// Dr. Farrukh A. Chishtie Plastic waste does not disappear when it breaks into pieces too small to see. It can remain in the environment as particles that move through water, soil and air. These microplastics have become a growing concern because of their widespread presence and the questions surrounding repeated human exposure. For Pakistan, the issue connects waste management, water quality, food production and occupational health. The appropriate response to microplastics

// 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

// 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

// Aleem Chaudhary On the night of January 17, 2026, the skyline of Karachi was stained by a column of black smoke so dense it blotted out the lights of the M.A. Jinnah Road corridor. Gul Plaza, a sprawling commercial fortress that had stood for decades as a nodal point of Pakistan’s wholesale trade, was burning. What began as a flicker in a shop selling artificial flowers metastasized into a catastrophe that has permanently scarred the city’s consciousness. By the time the c

// Dr. Mahjabeen Farooqui Across Pakistan and South Asia, the desire for rapid weight loss has led to a growing reliance on over-the-counter weight loss supplements, herbal mixtures, imported slimming pills, and social-media-promoted “fat burners.” What are the hidden dangers and how can we find safe ways to reduce fat? Fat loss products are often marketed as natural, safe, and effortless alternatives to exercise and dietary change. However, from a public health perspective,

// Sultan Kiani / Dr. Farrukh A. Chishtie A new form of addiction is on the rise, namely internet addiction. Here’s some tips to...