RESILIENT ROUTES: Clinging to overcrowded point buses, girls studying at the University of Karachi risk their lives every day. The commute to and from the campus is perilous. The university administration has failed to address the problems plaguing the transport department, like lack of funds to have more buses to keep overcrowding at bay, and to keep the currently available buses road-worthy in order to minimise the risk of accidents. The university administration must wake up from its slumber to do the needful.

Mohsin Abbas
Karachi

EXPENSIVE MEDICINES: I am concerned about the significant price hike in essential medicines. Just a few days ago, the Augmentin syrup was available for Rs220, but now it has skyrocketed to Rs344. This abrupt increase has put immense burden on the people. Access to affordable healthcare is the fundamental right of the people, but exorbitant price hikes continue to violate this right on a regular basis. Owing to the failure of the price-checking mechanism, it has become challenging for many to afford even essential medications. The relevant authorities should ensure that essential medicines are accessible to one and all regardless of their financial situation.

Kamil Khan
Landi Kotal

SOLAR PANEL PRICES: Amid harsh temperature that goes up to 50 degrees celsius and long spells of loadshedding, solar panels provide relief and respite to the people in Sindh. Solar energy, being an efficient source of green energy, has become a basic need of every household in the country. However, as the summer season is approaching, the prices of solar panels, tubular batteries and inverters have increased significantly, especially in the interior of Sindh. The government should bring down the prices to a reasonable level. This will enable everyone everywhere to have due access to a source of energy that happens to be environment-friendly.

Qamer Soomro
Shikarpur

Published in Dawn, March 15th, 2024