UNITY FIRST: The federal government is currently in talks with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for a loan to help stabilise the economy. However, the recently proposed budget of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) may hinder these talks. The federal government is upset because the IMF has proposed a budgetary framework that requires coordination between the federal and provincial governments. The KP government should ensure its budget aligns with the IMF’s requirements. It should work with the federal government to address the economic crisis. Despite political differences, unity is essential to tackle the economic challenges.

Hammal Zahid
Kolahoo

KISAN BANK: It is hard to understand or rationalise the decision of Punjab government to establish a Kisan Bank when the Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited (ZTBL), formerly known as the Agriculture Development Bank of Pakistan (ADBP), is working absolutely fine. The ZTBL has a good network and has been providing financial assistance to the needy. Moreover, the establishment of a bank needs both financial and human resources whereas the country has already been facing acute financial crisis. The provincial government should assign the proposed project of tractors to the ZTBL instead of establishing a new bank for this very purpose alone.

Khawaja Tajammul Hussain
Karachi

CHEATING CULTURE: The culture of cheating during examinations is deeply entrenched in society, especially in Sindh. The examinations that are currently being held across the province are no different. Students in the past used to resort to cheating discreetly, but now they rely on mobile phones and do so openly. Almost every student carries a mobile phone during examinations, and the authorities appear to be helpless in this regard. If academic standards continue in this manner, we are bound to outdo the rest of the world in terms of ignorance despite degrees.

Hamid Ali
Hyderabad

Published in Dawn, June 16th, 2024