Articles and letters may be edited for the purposes of clarity and space.
Breast Cancer awareness
It is important to acknowledge a worrying fact that breast cancer still represents a major threat to women in Pakistan, taking lives and breaking families apart. Too many women are held back by long-standing taboos, fearing judgment more than the disease itself. This cycle of silence must end if we are to save lives and empower women to take control of their health. To mitigate this issue, we need to promote open conversations about breast health, encouraging families and people to support women in their health journeys.
Schools and workplaces should implement awareness programmes, disseminating accessible information on the importance of regular screenings. Health professionals must take lead in creating safe, non-judgmental environments for examinations, particularly in rural areas where stigma is strongest. Moreover, engaging influential leaders and using social media platforms can help normalise discussions around breast cancer, breaking the cycle of shame. Let us collectively challenge these taboos and promote a culture of health and support. For the sake of our mothers, sisters and daughters we must make this a priority for awareness and action.
Tania Shahjahan
Kamber Ali Khan,Sindh
Protecting children
Children in this country often face dangerous situations, and recent cases highlight how vulnerable they are. In a recent rescue, police freed 29 kidnapped children and young people who had been taken by a trafficking group in Azad Kashmir. Many had suffered abuse, showing just how unsafe children remain. Despite decades of child abuse issues, the hope for a protected childhood, free from exploitation, remains dim. The government’s failure to address these issues, such as ensuring all children have birth certificates, is part of the problem. Without this basic record, protecting children becomes nearly impossible, especially in places like Punjab, where many children go missing or are abused.
To truly protect children, the government must fix its social protection policies and support families with better education and income opportunities. International support and cooperation are also important to ensure children’s rights are protected according to global standards. Courts should take tougher stances on crimes against children, ensuring proper investigation and punishment. If these steps are not taken, children will continue to suffer, and justice will remain out of reach. The future of the country depends on keeping its children safe.
TALAL RAFIQ RIND
Via email
Connectivity issue
In today’s fast-paced world, countries are rapidly improving their technological infrastructure. Many countries are leading the way in developing and deploying 5G technology. According to a survey published by the Global Mobile Suppliers Association (GSA), around 70 nations have already constructed 5G networks by June 2022. Meanwhile, the world is transitioning to even more powerful 6G networks.
In sharp contrast, Pakistan is still dealing with challenges relating to 4G connectivity. Since February 17, 2024, X (previously Twitter) has been inaccessible in Pakistan, and in the last week, major social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp and even Snapchat have become inaccessible without the use of Virtual Private Networks (VPN). Basic WhatsApp functions, such as downloading or sending audio notes, have also been made inaccessible without a VPN. This position indicates a sad and alarming state of affairs, particularly given that the rest of the world is moving forward with newer technologies.
While the current government is focused on constitutional reforms, it appears that the important issue of internet outages has been ignored. In August 2024, the Pakistan Software House Association (P@SHA) warned that Internet disruptions might cost Pakistan’s economy up to $300 million. This financial loss is something the government cannot afford, especially given its current economic challenges.
MOIN AHMED
Kandhkot, Sindh
Unbroken resistance
Israel has continued its attacks on the axis of resistance since the events of October 7, retaliating by killing more than 42,000 Palestinian people, including women and children. Israel has intensified these attacks and adopted a strategy of decapitation, targeting leaders of groups like Hamas and Hezbollah.
In 1996, Israel assassinated Yahya Ayyash, and in 2004, they killed Hamas’s founder, Ahmad Yassin. In recent years, they have also targeted figures such as Saleh Al-Arouri, Marwan Issa and Ismail Haniyeh. One notable death is that of Yahya Sinwar, who was killed during combat, not as a target of an assassination.
Sinwar, who had spent 23 years in Israeli jails where he learned Hebrew and studied Israeli plans, was released in a prisoner exchange in 2011. After Haniyeh’s assassination, he rose to become the leader of Hamas. He led from the front and died as leader.
Despite the killing of many of its top figures, the resistance movement remains resilient. These groups are well-structured and built on deep-rooted narratives. Israel has been unable to obliterate Hamas or other powerful groups, as their cause for Palestinian liberation continues to drive their efforts. Killing leaders does not erode these movements, which remain motivated by their ideological foundation, making them difficult to eliminate.
MANZOOR AHMED
Lahore
