Reader's Thoughts

Any Solutions?

In its October issue, your magazine focused on the kind of projects the World Bank has been running in the South Asian region to alleviate poverty. Unfortunately, nothing seems to work and the region is not making much headway. Poverty is where it always used to be though the World Bank and other institutions are spending a lot of their precious money.

Perhaps, it is time to think that the World Bank should change its strategies and create other means by which it can tackle the poverty problem in this region and around the world. The thinkers at WB must find out what else can be done.

M. Raj Benerjee,
New Delhi, India.

Climate Woes

Climate change had a devastating effect on Pakistan this summer while other countries in the region, such as Afghanistan, India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal and Myanmar did not suffer so much.

However, drastic climate fluctuations are here to stay and the South Asian region will continue to suffer, one way or the other.

Are there any serious moves in any country to manage the problem? And are the rich industrial states being forced to rethink their strategy to cut down on carbon emissions?

Zunera Kazi,
Larkana, Pakistan.

Nuclear Arms and Fair Play

The American president recently called into question Pakistan’s nuclear capability. Instead of appreciating the country for developing a nuclear capability, he chided it being a nuclear nation. In doing so, he of course, ignored the much bigger and much more powerful India, which cannot even keep its nuclear missiles in check. One recently strayed many hundreds of miles into Pakistani territory before crash-landing near Mian Chunnoo. Thank God, it wasn’t carrying nukes.

Is that fair play, Mr. President?!

Anjum Ayaz,
Dubai, UAE.

No Forward Thinking

T he traffic problem is really becoming alarming all over Pakistan. It seems no one is bothered about the fast-growing population. While 22 crores is the figure commonly bandied about, the actual figure must now be around 25 crores or even more.

Is any forward planning being done about this? It seems not. The condition of the roads is as bad as it was. The recent rains and floods have further worsened the situation.

Obviously, if the government of the day is busy in robbing and looting and fighting for its own survival, it cannot be expected to worry about paltry things as bad roads!

Rakhshanda Ali,
Karachi, Pakistan.

Equity

In today’s era, it is very difficult for parents to keep a close eye on their children. They must inculcate proper norms and values in the child so that he can become a productive member of the society. Rewards and sanctions are often used to control the child’s behaviour in every institute of socialization whether it’s school, peer groups, government, media, etc. The parents are not aware that as to what the child is watching or doing and appropriate measures must be taken against them before it’s too late. They must treat their children like friends so that the child can share his feelings with them openly. The amount of love which the parents have for the child must be equal so that the child doesn’t feel left out and this will enable him to abide by the rules and regulations set by the parents in the first place.

Fatima Akbar,
Lahore, Pakistan.

Rise in Crime

The rise in criminal cases in Pakistan these days have affected many families in numerous ways and the government must take appropriate decisions at the earliest in order to protect the citizens from the criminals who are openly targeting people, stealing their belongings and if any resistance is shown, they finish them off within seconds. It’s a sad reality that people are getting killed each day only because they are trying to protect their belongings and families. As a safety measure, we must carry tasers so that we can protect ourselves and live a peaceful life

Ali Haider,
Karachi, Pakistan.