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.
Seriously sick PO speaks
Seriously sick supreme leader of his own faction of Muslim League and former prime minister Mian Nawaz Sharif, who has since been declared as proclaimed offender and arrest warrants also issued by the superior courts of Pakistan for not appearing before them in cases despite being summoned on the plea that he is seriously sick and under treatment in London for the last more than eight months has spoken on Sunday breaking his long so-called silence. What he said during his over an hour long address while addressing PPP-hosted All Parties Conference in Islamabad live through video link is not be dilated upon here as like millions of others this scribe had switched off TV set.
By appearance, the PO appeared quite hale and healthy and was not speaking from any hospital but from his London residence as he has not been undergoing treatment in any hospital there. How can a PO indulge in political activities and not finding himself fit to travel from London to Lahore and appear before the superior courts hearing cases against him?
It is for the superior courts of Pakistan as well as PEMRA to take suo moto notice of the bitter fact whether a PO whose arrest warrants have been issued can indulge in political activities, address a gathering of opposition parties leaders live from London and whether TV channels should have broadcast his address live at all and not committed contempt of court by projecting a PO in this manner on their screens
M Z RIFAT
Lahore
Education and COVID-19
The decision of reopening of the educational institutions has been made in the last meeting of NCOC held on September 07, 2020 to resume all educational activities in three phases from 15 September. The decision though was welcomed by the all provincial governments but now it has raised questions again when the cases of COVID-19 increased in the country. In Punjab, only in three days, more than thirty students got affected by the pandemic creating panic among other students across the country.
More than seven hundred and fifty cases reported in Pakistan and almost two hundred among them were from Sindh. Sindh government by having the more cases decided not to reopen the classes of 6th to 8th from 23rd September. The decision was delayed for a week to further monitor the situation. While the Federal Minister for Education, Shafqat Mehmood, in a tweet said, classes of 6th to 8th will be reopened from the already announced schedule and there is no change in it so far. Moreover, we will have meeting in NCOC on 22nd September to decide whether to follow the scheduled plan or not, he added.
Federal and Sindh governments, regarding the second phase, are on different pages. Sindh government decided not to open the classes of 6th to 8th from 23rd September whereas federal government is strict on the same decision so far. Now only time will tell whose decision is going to be implemented officially? But, so far, many questions have raised in the minds of everyone: if the cases are increasing then why did government decide to open restaurants, markets and marriage halls?
Do people follow proper SOPs in all these sectors? Cases didn’t increase when all these sectors re-opened. But they start jumping up when educational activities resumed. How? There can be two things, first, are SOPs being followed in restaurants, markets and marriage halls properly? This is to monitor first if there is proper system of checks and balance. Second, it is also to check in different schools and colleges whether they are following proper SOPs or not?
SHAHZAD PANHWAR
Sukkur
Hanging has no remedy
Prime minister Imran Khan must not be convinced by the shouts of public. After the motorway gang rape last week ,he called for publicly hanging the ones who sexually abuse women and children. I believe if our police and justice system had interest in doing justice ,then such rapist would have thought hundred times before destroying lives of innocent females.
Although such punishment is not globally acceptable, and it can affect Pakistan its GSP-Plus trade status. Moreover, the suspect had been involved in a rape case in 2013, but was released due to compromisation between two parties. In my concern, the systematic revolution can be a better solution rather than hanging.
HAMMAL NAEEM
Turbat, Kech
Role of television
Television is considered to be the most effective means of communication. Many people spend hours staying in front of the TV. Commercial ads in televisions really make a lot of difference in today’s society. Companies use billions of dollars each day just for advertising products and services. It is expensive but is truly an effective way of reaching out to the people. Compared to other advertising mediums, TV is known to be the most effective option to convince people to purchase some products and services.
We can even watch movies on the TV. It is necessary to get some short of relaxation. Watching TV gives people an opportunity to laugh with comedy shows. TV is also known to be the best medium for music development and marketing. It is true that the radio can let us hear the artists’ music but it is a lot different when you see them together with their music. We can also get the benefit of watching political, financial news, weather forecasts, and others.
It brings us closer to some other cultures. It offers unending entertainment and important information about life. It remains to be a great medium of information that affects the people’s lives. The effect of television on youth has both advantages and disadvantages. It is all how we take it. Today, there are many channels dedicated for education and general knowledge, but many a people consider television as an entertainment media.
We can’t say that it is not spoiling the life of people. But by watching television, especially children and youngsters start identifying with what is shown on TV. They crave for fame and riches; they yearn for living the life of their favourite TV characters. This may lead to a high amount of dissatisfaction in the masses.
MARYAM AFTAB
Karachi
