People are talking about —

— media reports that cheating goes on with full impunity during examinations that are held in centres which are under the supervision of monitors and sometimes with their collusion. Because nothing more is heard about the matter, people wonder whether this media exposure results in strict action being taken against the cheaters, or whether this transgression is swept under the carpet because education authorities are not bothered, since it is a lot of extra work?

— the heartening statement by the Imam-e-Ka’aba that those who wrongly accuse others of blasphemy must be strictly dealt with and how it has given hope to those accused who have escaped mob hysteria but are languishing in jails. People say such statements by religious leaders must be given widespread circulation in all media outlets as well as whenever there is a discussion about the subject so that those who have a particular mindset can change their thinking.

— the solidarity shown by senators for their chairman regardless of their political affiliations, when he threatened to resign because of the absence of ministers during the senate sessions. People say if all groups and those who wanted to make a point showed solidarity with one another, then much could be achieved and it would be easier to resolve issues that need to be taken care of rather than everyone walking to the beat of their own drum and achieving nothing.

— the recent upsurge of females taking the law into their own hands or facilitating their male relatives to carry out acts of terror and how it is a frightening trend as most law enforcers tend to go easy on them because of their gender. People say while this tendency for women to behave in such a manner is growing globally, it is more alarming in a country where females are not given much of a choice, or a voice, to air their opinions.

— the Sheikhupura Fort and how this heritage site has been allowed to fall to ruins because of the couldn’t care less attitude of not only of the government but the constant conflict between the provincial and federal departments of archaeology. People say all over the world heritage sites are kept like precious assets of the country because they are part of history as well as tourist attractions but unfortunately we do not care about our heritage, only how ‘developed’ we are.

— the obsession the Punjab provincial government has for distributing free laptops and how these will not guarantee that a student is having a good education unless the outdated manner in which teachers teach is revamped on modern lines and students are taught to have open minds. People say education does not only mean being adept at the three ‘R’s’, it also means the acquisition of knowledge, skills, values, beliefs and habits that make you a better human being.

— the use and misuse of social media and how it had ruined many lives as well as been the means creating unnecessary chaos and confusion in many spheres of life. People say such platforms are good when they are used for debate and discussion in a rational manner but instruments of death and destruction when used by those who hide behind the wall of anonymity because they do not have the courage to defend their opinions openly and with conviction. — I.H.