PAYMENT GATEWAY: The unavailability of major international payment gateways, like PayPal, Google Pay and Stripe, has been a source of great concern and many difficulties for the local commu- nity of freelancers. While the world is supposed to be a global village, we in Pakistan still lack modern tools, technologies and platforms to make the most of the potential available in abundance across the country. We talk all the time about foreign exchange crisis in the country, but completely ignore avenues to resolve the crisis to some extent. We continue to focus on conventional exports while ignoring the modern avenues. Potential Pakistani free- lancers can bring millions of dollars to the country if they are simply allowed to manage their earnings. Poor internet, increasing taxes, restrictions, money transfers and low exchange rates are some of the problems the freelancers face. The authorities should resolve these issues.
Abdul Qadeer
Okara
PLANNING AND EXECUTION: Planning seems beyond the district administration in Muzaffragarh. From potholed roads to overflowing sewerage, students, patients and commuters have to face a lot of issues in their daily lives. Anything that can go wrong, will go wrong, says the famed Murphy’s law, and it just about sums up the situation in Muzaffar- garh. The district administration has no sense of planning, and it is even worse when it comes to the execution stage.
Ahsan Fareed
Muzaffargarh
MENACE OF TERRORISM: Pakistan’s biggest problem is terrorism. It is the biggest problem because it affects every segment of society; from politics to economy, and from foreign affairs to local development. Terrorism has devastated the country, costing thousands of lives and millions of dollars. It has destroyed businesses, while leaving the social fabric in tatters. The citizens’ right to security and peace is simply non-existent. We must come together to fight off the menace together. We deserve better, and we must do everything to get what we deserve.
Ayub Hanif
Karachi
Published in Dawn, June 29th, 2023
