People are talking about —

— that marvel of architecture, the Umar Hayat Palace in Chiniot and how all well to do Chiniotis living outside this ancient city show indifference and apathy toward their mother city and its historic landmark. People say what is the use of being wealthy when there is complete disregard for heritage? The government should take over the palace and declare it a preserved site before someone knocks it down to build a commercial plaza and we lose this beautiful place.

— the cold blooded murder of yet another two artistes who used to sing of love and peace and how this cowardly act has shocked all those who subscribe to this philosophy. People say it is mind boggling how hate and misguided beliefs can motivate someone to murder innocent humans who do not harm their fellowmen but advocate living in harmony, no matter their background or status in society.

— the fact that an established book store closed down in Peshawar citing the reason that “our entire society is in grasp of moral degradation, senselessness, extremism and terrorism because of their ignorance. People don’t have the habit of reading anymore.” This hits the nail on the head as many bookstores have shut their doors or converted their outlets into grocery shops which is a sad reflection of the times, as computers and smart phones take over.

— the Queens ‘Young Leader’s’ award for the year 2017, has been grabbed by none other than a Pakistani student! Social entrepreneur Syed Faizan Hussain has made the nation proud by formulating solutions for the country’s health crisis, something that needs immediate attention. People say the government should acknowledge the young man’s achievement and take steps to implement his ideas and not let the egos of so called ‘experienced experts’ get in the way by rejecting his solutions.

— the manner in which stallholders beat up and tortured anti-encroachment workers in Rawalpindi’s fruit and vegetable market and how such behaviour should not be tolerated as the encroachment team is only doing its job. People say registering a case is not enough as they drag on and if the instigator is known, as reported in the press, he should be arrested and punished so that others are deterred from following in his footsteps.

— the death of Junaid Jamshed (JJ) in a recent plane crash and how his passing away has saddened hundreds of persons, not only because of his rendering of beautiful ‘naats’ but because a whole generation of Pakistani’s grew up listening to his songs when he was the lead vocalist of one of the first pop groups. People say the debut of their iconic national song, ‘Dil Dil Pakistan’ on television is one of those few watershed moments in our history that instantly felt revolutionary.  — I.H.