A man who views the world the same at fifty as he did at twenty has wasted thirty years of his life. – Muhammad Ali

Dengue menace shrouds the cities

A highly alarming situation has arisen with the discovery of dengue larvae and mosquitoes in many areas across the country. With heavy rainfall, the threat has multiplied with more severe cases of dengue patients being admitted to local hospitals in the last week. Despite year-long, aggressive campaigns led by the health department, a door-to-door survey relayed that some areas of the city are still infested with dengue larvae with the arrival of the monsoon season. It is time again to make greater efforts and launch more health campaigns to fight off the menace. All this must be done at speed, for the threat of dengue is looming large and closer.

Hina Parekh,
Karachi

Misogyny on the rise

The male-dominated Pakistani society and incorrigible misogyny, go a long way back. It was never acceptable and it’s especially not acceptable now, in changing times as the new government settles in, spreading hope all about. I believe its new government’s utmost responsibility to assure that no despairing, women-bashing, misogynist remarks are addressed towards the women party workers, in turn setting a massive example for the whole country to follow suit. While effective and functional laws have been passed for women development and rights, more stringent laws need to be put into effect which punishes hate speech against women; regardless of her being a commoner or a party worker.

Hamza Sheikh,
Karachi

Of broken roads and traffic jams

In the span of a year, reported road accidents have mounted in numbers across Karachi. But this time the blame doesn’t befall on just rash driving, for the rundown, broken roads are also to blame. Many main roads, including the main University Road in Karachi has been ‘under construction’ for the longest time, with no diligent progress in ages. Not only these broken roads contribute to traffic jams during rush hours, they also pose an eminent threat to the drivers and their vehicles. Countless rickshaw and bike accidents were reported, where many of the riders have lost their lives in fatal accidents. The state of the roads have also contributed towards citizens further breaking the law as misdirected cars take the wrong-way, clearer routes more often, lead to traffic during rush hours. It is high time the Sindh government took this issue into consideration and complete the pending road construction work on a priority basis.

Kashmala Ahmed,
Karachi

Combating drug addiction

Sights of people in torn clothing injecting substances into their veins or smoking hashish on busy roads are no longer sights of ubiquity. Drug addiction has always been a grave issue of the urban cities of Pakistan and no efforts have been made to combat it. It has been on the rise with not much done to curb its unpleasant growth. Drug abusers don’t only pose a grave threat to their own health but impose a disparaging impact on the society and the people they come in contact with. Quest of cash to tend to such addiction has also lead them to commit many violent crimes, which again aggravates the crime situation in the city. The concerned authority must take control of the situation, before it worsens.

Rehmat Bashir,
Lahore