A Town without Education

Due to the lack of proper playgrounds, children and young people often use the grounds of nearby government schools for recreation and physical activity. There is nothing inherently wrong with this. In fact, physical activity is essential for children’s physical and mental health, fitness, and overall development. However, the absence of caretakers and other Class-IV staff in schools during the evening raises serious concerns about safety, discipline, and the protection of school property. Children and young people of different ages regularly gather in these playgrounds. To prevent any untoward incidents, the presence of responsible adults is essential. Having Class-IV staff or other designated personnel available during evening hours would not only reassure children and their parents, but also help to maintain discipline and safeguard school buildings, furniture, and other educational resources. A practical solution can be introduced to address this. The school administration should establish a sports committee comprising responsible members of the local community. The names, designations, and contact details of committee members should be properly recorded at the school, with a copy shared with the local police station. This would enable prompt communication with responsible committee members in the event of an emergency or any untoward situation. The matter requires immediate attention from both the district administration and the education department. Rather than discouraging children from using school playgrounds, the authorities should put in place a proper system of evening supervision at government schools. Such an arrangement would allow children to take part in healthy physical activities in a safe and disciplined environment, while also ensuring the protection of public property. Government school playgrounds are valuable community assets. With a modest and well-organised supervisory system, they can serve not only as spaces for physical activity but also as safe and constructive environments for the younger generation. Protecting these spaces and ensuring their safe use should therefore be a shared responsibility of the administration, schools, and the local community. Muhammad Iqbal Awan (Namal) Mianwali, Punjab (Educationist, Writer, Motivational Speaker)

By Durhum I am writing this letter to draw your kind attention and that of the concerned authorities toward one of the most serious and ignored problems in our country today: the waste and garbage problem in Pakistan. We see garbage on the roads near our homes, schools, and other areas. This problem is getting worse day by day, especially in the big cities of Pakistan like Lahore, Islamabad, etc. When we go out, we see that the dustbins are full, and still no one comes to empty them. Plastic is flying in the air. Because of the garbage, the roads smell very bad and are dirty. If it rains, the drains get blocked because of the plastic. This is not just making the roads dirty; it is also affecting people and making them ill. In some areas, garbage trucks do not come regularly, and there is also a shortage of dustbins. People throw everything on the roads, such as food and plastic, and many people do not care that throwing waste makes our roads dirty. Throwing garbage causes numerous problems. Because of this waste, mosquitoes, rats, and other pests come out, spreading diseases like malaria and dengue. Children are mostly getting sick because of this garbage. Also, water is becoming polluted because garbage is thrown near rivers or seas, making the water dirty. This waste can also cause drains to become blocked. In Karachi, especially in Lyari, garbage is thrown everywhere, and the area is full of waste. This problem can be solved if there is regular garbage collection, more dustbins, and clean rivers and roads. The government cannot solve this problem alone; we must also avoid throwing plastic, paper, and other waste on the streets. Schools should teach students not to throw garbage on the roads. Many countries have solved this problem because citizens do not litter. In Dubai and Turkey, the roads are clean and look beautiful because they regularly sweep the roads and dispose of waste properly. Throwing garbage and waste is not a small problem; it is affecting our bodies, health, and environment. Ultimately, this problem can be solved if we change our habits. Pakistan will become like other beautiful countries if we all work together. If we keep ignoring it, our surroundings will become even dirtier. If a country has a clean environment, it means it has a clean nation. There is a saying that “Cleanliness is half of faith.” Islam also teaches us to keep our country, cities, and roads clean. There is another saying that “Small litter makes a big problem.” This means that waste and garbage may seem like a small issue, but they can affect a person’s entire life.

By Muhammad Naseer The road construction project from Shaitump to Turbat Bazaar was initiated in 2022 with the hope of improving transportation and easing the daily commute for thousands of residents. Unfortunately, despite the passage of several years, the project remains incomplete. While one section of the road has been completed, the remaining stretch from Zong Ground to Turbat Bazaar is progressing at an extremely slow pace, causing growing inconvenience to the public. The prolonged delay has created numerous problems for commuters, shopkeepers, students, and pedestrians. In several places, piles of sand, gravel, and other construction materials have been left on the roadside for extended periods, narrowing the road and making it difficult for vehicles to pass safely. Pedestrians are forced to walk through dusty and uneven paths, exposing them to unnecessary risks and discomfort. The dust generated by the ongoing construction has become another major concern. It affects shopkeepers, residents, and road users alike, often causing irritation to the eyes and breathing difficulties, particularly for children, elderly people, and those with respiratory illnesses. During busy hours, traffic congestion becomes worse because of the restricted road space, increasing travel time and creating safety hazards. Development projects are meant to improve public life, but unnecessary delays diminish their intended benefits. If work is carried out efficiently and completed within the announced timeframe, both the public and local businesses can enjoy the advantages of improved infrastructure without prolonged hardship. The concerned authorities and the contractor are requested to accelerate the pace of construction, remove unnecessary construction materials from the roadside, and adopt effective measures to control dust during the remaining work. Timely completion of this important road project will not only provide relief to the people but also reflect a commitment to efficient public service. It is hoped that the relevant authorities will take immediate notice of this issue and ensure that the project is completed without further delay for the convenience and safety of the people of Turbat.

