“We must accept finite disappointment, but we must never lose infinite hope.” – Martin Luther

The culture of internal migration

Urbanisation is the redistribution of population from rural to urban settlements with the passage of time. This on one hand, provides opportunities for growth, and on the other it gives rise to problems such as high population density, inadequate infrastructure, lack of affordable housing, pollution, slums’ crime, congestion, and poverty. It results in negative outcomes such as the inability of the cities to absorb, accommodate and provide employment opportunities to the rising inflow of people. Mainly, the rise of population in major cities of Pakistan is the outcome of rural and urban development gap, which is creating further pressure on urban areas. The lack of development in the rural area has triggered internal migration from rural to urban areas. Government should devise a strategy to control rapid urbanisation by focusing on developing the rural areas.

Sara Rizvi,
Karachi.

Studying abroad

Every year, thousands of Pakistani students apply to numerous colleges and universities abroad to seek admission for higher studies. For many, being accepted in a foreign university is a culmination of their lifelong dreams. But studying abroad is not a bed of roses. A lot of students usually lose a whole year when they go abroad for education. Most universities open admission twice a year. However, by the time you complete the degree or educational year in your own country and then collect the requirements, you lose a lot of time. Since most countries also require you have an IELTS certification, you also need to prepare for it and pass the test. Then you must have your result of last degree and a passport. In all this hustle student’s usually lose at least a half or a whole year. On the other hand, you get super busy and you also have hard time adjusting to a completely different atmosphere. And if you’re a student and also working part-time, you can just forget about having a social life. So, want to study abroad? Think again!

Saad Ali,
Islamabad.

Tourism industry of Pakistan

From the mighty stretches of the Karakorams in the North to the vast alluvial delta of the Indus River in the South, Pakistan remains a land of high adventure and nature. Tourism in Pakistan is a growing industry. World Tourism and Travel Council predicts that Pakistan’s tourism industry has the potential to grow to around US$ 39.8 billion within a decade. The present government has already vowed in its election campaign that it would promote Pakistan as “Asia’s Best Kept Secret” in global tourism market. The government is confident that tourism would be contributing Rs.1 trillion to Pakistan’s economy by 2025. In nutshell, Pakistan is a hidden gem and one of the most unexplored countries. After securing peace and security, it is high time to put Pakistan on world’s tourism radar. By developing our tourism industry, our country can emerge as a top destination in the world.

Tahira Hussain,
Lahore

Why do people kill?

Life is the first and most fundamental right of individuals, without which no other right can be upheld. Nonetheless, hundreds of thousands are murdered every year; tens of millions over the past century. From killing children to genocide, from Susan Smith to Osama bin Laden, people in every culture experience the urge to kill. Some act on it. They do so despite legal injunctions, religious prohibitions, cultural interdictions, the risk of retaliation, and the threat of spending life in prison. Many believe that they already know the answer to the question of cause. But existing theories woefully fail to explain why people murder. Theories that invoke violent media messages, for example, cannot explain the high rates of homicide among tribal cultures that lack media access. Theories that invoke uniquely modern causes cannot explain the paleontological record – ancient skulls and skeletons that contain arrow tips, stone projectiles, and brutally inflicted fractures. The stones and bones of the past leave no doubt that murder has been a persistent problem of social living throughout human history. We need to understand why.

Hamna Adil Farooqui,
Karachi.