Articles and letters may be edited for the purposes of clarity and space.
Gaza’s agony
The reputation of humanity has bowed in Gaza, where history bears witness to unparalleled suffering. Nowhere in Gaza is safe—Palestinians face unrelenting devastation, with humans and animals alike becoming victims of daily bombings. Cats and dogs, driven by hunger, feed on the remains of the dead, reflecting the grim reality of life without sustenance.
Aid workers have been detained and Gaza’s last hospital lies in ruins following relentless Israeli airstrikes. Flames of war continue to engulf Gaza, with Israel seizing every opportunity to escalate atrocities. The living can no longer bury the dead, leaving animals to scavenge for survival.
The world cannot claim ignorance of Gaza’s plight. Israel’s barbarism unfolds before all, yet silence persists—Muslims remain paralyzed, their historical pride overshadowed by Jewish dominance. As 2025 dawned with celebrations elsewhere, Gaza endured flames of bombs instead of hope.
Viral images contrast global festivities with Gaza’s relentless genocide. Palestinians yearn not for a new year but for an end to their suffering. Where are the human rights charters of the UN? Where are the voices of the Arab world and global leaders? The nation that ends this barbarism will be immortalized in history.
SADAM HUSSAIN
Ghotki
Brain drain and mental health
It’s now time for us to pay attention to two of the most pressing issues Pakistan has today: brain drain and mental health struggles. Both issues are resulting in the loss of young minds with the ability to reform and improve our society.
With each passing day, Pakistan’s most gifted and educated youth make the difficult decision to leave the country. Since 2022, over a million highly skilled professionals have reportedly fled abroad, carrying not only their skills but also the ideas, passion, empathy, and optimism that could have influenced our country’s future.
At the same time, mental health concerns remain a silent epidemic, affecting more than 45 million individuals in Pakistan. Despite this, stigma, neglect and a lack of support continue to isolate those who are suffering. Students are among the most affected, as they are under enormous academic, financial and emotional expectations.
A tragic student suicide case recently brought this escalating situation to our attention. “I am tired of this life and cannot live anymore,” Zia ud Din, a young law student from Islamia College Peshawar, wrote before taking his own life. Everything I’ve attempted has failed to help me achieve my goals. Without someone to sympathise with me or comprehend my suffering, I feel isolated.
The difficulties that many students nowadays face—being overwhelmed by stress, despair and a lack of emotional support—are reflected in Zia’s terrible demise. His passing is a heartbreaking reminder of the essential need for mental health education and assistance.
MOIN AHMED AWAN
Kandhkot, Sindh
Road accidents
Through the columns of your esteemed newspaper, I would like to draw the attention of the concerned authorities to the growing issue of road accidents in Pakistan. The rate of accidents continues to rise, leading to a significant number of unnatural deaths. One alarming factor is the increasing number of children under the age of 18 driving vehicles, particularly on the main GT Road. They often drive cars and motorbikes recklessly, disregarding other vehicles, licenses, and traffic rules.
Another major cause of accidents is the presence of drunk drivers behind the wheel of large vehicles, such as loaders and cranes. These drivers treat the road like a playground, showing little regard for smaller vehicles nearby. They also engage in racing, which is frequently ob-served and contributes to severe accidents.
Other contributing factors include the lack of helmets, seatbelts, and driving licenses, as well as frequent traffic rule violations. To address this growing problem, the following steps should be taken: • Separate roads should be designated for large vehicles (loaders, cranes, etc.), ensuring that smaller vehicles can travel safely. • Strict action must be taken against drivers without a valid driving license. Fines should be imposed on drivers not wearing helmets or seatbelts. Speed limits should be enforced based on the type of vehicle. Attention should be given to the reconstruction of roads that are in poor condition.
These steps, I believe, can significantly help in reducing the increasing number of road acci-dents. I hope the concerned authorities will take the necessary actions accordingly.
Noor-ul-Ain
Islamabad
