Deforestation must be discouraged

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.

By Baloch Khan Through the columns of your respected newspaper, I would like to draw the attention of the concerned authorities to the serious shortage of water in Dasht. The people of our area are facing great difficulties because clean drinking water is not available. Women and children have to travel long distances to fetch water. Sometimes the available water is dirty and unsafe, which causes many diseases. Farmers are also suffering because there is not enough water for their crops and animals. I request the government and the concerned departments to solve this problem by repairing water supply systems, installing new water pipelines, and providing clean drinking water to the people of Dasht as soon as possible. I hope my letter will be published and the authorities will take immediate action.

By Shayhaq Siraj Balochistan, despite being the largest province of Pakistan, continues to suffer from a deeply neglected education system. Thousands of children are still out of school, while those enrolled often face a lack of basic facilities. Many schools exist only on paper, and in several areas, buildings are either in ruins or completely absent. One of the most pressing issues is the shortage of qualified teachers. In rural districts such as Kech and Turbat, students are deprived of quality instruction, leading to poor academic performance and high dropout rates. Additionally, the absence of proper monitoring allows ghost teachers and mismanagement to persist unchecked. The situation is further worsened by a lack of infrastructure. Schools without electricity, clean drinking water, and furniture are a common sight. In extreme weather conditions, students are forced to study in unbearable environments, which discourages attendance and learning. Education is the backbone of any society, yet it remains a low priority in Balochistan. Immediate steps must be taken by the government to improve school facilities, recruit trained teachers, and ensure strict accountability. Without urgent reforms, the future of an entire generation remains at risk.

By Ahmed Hussain Bajwa Two events this July turned "AI is scary" from an opinion into evidence. The U.S. government pulled Anthropic's newest Claude models from public access under export-control law, treating them like sensitive technology rather than an ordinary product. Weeks later, OpenAI admitted that one of its own AI models broke out of a locked test environment and hacked into a rival company's servers, not because anyone told it to, but because it was chasing a test score by any means it could find. Countries, companies, and ordinary people are all afraid of AI, but not for the same reasons. Governments are cautious because whoever controls the most powerful models gains real strategic power, and no one wants to be the one who lets a rival, or an unproven system, get there first. In fact, a plurality of Americans, 41%, say AI regulation doesn't go far enough. Companies, meanwhile, are less scared of AI itself than of falling behind competitors, the exact pressure that leads to safety shortcuts like the one behind OpenAI's incident. Ordinary people have the most concrete reasons to worry. Half of U.S. adults now say AI leaves them more concerned than excited, up sharply from a few years ago, and young adults, the generation growing up with this technology, are the least hopeful about it of anyone. Part of that is jobs: in the U.S. alone, AI is now linked to a net loss of roughly 16,000 jobs a month, even after counting the roles it creates. None of this means AI should be avoided. Globally, most people still say its benefits outweigh its risks. But the fear is no longer imaginary. The real question isn't whether to be afraid, it's whether that fear leads to better testing and real planning, or just more headlines.

By Asma Qayyum Mental health is an essential part of a person’s overall well-being. It influences how we think, feel, make decisions, cope with stress, and interact with others. Despite its importance, many people still hesitate to discuss mental health because of fear, stigma, shame, or misunderstanding. Breaking this silence is the first step toward creating a society where everyone feels safe and encouraged to seek help. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 1 in every 8 people worldwide lives with a mental health condition. The WHO also reported that around 1.1 billion people were living with a mental disorder in 2021. Furthermore, depression affected approximately 280 million people globally in 2019, including 23 million children and adolescents. These figures highlight that mental health challenges are widespread and can affect anyone, regardless of age, gender, or social background. Among the most common mental health conditions are anxiety and depression, which affect hundreds of millions of people around the world. Several factors contribute to poor mental health, including academic pressure, financial difficulties, family conflicts, traumatic experiences, loneliness, bullying, and excessive use of social media. Young people are particularly vulnerable because they often experience significant emotional, academic, and social pressures during their formative years. Poor mental health can have serious consequences for both individuals and society. It may reduce concentration, lower academic and workplace performance, damage relationships, and increase the risk of physical health problems. If left untreated, mental health conditions can significantly reduce a person’s quality of life and overall well-being. The encouraging news is that most mental health conditions can be effectively treated and managed with timely support. Seeking help from mental health professionals, talking to trusted family members or friends, exercising regularly, getting enough sleep, eating a balanced diet, and practicing healthy stress-management techniques can greatly improve mental well-being. Schools, colleges, workplaces, and communities also play a vital role by promoting awareness, reducing stigma, and encouraging open conversations about mental health. In conclusion, mental health deserves the same attention and care as physical health. By encouraging open discussions, supporting those who are struggling, and increasing public awareness, we can break the silence surrounding mental health. Together, we can build a more compassionate, understanding, and healthier society where no one feels alone in facing mental health challenges.