DRUG POLICY: Narcotics and substance abuse is increasing among young men and women. I have seen drug addicts wasting their lives and suffering from malignant liver, kidney and heart problems as well as cancer and other deadly diseases in my native village Umar Bhayo in Larkana district. The federal government has passed various laws, but they are not implemented in letter and in spirit. The government should formulate a stringent drug control policy to control the import, export, production, possession, sale, distribution and use of illegal drugs. The international community must support Pakistan in the fight against this menace.

Kalsoom Abro
Islamabad

HIGH VOLTAGE: My house is getting a supply of 255 volts as opposed to the standard 220 volts for the last many months now. As such, high voltage not only puts the appliances at risk, but also increases electricity consumption. To understand the phenomenon, using the Ohm’s law, it is simple to calculate that an appliance rated at 1,000 watts will consume 1,093 watts at a standard voltage of 220 volts, 1,190 at 240 volts and 1,291 at 250 volts, resulting in increased electricity bills. Thus, with supply of 255 volts,I am made to pay 34 per cent more on my electricity bills. Can the regulatory bodies clarify this critical matter?

Khaver Zia
Lahore

FINANCIAL JOLT: The impact of fluctuations in the policy rates annou-nced by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has exposed the banking system. The rate of return on a normal basic account and the Term Deposit Receipt (TDR) is the same now. The impact on Islamic banking system is a different story. The products under the umbrella of ‘Priority’ or ‘Premium’ banking have no value now as they are the same as that of normal banking accounts. Currently, it seems the banks are more interested in saving their own perks and privileges through what-ever the spreads they have rather than safeguarding their customers’ needs.

Tahir Hasan
Karachi

Published in Dawn, March 17th, 2025