REGIONAL CONFLICTS: Over the last few months, regional military conflicts have been flaring up with renewed vigour.

After a dangerous confrontation between Pakistan and India, the world saw Israel and Iran at each other`s throat, with the former finally getting support from the United States. Somewhat interestingly, Iranian securityforces are saidtohave arrested spies from Ukraine, which is itself busy slugging it out with Russia.

Samin Lakhani Karachi EXPLOITING FARMERS: The federal government has decided to import 500 tonnes of sugar. It is the same government that had decided to export the commodity earlier in the season. The government purchases commodities at a low rate from the farmers, and sells them at much higher price to the people. If the same pattern continues, it will force the farmers to look for some other means of earning.

Inamfaffar Lahore UNDERPASSES AND SIGNALS: Underpasses and traffic signals are badly needed at a number of places across Karachi. To ease the pressure and maintain smooth traffic flow, the authorities may consider either having underpasses or traffic signals at Jauhar Mor, Lucky One Mall, Al-Asif Square, People`s Chowrangi, New M.A. Jinnah Road, Bilawal Chowrangi and 4-K Chowrangi. The authorities may also consider putting in place functional traffic signals by removing huge roundabouts that appear to be the main source of traffic jams at places like Ayesha Manzil, Sakhi Hasan, Power House, etc.

Khawaja Tajammul Hussain Karachi FOOD CONTAMINATION: Four siblings were recently brought to the Allama Iqbal Memorial Teaching Hospital in Sialkot due to a severe bout of food poisoning after consuming food that was cooked at their home. Two of them died later.

Unfortunately, the home-cooked food is not safe anymore. Do the authorities check the quality of spices and other grocery items being sold in the market? Alex Qaiser Sialkot