STOCK MARKET: Many invest in the shares being traded at the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX). The Karachi Stock Exchange (KSE) 100 index is mostly watched by local and overseas Pakistanis as a barometer of the national economy. However, many are unable to invest in PSX stocks since the 2008 crash in which the market freeze lasted two straight months and the trapped investors were compelled to sell their shares at far less than the purchase prices. There is a need for confidence-building measures in this regard.

Mumraiz Khan
Karachi

TOXIC AIR: This is with reference to the report ‘Unicef seeks urgent action to reduce air pollution in Punjab’ (Nov 12). The situation, indeed, is unfair to our children. Smog is not only stealing their breaths, but also their childhood. My two-year-old nephew is visiting Lahore from Australia, which has amazing air quality. Despite the fact that there is an air-purifier installed in the house, I can hear him coughing and waking up from sleep. It makes me think of all the children and their parents who have no way of escaping this toxicity.

Mariam Khan
Lahore

ADVANCE-TO-DEPOSIT RATIO: The advance-to-deposit ratio (ADR) requires banks to lend a specific percentage of their deposits to stimulate economic activity. However, this bench-mark presents challenges for Islamic banks in Pakistan using asset-backed as well as ethical financing models. Unlike their conventional counterparts, Islamic banks cannot easily increase lending to meet high ADR targets without compromising compliance and stability. Given the negative impact of ADR on Islamic banks, instead of removing ADR requirements entirely, reducing the ADR percentage for Islamic banks would better align with their specific operational needs. No doubt, this adjustment would enable such banks to contribute respo-nsibly to Pakistan’s economic goals while adhering to Shariah principles.

Muhammad Ahsan
Nowshera

Published in Dawn, November 27th, 2024