SPORTS COMPLEX: There are not many playgrounds in Pakistan. People hardly find a playground or a sports complex near their residence. Being a female, I feel unsafe to travel a long way in order to play my favourite sport. The local government should invest in building sports complexes specifically meant for girls with all popular facilities, such as swimming pools, tennis courts, cricket fields and indoor arrangements for table tennis and badminton. This will help us bring our female talent to national platforms in this patriarchal society.

Sehrish Ikram
Rawalpindi

WRONG PRIORITIES: The recent allocation of Rs32.5 billion to the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) raises serious questions about its priorities. A considerable portion of the budget — Rs5.6 billion — will be spent on buying new cars. This approach diverts substantial resources from addressing the root cause of FBR’s inefficiency, which is inadequate training. Investing in capacity-building, training and professional development for FBR officers would yield far greater long-term benefits. Funds can also be directed towards a robust system of in-house skill enhancement, improving the quality of audits and fostering expertise in specia-lised tax areas to help FBR achieve its long-term goals more sustainably.

Syed Salman Wasti
London, UK

STREETLIGHTS: The lack of street- lights significantly affects public safety, leading to accidents and crime. Upgrading streetlights to energy-efficient LED lights in the cities would greatly improve visi-bility and safety. Implementing smart lighting systems would optimise energy usage and enhance security. Some may argue that priorities should lie elsewhere, such as healthcare and education, but investing in infrastructure stimulates economic growth, leading to job creation. Partnerships with private companies and international organisations can provide innovative funding solutions. Collaborative efforts can ensure sustainable and efficient street-lighting projects.

Muskan Manzoor
Karachi

Published in Dawn, December 24th, 2024