The Waste and Garbage Problem in Pakistan

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: 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 Nazaink Majid I am writing this letter to seek justice for the tragic and heartbreaking murder of Ali Raza. Mirza Raza Ali, a famous Wafflix food grand owner from Gulistan -e-Johar and who was murdered in Gulistan -e- Johar, Karachi. According to a Pakistan today on the police investigation, Mir Ali Raza was in contact with his fiance until 11:30 PM, after which he returned to his home in PECHS. At around 3:00 AM on July 28, his fiance attempted to reach him again. Over a span of roughly 20 minutes, she made more than 40 panic calls and sent multiple text messages expressing immediate concern for his safety, none of which were answered. Police Sources confirmed that before leaving his PECHS house, Mir Ali Raza had abruptly deleted his social media accounts and disconnected his whatsapp. And he sent some amount of money to his father’s account. On 28 July at 4:12, Ali Raza went to his home. The following days, on the night of 29 July, his body was left at a location, and people discovered it on the morning of 30 July. The painful death of Ali Raza shows that people’s lives are not safe. No family should have to suffer the loss of a loved one in a such a way. Ali Raza’s death is a reminder that every life matters and every citizen deserves safety. We demand justice for Ali Raza and safety for every citizen of Karachi. No one should live in fear. Every person deserves justice, Safety and the chance to live without danger. The Ali Raza’s death should not become just another incident forgotten with time. It should be a wake-up call for stronger action, and safety for everyone. We appeal to the authorities to stand with the victim’s family, investigate this matter with honesty, and ensure that justice is served. No family should have to suffer such a loss, and no one life should be taken without accountability.

By Meer Baloch Through your newspaper, I want to draw attention to the serious situation in Dasht. The people of Dasht are facing many problems, and they do not feel safe in their own area. There is a lack of proper security, police protection, hospitals, and other basic facilities. People are worried about their safety, especially women, children, and elderly people. The government should take immediate steps to improve security and provide basic facilities to the people of Dasht. I hope you will publish this issue in your newspaper so that the authorities can take notice and protect the people of Dasht.

By Zoya Khan Naseer Ahmed I am writing to bring your attention to a pressing issue at Government Girls High School in Balicha, which is currently facing a severe shortage of qualified teachers. Many teachers from Balicha choose to relocate and teach in cities so that their own children can receive a better education, leaving our local school understaffed. Not every family has the financial means to relocate or send their children to cities for schooling; most of the local population depends entirely on this government institution. When asked why proper instruction is lacking, some educators explain that staying in Balicha compromises their own children’s academic futures due to limited facilities. However, every child deserves access to quality education regardless of their socio-economic status or geographic location. At present, students are deprived of proper instruction in core subjects. While Urdu, Islamiat, and Arabic are taught regularly in some classes, essential subjects like English, Mathematics, Science, and Geography are frequently neglected due to the absence of specialized teachers. This deficit is particularly critical for students in Grades 9 and 10, where key scientific disciplines—including Biology, Chemistry, and Physics—are not taught properly. Without adequate instruction in these foundational subjects, students are unable to prepare effectively for their board examinations or pursue higher education successfully. Every student deserves an equal opportunity to learn. I urge the relevant authorities to appoint qualified teachers to Government Girls High School, Balicha, ensuring that students can receive a complete education and build 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.