Sir: The value of human life in this country is almost zero. People in every part of the country from Khyber to Karachi are dying like flies from causes as varied as terrorism in fruit bazaars to famine and malnourishment in the benighted area of Thar. The case of Thar is disturbing since not only does it represent an institutional failure where food and relief goods were not distributed despite evidence of famine, but because no substantial action has been taken even now. The situation with terrorism is beyond disturbing. It is deplorable, because dozens of people are being killed, while negotiations continue. This has introduced a basic insecurity into the lives of people, who are uncertain about the survival of this country. People kill themselves because of poverty, depression and hopelessness. People die because of rains and floods. This situation is a result of the grinding deprivation of people that has inured them to the suffering of others, and growing inequality that has made them angry. We need to invest in social infrastructure and human capital in order to curb this situation and reinvigorate the sense of the value of life in Pakistan. ASMA ALI Lahore