People are talking about —

— the right to choose and how in Pakistan, many parents believe that becoming a doctor is the only way to succeed. People say other degrees, like environmental science or chemistry, are just as important and can lead to successful careers so parents need to understand that every field has its own value and that success is not limited to medicine. Children should be allowed to pursue their interests and passions, rather than being forced into any particular career against their will.

— how heartbreaking it is to see a nation rich in natural beauty become a playground for wealthy hunters because of so called conservation efforts which have turned Pakistan into a business where the life of rare animals is auctioned off to the highest bidder. People say killing animals for sport sends the wrong message, encouraging illegal wildlife trade. Instead of allowing foreigners to shoot our national treasures, we should promote responsible eco-tourism, where people admire these creatures alive in their natural habitats.

— electricity cables, internet wires and telephone lines that have become a common sight across the country, hanging loosely over streets and footpaths, not only looking ugly but very dangerous, especially in the rainy season. Many times, motorcyclists and pedestrians get stuck in these wires and have accidents. This problem should be taken seriously so the concerned authorities, especially utilities and cable companies, should fix this problem by removing the old wires and making sure the new ones are installed properly.

— the fact that elected governments are required to invest taxpayers’ funds in development of infrastructure, yet billions are spent on advertising campaigns and spending more on launching, promoting or, in some rare cases, celebrating developments than actually implementing them. People say salaries of state officials also over compensate for what work they do, so this wastage should be contained and austerity must start from the top, given the grave economic crunch Pakistan faces - only then will it begin to trickle down

— the sad fact that the Thar desert is witnessing the death of its peacocks due to a dangerous disease and this loss is not merely about birds; they are a part of people’s lives, culture and happiness; their dancing brings joy and their calls bring hope for rain. The disease spreads through polluted water; it is untreatable and only controlled through prevention and vaccination. We are not taking adequate measures to protect our environment and animals, risking losing another part of our natural heritage.

—- the plan to launch a bullet train and the question, who is behind this grandiose idea to spend billions on a system that is not required in this economic downturn. People say a regular railway system cannot function properly in this country, with derailing; late arrivals and departures; numerous accidents etc all being part of daily occurrences, so how are the railway authorities going to manage a high maintenance, speedy system that requires precision and expertise.

— how unsafe construction practices are on the rise by builders using poor quality materials; neglect of soil testing; unqualified personnel; widespread violations of building byelaws and the disregard for safety standards. People say structural designs must account for material strengths; load-bearing factors and seismic resilience, something only qualified professionals can ensure, while lack of supervision is another serious issue as inexperienced management results in critical safety lapses, all reflecting a system that often prioritises profit over safety. — I.H.