Jamia Masjid Lakhi Dar is one of the few surviving ancient buildings in Shikarpur and a masterpiece of historical architecture. Located in the city’s famous Lakhi Dar area, it is popularly known by that very name. This noble mosque stands as an unparalleled testament to the architectural, artistic, and cultural heritage of Sindh, and of Shikarpur in particular. Today, though, it awaits the attention needed to ensure its very survival. The mosque has two entrances. The main one faces east, towards the Clock Tower (Ghanta Ghar), while the second lies on the north side. Passing through the eastern door leads into a spacious courtyard, followed by a veranda with a wooden ceiling. From this veranda, three doorways open into the mosque’s inner sanctum. In earlier times, the mosque’s interior was adorned with beautiful fresco work. Over the years, however, haphazard and amateur renovation and repainting have nearly erased this original ornamentation. Fortunately, traces of the exquisite artwork survive on the ceiling of the central dome, rendered in soft, pastel tones. The mosque comprises three domes, the central one larger than the other two. Handsome turrets rise from its corners, while two smaller minarets stand on the front parapet wall facing the central dome — a further showcase of its architectural mastery. Its most distinctive feature is the ornamental lantern crowning the central dome, a fine example of Sindh’s Islamic architectural artistry. It was arguably the first mosque in Shikarpur to feature such a decorative lantern atop its dome. But alas — today, this history is breathing its last. To look upon Jamia Masjid Lakhi Dar now is to feel the eyes fill with tears and the heart sink with sorrow. Centuries of history, this rare architectural specimen, its exquisite frescoes, the beauty of its domes, and its ornamental lantern are all slowly decaying under the weight of time, weathering, and sheer neglect. If this monument is not preserved on scientific principles today, future generations may know it only through the pages of history books. We strongly appeal to the Culture, Tourism, Antiquities & Archives Department of the Government of Sindh, archaeology experts, the district administration of Shikarpur, elected representatives, and all responsible authorities to take these measures without fail. First, immediately conduct a technical survey of Jamia Masjid Lakhi Dar. Second, carry out scientific restoration that preserves its original architectural beauty. Third, conserve the remaining fresco work and intricate motifs. Four, take emergency measures to protect the ornamental lantern, domes, and minarets. And last but not least, manage the mosque more effectively as a protected cultural heritage site of Sindh. Jamia Masjid Lakhi Dar is not merely a structure of brick, mortar, and lime — it is a living document of Shikarpur’s civilization, history, religious legacy, and the artistic grandeur of Sindh. If we fail to save it today, history will never forgive us.

By Kulsoom Amanullah When Taliban entered Kabul in Augusta 2021,the loss of peace in Afghanistan and the role of the Taliban in the country’s long and difficult history. Afghanistan has suffered from decades of war, political conflict, and instability. The Taliban have been an important part of this history, and their return to power in 2021 changed the lives of millions of Afghan people. The Taliban first emerged in Afghanistan in the 1990s and controlled most of the country by 1996. Their rule was known for strict religious policies and restrictions on many aspects of daily life. After the attacks of September 11, 2001, the United States and its allies invaded Afghanistan, and the Taliban government was removed from power. However, the conflict continued for many years. During this period, Afghan civilians experienced violence, displacement, poverty, and insecurity. In August 2021, the Taliban returned to power after the withdrawal of United States and allied forces. Since then, Afghanistan has faced many serious challenges. Although the level of large-scale fighting has decreased compared with some earlier years, peace is more than simply the absence of war. True peace requires safety, freedom, economic stability, education, and respect for the rights and dignity of all people. One of the most serious concerns under the Taliban has been restrictions on women’s and girls’ education and participation in society. Girls have faced severe restrictions on secondary and higher education, while women have also faced limitations on employment and public life. These policies have created deep concern both inside and outside Afghanistan. Education is essential for the development of any country, and denying opportunities to a large part of the population can make it harder for Afghanistan to achieve long-term progress. The Afghan people also face economic and humanitarian difficulties. Many families struggle with poverty and limited access to basic services. Years of war have weakened the country’s infrastructure and economy. The international community has provided humanitarian assistance, but Afghanistan still needs long-term solutions that can help its people live with dignity and hope. At the same time, it is important to remember that ordinary Afghan people are not responsible for the conflicts that have affected their country. They are the ones who have suffered the most from decades of violence and instability. Afghan families deserve the opportunity to live peacefully, earn a living, educate their children, and build a secure future. Afghanistan needs a peaceful and inclusive future. The Taliban, as the current rulers of the country, have a major responsibility to create conditions in which all citizens can live safely and with dignity. The rights of women and girls, access to education, economic development, and humanitarian needs should be given serious attention. The story of Afghanistan teaches us that lasting peace cannot be achieved through force alone. It requires dialogue, justice, education, cooperation, and respect for human rights. I hope that one day Afghanistan will move beyond its painful past and become a peaceful country where every citizen can live without fear and every child can dream of a better future.

By Baloch Khan Through the columns of your esteemed newspaper, I wish to draw the attention of the concerned authorities to the poor treatment of women at the NADRA office in Turbat. Many women, including elderly applicants and mothers with children, are forced to wait for long hours while some staff members fail to deal with them efficiently and respectfully. Every citizen deserves equal treatment and timely service, especially in a government office that provides essential identity documents. Delays, mismanagement, and a lack of proper assistance cause unnecessary hardship for women. I request the authorities to investigate the matter, ensure respectful behavior by the staff, and improve services so that women can complete their work without unnecessary delays and inconvenience.