Losing Hope After Being Rejected

Why would two nations that had been at war for months agree to let Pakistan carry their words to one another? The answer says a great deal about the place Pakistan has earned in the global hierarchy. Few countries are able to exchange views openly with both Tehran and Washington, yet Pakistan has built exactly that kind of standing through years of patient and balanced diplomacy. In Switzerland this June, that effort proved its worth. When the Iranian delegation grew frustrated and stepped away from the table, the negotiations might easily have collapsed. Instead, mediators from Pakistan and Qatar kept the channels open, passing messages between the two sides until the heat dissipated. The meeting at Burgenstock stretched on for eighteen hours, a test of patience that Pakistan met with gracious endurance. And what did it pocket for its own benefit? Nothing for itself. Its only aim was to silence the guns and keep the Strait of Hormuz open, so the wider world could feel some relief. Is that not the affirmation of a nation that proceeds in good faith? Credibility of this magnitude is not cultivated overnight. It is built progressively, through transparency and disciplined action, and in Switzerland, the world saw clearly that Pakistan possesses this cross-cultural credibility.

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 Asma Qayyum Youth empowerment is the process of providing young people with the education, skills, opportunities, and confidence they need to contribute positively to society. Pakistan has one of the largest youth populations in the world. According to the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (2023 Census), the country’s population is approximately 241.49 million, and around 64% of Pakistanis are under the age of 30. This large youth population has the potential to become Pakistan’s greatest strength if it is properly educated, skilled, and employed. Young people play a vital role in the social, economic, and political development of a country. Empowered youth become skilled professionals, innovators, entrepreneurs, and responsible citizens. Their energy, creativity, and ideas can boost productivity, reduce poverty, encourage innovation, and strengthen national development. However, Pakistan faces several challenges in empowering its youth. According to the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics, the national literacy rate is approximately 63%, while millions of children remain out of school. Furthermore, the Labour Force Survey (2024–25) reported an unemployment rate of 7.1%, making job creation one of the country’s greatest challenges. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) reports that nearly four million young Pakistanis reach working age each year, but only around one million new jobs are created annually. It also notes that many young people are neither in education, employment, nor training (NEET), limiting their ability to contribute to the country’s growth. The major challenges facing Pakistani youth include limited access to quality education, unemployment and underemployment, a shortage of technical and vocational training opportunities, poverty, unequal opportunities in rural areas, and limited support for entrepreneurship and innovation. To address these challenges, the government should invest more in education, technical and vocational training, and modern skill development. It should also create more employment opportunities, support youth entrepreneurship through training programs and financial assistance, and encourage young people to participate in community service, leadership initiatives, and civic engagement. At the same time, educational institutions and the private sector should work together to equip young people with the skills required for the modern job market. Youth empowerment is essential for Pakistan’s future. With millions of young people entering the workforce each year, investing in education, skills, innovation, and employment is not merely an option—it is a necessity. Empowering young people will strengthen Pakistan’s economy, reduce poverty, promote social stability, and build a more prosperous and peaceful nation. As the saying goes, “The youth of today are the leaders of tomorrow.”

By Nazaink Majid Everyone dreams of a better future, but dreams only come true when we take action today. Every good choice we make, every lesson, and every small effort we put in helps build a brighter tomorrow. Instead of waiting for the perfect time we should start making positive changes today. “A Better Tomorrow Starts Today” reminds us that if we want to change our future, we must begin in the present. Every small step taken today brings us closer to the life we aspire to achieve. Every day presents us with countless choices. Some may seem small, such as waking up early, completing our work on time, reading a book, or helping someone in need. However, these small decisions gradually shape our character and determine our future. Success is not the result of one extraordinary action but of many ordinary actions repeated consistently. Those who use today wisely are the ones who enjoy a better tomorrow. A healthy future begins with healthy choices. Eating nutritious foods, exercising regularly, maintaining good hygiene, and getting enough sleep improve both physical and mental well-being. Likewise, avoiding harmful habits such as procrastination, laziness, and excessive screen time helps individuals become more productive. Small healthy routines practiced everyday lead to long-term benefits. Creating a better tomorrow is not only a personal responsibility but also a social one. Every individual can contribute to society by showing kindness, respecting others, and helping people in need. At the same time, protecting the environment is essential for future generations. Planting trees, keeping our surrounding clean, reducing plastic waste, conserving water, are simple action that have a lasting impact. A sustainable future begins with responsible actions taken today. Life is filled with challenges and setbacks, but challenges should not discourage us. Instead, they should inspire us to grow stronger and wiser. Every failure teaches valuable lessons, and every difficulty provides an opportunity to improve. Successful people are not those who never fail but those who continue moving forward despite failure. Determination, patience, and resilience transform today’s struggles into tomorrow’s achievements. A better tomorrow is built not only through success but also through strong values. Kindness, honesty, responsibility create trust and strengthen relationships. Positive values practiced daily create lasting change. A better tomorrow is not a distant dream – it is the result of what we choose today. Every positive action, every lesson learned, every kind word spoken, and every responsible decision contributes to a brighter future. Instead of waiting for the perfect moment, we should begin now. By working hard, caring for others, protecting our environment and believing in our ability to improve, we can recreate a future filled with hope and opportunity. The journey toward a better tomorrow begin with a single step taken today.

By Waseem Hasil Every family eventually faces the quiet, overwhelming pain of losing someone they love. In those raw moments of grief, the last thing anyone should have to worry about is whether they can afford the paperwork required to officially honor their loss and settle their loved one’s affairs. I am writing to you today not just as a citizen raising a policy issue, but as someone deeply concerned about how our current administrative system treats grieving families during their most vulnerable hours. While government policies often announce free registration, the human reality at the ground level tells a very different story. Citizens arriving at local union council offices or municipal counters are frequently met with unexpected charges, costly attestation fees, and confusing legal hurdles. For a family that has just lost its primary earner, coming up with extra money for delayed registration fines, stamp papers, or succession documentation is an agonizing extra weight to carry. It feels deeply unfair that obtaining a basic legal paper, something essential for pension claims and family inheritance, becomes a financial negotiation. Official procedures should reflect compassion and empathy, serving as a support system rather than an added obstacle. When we allow indirect fees and procedural delays to mount, we make an already heartbreaking situation needlessly harder for ordinary people who are simply trying to do what is right. I sincerely appeal to your office to step into the shoes of those waiting at municipal desks across the country. Please establish strict oversight to clear away hidden fees, simplify the paperwork, and ensure that every family, regardless of their financial status, can obtain a death certificate with dignity and ease.

By Baloch khan Through the columns of your esteemed newspaper, I would like to highlight the growing problem of plastic pollution in Kosh Malikabad, Turbat. Plastic bags and bottles are scattered on roads, empty plots, and drainage channels, making the area dirty and unhealthy. This pollution harms the environment, blocks drains, and poses a serious risk to animals and public health. The local authorities should install more dustbins, improve waste collection, and launch awareness campaigns to encourage people to reduce the use of single-use plastics. Citizens should also take responsibility for keeping their surroundings clean. I hope the concerned authorities will take immediate action to address this issue and protect the environment of Koshk Malikabad.