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.
National Water Sports Centre
This is apropos media reports about yet another club emerging in Islamabad to be called National Sports Centre and our Navy being too eager to be involved with. There is a long coastline which needs to be defended and offers vast opportunities for development of water sports. Defence is a sacrosanct duty, which our navy needs to focus on, instead of developing sports facilities in Islamabad on the periphery of Rawal Lake.
CDA must adhere to Islamabad Master Plan and the primary purpose for its establishment. For instance, it advertised allotment through computerized balloting for general public plots in E12/4 in 1989, but even after a passage of over 30 years, thousands of unfortunate beneficiaries have departed this world, waiting for possession. Similarly, DHA Valley Islamabad invited the general public for plots through balloting in 2008 but thousands waited desperately even in 2020 after paying all instalments. There is also this controversy about the Fazaia Housing scheme and Bahria etc.
It is far more important that the relationship built on trust, confidence, love and credibility that exists between the Navy etc and people of Pakistan be strengthened, than it be eroded by such needless commercial ventures, however remote that chance may be. Edmund Burke stated in 1775 “It is the love of the people, it is their attachment to their government, from the sense of the deep stake they have in such a glorious institution, which gives you your army and your navy.”
MALIK TARIQ
Lahore
Islam and climate change
Islam is not solely and wholly a religion of some obligatory practices, but is a complete code of conduct that guides us in every aspect of life. Similarly, regarding climate change and action, Islam has already given an environmentalist framework to follow. But, unfortunately, a cultural awareness of climate change and climate action is staggeringly limited among Muslims.
With the rising threat of aforementioned global threat, Islamic environmentalism based on Islamic traditions—rather than an imported ‘white-saviour’ environmentalism based on first-world political campaigns—can address the issue. Especially, post Covid-19 lull in emissions is an opportunity to fast-track this.
Many Muslim countries like Indonesia, Bangladesh, Pakistan are immensely contributing to the problem. This is likely to cause serious issues with water availability, climate refugees and increase in the temperature in the next few decades. There is need of adopting a religious approach by Muslim world to cope up with this imminent threat on their part. To propel change in environmental policy in Muslim countries, concept of stewardship, for instance, is a powerful one. In fact, Muslims need to look no further than the Quran for guidance, where there are approximately 200 verses concerning environment and earth care.
This approach, that can reach the hearts and minds of 1.8 billion Muslims across the world, can make a humungous difference in this regard. The delicate situation of climate change demands that we, being Muslims, should become guardians of the earth once more, for the sake of our environment and for the sake of God.
ZAHID ALI ZOHRI
Nagar, Gilgit-Baltistan
Disappointing performance by Pak
A Great player is of no use if he can’t capitalize on a huge first innings lead. Pakistan Cricketers are of no use now since, they do not play cricket with heart and soul. It is quit visible from their performance that they play for their survival; no single player thinks to make the most of his potential for his country. They just pay formality whenever they get a chance to play on pitch. They do not think to stay on pitch due to dearth of temperament and patience. The strength of Pakistan was their bowling attack but they have started playing on back foot leaving their aggressive style which they were famous for.
They do not do bouncers as we’re done in the past’ they do not bat as players did in the past, ‘they do not field as fielding was done in the past. We miss players like Saeed Anwar, Waseem Akram, Waqar Younis, Inzmamul Haque, M Yousif, Shoaib Akhtar etc., who single-handedly made Pakistan win even impossible matches. In batting line we miss Misbah-ul-Haq too. He was most impressive with bat. PCB is demurely suggested to teach the players to play for their country. Exempt them from the fear of being excluded from the team. With fear, they can never give their best. Encourage players and save cricket.
HAANI MUSTAFA
Karachi
Dirty politics
My kudos to Republic TV and the other news channels for investigating the deaths of actor Sushant Singh Rajput and his manager, Disha Salian. The Mumbai police had refused to do a good job investigating these deaths. But thanks to the insistence of these channels, the CBI took up the investigation.
Now we can sit back and watch them carry it out over the next several months. No news is not good news and neither are bad economics and injustice. As a bonus, we will get to watch some dirty politics ahead of the Bihar elections.
JUBEL D’CRUZ
Mumbai, India
Karachi is drowning
The city of lights is facing a terrible situation after monsoon spell hit the city. Instead of being a relief in these canicular days, downpour has become a nightmare for Karachiites causing deaths, load shedding, collapse of infrastructure and other crises. The weather experts had warned the authorities on the prevailing monsoon spell already but unfortunately the concerned authorities were in oblivion of sleep and none of the precautionary measures were taken to avoid the devastating circumstances.
Rainwater is accumulated not only on roads and streets but has entered the residential houses of many areas ruining their furniture, goods and other belongings. The citizens, putting their life on stake are trying to clean out their houses and streets from stagnant water. The authorities should take all necessary precautions to curb the plight of urban flooding since more rainfall is predicted in the city. People should also avoid going out unnecessarily and prevent mobility keeping weather forecast in discernment.
SUMAIYA KHALID
Karachi
