DOLLAR UNAVAILABLE: Umrah passengers, travellers and parents of children studying abroad are frenetically searching for dollars in the open market, but the greenback is just not available. The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) does not have them, and the licensed money-changers say they do not have them either. There are unlicensed money-changers who are willing to provide dollars at an exorbitant exchange rate, but the bigger problem is that they cannot issue an official receipt against the transaction which makes it an illegal activity. The government has to come up with a policy quickly. Otherwise, travellers and students studying abroad will be badly affected.

Razak Latif
Karachi

WAKEUP CALL: A tragic accident took place on the National Highway in Karachi which left three young students crushed to death by a truck. The students were returning from their school on a motorbike. The accident is horrific and regrettable, but it raises a valid question: why were the students allowed to drive a motorcycle and that, too, on a highway? The heart-breaking incident is a wakeup call for parents who proudly allow their underage children to drive a car or a motorcycle. Besides, truck drivers as well as local and highway police should also be held responsible for ignoring traffic irregularities.

Malik ul Quddoos
Karachi

DIFFICULT COMMUTE: A large number of people from less privileged areas have to walk or cycle every day to their schools at considerable distances. This is despite the fact that there is a proper road linking Mirpurkhas to Sanghar, which now wears a deserted look because there is no public transport plying anymore. Owing to skyrocketing fuel prices, large vehicles are no more a viable option for the transporters, while the number of smaller vehicles is far less than the demand. The situation needs urgent attention of the authorities concerned.

Khanghar Rughio
Sanghar

Published in Dawn, March 11th, 2023