Articles and letters may be edited for the purposes of clarity and space. They are published in good faith with a view to enlightening all the stakeholders. However, the contents of these writings may not necessarily match the views of the newspaper.
Happy Independence
14 August Happy Independence Day to all Pakistanis. 14 August was the day when we got freedom from Hindus and Britishers and made a separate Islamic country Pakistan where all Muslims would spend their lives according to the teachings of Islam. Independence is a great gift for a nation.
Today, all Pakistani men, women and children are celebrating their 73rd Independence Day with great spirit but they do not know the real meaning of independence. They are unaware of sacrifices and hardships of their forefathers they faced during struggle of getting independence. They just know that Quaid-i-Azam gave us freedom and made Pakistan. They did not know how many people and leaders were with Quaid in that struggle. How our women played role in independence.
Press and journalists faced hardships and problems but all these factors are very fade and far from us. As we are now living in an independent country we should know all the history and sacrifices during independence struggle and we should take part in country’s progress and do our work with honesty whether we are students, teachers, officers, politicians or labours. May Allah Almighty protect our beloved country Pakistan from evil eyes and our Pakistan do progress day-by-day.
AMINA ZAFAR SATTI
Chhaint, Kotli Sattain
COVID-19 is not over yet
The curernt COVID-19 pandemic disease, also known as the coronavirus disease 2019, is an infectious respiratory disease that has infected more than 282 thousands in Pakistan and 19 million people worldwide. It has also caused more than six thousand deaths in Pakistan and 712 thousand worldwide. This virus currently has no medical treatment and vaccines are still under trial stage.
It has been noted that the virus has been affecting young adults to elderly people more, however, the cases of young children are no less. The virus has already shown its first wave and is expected to show its second wave in winter this year. The virus tends to affect different people in different ways and has multiple symptoms, many mild symptoms such as fever, headaches, dry cough and fatigue and some serious symptoms like loss or shortness of breath, chest pain, loss of movement, or speech. People showing mild symptoms are advised to isolate themselves at home for a 14-day period, whereas the ones who are showing critical symptoms are to be taken to the hospital to receive medical help.
The WHO has issued SOPs, in order to prevent the further spread of the virus, which includes keeping a meter distance at least from others, washing hands often, use of hand sanitizer, face masks and gloves and avoid touching face with unclean hands. The governments have tried to reduce the fear that has spread throughout the world however panic still increases among people.
SYED MULAZIM HUSSAIN
DI Khan
Tourism
It is insane that President Emmerson Mnangagwa was trying to promote the growth of Zimbabwe tourism when he opened Victoria Falls five star hotel Mbano Manor Hotel on the 6th of August 2020. No sane tourist will visit Zimbabwe where there are escalating human rights abuses, unavailability of cash and foreign currency, lawlessness and deeply corrupt government. Zimbabwe is not a safe country now. The roads are full of potholes, there is no electricity, there are no reliable internet facilities and the police are too corrupt.
Transport logistics is limited, extremely poverty is visible everywhere and political tension is high. How on earth can tourism grow in such a country that completely put off every potential tourist? President Emmerson Mnangagwa failed to improve infrastructure to attract tourists. The problem to tourism growth is now the state of the country particularly gross corruption, arbitrary arrest of activists and opposition members and gross human rights abuses. President Mnangagwa has lost international credibility and he continues to ruin the country. His resignation will immediately boast tourism growth.
KUDZAI CHIKOWORE
London
Reopen the public libraries
Although, we have availed ourselves of online learning classes owing to the pandemic, numerous countries have reopened educational institutions after a fall in the number of COVID19 cases. If there is one thing online education has taught us, it is that physical and face to face environment is the best method to acquire or impart education. Since educational institutions in country are also likely to reopen soon, 15 Sept to all public Libraries should also be allowed to reopen.
I make a request that public libraries be reopened under strict SOPs. The libraries are used by professional college and university students to prepare for tests and competitive exams. Students have been unable to do so because the libraries have been closed for more than four months.
SIKANDAR SAJJAD MANGI
Larkana
Say no to dowry
Dowry system is a tradition that does not belong to a single country; it prevails throughout the world. We are living in the 21st century but still many social evils do exist in our society; (excessive) dowry is one of them. We can’t imagine a marriage without dowry in parts of the world. Dowry is also a cause of endorsing greed and conflicts in the society. Majority of people are involved in dowry system whether they are educated or illiterate. However, most are against this system. The dowry system can put great financial burden on the bride’s family.
After marriage, if their hunger for money has not finished, they keep on bargaining for more dowry from the girl’s family. If the bride’s father is not able to pay on time, the groom’s family then threatens the girl by either having her beaten or by saying that she would be divorced. Girls’ parents struggle a lot to bring them up, they educate them, buy jewellery, collect money for their marriage and without looking at anything they stretch out their hands to take dowry. Last but not the least- make yourself worthy enough that you don’t need to pay anyone to marry you. Never let your parents stress over your marriage.
SYEDA FATIMA TAQI
Karachi
