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SMALLER CITIES: While national discussions around climate change often focus on major cities, smaller urban centres are left to deal with the environ-mental crisis on their own. For example, land-surface temperatures in Sialkot have increased by over four degrees in summers and about six degrees in winters. This is largely due to unchecked cons-truction, loss of green cover, and poor urban planning. Once-green areas are being replaced by concrete structures, while tree plantation and green zoning are ignored. Residents suffer from longer heatwaves and poor air quality. Climate policies must extend beyond major cities. Smaller towns and industrial areas need proper planning, afforestation drives, and climate-resilient infrastructure.
Sofia Saleem
Sialkot
PRISONERS OF GEOGRAPHY: Geography is one of the most important factors affecting international politics. It plays a vital role in conflicts and cooperation among states, and even decides the foreign policy of countries. For example, Pakistan’s geographical location has influenced its foreign policy all through its existence. Joining the Western camp in the Cold War and searching for strategic depth in Afghanistan due to the Indian threat are just two examples of Pakistan’s foreign policy being dictated by geography. Such instances underscore the fact that states, indeed, are prisoners of geography.
Ali Murad
Karachi
LADIES AND CHILDREN DAY: For the last several decades, Wednesdays have been fixed for ladies and children to visit the Zoological Gardens in Karachi. The closing time is around 7pm. When the visitors start coming out and wait for transport, the flow of traffic gets affected. I have to wait for 20-30 minutes every Wednesday just to cross the area’s main traffic signal, opposite the main entrance of the zoo. The relevant authorities should switch the day from Wednesday to Saturday. Schools and majority of the offices are closed on Saturdays. It would help both the visitors and the commuters.
M. Rafique Zakaria
Karachi
Published in Dawn, August 6th, 2025
