RAILWAY PROJECT: Until a few months ago, there was much talk and fanfare about the proposed ML-1 project that was supposed to revolutionise the country’s railway system. However, the last update on the project was that the technical feasibility had been completed, while the financing terms had remained unresolved. Pakistan is said to have requested China to agree to soft terms, but that is not have been done thus far. Will the minister concerned come out with a clarification? The perception is that the project has been shelved. Is it?

Erum Baig
Karachi

BEING HAPPY: One does not need to be a rocket scientist to know how to be happy. Fulfilling one’s duties sincerely gives one immense satisfaction and contentment. Procrastination only infects us with depression and even makes this depression contagious. Doing things when they need to be done saves us from undue stress and hassle. Taking care of familial responsibilities with devotion ensures our spiritual wellbeing. It would detoxify our mind and heart. Fulfilling professional duties earns us legitimate livelihood, which is a prerequisite for a blissful existence. Doing what needs to be done is a simple way to happiness.

M. Nadeem Nadir
Kasur

AIRPORT RESTRICTIONS: Owing to Covid restrictions, public access to the arrival lounges at Karachi airport had been blocked and those coming to receive their guests were made to wait near the parking area. Now that the Covid restrictions have been generally lifted, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) should immediately restore the earlier arrangements.

Aamir Malik
Karachi

AIR POLLUTION: Lahore is suffering from a high level of air pollution. The level of smog caused by emission of smoke and deforestation is way beyond the safe level, damaging the health of the citizens. To reduce the smog, we should work to reduce industrial and vehicle emissions, use public transport and plant more trees.

Nida Abdul Qadir
Lahore

Published in Dawn, November 12th, 2021