“Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on earth.”
– Muhammad Ali

Facilities for working women

I want to draw society’s attention towards two problems of working women. Firstly, we live in a country where the climate is always hot and clothes are vulnerable to wear and tear. It is exhausting for working women to go to the tailor’s and get their dresses stitched, especially for those who wear hijab. There should be tailor shops at workplaces, universities and hospitals, just like these places have cafes, mobile shops and pharmacies. It will be a useful facility for everyone and will also help several unemployed tailors who will then get a lot of customers. Secondly, there should be mini beauty salons at workplaces since they are required by working women who get tanned by travelling outside on a daily basis and are prone to sun exposure, therefore they need regular facials. Facial hair removal, due to increasing hormonal issues, is also a problem for working women. Provision of salons will increase employment for women who are experts at salon services and provide them with a permanent source of income and financial support. I hope this request is taken seriously by various firms both, public and private.

Dr Nimrah,
Karachi

Fake cosmetics fool make-up buffs

There was a time when people would ask their relatives coming from abroad to bring them imported cosmetics but now all the famous international cosmetic brands are easily available in Pakistan. This sudden availability of international brands in the local market makes one wonder how it is possible to get them so easily and that too at cheaper rates. It wasn’t until I recently found out that dupes of the most famous brands are easily available in the local market and it is extremely difficult for one to differentiate the original from the fake products. And it is not just Pakistan where such dupes are accessible; in fact, there is a shady market in the U.S. as well that sells copies of high-end cosmetic brands for those who love using expensive make-up but cannot afford it. It is a profitable business; however, it is making its consumers vulnerable to dangerous skin diseases due to the unhygienic ingredients used to make these cosmetics. Something needs to be done to halt this business of fake make-up and put perpetrators behind the bars.

Humna Khalid,
Hyderabad

Woes of public transport

The condition of public transport in Karachi does not seem to improve anytime soon. The other day, I witnessed an almost deadly accident on one of the city’s busiest roads. Even though no one got hurt, but the shock of almost losing one’s life was evident on the passengers faces as they stepped down the minibus they were travelling on. The bus driver was speeding and was apparently racing with another bus driver on his left, but he somehow did not notice an electricity pole and had to suddenly apply the breaks and stop the bus then and there. Miraculously, none of the passengers were hurt but the already deteriorating condition of the bus was enough to kill everyone, as it had no sign of maintenance. Such incidents take place on a regular basis and keep on increasing with time, but people still put themselves in danger and travel in them, as it is one of the cheapest modes of transportation in the metropolitan. It is my earnest request to those in authority to kindly look into this matter and provide citizens with safer modes of transportation, while maintaining them on a regular basis to avoid the possibility of dangerous accidents.

Sameer Altaf,
Karachi

Dengue outbreak in Peshawar

The situation of dengue virus in Pakistan has turned really serious, as it has claimed more than 50 lives in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province of Pakistan. Huge numbers of patients suffering from dengue fever were admitted in local hospitals where there weren’t enough facilities to manage their healthcare needs. Around 368 people were reportedly diagnosed with dengue virus throughout the province and after being admitted for a few days, they were sent home with medicines. The provincial government of KP was initially taking the matter too lightly; however, soon after an overwhelming number of cases claimed patients’ lives. As the numbers keep on increasing, the provincial administration is yet to take a solid step and work towards this health emergency. They must show sincerity towards the people who have voted to bestow them with all the power they now possess.

Farhan Khan,
Mansehra