Articles and letters may be edited for the purposes of clarity and space.
Battle with smog
As record levels of air pollution blanket in Punjab particularly in Lahore and Multan with AQI readings much higher than the ‘hazardous’ level on most days. The air quality is bad in Lahore and other big cities all year round. The government blames it largely on rice stubble burning in the neighbouring Indian Punjab. Indeed, easterly winds do spike AQI in Lahore, but according to environmental experts, contribution of emissions from across the border to air quality in Lahore is about 30 percent, the rest of pollutants come from local vehicular and industrial emissions.
Rules and regulations are in place for the prevention and control of industrial pollution in the province but implication is less effective.. The key culprit remains vehicular traffic, mainly because of the substandard quality of fuel. It’s been more than a decade when a previous federal government had claimed to introduce Euro-5 standard fuels, but except for some selected PSO petrol stations it is still unavailable to the public. Refineries have not upgraded their facilities. Meanwhile, in addition to cars, exacerbating the problem are ever-increasing numbers of two-stroke combustion engine motorcycles that have become a necessity for people in the absence of a proper public transportation system.
The Green Bus and Orange Train systems in a city of 13 million people have a very limited utility. Train systems in a city of 13 million people have a very limited utility. Given the gravity and urgency of the issue at hand, governments in all the provinces need to focus on initiating mass transit schemes. That requires substantial financial resources, which should be manageable by diverting the bulk of the PSDP (Public Sector Development Programme) funds to this need. The time to act is now.
MUNAWAR SIDDIQUI
Lahore
Space issue
I’m writing to address the persistent space issues and the challenge posed by street carts on Abul Hasan Isphani Road. Due to the numerous outdoor stalls, seating arrangements, and customer parking associated with wedding halls, fast food restaurants, hardware stores, shoe stores, and other businesses, a substantial portion of this narrow commercial street is regularly occupied. This congestion forces pedestrians to cross the main road, creating unsafe conditions and adding to the road’s already heavy traffic.
Adding to the problem, street carts further reduce the usable space, leaving only half of the road accessible to passing vehicles. These issues have been ongoing for a very long time and have turned into a daily struggle for the community.
Despite the inconvenience and potential hazards, the authorities have yet to take action. I hope this letter reaches those responsible for addressing and resolving these concerns.
WAQAR HUSSAIN
Karachi
Curtailing future lineages
This concerns the report titled “War Crimes and Crimes Against Humanity in Israeli attacks on Gaza Healthcare Facilities and Treatment of Detainees, Hostages.” On The other day, the UN Human Rights Office stated that nearly 70% of the casualties it has verified in the Gaza war are women and children, condemning what it identified as a systematic violation of fundamental principles of international humanitarian law.
Israeli defence forces have carried out acts classified as war crimes and crimes against humanity, with women and children especially targeted, reflecting a strategy of generational control in Gaza. The report notes 43,000 fatalities, of which 30,100 are women and children. This ongoing genocide, which began on October 7, 2023, represents a massive loss of life on Palestinian territory.
The youngest confirmed victim, according to UN monitors, was a one-day-old baby boy killed by an Israeli bomb, one of the most ruthless acts attributed to Israeli forces. Overall, 44% of the victims are under 18, with children aged 5-9 representing the largest group among them.
SAJJAD ALI MEMON
Darbello, Sindh
