INEFFICIENCY: Two months have passed since I submitted my application for obtaining my foreign degree equivalency certificate, but the Higher Education Commission (HEC) has failed to initiate the process. Despite lodging multiple complaints through the helpline, the portal and emails, I have received no response or update. The lack of trans-parency and accountability at HEC is appalling. As a citizen, I expect a timely and efficient service, especially from an institution responsible for overseeing higher education in Pakistan. Obtaining an equivalency certificate is a mere administrative task. This delay has significant implications for my career and educational prospects. The HEC high-ups should investigate the matter, streamline the process, and ensure timely resolution of such issues.

Dr Veena Lilaram
Karachi

WATER SHORTAGE: The shortage of water in Islamabad is affecting people’s quality of life. In most areas, bore wells are running dry and not providing enough water to meet the daily needs of the people. Many now rely on water tankers, whose prices have skyrocketed during the last few months. The authorities should ensure the supply of water in Islamabad.

Warda Younas
Islamabad

FRAUD: The Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) had 5.4 million fami-lies registered as beneficiaries in 2016, but the number has now surged to 9.3 million. This is despite government claims of a sharp decline in poverty. The sharp rise also raises critical questions about the programme’s integrity, and whether or not adequate checks are in place to prevent fraudulent enrolments. Fraudulent practices not only deprive deserving individuals of much-needed support, but also erode public trust in social welfare programmes. The gover-nment must ensure stringent oversight of BISP, implement comprehensive beneficiary verification processes, and take decisive legal action against those responsible for exploiting the system.

Hussain Ahmad Siddiqui
Islamabad

Published in Dawn, December 8th, 2024