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— Pakistan’s fledgling olive oil industry and how it is reaching a critical juncture as stakeholders believe future growth will depend less on planting new orchards and more on introducing a comprehensive policy that regulates quality; incentivises investment and prepares the sector for international markets. People say the government should introduce mandatory grading standards; stronger testing; traceability systems; certification procedures and awareness campaigns highlighting the health benefits of authentic locally produced extra virgin olive oil and also its export potential.
— the flooding of the ‘upgraded’ Raja Bazar in Rawalpindi and how it shows that many projects undertaken by the administration to improve any public place are done in a hurry, without taking into consideration the overall result of leaving some aspects neglected - like in this instance when no drainage was provided. People say huge arches were constructed just for ‘eye candy’ and these funds could have been used for providing proper drainage so traders did not suffer huge losses.
— the fact that public parks are ‘shrinking’ because civic authorities are leasing out space to commercial activities rather than improving them so that families living in concrete jungles can avail the facility. People say the argument that “commercial activities will bring people to the parks” is all very well but not everyone can afford to pay for their recreation and children need swings and a decent area to play games, so those who have these bright ideas should think before they act.
— the fact that our education system focuses on grades, examinations and certificates, overlooking the true purpose of learning. Nowadays students have access to information through AI and the internet but information does not create wisdom. Education should develop judgement, curiosity and critical thinking, moving beyond examination results and nurturing creativity, inquiry and ethical responsibility, producing thoughtful and responsible citizens and if we value wisdom above grades, we will build a stronger education system and a more enlightened society.
— the newly introduced initiative named the Punjab Liquid Tree Project, which requires significant energy and cooling resources for data processing, placing additional pressure on already vulnerable environmental resources. People say the proper method of addressing this issue involves planting of native trees which not only fulfil their ecological niche of carbon sequestration but also contribute significantly to the growth of the ecological environment, promoting habitat conservation and biodiversity, particularly for the avian species, while also improving our overall soil ecology.
— the fact that citizens who have to endure everything - from battered roads and traffic congestion to lack of water, health-care and education - now face another kind of nuisance. When they stop at traffic signals they have to face hordes of professional beggars who are a constant source of nuisance and humiliate anyone who refuses to give them money. People say will the relevant authorities wake up and ensure that those waiting at traffic signals can do so without getting harassed?
— the fact that the ‘urs’ of Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai is held yearly and devotees from all over the country reach his shrine but attendance has been steadily declining and the reason, according to the locals, is the VIP protocol of attending politicians because everything is shut for a few minutes of political rhetoric, costing thousands of devotees and local residents their precious time, money and energy. People say the public should not suffer in the name of ‘security’ for politicians. — I.H.
