Neglecting Balochistan
Madam,
Balochistan is the largest province in Pakistan but continues to face some serious problems as there is no good education or healthcare system, nor are there any sources of employment.
According to a research study, 2.3 million children are out of school in Balochistan. As many as 1.3 million students are able to attend schools but they also face many problems, such as no power supply, clean drinking water, shortage of teachers, classrooms, coursebooks, toilets, and proper furniture. According to a report, each year nearly 25,000 people graduate from Balochistan. Unfortunately, there is no employment system for the people of Balochistan. Many people commit suicides as they not able to provide for their families.
It is also tragic that there are no healthcare facilities in Balochistan. There is also a severe shortage of medicines in facilities that do exist. The government of Balochistan is requested to show seriousness towards the education in the province and improve quality standards so that young people are able to access good education.
Myra Rashid,
Via email.
Stopping the spread
Madam,
On November 24, it was decided that educational institutions would be shut down all over the country because of a spike in Covid-19 infections across the country. A large number of people meet in schools and therefore such sites are at risk of becoming super-spreaders. Still, I am shocked to see that in markets, bazaars and train stations there are a great number of people who are not taking precautions seriously. How can it be that the virus attacks children in schools but not adults in markets? Closing schools is not the only way of stopping the spread of Covid-19. Much more needs to be done and the government must strictly convey SOPs to markets if they must remain open. If they don’t follow SOPs, then their shops should be sealed.
Rana Haider,
Lahore.
Understanding climate change
Madam,
How can young people be made more aware of environmental issues? How can we educate people about the biggest environmental challenges of our times? The first thing we should mention when we talk about the environment is the presence of toxic gases from emissions of vehicles. When companies begin to manufacture more environmentally-friendly cars, it will be a huge step in rectifying the damage that has been caused to our climate. We must inculcate awareness about the climate and our surroundings among children from a very young age. We should teach children that they are responsible for caring for the world they live in, as it is our only home. They should also be taught social responsibility and they should practice it earnestly and selflessly. Protecting the environment is not the task of one individual or a government. It requires a global concerted effort and we all must play our role in keeping our planet safe.
Muhammad Irfan
Via email.
Agrarian reforms
Madam
The bills passed in India in the name of agrarian reforms have led to insecurity and fear of exploitation among the farming community. The fears are genuine and based on bitter experience with the corporates in the past. Contract farming was tried in Punjab some three decades ago and failed miserably. I am a witness to the plight and exploitation of the poor farmers of Hoshiarpur district who entered into a contract with a corporation to grow potato, chilli and tomato for the plant set up at Zahura village in Dasuya. After picking up the best produce, the corporation would leave the farmers to fend for themselves. Lack of storage facility and the perishable nature of the produce forced the farmers to dispose of surplus produce at throwaway prices that were less than even the cost of production. The farmers refuse to be cheated again and rightly so.
Reena Kaur,
Via email.