Price hike
Madam,
Petroleum consumers are in a tough situation in these days. The price hike is excruciating. Since elections in 2018, the prices of petroleum have only risen higher and consumers of petrol are very worried. I completely agree with those leaders in the National Assembly leaders who say the government should reduce the prices as it has been making the lives of consumers very difficult. There is no doubt the government can find other ways to make the economy strong. I beg the government of Pakistan to have mercy on common people and reduce the prices of petroleum immediately.
Rana Arshad,
Lahore.
Road accidents
Madam,
People in Pakistan are exposed to daily news of recurring road accidents that cause injuries and deaths. In the last decade or so, road accidents have taken a horrifying toll – with at least 15 dying each day across the country. The situation is the worst in Sindh followed by Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. Around 51,416 people have been killed in 97,740 road accidents across the country. Though the number of accidents in Sindh is lower compared to other provinces, death rate here is the highest.
According to a study, around 1.24 million people die every year in road accidents. Those who are injured are often disabled and their lives are destroyed. It is believed that Pakistan ranks among the most dangerous countries in the world in terms of road accidents.
It should be remembered that road accidents are preventable. In our country, we hardly ever see traffic signals. Everything which can stop accidents is being misused by the authorities. This shows the failure of the government that has left the people to die. I urge the government to take road safety measures seriously and revise traffic laws. Citizens should drive cautiously on roads.
Sana Samad,
Via e-mail.
Safety of women
Madam,
Pakistan is listed as the 6th most unsafe country in the world for women worldwide. This is compounded by the fact that women here are deprived of their civil rights and people do not support them when they march for their rights. This can be justified by the recent case of Asma Aziz, who was brutally treated by her husband and his friends just because of a disagreement. This shows that safety programs for women in the country are not in action as such cases are continuously taking place. Our leaders need to take actions on such cases. Women should be provided with safety and should get a fair chance in marching for their rights.
Sahar A Karim,
via e-mail.
Hunting for profit
Madam,
Gilgit-Baltistan is rich with flora and fauna. Some rare species are found here but with growing illegal hunting and auction permits provided to amateur foreign hunters by the Wildlife Department, the population of endangered species is shrinking rapidly. Some of these species are at the brink of extinction.
In Astore district, American citizens are given permits to hunt markhor. Similarly, back in September 2018, GB Wildlife Department auctioned 113 permits. Besides this, illegal hunting by locals also pushes these species towards extinction.
It is claimed that that 80 percent of income these hunting permits is used to develop education and health sector, but these sectors remain the same as they were in the past.
GB’s authorities must save wildlife and preserve it instead of profiting from it.
Rania Khan,
Via e-mail.
No books
Madam,
Some schools in Skardu, Kharmung and Shigar, districts of Gilgit-Baltistan, have not received course books promised by the government. Hundreds of students have been waiting for so long because these books are out of reach of their parents as well. The future of these students is at stake. How can you expect a student to get education without books?
As Nobel peace prize winner Malala Yousafzai rightly said: “One child, one teacher, one pen and one book can change the world.” I hope the government of GB will address this issue as soon as possible.
Zahid Ali,
Gilgit-Baltistan.
Water quality
Madam,
Water pollution is a grave problem in Balochistan. It is leading to many deaths in the province.
In most of the areas of Balochistan, drinking water is now just polluted water which contains pesticides from across the province. Various water quality parameters are fervently violated.
Improper disposal of industrial effluents and indiscriminate applications of agrochemicals in agriculture are the main factors contributing to the deterioration of water quality. Drinking polluted water causes major health problems like diarrhea, gastroenteritis, typhoid, infections, some strains of hepatitis and infant deaths. The government of Balochistan needs to take urgent measures in the province to keep the citizens safe from the poison they are consuming.
Zubair Khan,
Quetta.
Safe city
Madam,
The Punjab Safe Cities Authorities (PSCA) was the brain child of Shahbaz Sharif when he was chief minister. It was a sound initiative for modernising the police force and brining about a transformation in the culture of our police forces. This concept aims at employing latest and innovative technology for equipping the Punjab Police with innovative capabilities for ensuring citizens’ security and protection of properties.
The PSCA has helped reduce crime rate and robbery in the urban areas. A new culture has been implemented for the police force of the Punjab. The response time of the PSCA has been reduced to 15 minutes in the city. Other effectiveness of the PSCA is the revival of cricket in Lahore. International Cricket Council has sought a kickstart in revival of cricket matches to be held in Lahore. The Punjab Safe Cities Authorities has been able to convince the International Cricket Council to organize cricket matches in Lahore safely. It also helps to guard the honor and rights of citizens.
The counter-terrorism strategy has also been implemented in the city by the Punjab Safe Cities Authorities, which installed cameras in various areas of the city. CCTV cameras were added to almost all areas of the city. Besides, the PSCA app was designed as a substitute to the conventional 15 helpline of the police. Using this app, it is easy to pinpoint the exact location of individuals in need of help. A lost vehicle report on the app can easily be registered and this can be done by making an input for the vehicle and gradually the movement of that vehicle will be detected.
The system instituted by the Punjab Safe Cities Authorities is indeed modern, revolutionary and innovative. It thwarts terrorism in all contemporary and modern ways, and has been a source of achieving harmony, peace and safety in the society.
Ayesha Jawed,
Via e-mail.
The Friday Times, Plot No 52-53, N-Block, Main Guru Mangat Road, Gulberg II, Lahore, Pakistan. 042.35779186; Fax: 042.35779186, email: tft@thefridaytimes.com
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