INCREASING EXPORTS: The minister concerned has stated that there will be no tax on companies exporting at least 10 per cent of their production. To do this, they need a guaranteed supply of utilities and facilitated payment modes. Furthermore, the export-based margin of profit needs to be seriously higher than what the companies get in the domestic market. Will the government keep its end of the deal? Will the corporate sector be willing to put in the hard miles and indulge in the kind of creative rethinking that is required?

Mazhar K. Hussain
Karachi

UNBEARABLE SITUATION: Life in Metroville III, Block 2, Gulzar-i-Hijri has been miserable in the wake of the recent rains. Roads have been swept away, and stagnant water mixed with sewage is a common sight. It is difficult to walk one’s way to the market or to the mosque through the streets. The relevant authorities need to wake up and do something about the depressing situation.

Syed Noorul Ahmad
Karachi

LIBRARIES IN LAHORE: The number of libraries is inversely proportional to the number of students in Lahore. All libraries usually remain packed and students have to stand in queues much before the doors open in the morning. Besides, these libraries are only functional for 8-10 hours. The government should set up new libraries in the city, and they should be functional round-the-clock to cater to the rising number of students.

Rai Gulfam
Sheikhupura

WESTERN CULTURE: The increasing rate of divorce is indicative of the gradual degeneration of social relationships. Other than the ‘local’ reasons behind the phenomenon, the wave of globalisation in recent years has impacted the very fabric of society. Western influences on the local culture are quite visible. Inspired by the Western culture through print and electronic media, children make their own decisions and, when the crunch comes, they find it convenient to end the relationship rather than trying to be patient about it.

Asad Aziz
Khushab

Published in Dawn, August 30th, 2022