DEPRIVED PEOPLE: The people of interior Sindh face an vast array of challenges, including price hikes, unemployment, poverty, hunger, scarcity and exploitation by a number of local non-governmental organisations (NGOs). They are reluctant to seek help from influential individuals due to the fear of losing their social standing. To address these issues, a multi-pronged approach is necessary, including targeted poverty alleviation programmes, increased job opportunities, fair distribution of resources, and accountability mechanisms to curb NGO exploitation. Only through collective efforts can the govern- ment, civil society and the international community work towards creating a more equitable and just society for the deprived population of rural Sindh.

Ghulam Kadir Shahani
Hyderabad

WISE POLICY: Saudi Arabia has welcomed confidence-building measures that have been taken by Pakistan and Iran after a tit-for-tat skirmish between the two countries. Some vested interests were happy to see the confrontation, but China and Russia urged both the countries to show restraint. Earlier, Saudi Arabia had stepped back from supporting the United States after Red Sea attacks on Israel-bound ships. Saudi Arabia, after restoring its diplomatic relations with Iran, has adopted a wise policy of not wasting its wealth in fruitless endeavours. It does not necessarily mean that it has joined the anti-US camp, but it has certainly chosen not to offer blanket support, which is a good thing to happen.

Syed Muzammil Hussain
Islamabad

BUS FARES: The bus fares keep rising in most parts of Sindh. Some transporters are charging as high as Rs200 per person for a 25km journey these days. Consequently, local people, particularly those belonging to the low-income groups, have been facing a lot of difficulties in their everyday commute fronm one place to another. The government should look into the matter and provide relief to the people.

Mohsin Rustamani
Wahi Pandhi

Published in Dawn, February 10th, 2024