People are talking about

-- the shocking incident of the killing of a seven-year-old boy by a security guard just because he went into a farmhouse to take a drink of water from a stream and how it highlights the lack of tolerance. People say it is alarming how ‘pulling the trigger’ has become a common practice by anyone who carries a gun instead of giving a warning or trying to determine why a certain situation has arisen, especially if it poses no danger to anyone.

-- the suggestion that face recognition should replace biometric recognition for senior citizens because of the difficulty that many thousands are facing with the current system because of age related issues. People say that Pakistan has no amenities for its elderly and disabled persons who are as much part of its citizenry as the younger lot and they are left to rely on help with whatever they have to do, especially with tasks that require them to be present in person.

-- the revelation which has surfaced regarding the issuance of 400 blue passports to unauthorized individuals and according to media reports, fifty four of these passports are still in use by unauthorized individuals. People say this is proof that some hanky panky is involved because a blue passport is an official travel document that is issued to government officials and other high-ranking personnel, so they wonder why these cannot be cancelled by the relevant authority if they are ‘unauthorised.’

-- the Monsoon Summary on Pakistan by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) underscoring the weak response of the government to natural disasters. Pakistan experienced significant monsoon rains resulting in displacing thousands of people, damaging infrastructure and submerging farmland, threatening food security and livelihoods. This highlights Pakistan’s ongoing humanitarian needs and the urgent requirement to strengthen disaster preparedness; climate change adaptation strategies and the government's failure to develop sustainable policies that could prevent loss of life and property.

-- the growing frustration of the middle class and less privileged citizens of the country and how it’s about time the government began solving the many problems faced by the general public, which include high commodity prices; electric and gas bills; transport fares; cost of medicines and medical treatment and fuel prices etc. People say just bragging about lowering inflation and the bullish trend in the stock market will not bring any relief to ordinary people’s lives.

-- the marrying off of underage girls which continues despite laws making it illegal. When girls are married early their education is cut short, ending chances of personal and professional development; they have limited opportunities for employment and remain financially dependent on their husbands, further deepening the cycle of poverty. People say this not only limits their potential, it has a broader societal impact, as uneducated women are less likely to contribute to the economy or advocate for the education of their daughters.

-- the fact that mob justice is a common disease, causing many unjust deaths under the illusion of ‘righteousness,’ with recent incidents has yet again bringing this social menace to our attention, creating fear and anxiety among ordinary people.

The government and courts need to decide whether they will cure this disease or let it fester until no justice remains, while those who take the law into their own hands need to realise they will be severely punished for the consequences of such actions. – I.H.