People are talking about —

— the news that the Pakistani team from a private educational institution won the top position in the Underwater Robotics Challenge held in Singapore despite the fact that teams from highly developed countries like the US and Russia were also competing. People say it was the first time a team from Pakistan participated which goes to show that Pakistanis are very talented and they only need encouragement to excel, something which is sadly neglected by those in government run organizations.  

— the growing list of child deaths in Thar due to malnutrition, early marriages and drought conditions and how it may reach epidemic proportions if something is not done on an emergency basis. People say while the provincial government cannot do anything about weather conditions it can take steps to provide food; clean water and medical facilities all of which are lacking in the area and live up to the claims it has been making of improving living conditions.

— the 'canal of death' that exists in the district of Badin, where waste of a sugar mill belonging to a political entity is allowed to flow into the water, making it unfit for human consumption or agricultural needs but is still being used as there is no alternative. People say it is the duty of the government not to look the other way but to safeguard its citizens and political expediency should not be allowed to create havoc with their health.   

— the Violence Against Women Centre (VAWC) in Multan and how it is being viewed as a step taken in the right direction by the government, which has sprung into action with all kinds of schemes to benefit the public as election year draws near. People say its better late than never as long as the centre is run professionally and with a will to help women sincerely and is not just for increasing the vote bank.    

— the news item that the water management board WASA is going to legalise thousands of water connections and how this practice of making illegal practices 'legal' has become a routine affair in many institutions of Pakistan. People say this kind of lenient attitude encourages the public, especially those who skip the proper procedure to acquire facilities, to take the short cut and deal with the consequences later as all disputed issues are settled for a fraction of what is owed.  

— the designated new park located in a posh locality of Peshawar and how it is a good idea to have more parks but this is the wrong location as it will not be accessible to the general public. People say it is not those who live is posh localities who need parks but those who live in crowded concrete jungles, so an alternate site should be found which will provide these families with the necessary fresh air and outdoor recreation space they need.   

— the announcement that only properly registered vehicles will be allowed to use the capitals roads after April 15th and how this law should be imposed/implemented all over the country. People say it is mind boggling that authorities know a problem exists with thousands of vehicles, especially stolen or smuggled ones, not being registered being used by all and sundry, rich or poor, yet a special law is being passed only for the capital as if only its residents need security. — I.H.