Pakistan: The Moment Frustration Met Patience

By Baloch Khan Through the pages of your newspaper, I want to draw attention to the serious problem of pollution in Karachi. The city is facing increasing air, water, and waste pollution due to smoke from vehicles, industrial emissions, garbage, and improper waste disposal. Pollution is badly affecting the health of citizens. Many people are suffering from breathing problems and other diseases because of polluted air. Burning garbage and increasing traffic are making the environment more harmful. I request the concerned authorities to take strict action against pollution. More trees should be planted, waste should be properly managed, factories should follow environmental rules, and citizens should be educated about keeping the city clean. I hope your newspaper will highlight this important issue and the authorities will take immediate steps to solve it.

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.

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 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.

  By: Shahnoor Haroon I am writing this letter to share my thoughts about deforestation. In my opinion, deforestation is a very serious problem. It means cutting down many trees from forests and other places. I think trees are one of the most important gifts of nature. They give us oxygen, fruits, wood, medicine, and shade. They also make our surroundings green and beautiful. I feel that our lives would be very difficult if there were no trees around us. Nowadays, many trees are being cut down for different reasons. People need land to build houses, roads, schools, factories, and shops. Trees are also cut down to get wood and to make land available for farming. I think some people do not think about the bad results of cutting down trees. They only think about their needs today and forget about the future. Deforestation has many harmful effects. When there are fewer trees, the air becomes dirty because trees help to clean the air. They also keep the weather cool. I have noticed that places with more trees are usually cooler and fresher. When trees are cut down, the temperature can become higher. Cutting down trees can also cause floods and soil erosion. During heavy rain, tree roots help to hold the soil, but without trees, the soil can easily be washed away. I also feel sorry for animals and birds that lose their homes because of deforestation. Forests are their natural homes, where they find food and shelter. When people cut down forests, many animals have to move to other places. Some animals even die because they cannot find enough food or a safe place to live. This is very sad and unfair to them. I believe that every person can help in a small way. We can plant a tree near our home or school and take care of it. We can also ask our friends and family to plant trees.

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.