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.
Talking to the hand
American media houses have reported that President Donald Trump has cancelled the proposed meeting with Taliban leaders. This move is unfortunate from various angles. According to the media, the talk invitation to the Taliban to American soil has been unprecedented so far. This is quite interesting and mind-blowing especially in the context of September 11 attacks that had held me spellbound as a college student in 2001.
Any effort to resolve prolonged issues should be welcomed by all. Burying the difference of opinion, the USA and the Taliban should try to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Of course, American efforts and Trump’s attempt to solve the problems deserve attention and appreciation.
P SENTHIL S DURAI
Mumbai
O’ OIC’s leadership!
The OIC (Organization of Islamic Cooperation) was established with the aim of using this platform for collective voice, strength, interest of the Muslim world. However, it has proved dysfunctional over the years for known reasons. The OIC has failed to do anything worthwhile to end persecution of Muslims (especially) in Kashmir and Palestine.
This Scribe is writing on the subject since 2005 – OIC: panacea for Muslim (***) Pakistan Observer. And, now, suggests (finally) for convening an extraordinary summit of OIC and issue final notice to fascist Modi to end its oppression and announce date for plebiscite or, face en-bloc severing of diplomatic relations till freedom of Kashmiri. This is best solution to avoid atomic war. Mere issuing of statements does not/will not bring any solution. There should be a united stance and posture of Muslim countries – union is strength. Otherwise (note it) today, Pakistan is calling/suggesting tomorrow, others will do so ‘O’ OIC’s leadership!!
M AZAM MINHAS
Tatrinote, AK.
Truth about GIDC controversy?
I fail to understand logic of arguments put forth by Minister of Oil and Gas, flanked by another Minister and Advisors who were trying to convince citizens of Pakistan that over Rs 416 Billion allegedly collected by fertilizer companies, IPP, LPG, KESC(KE) and other GENCOs cannot be retrieved from these companies. Irrespective of whether Gas Infrastructure Development Cess levied was irregular or regular, and the Courts have once declared this surcharge as being imposed without following legal requirements, the fact remains that this surcharge was collected by these super rich individuals and powerful groups. If it was illegally levied by the Government in 2011 and the courts declared it as such, yet these companies continued to collect this GIDC from citizens of Pakistan.
How can the legal wizards employed by the State fail to notice this illegality and gross financial irregularity committed by these companies when they collected over Rs 416 Billion. If GIDC was, or is once again declared irregular, then this cannot in any way be interpreted that illegally collected money may remain with these companies. Nobody other than National Exchequer can be trusted with custody of this money. The State can utilize this amount to subsidize farmers, consumers of electricity etc.
Whose interests do these few concerned Federal Ministers, Advisors and law department including the chief law officer of Pakistan serve?. I am shocked at logic advanced by these men who it seems have ill advised PM Imran Khan, thereby casting doubts about him in minds of those who voted for him in the hope of justice for all and accountability across board and not repeat of what has been occurring in this {unfortunate} country.
MALIK TARIQ ALI
Lahore
Boris suspends Parliament
Boris Johnson who suspended Parliament after defeat of votes for Brexit deal has a sense of undemocratic practice just like late Mugabe and President Emerson Mnangagwa of Zimbabwe who manipulated votes to get what they wanted. Boris Johnson also threatened parliamentarians with deselections for voting against his plan just like President Mnangagwa who sacked or demoted Ministers who had different views.
I hope and trust that Boris Johnson will not go to the extreme of making decisions that will wreck the economy of Great Britain and make Britain weaker and powerless in the world stage just like what President Mnangagwa is doing to make Zimbabweans suffer more than Mugabe’s era such as having no electricity for 19 hours per day.
TAPIWA MUSKWE
London
Battery thieves
I like to draw the attention of authorities concerned over stealing of vehicle batteries in sector-8, north Karachi where it has become a norm that after every one or two days vehicle batteries are stolen from vehicles which are parked in the streets and residents have become worried over such routine stealing and concerned over how to protect their vehicle batteries.
It is pertinent to mention here that there is katchi abadi adjacent to sector-8 which is occupied by those who are not the real owners of the occupied houses and in that katchi abadi some scrap purchasers and sellers purchase stolen batteries from thieves. On a number of occasions residents have caught thieves red handed and handed them over to police while some were brutally beaten up by residents but could not get relief from such battery thieves.
Concerned authorities are requested to please direct concerned SHO to crack down against such thieves and scrap purchasers and sellers who buy stolen batteries from thieves and beef up patrolling in sector-8 so that residents may get some relief. It is noted that batteries are stolen in between 8 am to 12 noon when men are left for their office or business.
FAISAL ANSAR
Karachi
Karachi ranks 6th!
The first capital city of Islamic republic of Pakistan was Karachi. Unfortunately, the recent Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU), a research and analysis division of the Economist Group, report pointed out that Karachi is the world 6th least live-able city. However, Vienna, the capital of Austria, has been judged as the world most live-able city. Each year, the EIU judge the world greatest live-able cities on a range of factors, such as living standard, crime, transport infrastructure, education access, healthcare and political and as well economic stability.
We come to know that Karachi lacks all of above which is why it is ranked the 6th most little live-able city. Now our government needs to give huge concentration to mainly Karachi since if someone know Pakistan’s name then as well they know Karachi’s name. But Karachi with this rank may never make a difference.
Waqar Moosa
Kech
