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Commendable initiative
The Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) is set to launch Pakistan’s indigenous Electro-Optical (EO-1) Satellite on 17 January from China’s Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre (JSLC). This launch represents a significant milestone in technological advancement and space exploration for the country.
The EO-1 satellite will enhance Pakistan’s ability to mitigate natural calamities, bolster food security and drive economic growth through informed decision-making and strategic development. It will play a vital role in agriculture by enabling real-time crop monitoring, improving irrigation management, facilitating predictive yield analysis and supporting enhanced food security initiatives.
Moreover, the satellite will contribute to urban development and environmental strategies by tracking infrastructure growth, managing urban sprawl and aiding city and regional planning efforts. It will also provide timely updates on floods, landslides, earthquakes, deforestation and land erosion as well as monitoring minerals, oil and gas fields, glacier recession and water resources. This commendable initiative by SUPARCO marks a significant step forward for Pakistan’s space program.
AREEBA ALTAF
Larkana, Sindh
Warplanes must be silent
Marwan Makhoul, a Palestinian writer, poignantly wrote in defence of Gaza: “In order for me to write poetry that isn’t political, I must listen to the birds, and in order to hear the birds, the warplanes must be silent.” These lines capture the heartbreaking reality faced by Palestinians in Gaza, where no place remains untouched by the relentless bombing of warplanes. Even the birds have been silenced, unable to sing their morning songs amidst the destruction.
The soothing calls of birds that once marked peaceful mornings in Gaza are now replaced by the deafening sounds of bombs and missiles. Instead of hearing the melodies of birds greeting the day, Palestinians are forced to endure the catastrophic echoes of violence. The daily routines of people have been shattered; everyone struggles to survive, while birds search for nests and trees that no longer exist in the ruins of their homeland.
Marwan Makhoul’s words reflect the grim reality of life in Gaza. His lines, though poetic, are a plea for justice and peace. They urge the global community to take action, silence the warplanes and restore the innocence of mornings where children can sleep, writers can write and birds can sing their early songs. The world must heed this call for intervention and work toward lasting peace in Gaza.
SADAM HUSSAIN
Ghotki
Smog in Pakistan
Lahore, once celebrated as the “City of Gardens,” now languishes under a cloud of toxic air, its beauty masked by the suffocating haze of smog. With its Air Quality Index (AQI) often breaching the hazardous threshold of 400, the city ranks among the most polluted in the world. The problem, however, is not confined to Lahore alone—smog has gripped Pakistan at large, transforming from a seasonal phenomenon into a chronic public health and environmental crisis.
Smog, a pernicious blend of air pollutants from vehicular emissions, industrial waste and crop burning, is not just an environmental issue. It is a silent killer, infiltrating every facet of our lives.
The World Bank estimates that air pollution costs Pakistan nearly 5.88% of its GDP annually due to healthcare expenses, productivity losses and economic stagnation. Schools frequently close, workers risk their health outdoors and hospital wards overflow with patients suffering from respiratory and cardiac illnesses. Despite the clear and present danger, decisive action remains a distant goal.
The most visible impact of smog is on human health. It exacerbates asthma, chronic bronchitis, and cardiovascular diseases while posing significant risks to pregnant women and children. However, its reach extends far beyond hospitals.
Education is disrupted as schools are forced to shut down during high-smog days. Agricultural productivity suffers as soil and crops absorb harmful pollutants. Tourism, a potential economic boon, dwindles as Pakistan’s cities gain notoriety for their unbreathable air.
At a national level, smog undermines the economy’s potential. Outdoor workers, who form the backbone of industries like construction and agriculture, face declining productivity and rising healthcare costs. Small businesses dependent on foot traffic report reduced sales during smog season, while public infrastructure, including transport systems, deteriorates more rapidly due to pollutant exposure.
OSHAZ FATIMA
Lahore
