Sir: About 40 percent of our population is living below the poverty line and around 5.6 percent of the total population is unemployed. According to the official figures, Pakistan has an estimated two percent population growth rate, which means an increase of 3.2 million every year. The massive growing population is just adding to the problems. There is no denying that Pakistan has a fast developing economy, which is making its middle class grow swiftly, but this is creating a larger need for energy and opportunities that our rulers are failing to provide. Rising oil prices in the international market are causing almost every item of necessity to double in price and, sometimes, triple every year. Overpopulation, unemployment and inflation are proving to be major obstacles on our way to progress. These problems should be discussed as a priority. UMER BIN AJMAL Karachi