THE RIGHT COLOUR: Like every year, the Independence Day will be celebrated on Aug 14 with great joy, zeal and zest across the country. The irony is that we get to see the national flag in various shades of green instead of the actual green colour that is our true identity. The flag manufacturers should ensure using the dark field green colour.

Khurram Hussain Hidayatullah
Karachi

GHOST EMPLOYEES: Ghost emp- loyees are those who only exist on the record. They do not perform any official duty, but continue to draw salaries on a regular basis. Every year, the government raises tax revenue targets to meet its operational needs, but federal and provincial governments waste their respective re- sources by paying salaries as well as pensions to these ghost employees. In order to save public money, proper scrutiny of all employees should be con- ducted without further delay.

Vijay Kumar Talreja Karachi

SAFETY MEASURES: Since the tragic bus accident last year in the Salt Range on the M2 Motorway, buses are made to wait at a certain point, and then move in convoys. This adds about 30 minutes to the journey, causing inconvenience to the passengers who must remain on-board. It would be better to put other safety measures in place, like speed traps and cameras, supplemented by heavy fines for speed violations.

Adeel Ahmed
Lahore

SAVING PEACOCKS: Peacocks are considered one of the most beautiful bird species in the world. The province of Sindh, specifically Thar area, is home to many species of peacocks, but un- fortunately their number is decreasing by the day. The situation is alarming as peacocks are dying of various diseases, while the Sindh Wildlife Department has simply chosen to be a silent bystander. The authorities concerned must take the issue seriously and chalk out an effective plan to save these beautiful birds.

Azeem Hassan Maitlo
Khairpur Mirs

Published in Dawn, August 5th, 2024

Opinion

Accessing the RSF

Accessing the RSF

RSF can help catalyse private sector inves­tment encouraging investment flows, build upon institutional partnerships with MDBs, other financial institutions.

Editorial

Madressah oversight
Updated 19 Dec, 2024

Madressah oversight

Bill should be reconsidered and Directorate General of Religious Education, formed to oversee seminaries, should not be rolled back.
Kurram’s misery
Updated 19 Dec, 2024

Kurram’s misery

The state must recognise that allowing such hardship to continue undermines its basic duty to protect citizens’ well-being.
Hiking gas rates
19 Dec, 2024

Hiking gas rates

IMPLEMENTATION of a new Ogra recommendation to increase the gas prices by an average 8.7pc or Rs142.45 per mmBtu in...
Geopolitical games
Updated 18 Dec, 2024

Geopolitical games

While Assad may be gone — and not many are mourning the end of his brutal rule — Syria’s future does not look promising.
Polio’s toll
18 Dec, 2024

Polio’s toll

MONDAY’s attacks on polio workers in Karak and Bannu that martyred Constable Irfanullah and wounded two ...
Development expenditure
18 Dec, 2024

Development expenditure

PAKISTAN’S infrastructure development woes are wide and deep. The country must annually spend at least 10pc of its...