Pakistan’s Choice I think Pakistan needs better policy makers who have a progressive and proactive outlook and who can tackle the dogmatism that is so entrenched in our system. This new breed of policy makers would not come from the `elite` political segment but from what remains of the educated middle class.

Why Mukhtar Mai Matters ``Usually we in Pakistan expect the rich to champion the cause of the poor, we expect men to champion the cause of women, and adults to champion the cause of children.``

Nice observation! We Pakistanis expect too much. We expect corrupt bureaucrats to improve our system although we have known for decades that corruption exists. We expect politicians to be honest. We expect (and lecture) other people to do things that we would hesitate doing ourselves. But we do not desire our childern to become policemen, politicians or film actors and actresses (because these are `inappropriate` professions) although we keep whining about the lack of professionalism in these professions.

Faraz Our society, in general, does not take seriously such depression and the suicidal tendency that comes with it. We are not aware enough of the fact that every man has a different set of experiences, mindsets and ideas, and therefore a different way of looking at things. We should not neglect such lack of hope/self-esteem, particularly when it concerns the youth.

A healthy body gives better physical endurance and a healthy mind gives better psychological endurance. But the factors that lead to better psychological health do not exist in our social system, instead there is a general lack of self-esteem through out our society.

Linking Poverty and Population From the economic point of view I believe that the population growth is going to have a major impact on the prices of property in Karachi when people move to the city from all over Pakistan. Prices of all other commodities like fuel, transportation and food will also rise, further lowering the standard of living of the people of Karachi. In other words, Karachi will experience inflation rates higher than the rest of Pakistan making it more difficult for the residents of Karachi to maintain their quality of life.