Books

I read books, All of them have different looks, Some are smooth, Some are rough, Books make us wise, They help me in studies, And they are my best buddies.

Areeb Nasir Abbasi, 9 years, Karachi

Bakery

Down the street is a bakery, The things there are very tasty Especially the mouth-watering pastry!

I like chocolate cakes, Which are freshly baked!

There are creamy éclairs Light as air!

I hold them with care.

I love the bakery down the street, As it is filled with lovely treats!

Maha Ali, 8 years, Karachi

My laptop

I have a laptop which I really like, While using it, I don’t realise how my time flies!

It’s a technology which is really new, Inventions like this are very few.

My laptop is very fast, It gives information, really vast!

My laptop has everything I want, Like games which are fascinating, Laptop is among the best friends in my life, Whom I love and without whom I can’t happily survive!

Sehrish Ahmed, 12 years, Karachi

Parents

Parents are a blessing of God, They help us and guide us a lot, They always want to see us at the top, And work hard as a farmer does for his crops, They dreams of watching us shine, And can never see us cry, Our mother puts all her effort In making us a complete personality; And our father works hard to earn money.

Whenever we are sad, They act as our friends, who make us glad, They help us in every matter of life, Therefore, I want to make them feel proud, By doing something outstanding, Even if I am in a big crowd!

Noor Ramzan, 13 years, Faisalabad

In darkness

The narrow lane seemed to go on forever, As I pulled myself together, Under the damp cold weather, Birds flew past my yearning soul, And even though fire is burning bright, This earthly chill that deprives my soul, Though tears don’t help, And fire beside the hearth is in despair, Of being blown away by the cruel wind, Oh! The wind which makes the poor feel cold, The wind which blows the earthly glow, The light has faded, Yet I am here, Standing alone nowhere to go, ‘My life in darkness’, The only words I whispered.

Clinging to youth, My hands are blistered.

Minahil Malik, 14 years, Lahore

A song of friendship

Even if a friend is gone, The friendship won’t break.

I tell you, I promise you, He is a good friend.

And friends do not fight Or get apart; Even if a friend is gone, Still there is much time left To think about our destiny; What we should do or not do, Even if a friend is gone, You should promise me, That you won’t leave me, I should promise you, That I won’t leave you, Even if a friend is gone!

Ali Athar Masood, 9 years, Lahore

Opinion

Editorial

A difficult story
Updated 12 Jun, 2026

A difficult story

Unless productivity becomes the dominant target of economic policy, Pakistan will continue to oscillate between crises and fragile recovery.
Rough waters
12 Jun, 2026

Rough waters

AMONGST the key potential triggers for fresh conflict in South Asia is water. The Indian state is behaving in an...
Politicised football
12 Jun, 2026

Politicised football

ALMOST three-and-half years since Lionel Messi led Argentina to FIFA World Cup glory, the latest edition of...
GB polls’ aftermath
Updated 11 Jun, 2026

GB polls’ aftermath

The new administration must address the region’s issues proactively.
Peace in retreat
11 Jun, 2026

Peace in retreat

THE ceasefire announced in April was supposed to create space for negotiations. Instead, it has been repeatedly...
A few good men
11 Jun, 2026

A few good men

IT was a brave move, no doubt. This Tuesday, in the land of the Afghan Taliban, a few good men decided to take a...