and effectiveness. Political interference in functioning of these institutions must be unequivocally condemned and prevented to uphold the rule of law.
As citizens, we have a responsibility to demand accountability from our elected representatives and hold them answerable for their actions. This can be achieved through active civic engagement, advocacy for transparency measures, and support for initiatives that promote good governance. In conclusion, accountability is not a luxury but a necessity for progress and stability of our nation. By holding our political leaders accountable, we can safeguard the integrity of our democracy and pave the way for a brighter future for Pakistan.
Asadullah khan
Via email
Gas shortage in Balochistan
I am writing to draw government attention towards pressing issue of gas shortage in Balochistan, which is a rich province and second largest producer of natural gas in Pakistan. Unfortunately the province is suffering from various challenges regarding its basic requirements. It produces almost 70 percent of total output of natural gas, yet consumed only 5.8% of total output.
Regrettably people of Balochistan are facing significant hardships due to this issue. The Sui gas field was discovered in 1925 that is supplying gas to different parts of Pakistan, but province which is rich in natural resources, itself has no gas supply for people who are forced to use wood and coal as fuel. The non-availability of natural gas is creating problems for local people and also impacting negatively our ecosystem.
MAHNAZ AMAN
Via email
Joblessness
Unemployment has become a pressing concern in Pakistan, particularly affecting educated population. The high rate of unemployment increases challenges to people of all shades. It has brought significant hardships for poor communities who are unable to fulfil their needs.
The main symbol for unemployment is inflation. Unfortunately government has not shown any interest to address this issue adequately. A particular worrisome trend among youth is to seek job opportunities abroad. The matter must be taken seriously and I humbly request the government to look into the matter as soon as possible.
JIHAND SABIR
Lahore
