Request to Establish a Mental Hospital in Turbat

By Aamina Asghar The Baloch are an ancient people with a rich culture that is distinct from many other cultures around the world. Whether it is their weddings or their way of life, everything about their culture is unique. Most particularly, Balochi weddings have their own beautiful traditions but many modern trends influenced by social media and other cultures are gradually replacing them. It is good to enjoy modern trends, but we should not forget our own traditions that identifies us in the world. The below I mention some of the keen factors affecting the culture: Our Culture Is Our Identity Baloch wedding traditions have been passed down by our ancestors. They tell the story of who we are and remind us of our rich cultural heritage. Culture is what identify us from any part of the world and make us look different from the native of that particular area. Traditional Balochi Dress Balochi brides and grooms wear beautiful traditional dresses with fine embroidery done by Baloch women’s hand. They are hand-made cloths. Nowadays, many people prefer modern designer clothes instead of traditional Balochi attire. The trend has been influenced from social media and is adopted by the living persons in their daily life. Wedding Customs Many families now arrange Mehndi ceremonies, Dholki events, dance performances, bridal shows, and other celebrations that were not traditionally part of Baloch weddings. As a result, our original customs are becoming less common. As a result, few young people know the traditional practices of Balochi Culture. Decoration Traditional Baloch weddings had simple decorations that focused on family, culture, and tradition. Today, expensive stage decorations, flower walls, and modern themes are becoming very popular, making the marriage more expensive. Upon seeing such things, everyone around the society expects such marriages to take place in future, badly affecting the poor people who cannot afford them and thus ends up insulting them in others’ eyes. Social Media Influence Many people copy what they see on social media without thinking about their own culture. It is good to know about other’s culture, but killing your own culture for others is never beneficial for the generation to come. Our culture should be preserved. Music and Celebration Traditional Balochi music and cultural celebrations should be encouraged because they keep our heritage alive. Sadly, very few people are well aware of Balochi singers. We respect other singers when it comes to our own Balochi singers who are preserving the language are never valued or recognized by majority of us. Thus, modern trends are not bad, but we should not allow them to replace our beautiful traditions. Baloch wedding traditions are an important part of our culture. Our dresses, music, customs, and celebrations reflect our identity, and we should respect and preserve them. This will help future generations understand the value of Balochi culture. Let us take pride in being Baloch, promote our traditions and show the world the beauty of our culture.

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 Asiya Fazal Karim I want to use the space in your newspaper to tell the authorities about the problem of load-shedding in our area. We have been facing frequent power cuts for many weeks. Sometimes, the electricity goes away for several hours, and it becomes very difficult for people to continue their normal activities. Electricity is very important in our daily lives. We need it for studying, cooking, working, using fans, and many other things. Students suffer a lot because they cannot study properly without electricity. During power cuts, they wait for the electricity to come back before they complete their homework. The hot weather makes the problem even worse. When they cannot use fans or other cooling appliances, children and old people have to suffer because of the heat. At night, the streets also become dark, which can make people feel unsafe when they go outside. Load-shedding also causes problems for shopkeepers and small businesses. Many shops depend on electricity for their work. When the power goes out, they cannot work properly and sometimes lose customers. This can cause financial problems for people who depend on their daily business. Hospitals and clinics may also face difficulties because some medical equipment needs electricity. Internet services and mobile charging are also affected. People may not be able to contact their family members easily during long power cuts. These problems make everyday life stressful. Another problem is the sudden return of electricity. Sometimes, the voltage changes when the electricity comes back, and this can damage electrical appliances. Many families cannot afford to repair or replace expensive appliances. The people of our area have complained about the problem many times, but we have not seen any permanent improvement. We understand that electricity demand can be high, but the authorities should take steps to provide a better and more regular supply. I request the concerned authorities to look into this matter as soon as possible. A proper load-shedding schedule should be given to the public so that people can plan their work and students can plan their studies. The electricity system should also be improved, and faults should be repaired quickly.

