People are talking about —

— how the Supreme Court and the Islamabad High Court have given landmark verdicts that are commendable but there would have not been any dispute over restaurants in the National Park if the Capital Development Authority (CDA) had strictly followed rules and regulations. However, it is to be seen if their orders are implemented and people wonder why it is always the judiciary that has to intervene as well as adjudicate in matters that fall within the jurisdiction of civic authorities.

— it is distressing to note that the National Academy of Performing Arts (Napa) housed in a beautiful heritage building, is in a precarious condition after the recent rains and only immediate repairs can save it. Unfortunately, the recent rains, which were not torrential by any means, have caused the 1927 years old building develop dangerous cracks in its roof and walls and lovers of art and culture are apprehensive about its future, so urgent action is needed by the Sindh government.

— how, apart from the high salary of elected representatives, the real jackpot is in the perks as each lawmaker is entitled to have a parliament lodge in Islamabad’s prime land, plus office spaces worth Rs0.2m monthly, while hosting a parliamentary session sets the exchequer back a whopping Rs66.5m. Also, let’s not forget the 25 business-class return tickets annually, along with travel allowances, so maybe getting elected is not to serve their constituencies but to make hay while the sun shines!

— the fact that any disaster, be it a natural one or manmade, gives a chance to avaricious people who keep waiting for the opportunity and line up facilitators to become a partner in the plan for making money. Pakistan has lost many heritage buildings to this heart-breaking menace as these beautiful buildings were razed to the ground to make way for high rise, architectural monstrosities called ‘shopping complexes’ and ‘luxury apartments,’ destroying architectural beauties to give way to concrete jungles.

— how, although we are living in the 21st century, much of the country’s rural population is deprived of reliable telecommunication facilities and while neighbouring countries are planning to provide free and fast internet to their people, ours are still struggling with slow mobile broadband speed despite paying for it. Sad to say, even internet facilities are not available in educational institutions, so at least the telecom authorities should provide them with this facility so that they can keep up with the rest of the world.

— the fact that according to a recent investigation, 6,342 ghost teachers of the Sindh Education Department were found to be receiving monthly salaries without performing their duties. People say if this is the case in just one province, it does not take rocket science to figure out what the situation must be like in other provinces, this reality making it one of the biggest reasons behind the dismal state of the education system across the country.

— the crackdown on illicit sale of counterfeit and non-stamped cigarettes and the report that cigarettes worth Rs96 million were seized. People say while these measures are commendable, there is a pressing need to include manufacturers in such crackdowns as Pakistan's illegal cigarette trade results in an estimated annual loss of Rs310 billion in the form of unpaid excise taxes and duties, not only imposing a financial burden on the economy but also complicating efforts to address the health risks associated with it. — I.H.