LEGITIMATE PROTEST: It would have been futile to expect any viable outcome of the protest that was launched by the opposition party. It was always expected to lead to chaos, exacerbating the serious political polarisation already existing in the country. Peaceful protests are the right of every party, but mindless protests only result in consequences for the citizens in the shape of restricted movement and damage to property, and for the country in terms of uncertainty.
Abdul Ahad Qazi
Nowshera
OBSTACLES FOR FREELANCERS: Power outages, exorbitant taxes and persistently poor network connectivity have made it increasingly difficult for Pakistani freelancers to compete globally. Unfortunately, there appears to be a systemic failure in providing basic operational relief to the citizens. Despite the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) conducting 5G auctions, the reality on the ground is that even 4G services remain unreliable and sub-par. The PTA seems entirely ineffective in holding major telecom operators accountable for inadequate signal coverage even as data packages become excessively expensive. The government must urgently review overall policies, intervene in the telecom sector, and establish a proper, effective mechanism to resolve these critical issues.
Muhammad Sagheer
Islamabad
CROP RESIDUE BURNING: The efforts of the Punjab government to control smog and improve air quality deserve to be acknowledged, but the government cannot solve this problem on its own. The farmers should not burn rice straw and other crop residue after harvesting as it releases smoke and fine particles into the air that add to air pollution. These particles can enter deep into the lungs and affect human health. Crop residue burning is only one source of air pollution, but during the rice harvesting season, it can make an already serious situation worse. The government should also help farmers with affordable machinery and practical alternatives for managing agricultural waste.
Mahar Muhammad Hanzla
Muzaffargarh
Published in Dawn, October 16th, 2026
