Articles and letters may be edited for the purposes of clarity and space.
Overpopulation
Every year, on July 11, global community celebrates the World Population Day. However, Pakistan should mourn it. Overpopulation in Pakistan is one of the most concerning issue. We lack resources, proper management and apt policies to face this issue. It is increasing at an incredible rate of 5 million per year. Our helpless and hapless people are suffering due to overpopulation. Other prevalent issues like unemployment, inflation flooding, corruption, inept administration, terrorism etc have already added many miseries to lives of our people. Brain drain rate is increasing every year. Our jobless youth is fleeing Pakistan hopelessly to find better job opportunities in foreign countries. The state has miserably failed to address above-mentioned challenges. It looks like overpopulation is not even in the list of our issues. If we fail to act timely to deal with this issue, lives of our people would become more miserable.
FARAZ AHMED
Digri, Mirpurkhas
Towards a fairer system
Recently, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) presented a detailed report to Government of Pakistan, revealing substantial pensions received by certain government officials. This disclosure, which was also presented in the National Assembly, has highlighted significant disparities in pension distributions, raising concerns about fairness and sustainability of current system.
Prominent figures on this list include several former Chief Justices of Pakistan. For instance, in 2023, Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry received a monthly pension of Rs. 1.166 million, Saqib Nisar Rs. 1.073 million, Sheikh Riaz Rs. 1.6 million, Umar Ata Bandial Rs. 0.923 million, Abdul Hameed Dogar Rs. 1.4 million, and Nasir-ul-Mulk Rs. 1.12 million. These amounts reflect a broader trend where many retired Supreme Court and High Court judges receive pensions ranging between Rs. 1 million and Rs. 1.4 million.
In stark contrast, numerous retired bureaucrats receive over Rs. 500,000 monthly, revealing a significant imbalance within the pension system. This disparity highlights an urgent need for a review of how pensions are calculated and distributed among different levels of public service.
The issue of pension disparity is not new yet recent IMF report has brought it to the forefront of public discourse.
GULAB UMID
Turbat, Balochistan
Animal cruelty
Neither humans nor animals are safe in this country, as recent incidents in Sindh have shown. In Sanghar district, a camel’s legs were brutally chopped off after it wandered into a landlord’s fields and damaged his crops. Two weeks later, in Kunri tehsil, a camel was found dead with its legs severed, leading to its death from excessive blood loss. In Pakistan, many animals, including camels, are well known for their cultural, moral, and traditional significance. Such inhumane acts highlight the pressing need for more robust animal protection laws. The current regulations are outdated and insufficient, often allowing offenders to escape with negligible fines. We urgently need stricter penalties and stronger enforcement mechanisms to deter future abuse and make it clear that animal cruelty is unacceptable. Immediate and decisive action is necessary to ensure the safety of animals and to demonstrate our commitment to humanity, kindness, and respect towards all living beings. As a society, we must act immediately to safeguard animals by holding perpetrators accountable and promoting animal welfare education. Only through such measures can we hope to create a safer environment for all living beings.
MOIN AHMED AWAN
Kandhkot, Sindh
Summer of suffering
In this scorching summer, many areas of Pakistan are affected by electricity load shedding, including Islamabad. When the scorching sun increases thirst with no fan or air conditioner, people go through irritation, anxiety, disturbance and aggression. Ask a labour who starts his work at 6 am, ask a shopkeeper and a farmer. We are blessed we don’t feel the actual heat but what about that 40% who lives behind poverty line they can’t afford solar, generator or batteries, they can’t afford air conditioners only they live their life on single fan amidst high electricity cost they can’t even afford this as well.
You are not supplying electricity to people, but when it comes to cost, you are always ready to increase electricity costs. If you can’t provide electricity, then don’t increase cost either. Since this issue started, I continuously told people to be patient; the issue will be resolved soon. Stop this after all we are humans, no one can bear this anymore. Don’t force people to come on streets!
AREEBA ALTAF
Larkana, Sindh
Sea tension!
The South China Sea remains one of the most volatile geopolitical hotspots of our time.
This crucial maritime region, rich in untapped oil and gas reserves and serving as a key global shipping lane, is the epicentre of fierce territorial disputes involving China, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, Taiwan, and the Philippines. China’s claims are staunchly defended by its government, which cites historical records and maps to assert its sovereignty over the region.
External powers, notably the United States, have added another layer of complexity with their freedom of navigation operations, further straining relations. As these external actors engage in the region, the risk of miscalculation and conflict grows.
NOOR UL HUDA
Rawalakot, Azad Kashmir
