“Personally I'm always ready to learn, although I do not always like being taught.” – Winston Churchill

The dearth of facilities for physically-challenged students

In Pakistan, the lack of infrastructure and political instability has left their impacts everywhere. The latest I get to witness at a public college, where a physically-disabled student faced a tough time while reaching her destination. I went to a renowned college in a metropolis along with my sister and I was shocked to see that there wasn’t any ramp or track for physically-challenged students. I saw a young girl who came to submit a form at the college but she couldn’t make it to the admin office because there were stairs on the way and her chair couldn’t go inside. I must salute the determination of the young girl who was ready to overcome all the hurdles coming her way. What about our politicians and bureaucrats who are sitting in the comfort of their offices and never take the initiative for the betterment of society? I request relevant persons to please ensure that special tracks and ramps should be made in public places for the physically challenged so they can live a normal life just like us.

Mina Ahmed,
Karachi

Education for all

In Pakistan, many children are being priced out of an education. In such cases, parents’ incomes are insufficient to cover both household expenses and school fees; since most consider the former to be the first priority, their children’s education is sacrificed. We have to bring down school fees and ensure that no family is unable to afford an education for their child.

Zainab Arzoo,
Karachi

Dengue outbreak and artificial shortage of Panadol

The deadly dengue has taken the entire city under its influence and the medicine that provides instant relief to the pain, Panadol, is nowhere to see. Where has it gone? When we go to the pharmacist they told us that they are not getting it from the wholesale market. Politicians on television are blaming the production company for creating the artificial shortage. In a recent media briefing, Federal Minister for National Health Services (NHS) Abdul Qadir Patel claimed the essential medicine was available in abundance and the government did not plan to increase its price. He claimed that the drug was not in short supply anywhere in the country. He blasted pharmaceutical companies and blamed them for creating an artificial shortage of key medicine. He warned the companies that their “blackmail” tactics would not work. As a citizen of this country, I urge the authorities to take steps to ensure the smooth supply of medicine.

Kamail Baig,
Karachi

Land vultures

Karachi has a serious land-grabbing problem. The land mafias seize vacant plots and begin erecting buildings, commercial and residential, that do not meet the legal requirements. Many of the marriage lawns and halls in the city are built through such unscrupulous means, along with housing for migrants from elsewhere in Pakistan. The political parties are also in on the act, using the seized plots for offices. These plots act like amplifiers for all kinds of criminal activity, ruining the safety and security of Karachi’s peaceful citizens. The local administration has to bring down the hammer of justice on Karachi’s land mafia.

Umaima Aziz,
Karachi