DRUGS AND MILITANCY: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province sits at the heart of Pakistan’s security dilemma, where smuggling, narcotics and terrorism intertwine. The porous Afghan border fuels illicit trade, empowering terrorists and local elites who profit from this nexus. Despite Afghanistan’s pledged ban on poppy, opium cultivation continues to surge, spilling drugs, weapons and militancy into Pakistan. Unfortunately, this menace cripples the youth, undermines sovereignty, and finances terrorist outfits. It is high time Pakistan enforced digital border surveillance, bilateral guarding mechanisms, and electronic cargo tracking. Crucially, the authorities in KP must align with national security policy to secure a stable future.

Sajjad Ali Memon
Darbello

MEHRAN HIGHWAY: Almost 50 per cent traffic on Mehran Highway comprises heavy vehicles that are officially banned on it. Sadly, no one bothers to implement the law and save lives. Also, this important highway has not been properly maintained. It is a unique road with no clear centre line, which gives rise to overtaking that has resulted in eight major accidents within the last five months. The government should maintain, repair and reconstruct the highway to save lives.

Ajay Kumar
Sukkur

BIRTH CERTIFICATE: The residents of Sector E-11 in Islamabad are facing unacceptable delays in receiving essential documents from the Shah Allah Ditta Union Council (UC). My family has been waiting for over three-and-a-half months for a birth certificate of my grandson. The required paperwork was completed more than two months ago. UC staff members have offered a rotating series of excuses, from a broken printer to a faulty internet connection, and now a login problem. This is a clear case of bureaucratic indifference and a break-down of public services. The relevant authorities should intervene immediately. The people of Pakistan deserve efficient services, not endless delays.

Dr Syed Ghazanfar Abbas
Islamabad

Published in Dawn, August 29th, 2025