THESE days, a lot of importance is given to mental health. Rightly so. It was particularly highlighted when a few years back Covid-19 hit the world. But those who practise medicine in Karachi have always been aware of the significance of mental well-being. On April 27, 1976, for example, the psychiatric ward at Civil Hospital started functioning. Briefing newsmen about it, Col Syed Saeed Ahmed, medical superintendent at the hospital, said best efforts were being made in order to provide sophisticated medical facilities to patients. Large-scale improvements were being introduced, both in the outdoor and indoor sections of the facility. Various wards, particularly children and neurology wards, had been expanded, he added.

Issues pertaining to the economy also grabbed the headlines that week when on April 28, Dr Ehsan Rashid, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Karachi (KU), called for austerity measures in the country to arrest the inflationary trend. Speaking at a seminar on ‘Priorities of economic development’ at the Pakistan National Centre, he argued that logical financial planning was the need of the hour. He pointed out, “One way of planning consumption is to eliminate luxury items. Fixation on priorities are not divorced from the social, religious, legal and even geopolitical frameworks of a given country. In the context of Pakistan, development in the agriculture sector is important. The biggest number of people in the country are engaged in agriculture, and its growth will have a positive impact. It will generate foreign exchange by exporting agricultural products.”

Both health and economic sectors can’t do well without a sound educational system. On May 2, the Sindh Education Minister, Pyarali Allana claimed merit was being given due recognition in all walks of life, particularly education. Speaking at the certificates distribution ceremony of the Board of Intermediate Education at the Bakhtiari Youth Centre, he said in the last four years, society had undergone a transformation resulting in the disappearance of class distinction. Commenting on the ‘sifarish’ system, he said public representatives were much exposed to people who tried to get sifarish for getting things done. Mr Allana remarked, “But we go through scrutiny under [PPP] party platform. Frequent conventions and meetings of the party go a long way in checking the process of undue favours.”

Speaking of meetings and get-togethers, one such important event took place on April 29 as a book titled Faisal Ibn Abdul Aziz — Pioneering Role for Islamic Solidarity by Mahmoodul Aziz was launched at a local hotel in the city. The Sindh Minister for Communications and Agriculture, Mir Atta Hussain Talpur was the chief guest on the occasion. He said the invaluable services rendered by the late King Faisal would be written in golden words in history. Mr Talpur pointed out that owing to the sagacity and judgement of King Faisal, Saudi Arabia continued to march towards progress and prosperity under the able guidance of King Khalid Ibn Abdul Aziz. Paying tribute to the late monarch, he mentioned, “We in Pakistan cherish the memories of the two visits that the late His Majesty King Faisal paid to this country, first in 1966 and then in 1974.”

Published in Dawn, April 27th, 2026