SAME POST, DIFFERENT TESTS: The Federal Public Service Commission (FPSC) is doing great injustice by setting different difficulty levels for screening tests of the same post. The FPSC conducts the tests for the same post in different days in batches. It sets difficult paper for some batches and easy for others. Moreover, the invigilators fail to control cheating through mobile phones. The FPSC should prepare the same examination paper for the same post and conduct it on the same day throughout Pakistan. The element of cheating should be controlled forthwith.

Name withheld on request
Peshawar

QUITTING SMOKING: Smoking is a known health risk leading to lungs and mouth cancer, but the cigarette manufacturing companies have always enjoyed minting handsome profits. Instead of levying high taxes on corporate entities, the government should levy heavy taxes on the cigarette manufacturers. The government can kill two birds with one stone; it can reduce the consumption of tobacco and mitigate health hazards, such as incidence of cancer, in the country. It is high time we levied exorbitant taxes on tobacco.

Din Muhammad
Kech

DIVINE HELP: This is with reference to the editorial ‘Calming words’ (Jul 28). The letters of credit (LCs) are either not opened or delayed by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP). Two of the giant car assemblers have suspended plant operations in the country. Moreover, the decision has led to unavailability of many essential medicines in the market. The economy is just about hitting rock bottom, and simply waiting for a bailout will not work. Devoid of any feasible plan, we are apparently waiting for Divine help. Are we?

Huma Arif
Karachi

INUNDATED ROAD: The road leading to Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC) has been flooded with rainwater for several weeks, causing all sorts of problems to patients and ambulances bringing in emergency cases. Also, doctors are struggling to reach their duties on time. The matter needs immediate attention.

Dr Nazia Qidwai
Karachi

Published in Dawn, August 11th, 2022