// Dr. Farrukh A. Chishtie The harm caused by smoking extends beyond the person holding a cigarette. Smoke spreads through shared air, while chemical residues remain on clothing, furniture and other surfaces after the cigarette has been extinguished. Protecting health therefore requires attention to smoking itself, exposure to secondhand smoke and the less familiar problem of thirdhand smoke. For Pakistani households, workplaces and public spaces, the practical goal for sto

// Seema Tahir Food reaches our tables through the work of farmers, transporters, shopkeepers and those who prepare it. It also requires land, water and energy. When edible food is discarded, these resources are wasted along with the money spent buying it. Reducing food waste is therefore a practical way to care for the environment while making better use of household budgets. World Food Day, observed on 16 October, offers an opportunity to reconsider everyday kitchen habits.

// Petra Stock Rooftop solar alone generates more than half of all power used, as clear sunny days and low demand drive record-breaking surge. Australia is the global leader in generating electricity from the sun. More than 4.3m Australian households now have rooftop solar, driving record amounts of renewable energy into the grid Sunshine and wind met 80.4% of demand on Australia’s main power grid on Saturday, setting a new high bar for renewable electricity. Solar panels

// Zahrah Nasir Tomatoes are one of the easiest and potentially most productive veggies to grow, although — botanically speaking — they are classified as fruit. The basis of so many of our traditional recipes these days, tomatoes are indigenous to South America and were introduced to our part of the world by European colonists, probably sometime in the 1700s, which makes one wonder what we added to our food before their arrival. Members of the solanacea family of plants, as

// Mehreen Khan Melons bring natural sweetness, colour and refreshing flavour to the table. In Pakistani households, kharboza and tarbooz are familiar choices, enjoyed as slices, in fruit chaat or alongside a simple meal. Their appeal requires little preparation, and a bowl of fresh melon can be served without adding sugar, syrup or cream. Although commonly associated with warmer months, melons deserve appreciation for their nutritional qualities whenever good quality fruit

// Sultan Kiani Hospital fire safety is essential to protecting patients, especially those who depend on staff for evacuation and care. Preventing tragedy requires reliable safety systems, trained personnel and consistent enforcement of precautions. August 3, 2026, was a tragic day as a fire engulfed the NICU at PIMS, the capital’s central government hospital. The fire quickly intensified due to the medical oxygen supply, making evacuation nearly impossible. Hospital staff

// Dr. A.A. Quraishy Nature has gifted every living creature with a remarkable instinct to love, protect and care for its young. From the cautious care of a tigress to the extraordinary sacrifice of a penguin and the ingenious ways birds safeguard their nestlings, every species has its own way of ensuring the survival of its offspring. All mamas love to carry their offsprings as comfortably as possible, but they are scared for. Right from Mrs. Tiger’s den, where they are left

// Dr. Farrukh A. Chishtie Mental health is far more than the absence of mental illness. This cover story explores how positive psychology, trauma-informed care, occupational therapy, nature-based healing and spirituality together offer a holistic vision for promoting resilience, purpose and wellbeing in Pakistan. By shifting our focus from simply treating illness to cultivating human strengths and flourishing, we can build healthier individuals, stronger communities and a mo

// Sajina Limbu As summer slowly moves toward autumn, many families in Pakistan begin preparing for changing weather, school routines, household repairs, and the coming smog season. September is therefore an important month to think about how our homes, streets, and communities can become cleaner, healthier, and more climate-resilient. Eco-living does not require luxury products or expensive technologies. It begins with simple daily habits that protect the environment while

// Mehreen Khan Guava, commonly known as amrood, is one of Pakistan's most familiar and loved fruits. Enjoyed fresh with a sprinkle of salt or chaat masala, sliced into fruit salads, blended into drinks or transformed into chutneys and preserves, guava combines an unmistakable fragrance and flavour with an impressive nutritional profile. Because it is widely cultivated and relatively affordable when in season, guava/amrood is also an excellent example of how locally available

// Dr. A.A. Quraishy Wild animals have amazing abilities such as speed, strength, agility, and endurance. These qualities help them survive and live successfully in nature. Each animal is specially adapted to its environment and has unique skills. These abilities make the animal world fascinating and full of wonder. I can not furnish a better and more familiar example in grace, speed and endurance than the famous darlings of the Olympics — who wave and fly in space as if they

// Sultan Kiani Public schools play a vital role in fostering academic, social, and personal development. While many factors contribute to making a school a good place to learn, safety should always come first. Educational institutions face a range of public safety hazards and security threats that must be effectively managed to minimize risks. As schools reopen after the long summer holidays, we identify some common hazards and offer practical safety measures to help keep

// Zahrah Nasir Those of you with small gardens, small terraces or just a simple balcony, may sit and dream of growing enough fruit and vegetables to offset the family budget. But even though this may not be possible, there are edibles feasible for you to grow. Creating an herb garden, chemical-free of course, is the ideal way to add zing and zest to favorite dishes and can lift them out of being ‘ordinary’ into ‘deliciously sublime.’ A vast majority of culinary herbs are per

// Shahida Kausar Farooq In today’s Pakistan, childhood is changing before our eyes. It is no longer unusual to see a child as young as 10 scrolling through TikTok, watching YouTube Shorts, or trying to create the perfect Instagram profile. What was once seen mainly as teenage entertainment has now become part of the everyday lives of much younger children. Technology has brought enormous opportunities. Children can learn from some of the best teachers around the world, ex

// Afia Salam The history of environmental development has been gradual, however, with climate change impacts accelerating towards increasing adaptation and protection of its ecosystems and environment. For a geographically diverse country like Pakistan, hosting more than 10 major and minor eco and agroecological zones, one would expect that environmental matters would take center stage. However, Geography is not the sole determinant of the priority list especially for a cou

// Dr. Farrukh A. Chishtie Pakistan stands at a defining moment in its history. While our nation has overcome countless political, economic and security challenges, another threat has steadily emerged over recent decades that transcends provincial boundaries, political affiliations and generations. Climate change has become one of the greatest threats to Pakistan's future. How do we build a lasting defense against this existential threat? It is changing the way our rivers flo

// Zahrah Nasir Summer on its way out and winter yet to come, this is the time of year when the garden takes matters into its own sensible hands and begins to feed itself, organically of course. Those of you with deciduous trees and shrubs in your gardens will know exactly what I am talking about, as those prettily colored autumn leaves dance in the breeze. Anytime now, deciduous trees and shrubs will begin to shed the leaves they have so proudly worn since early last spring.

// Mehreen Khan In Pakistan, dried pomegranate seeds, commonly known as anardana, have been used for centuries as both a culinary ingredient and a traditional household remedy. Their pleasantly sour flavour makes them a favourite addition to chutneys, curries, vegetable dishes, lentils, kebabs, fruit chaat and spice blends such as chaat masala. Beyond their distinctive taste, anardana has long been appreciated for supporting digestion and adding natural flavour without relyin

// Sultan Kiani June 30, 2026, began with tragedy as a building collapse in Lahore killed 14 children, drawing international media attention. The incident occurred when the roof of a tuition center caved in during construction work, trapping several students beneath the debris. Initial investigations revealed that the collapse was caused by negligence, as an additional floor was being illegally constructed on an aging and unstable structure without basic safety measures in pl