TOBACCO TAX: Media reports suggest Pakistan has one of the lowest rates of taxation on tobacco products available in the country. This is surely one of the main reasons the people are involved in tobacco addiction. Tobacco causes multiple diseases which add to the burden on the country’s healthcare delivery mechanism. Besides, it also presents a bad image of the country in the eyes of the world. The government should implement high taxes to discourage smokers and reduce the overall usage of tobacco products.

Sangeen Ali
Turbat

FEE HIKE: Being an alumnus of the University of Sahiwal, I feel sad for my friends who are currently doing LLM there. I came to know that the university has increased the semester fee from Rs42,000 to Rs57,050. The fee vouchers are usually issued a day or two before the deadline, making it difficult for the students to arrange the fee. Besides, it does not offer any scholarships. Most of the students bear their educational expenses themselves. They have talked to the administration, but to no avail. In these circumstances, students are left with no option but to quit their education.

Hassan Azeem
Lahore

CIVIC SENSE: It is an irony to see garbage flying around despite having a trash bin in place and spitting when there is a clear sign saying ‘No Spitting’. Such is the lack of civic sense in society. Why do we do such things? This is beyond comprehension. We need to initiate awareness campaigns and civic programmes to address the issue.

Khadija Ali
Lahore

Published in Dawn, May 17th, 2023