Articles and letters may be edited for the purposes of clarity and space. They are published in good faith with a view to enlightening all the stakeholders. However, the contents of these writings may not necessarily match the views of the newspaper.
Air pollution
I am a student of Chemical Engineering from University of Punjab. Through your newspaper I wish to touch the subject of air contamination and its lethal impact. In recent years, Lahore faced smog issues that caused many health issues for people of all age groups.
Lahore had the highest AQI ranking in recent years, which should be reduced. Everyone This is my request to everyone to play due role in controlling lethal impact of air contamination and how perilous it is for existence of all living creatures.
M AHMAD BUTT
Via email
Traffic pressure in Mingora
It is through your esteemed paper that I want to invite government attention towards serious problem of ever increasing traffic volume in Mingora city that has made life of residents a hell. The old main road and adjoining roads that pass through Mingora city were mostly meant for low traffic.
The present traffic flow is simply beyond control that is causing severe bottlenecks at various places contributing to overall congestion. Having no proper traffic signals is a critical problem both for locals and traffic police authorities. Another problem is that present population influx in Mingora city has doubled since 2010. Careless driving and no regard for traffic laws contribute to traffic mess. Mostly NCP vehicles are doing the rounds and add to traffic quantum. Most shopkeepers have arranged their goods outdoors thus narrowing lanes and creating troubles for passing vehicles.
Very few people use indicators during crossing the lanes. Most drivers overtake on wrong side, there is also no proper parking places and U-turns. Unfortunately provincial government takes these problems less serious but these problems have serious effects on ordinary people as they remain in tension whether they are walking or driving. Provincial government must take immediate action to solve this problem on permanent basis.
M ANIS SARDAR
Mingora, Swat
Mental health
Many people in our country are facing mental health issues owing to mammoth social, psychological and financial problems that they face daily. The swelling inflation, unemployment and so many other dilemmas are affecting life of the public at every stage.
The surge in commodities price is compelling people to think but not having enough awareness thought process starts flowing in negative direction. Needless to say that government must place some helpline numbers that may be connected to staff of mental health professionals. Here in Pakistan having a mental health issue stamps a stigma. Both, federal and provincial governments must work out collective strategies to improve the situation.
INSAF ALI BANGWAR
Kandhkot, Sindh
Deforestation
Forests play an important role in development of a country. According to experts, forests should cover at least 25 per cent of the total area of a country. But unfortunately, in Pakistan, only 4.5 per cent of the total area is covered with forests. Deforestation is a main environmental concern in the world.
Deforestation includes cutting down, burning and destructing of forests. It is an important link in chain of environmental degradation that includes erosion, climate change and air pollution. The forests are being cut down at a terrifying rate to supply man with lumber (Timber), pastureland and farmland. The effects of deforestation can be devastating and can damage the environment permanently. So don’t cut trees to avoid deforestation.
NISA SHAHID ALI
Turbat, Balochistan
Islam and humanity
Priyanka Kumara, a Sri Lankan production manager, who worked in a factory in Sialkot, was brutally murdered on December 03, 2021. Kumara was murdered and then his body burnt. Whatever happened was definitely against humanity and Islam. Humans are supposed to be compassionate for other beings and this is exactly what Islam teaches us.
The ones who are involved in this barbaric incident are not humans at all, they are worse than animals. Islam being religion of peace doesn’t allow anyone, whether it is a Muslim or a non-Muslim, to kill any other soul.
Kumara wasn’t given a single chance to defend his case which is, indeed, not permissible in Islam. State and law enforcement institutions should have dealt it. No one has the authority or privilege to punish someone when state has a law for certain matter. The state must hold everyone not only accountable but also severely punish those who committed this inhuman act, so that no one in future would dare to harm or kill anyone in the name of Islam.
FARZEEN FATIMA
Islamabad
