SUMMER INTERNSHIPS: Summer vacations that were once a period of joy, recreational activities, and a muchneeded break from life`s monotony are now a scary nightmare for undergraduate students. For them, summer break means a constant struggle to find internships, even unpaid ones, because the Higher Education Commission (HEC) has mandated summer internships of at least six weeks. Such internships are now worth two credit hours, supposedly linking classroom learning with practical exposure. Who is supposed to provide these internships? The HEC and university administrations have made no arrangements in this regard, forcing the students to run from pillar to post in search of an internship.

E man Fatima Lahore NOISY CITIES: Noise pollution in the form of traffic sound, unnecessary honking, loud construction work, and public events has made urban life very stressful.

Continuous exposure to loud noise causes headache, high stress, and even long-term hearing damage. Children struggle to concentrate on their studies, while older people often experience irritation, anxiety and fatigue. The authorities must take strict measures to control this pollution.

Unnecessary honking must be stopped, and construction activities should be limited to specific hours. A quieter city means better health, improved productivity and a more peaceful life for all.

Raheimeen Tahir Karachi RIGHTS OF THE CHILD: Pakistan is a signatory to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), which defines a child as anyone aged under 18, and obligates states to protect children from all forms of exploitation, including early marriage. Yet, feudal and tribal chieftains flagrantly violate both the spirit and the letter of international treaty, international law and the existing laws of the land. These violations cause poverty, ignorance and illiteracy among the masses, while the feudal clout keeps increasing in society. The government should enforce the laws more effectively.

Tasleem Naz Abro Islamabad