PRIZE BOND ENCASHMENT: The government has discontinued the sale of national prize bonds of denominations Rs40,000, Rs25,000, Rs15,000 and Rs7,500 to address the Financial Action Task Force’s concerns over money-laundering and terror financing. Resultantly, the prize bonds expired on June 30 this year. A number of overseas Pakistanis hold these prize bonds, and most of them do not visit the country often. The relevant authorities should extend the date of encashment of these bonds till June 30 next year to facilitate overseas Pakistanis.

Dr Javed Iqbal
Islamabad

PRIORITISING PEOPLE: It is a common phenomenon to see leaders in Pakistan exploiting even disasters and calamities for political gains. A case in point is continuing political gatherings in the country. Politicians from across the political divide need to stop their power shows and visit the affected families across the country.

Taqdees and Naushad Khan
Hyderabad

NATIONWIDE CRISIS: While the prime minister has visited Sindh and Balochistan during the post-monsoon floods that have shattered lives and livelihoods across the country, I am surprised that he has not visited the rest of the country. It is understandable that Sindh and Balochistan are the worst hit provinces, but, the prime minister has to take a national view, and his presence in the affected parts of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is just as critical.

Sheikh Taimur Nawaz
Islamabad

HUMAN INTERACTION: Excessive use of social media among people, especially the youth, is at the cost of less social interaction, such as spending time with friends and family, sparing time for completing homework, etc. One of the most adverse effects is that social media lowers the confidence of young girls who often browse through other accounts and see pictures taken in luxurious ambience.

They often feel depressed when they compare their lifestyle with others’. Things surely are not going in the right direction.

Taimoor Akbar Khan Chishti
Faisalabad

Published in Dawn, September 8th, 2022