People are talking about —

— the PSL and the excitement that has been created with this cricketing event that is being held outside the country. While optimists voice the opinion that this venture will bring back international cricket to Pakistan, the naysayers think there will be no change in the status quo, while the general cricket loving public is just happy that there is something to look forward to in this entertainment starved country.

— inflated gas bills and the fact that people working in the gas company admitted to complaining consumers that meter reading was not done regularly so the payment slab naturally becomes higher and has to be paid, or else! People say this is not the way to jack up revenue and the gas authorities should try and control losses that accumulate through leaking pipes and compression pumps that give those who have installed them an unfair advantage.

— the statements made by various security officials that terrorists and other bad elements have been ‘eliminated’ and how these are like waving a red flag in front of a bull, since the mindset of these criminals is to prove them wrong. People say while everyone appreciates the work being done by our security forces as far as controlling terrorism in all its forms is concerned, officials should be careful for their own sake about making such claims and let their work speak for itself.

— the snowfall on Margalla Hills and the hordes of men, women and children of the sister cities who went to have a look and enjoy this rare and beautiful phenomenon. People say it is such incidents which prove that simple things make our people happy and the government should try and make more of an effort to provide places of entertainment which can be enjoyed by both the ‘haves’ and the ‘have not’ class of citizen.

— the Karachi Literature Festival and how this yearly literary gathering is getting bigger and better despite the fact that the city is known as an ‘unsafe’ destination by those who see things with a distorted vision. People say the organisers of such events deserve full marks for their efforts, while those who attend should be lauded for putting aside the fears by which terror practicing individuals wish to keep the country hostage.

— the rising graph of the country’s film industry and what a heart-warming feeling it gives to those who enjoy cinema but had been deprived of getting to watch indigenous productions because of their outmoded style and structure. People say now that the industry is on an upward trend, producers and directors alike should ensure that they keep up the standard to satisfy fans instead of churning out junk that makes them cringe. — I.H.