People are talking about —

— the fact that the biggest challenge for Pakistan is not its other pressing but its exploding population and now that a new government is in place, a high-powered committee should be appointed to explore how the unsustainable rate of population growth can be brought down. People say the committee should study how other countries have controlled their population growth rate, while all stakeholders should be taken on board to come up with practical solutions to solve the population problem.

— the well-known fact that with the arrival of Ramazan, professional beggars have started roaming the streets seeking alms, tarnishing the essence of charity as a majority of them do not deserve Zakat. People say genuine and deserving individuals, who may be struggling but keep a dignified silence go unnoticed and are left without support, so the relevant authorities should take decisive action against professional beggars, ensuring that charitable contributions reach those who are truly in need and deserve help.

— the severe lack of qualified and competent teachers in many schools across the country and how without well-trained teachers, students are unable to receive the necessary guidance and support to excel academically, while the outdated curriculum being followed in most educational institutions is another major issue, as it needs to be revised and updated to meet the demands of the modern world. Unless these changes take place, sadly we will keep on witnessing the deterioration of our education system.

— the report in the news about how a young man in Turkiye was sent to prison because he kicked a stray cat to death and there was an outcry from civil society that he should be punished. This story is, sadly, in contrast to many we read about in our own country, where women and men who help and look after stray animals are mocked, abused and threatened by many persons because of their caring attitude to voiceless creatures.

— how it has become a regular practice for vendors of fruit and vegetables to raise the price of these essential food items during the month of Ramazan, making the lives of ordinary people miserable and too difficult for them to make ends meet. They should realize that it reflects poorly on their understanding of the meaning that this religious tenet entails, which includes spiritual discipline and a means to empathise with those less fortunate.

— the numerous issues with our public transport system which include the lack of cleanliness in vehicles and at bus stands; accessibility, particularly for individuals with disabilities or special needs as almost all public transport vehicles lack ramps and designated seating areas for the disabled, making it difficult for them to be able to move around independently. All these problems are compounded by long hours of waiting and irregular schedules which cause inconvenience to the commuters, especially during peak hours.

— the depressing report that domestic killings are taking a heavy toll on family life, indicating that this social institution is completely disintegrating, while domestic violence has plagued our social system enough to convince us that kinship can no longer be trusted and every individual is responsible for personal safety without reliance on family. No amount of faith in the state, religion or human resources can ever offer security in a society if human beings themselves rip off the last shred of humaneness. — I.H.