CRICKET AT A COST: The matter of holding international matches at the National Stadium should involve coordination among various stakeholders to minimise the mayhem caused by closure of roads. It has always been a hassle, but with long-term construction work on University Road, things have gone completely haywire. Students, patients, office-goers and those running errands have to put up with tremendous mental agony. The matter certainly needs some attention.

Zahid Yusuf
Karachi

CHOPPING TREES: While climate change has brought much destruction to humans across the globe, it does not seem to be something worrying for corporate managements in many cases as they continue to ruthlessly cut down trees for their own narrow interests. What is happening in Khairpur Mirs for some time is an indication of how corporate interests prevail over just about anything else. The chopping down of trees and the destruction of greenery will only exacerbate the climate woes and lead to further pollution. It is evident that those cutting down trees have no idea what they are doing.

Sajjad Hussain Cheehani
Agra, Sindh

BATHA CHOWK: The Batha Chowk, one of the busiest roundabouts in Lahore, is currently in under the control of encroachment and rickshaw mafia. The area gets further congested when passengers moving from the new airport pass hit the roundabout. The area falls within the constituency of well-known politicians, but its condition suggests no one in a position of authority has ever passed through it.

Azhar Sheikh
Lahore

ILLICIT MARKET: Data suggests that the share of illicit cigarettes in Pakistani market is around 40 per cent, causing annual loss worth billions to the national exchequer. In order to reduce the economic harm of cigarettes, it is necessary to take strict action against all illegal activities within the sector.

Usama Ghulam Rasool
Karachi

Published in Dawn, January 23rd, 2023