Sir: I am writing this letter to address to the issue of mishandling children. The core responsibility falls on the negligent parents whose acts or omissions result in the death of their children. Many feel that parents should be blamed and punished as a deterrent, while others hold the view that loosing children is punishment enough for the parents, and that they need not be put into further torment. Newspapers have been publishing reports, features and letters on the need for parents to be extra vigilant and responsible with their young. But somehow, all this must have fallen on deaf years because we still read of tragic events involving toddlers who died because of the carelessness of the adults. There have been reports of toddlers drowning in rivers, lakes, swimming pools, and even in their homes. It is common to see children playing in flood waters during the rainy season. Parents do not caution the young ones on the dangers of playing in flood waters. Some parents do while other don’t throw caution to children to ride motorcycles without a license. Even nine years old, whose feet don’t even touch the ground can be seen riding motorcycle on the street, such is the carelessness of the parents. Parents can also be seen carrying two or three children without helmet on their motorcycles. Then there are children who go missing in the playgrounds, and on their errands to the grocery shops. Young children without adult supervision are easy targets for abductors. However leaving children unattended in the vehicle tops the list of parental negligence. Recently, a 6 years old boy went missing from outside his home in Kasur’s chowk Shafi Wala area on March 24. There has been no clue of the child since. The incident was reported on the media raising the voice but still there is no recent development. More importantly, prevention is better than cure and parents should exercise greater caution over the welfare and safety of their children. Parents are responsible for the safety and security of their children. Tragedy can happen in a split second. Parents have to play their roles and be alert and responsible at all times when they have small children. Ignorance and negligence are no excuse in the court of law. We cannot have parents blaming “fate” for the death and disappearance of their children. Far too many children have been lost through the negligence of parents and caregivers. It’s about time that they are charged. SHEIKH MUHAMMAD SABIH Karachi Published in Daily Times, October 18th 2018.