People are talking about —

— how parents and families often impose limited options on their children, leaving little room for young minds to explore their passions for other careers, not realizing that limiting them to selected fields stifles creativity, potential and personal growth. People say that success is not confined to becoming a doctor or an engineer as fields like social sciences, art, business, IT and vocational training also offer tremendous opportunities. By expanding choices, we can unlock the potential of young minds and build a more dynamic future.

— the fact that while the job market in Pakistan continues to shrink due to recession, the reference culture rubs salt into the wound of unemployed youngsters, especially those who have earned their degrees after years of hard work and investment of millions of rupees. People say merit in this country is something just confined to textbooks as those with ‘connections’ get hiring calls in the blink of an eye, pushing local talent to explore foreign destinations for better opportunities.

— the alarming trend of wealthy beggars who exploit the system, an example being a family of beggars from Gujranwala reportedly spending Rs2.5 million on a burial ritual, highlighting the failure of the state to regulate professional begging. Laws are seldom enforced by corrupt officials. The government must act decisively by confiscating assets from professional beggars; reforming tax policies to close loopholes and families engaging in such exploitation must face investigations for tax evasion and be penalized with fines or imprisonment.

— the report that Pakistan generates approximately 20 million tons of solid waste annually, with only 40 per cent being collected and disposed of properly, while the remaining 60 per cent is either dumped in open spaces and waterways or burned, releasing toxic fumes into the atmosphere. Improper waste management is adversely affecting our surroundings, resulting in water and air pollution, soil contamination and foul smells in public areas, so we need to come up with a better waste management system.

— the news report ‘PM directs setting up anti-riots force.’ People say riot control is not a permanent solution to problems because the factors leading to protests might remain if the underlying issues that triggered them are not addressed. As the saying goes, ‘prevention is better than cure’ and what needs to be done is not to use force, which makes matters worse, as tempers flare on crackdowns but to negotiate and try and find solutions that are acceptable to both sides.

— the frequent, distressing reports that keep appearing in the news about police personnel being involved in crimes and how they reflect the poor state of law enforcement, tending to make the general public wary of approaching them. People say while there are always a few ‘bad eggs’ in this department all over the world, on the whole, citizens have faith in it and rely on it for help in times of trouble or distress but unfortunately that is not the case here.

— how Pakistan’s recent ODI series victory against Australia, ending a 22-year drought, is a remarkable feat. However, this lengthy gap underscores a deeper issue, an inconsistency that reflects flaws beyond the cricket field. In contrast to other countries which maintain high standards through stable domestic leagues; strong leadership; efficient administration and focus on creating robust support systems for players, our cricket setup remains plagued by frequent changes in coaching staff, captaincy and management, hindering team cohesion and long-term progress. —