DRUG CRISIS: There has been an acute shortage of medicines in markets across the country regardless of the fact that such a crisis is actually a matter of life and death. The stuttering national economy has made multinational pharmaceutical companies pack up, which is one of the causes behind the shortage of crucial life-saving drugs. Surely, it is the duty of the government to address the matter on an urgent basis. The policymakers need to make strategic plans to ensure that companies continue making lives easier by producing quality medicines rather than winding up their business in Pakistan.

Ali Hasnain Jan
Hyderabad

URBANISING GILGIT: Returning to Gilgit after my four-year degree in Lahore felt like entering a different world. The lush green pastures and fragrant plants seemed like a distant memory. The ‘new’ Gilgit was without its natural charm. Sweltering temperature, towering houses, grand hotels and huge billboards made me wonder if I was reliving a more dystopian version of Lahore in some parallel universe. The rapid development had turned a hamlet into a sprawling city, but at what cost? This is not just a lament, but a call for action. The city planners need to wake up. In our rush towards progress, we seem to have struggled to define what is progress. Let progress enhance, not erase, what makes Gilgit a cherished home. We long for the simplicity that once defined our region.

Rakhshanda Abbas
Gilgit

POLARISED POLITICS: The level of polarisation in Pakistani politics has gone worse over time. The challenges stemming from such a political environ- ment means political instability. It is imperative to educate the masses effectively. The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) can, and should, play a transparent and impactful role in this regard. Having a healthy political culture has the potential to lead to positive changes in terms of unity and governance.

Shahid Brohi
Larkana

Published in Dawn, December 21st, 2023