People are talking about —

— the report that the encroachment mafia has taken over a rainwater drain in Shahdara, a once-popular picnic spot in Islamabad, turning it into a hub for illicit activities, while authorities turn a blind eye to what’s going on. Shahdara, known for its affordability and natural beauty, has been a favourite destination for both Islamabad residents and tourists and unfortunately now the area has been overrun by private individuals and the hotel mafia, who have illegally occupied the popular government-owned picnic spot.

— how, speaking at an event marking International Youth Day, the Prime Minister reportedly lamented that, despite having abundant resources and 77 years of independence, the country remains heavily burdened by debt. He noted that extreme poverty prevents many from affording basic needs, while the country's elite class enjoys significant privileges. People say no one except the leaders can bridge this gap by reviewing the privileges doled out to the elite, so why can’t he do something to rectify this situation.

— the fact that to the utter shock of students wishing to pursue further studies at a University in Bahawalpur, the semester fees for certain programmes is Rs87,545. People say it is not possible for any middle-class student to pursue his/her education by paying such hefty amounts, so the government should pay attention to the education system and instead of distributing laptops and motorbikes among a few selected students, there must be a fee structure that will benefit all students across the country.

— the habit of complaining that has become a common practice among young people and how they need to learn that success comes to those who work hard with unflinching determination and utter resilience, an example provided by Olympic hero, Arshad Nadeem, who did not have even an international standard javelin to practice with until a year ago. Instead, he continued to work hard and proved that much can be achieved through determination and hard work; consistency and willpower.

— lessons the provincial governments can learn from smaller groups and communities of which one is to stop releasing 99.9pc of our untreated raw sewage into ponds, lakes, nullahs, rivers and the sea. Hunza treats all its sewage, not letting a drop trickle down to pollute the heavenly Hunza River or the breath-taking Attabad lake because each set of shops, buildings, homes and villages have their own dual septic tanks, confining the sewage and enabling the sludge to be used as fertilizer.

— the news that a gang of robbers looted cash over Rs6.3 million from a courier office located a kilometre away from a police station, overpowering the security guard and holding the staff at gunpoint. People say it is surprising that such a large amount of currency was kept in a small office, which is most unusual in any circumstance, making the incident arouse suspicions as to why it was kept there and how did the thieves know about its availability!

— the lack of emphasis on extracurricular activities in our education system is a big mistake as they offer a wide range of opportunities beyond academics, helping students develop new skills, interests and social connections. Apart from showcasing the diverse talents and abilities students possess and how they spend their time outside the classroom, it’s crucial to create spaces that foster this kind of growth, as extracurricular activities not only enhance academic performance but also contribute to a healthy, balanced life and improved mental health. — I.H.