UNSAFE MILK: Imagine this. Milk is rich in nutrients, having 146kcals, 8gm fat, 257mg of calcium and 5gm of protein. Now reimagine the truth.

It becomes devoid of all these nutrients when adulterated. Now imagine further. A glass of milk becomes a toxic mixture as a result of adulteration. Borax, boric acid and salicylic acid are a few preservatives that endanger each consumer. Unfortunately, Pakistan is a huge market for contaminated milk at exorbitant rates. With a high rate of adulterated milk consumption, the health risks simply keep getting multiplied with time. Is anyone in the corridors of power listening?

Aleeza TariqHyderabad

WATER PROJECT: It has been nearly seven years since a water project worth hundreds of millions of rupees and supposed to run 20km in length from Dera Bugti to Pir Koh had started. It has not been completed yet. The project was initiated by a legislator, but his parliamentary term ended without the project getting anywhere near completion. Elections brought in another legislator who promised the moon to the people of Pir Koh, but nothing much happened. The project continues to be in its ‘completion phase’. The authorities concerned should look into the matter urgently.

Ali Haider Bugti
Dera Bugti

DOWRY SYSTEM: Outdated but prevalent in society, the dowry system is a curse and a burden on the bride’s family that further complicates the costly marriage phenomenon.

Poor families have to bear the brunt when their daughter’s wedding becomes an issue due to this very issue. It is a painful truth that Pakistani families continue to practise this obsolete culture. In Pakistan, many girls face mental trauma due to this menace. We definitely need some relevant legislation to abolish the practice once and for all.

Kiran Malik
Lahore

Published in Dawn, June 18th, 2023