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Mothers
A mother is profoundly a guiding light in our lives, who teaches us lessons of life. We know some mothers may live in an outdated era, but their experiences are true enlightenment in our lives. We should learn from their life lessons. A mother who wakes up all night if we feel sick or if we suffer from any pain, the first word we take out of our mouths is ami, amma, mama, maa. We should never forget their struggle for us, and we not only celebrate them on Mother’s Day but also cherish them daily.
I would like to extend heartfelt gratitude to all mothers in the world. I extremely appreciate your presence in our lives and its profound impact. You went through a lot being a mother you are a wife, a daughter, a sister, and you are woman definitely, your life is more difficult than others; your obstacles are more difficult than others; and your struggle is more difficult than others. I would like to take a moment to appreciate my mother, whose journey is truly a guiding light. Mothers are always with us from nightmares to dark days, you have secured us in your lap. May all mothers have a healthy, long and prosperous life, may your desires be fulfilled and dreams come true. Stay blessed and happy.
AREEBA ALTAF
Larkana, Sindh
Burden of loans and interest
According to the Institute of International Finance (IIF), Pakistan is projected to spend over 50 percent of its total revenue on servicing government loans by 2026. This heavy burden is primarily due to escalating external debt, which surged from $65 billion in 2015 to a staggering $130 billion within seven years. During the first ten months of the current fiscal year, the government borrowed a whopping Rs. 5.996 trillion from domestic banks, marking a 124 percent increase compared to the Rs. 2.666 trillion borrowed during the same period last year.
Despite being the fifth-largest borrower from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), with outstanding loans exceeding $7.61 billion, Pakistan’s economy remains unstable. Our debt situation has never laid a stable foundation for economic growth. The government’s reliance on loans is troubling because taxing the already burdened populace or resorting to other means often fails to cover both the loan interest and the principal amount. Consequently, more loans are taken out to fulfil these obligations, perpetuating a vicious cycle. To achieve economic stability, we must break free from the burden of loans and move towards self-reliance. This requires transitioning the economy from a consumer-based one to a productive one.
Gulab Umid
Turbat, Balochistan
Islamabad Metro Bus
I am writing this letter to bring your attention to a hapless and unenviable incident that happened recently. My friend and I were travelling by metro bus in Islamabad. The bus wasn’t crowded; everyone was seated, as we were about to reach the last station. My friend and I stood up to take our bags out of the luggage compartment behind the seats, near the bus door. As we were taking our bags, the driver suddenly opened the bus door from his seat, even though there was no bus station there. The sudden opening of the door caused scratches in my arm and injured my friend’s foot. The whole incident was mind-boggling for us, owing to the irresponsible attitude of the driver.
Later, we found out that driver wanted to open door in the middle of road for a staff member and accidentally opened the door on women’s side. What would have happened if the bus had been crowded? The sudden opening of the door might have caused some people to fall out of the bus. Who would have been responsible for this?
MARIA ZULFIQAR
Concerns about inflation
I am writing to express my deep concern about rising inflation in Pakistan. As a citizen who experiences its effects daily, I feel compelled to shed light on this pressing issue. Inflation simply put means prices of goods and services are going up over time. This means our money buys less than it used to, making it harder for families to afford basic necessities like food, clothing and shelter. It also affects businesses, as their costs increase, forcing them to raise prices or cut back on jobs.
The recent increase in inflation has hit many people hard, especially those with fixed incomes or low wages. It’s becoming increasingly difficult to make ends meet, leading to financial strain and hardship for many households. While there are various factors contributing to inflation, such as supply chain disruptions, rising energy prices and government policies, it’s crucial for our leaders to take decisive action to address this issue. Measures like controlling government spending, promoting competition in markets and investing in infrastructure can help mitigate the impact of inflation on our economy and society. As concerned citizens, we must urge our policymakers to prioritise solutions that stabilise prices and ensure a better future for all Pakistanis.
AIMA ASAD
Rawalpindi
