Pakistan: The Moment Frustration Met Patience

By Baloch Khan The education gap is one of the biggest challenges facing Pakistan. Students in cities often have better schools, qualified teachers, and modern facilities, while many students in rural and remote areas study without basic classrooms, libraries, laboratories, or even enough teachers. This unequal system denies many children the opportunity to achieve their full potential. Every child deserves access to quality education regardless of where they live or how much their family earns. The government should improve public schools, appoint qualified teachers on merit, provide learning materials, and ensure equal educational opportunities for all students. Investing in education is investing in the country’s future. Unless this gap is reduced, social and economic inequality will continue to grow. It is time for the authorities to take practical steps to ensure that every child receives the education they deserve

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 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.

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 Shadri Amanullah I am writing this letter for the people of Balochistan who are facing extreme poverty and unemployment. Most of the people in Balochistan can’t buy basic things like food, clothes, or shelter because they don’t have enough money. It is no longer a small problem, as we all know Balochistan is a land full of valuable resources like gas, gold, and copper. But the government is selling all these resources to other countries, while the local people remain poor. Many people grow crops or raise animals to survive. Due to the lack of rainfall, the soil has been converted into dust. The lakes and rivers have completely dried up. Because of this, farmers cannot grow crops. Everything like rice, flour, sugar, and all these things is too expensive, so poor families can’t afford them. These things are brought from other cities, so the transportation costs make everything too expensive. These are some of the reasons why the people of Balochistan remain poor. Many people in Balochistan are unemployed because there are no big factories, offices, or companies in Balochistan. People can only get government jobs, and the problem is that the government does not have enough jobs. Many people feed their families by buying and selling goods with Iran and Afghanistan. Now the government has closed the borders. Due to this, they can’t feed their families. Most of the universities in Balochistan don’t teach modern skills; they just teach the old lessons. If they teach modern skills to the students, it will be easier for them to find jobs. All the time of the government is spent on the military; due to this, the government forgets to build factories or provide ways for people to earn daily wages. Many young people who have university degrees are still unemployed. Because of frustration and hopelessness, some young people lose hope despite their efforts. The smart people leave the province and go to other cities and countries to study and get proper jobs. When young people don’t get jobs, they may turn to illegal activities such as drug abuse or smuggling. To fix this problem, the government must take three steps. We request the authorities to spend the money made from the valuable resources of Balochistan on building local businesses, roads, and water infrastructure. The government should open markets on the borders so that people could trade and earn some money for themselves. And we want the government to open centers for young people where they could learn useful skills like mobile repairing and other useful skills so they could start their own businesses and earn some money.