DAYLIGHT ROBBERY: It has become nearly impossible for the common man to make ends meet amid the rising prices of almost every commodity. To add insult to injury, some shopkeepers deliberately increase the prices themselves with impunity, with the authorities turning a blind eye to them. An example of such daylight robbery is the overcharging by the many restaurants located along the bus route between Karachi and Quetta.

Noor Shah Saleem
Quetta

AFGHAN ISSUE: In connection with a study, I recently conducted several interviews with Afghan refugees in Zhob. Majority of them were of the opinion that the United States had ruined the lives of ordinary people instead of its real or perceived enemies. The US decision to share the Afghan assets with the families of 9/11 victims will again affect the ordinary Afghan, not the Taliban. This will only add to the misery and frustration of the people and make things worse. Washington clearly needs to revisit its decision.

Hunzla Kakar Atal
Zhob

MEDICAL ADMISSIONS: The Pakistan Medical Commission (PMC) has notified a new admission policy according to which students in dental streams cannot be transferred to the medical stream. Practically, the policy allows students having low aggregate marks to get admission in medical colleges while dental students having higher aggregate cannot. The policy is against the concept of merit in every single way. The higher authorities should intervene in the matter.

Ali Azlan
Lahore

WONDERS OF MANGROVES: Several measures have been taken around the world to mitigate the loss of life and property during tsunamis. Mangrove plantation is one of the most effective solutions in this regard. They act as a buffer zone between the sea and human habitation and are a powerful force to decrease coastal floods and high tsunami tides. Mangroves are under threat in Pakistan and need our urgent attention.

Ahsanullah Mengal
Hub

Published in Dawn, February 24th, 2022