People are talking about —

-- the tax conundrum and how a majority of persons do not want to pay income tax though they pay thousands to criminal elements who collect ‘bhatta’ (money taken by force) on a regular basis because they want themselves and their families to remain safe. People say this shameful situation has come about as successive governments have failed miserably in controlling this illegal activity, but to be honest, the criminal elements belong to political parties who indulge in this activity to collect funds.

-- the postponement of the Shandur Polo Festival which triggered a substantial economic downturn in Chitral as local hotels, guest houses as well as homes faced a drop in bookings, leading to loss of revenue. Restaurants, cafes and food vendors, who anticipated the routine seasonal surge in business from festival attendees, also experienced a sharp decline in income, making it clear that the abrupt disruption of revenue opportunities has impacted the annual income of the locals, causing financial strain to almost every household.

-- the federal government’s decision to streamline eighty two government entities into forty marks a significant move towards increasing efficiency in public administration, a necessary step to reduce redundancy, cut down unnecessary expenditure and create a more active government structure. By consolidating the bloated bureaucracy with its overlapping functions and fragmented authority, which is a drain on our national resources, the government is not only addressing these issues but also paving the way for a more coherent and responsive administrative framework.

-- how the most vulnerable are bearing the brunt of severe weather crisis as the destruction of makeshift homes in rural areas has left many facing unimaginable hardships, while urban residents, too, are suffering greatly, with electrocutions, flooded roads, and road accidents claiming precious lives. People say a well-planned strategy from the authorities could significantly mitigate the loss of life and property as citizens have a constitutional right to receive protection in times of crisis.

--- how, as inflation worsens, fraudsters have devised new schemes to exploit unsuspecting buyers on their desire to purchase expensive items at reasonable prices. By using online platforms to lure customers and get them interested, they then request a token payment through bank transfer apps to reserve items, after which they disappear without a trace, deleting their entire conversation and switching off their phones, making it impossible for victims to reach them or report the incident because they feel foolish.

-- the report by ILO that approximately 3.3 million children in Pakistan are trapped in child labour, with 13.7 per cent of them aged between ten and seventeen years, these alarming statistics highlighting the grim reality deeply rooted in our society. Factors contributing to this issue include poverty, inflation, illiteracy and a lack of quality education. With an estimated 26 million out-of-school children, it is imperative for Pakistan to reassess its educational policies and address the underlying flaws that perpetuate this crisis.

-- the report that nine giraffes are being imported for the Lahore safari zoo for a sum of Rs130.5 million – quite surprising since the government is supposedly carrying out austerity measures which will impact many junior staff on payrolls, apart from the fact that zoo animals life a miserable life in this country. People say the government should first train personnel to look after animals properly, especially those imported from other countries, before bringing them into an alien environment. –