By Asma Qayyum Brain drain refers to the migration of highly educated and skilled professionals to other countries in search of better employment opportunities, higher salaries, quality education, advanced research facilities, and improved living conditions. This phenomenon has become one of Pakistan’s most serious development challenges, affecting the country’s economic growth and human capital. According to the World Bank, Pakistan is among the countries experiencing a significant outflow of skilled workers. Furthermore, official data from the Bureau of Emigration and Overseas Employment (BEOE) show that hundreds of thousands of Pakistanis leave the country each year for overseas employment, including a large number of educated professionals. This growing migration places additional pressure on vital sectors such as healthcare, engineering, education, and information technology. Several factors contribute to brain drain, including unemployment, low salaries, limited research opportunities, political instability, economic uncertainty, and poor working conditions. As a result, many talented individuals believe they can achieve greater professional success and a better quality of life abroad. The consequences of brain drain are far-reaching. Pakistan loses experienced doctors, engineers, teachers, researchers, scientists, and IT specialists whose knowledge and expertise are essential for national development. The departure of these professionals weakens public services, reduces innovation, and slows economic progress. According to the Bureau of Emigration and Overseas Employment, 762,499 Pakistanis officially left the country for overseas employment in 2025. Since 1971, more than 15 million Pakistanis have been registered for overseas employment through the bureau. These figures highlight the scale of the issue and the urgent need for effective policy measures. To reduce brain drain, the government should create more employment opportunities, improve salaries and working conditions, invest in research, innovation, and higher education, and provide incentives that encourage skilled professionals to remain in or return to Pakistan. A stable economy, merit-based opportunities, and professional growth are essential to retaining the country’s talented workforce. Pakistan’s greatest asset is its people. By investing in its skilled professionals and creating an environment where they can thrive, the country can transform brain drain into brain gain and build a stronger, more prosperous future.

By Saba Bakhtiyar I am writing this letter to share important information with you that today is the age of technology. Mobile phones and the internet have made our lives easier. But one big drawback of this technology is social media addiction. Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube have connected people together, and many people have become addicted to them. What is social media addiction? When someone spends too much time on social media and feels restless without it, that is called social media addiction. In this condition, people think that if they do not check their phones, they will be left behind by the world. People also use social media to overcome their loneliness. However, many people are unaware that this habit can turn out to be dangerous for them. It can affect mental health, cause depression, lead to a lack of sleep, create distance in families and relationships, and reduce students’ attention towards education, which is another big problem. Social media is a tool. If we use it wisely, it helps us. If we misuse it, it harms us. Seeing perfect lives online makes people feel insecure about their own lives, and it has also increased online harassment and hate comments. Moreover, notifications and reels distract people from their work and studies. They are so busy on social media that they are not interested in their personal work. Due to social media, it is affecting people a lot. People share too much personal information, which can be misused. As well as this, many people are addicted to checking their phones every few minutes. The most dangerous thing is that nowadays small children are using mobile phones, and it is affecting them a lot. Their eyes are affected due to excessive phone use. Children can also easily access inappropriate content online, and they spend less time playing outdoor games. Parents should set screen time limits for their children and give them outdoor games and books instead of mobile phones. A mobile phone is a tool, not a toy for small children. Parents must guide them. People should also stay away from their mobile phones as much as possible. It is a very huge problem for people. They should use mobile phones, but within limits. Set a daily time limit for social media use, and follow pages that teach you, not just entertain you. Do not use your mobile phone all the time because it is very harmful.

By Zunaira Karim Letter to the editorChildren are the future of every society. They are born innocent and gradually learn their values, habits, and behavior from the people and environment around them. When a child becomes disobedient, dishonest, or involved in harmful activities, many people ask, “Who is responsible?” The answer is not simple because the responsibility is shared among parents, schools, society, and the child. Parents have the greatest influence on a child’s life. They are a child’s first teachers and role models. Children learn by observing their parents’ actions, attitudes, and behavior. If parents fail to give proper attention, guidance, love, and discipline, children may develop negative habits. Spending quality time with children, listening to their concerns, and teaching them good moral values are essential responsibilities of every parent. Schools also play a vital role in shaping a child’s character. Teachers not only provide academic knowledge but also help students develop honesty, respect, responsibility, kindness, and self-discipline. A positive school environment encourages children to make good decisions and become responsible citizens. Society and the media have a significant impact on children’s behavior as well. Friends, social media, television, and the internet strongly influence a child’s thoughts and actions. Exposure to violence, inappropriate content, or negative peer pressure can lead children in the wrong direction. Therefore, communities should work together to create a safe and supportive environment where children can grow with positive values. At the same time, children must also learn to take responsibility for their own actions as they grow older. They should be taught the difference between right and wrong and encouraged to make wise choices, even when faced with challenges or temptations. If a child goes wrong, no single person or institution is entirely responsible. Parents, schools, society, and the child all have important roles in shaping character and behavior. By working together, they can provide the guidance, support, and education that every child needs. A caring family, a strong educational system, and a positive society can help children become responsible, confident, and successful members of the community.