DEATH OF COMPASSION: Bitter cold in Murree is a seasonal phenomenon, but offering the proverbial cold shoulder to the stranded tourists, as happened recently, is man’s own choice. If the reports of locals not helping the needy are true, it is time to mourn the death of the nation’s compassion more than the death of the victims.

Kamran Akhtar Siddiqui
Sukkur

FREQUENT TRANSFERS: It is important that officials posted in various federal and provincial departments in different districts are given sufficient time to understand the dynamics of their positions and perform accordingly. It is quite necessary that the relevant official is well aware of the background details in order to complete major schemes. The frequent reshuffling of civil servants does not help in getting the genuine issues resolved.

Abdul Samad Samo
Karachi

GAS LOADSHEDDING: The people of Taxila and surrounding slums are facing serious gas loadshedding that has made survival more difficult during the winter season. The people of slum areas now have to manage resources to cook food in order to satisfy their hunger as well as to make arrangements to keep themselves warm in sub-zero temperatures. The authorities concerned should look into the matter and take suitable steps to solve the problem.

Sana-Al-Harmain
Taxila Cantt

EHSAAS SCHOLARSHIPS: Around 120,000 students had applied for the federal government’s merit-based Ehsaas scholarship programme meant for underprivileged students. Of all the applicants, 50,000 were female students, indicating a remarkable change in society towards acknowledging the importance of education for one and all. The programme is indeed a worthwhile step by the government to uplift the neglected segments of society. However, the government should be watchful about possible misuse of funds by universities, like what happened earlier, as the goals of various programmes could not be achieved without ensuring transparency.

Agha Abdul Samad
Khairpur Mirs

Published in Dawn, January 16th, 2022