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.
Lahore lockdown for cricket
Recent tour by Sri Lankan Cricket team augurs well, for return of International Cricket to
Pakistan. It was on 3rd March 2009 that Sri Lankan Cricket players were attacked by gunman near
Gaddafi Stadium, because three SPs assigned to provide necessary security did not perform their
duties well. Instead of taking concrete steps to upgrade police through proper recruitment and
training, followed with periodic assessments and punish those responsible for betraying public
interest, it is shocking that they were promoted after brief suspension etc.
What is sad and criminal on part of those at helm is that no senior police officer was
proceeded for diligence, including the one who was sleeping at his home instead of performing
his duty. The damage done to Pakistan internationally by this negligence and security lapse is
far more than any similar episode. It is this decadent mindset, which is a remnant of British
Raj, where priority for police and other security agencies should be to protect citizens instead
of paid or elected public office holders.
Public interest is unfortunately, the least of priorities for those who hold power.
Although Pakistan was created to function as modern democratic welfare state, yet that is brutal
reality. A State that cannot protect Public Amenity Parks, Forest and land reserved for building
dams and other vital mega projects of national importance, from being illegally grabbed by Land
Mafia Dons and Real Estate mafia is a country on course of becoming a Banana Republic. The Laws
of Necessity have re-emerged in the form of Third Party interest which was witnessed in case of
over 30,000 acres of land illegally grabbed in Karachi and near Islamabad etc. DHA Valley
allotment victims and other real estate scams continue to suffer.
MALIK TARIQ ALI
Lahore
*****
A very disappointed T-20 series for Pakistan team in Pakistan. In the first T-20, we did not
bowl well and gave too much runs. While batting, Pakistan also failed to bat impressively
because of too much runs pressure. In the second T-20, once again not performed well in all
three departments: bowling, batting and fielding. In the third T-20, bowled well to some extent
and when we came for batting, once again Pakistan batting failed to chase the target of 148
runs. Why Misbah selected Umer Akmal and Ahmad Shahzad in Pakistan T-20 sqaud. There was no need
to add these two players. Poor T-20 series for Pakistan cricket team in Pakistan.
Sri Lanka a young team and not much experienced but they whitewashed Pakistan team in
T-20 series. Congratulations to Sri Lankan team which played very well and beat the most
experienced team. Head Coach and Chief Selector Misbah should pick experienced players and work
for the betterment of Pakistan cricket team. In this T-20 series, poor selection of team except
some players who are most experienced and played well to some extent. So, Misbah should take
tough decisions for Pakistan cricket in future to re-build the team for excellent performance.
ABDUL WADOOD
Lahore
Down again
Pakistan cricket team, after rubbing its nose in the dust of disgrace in the first T-20 match,
was down again in the 2nd T-20. Facing more humiliation at the hands of Sri Lanka’s B team,
Novice batsmen bashed seasoned bowlers as if these were minnows. Panic prevailed in our team and
result was obvious.
Poor performance can only bring defeat. You cannot pluck apples from an acacia tree. A
complete restructuring of our cricket setup in the country is immediately required or we should
be ready for same results in future from our incumbent team.
IFTIKHAR MIRZA
Islamabad
Child abuse
It is heartbreaking and shameful to mention that children under the age of 5-12 are being
sexually abused in our country almost on a daily basis. According to NGO “Sahil”, there were
3,832 reported cases of child abuse in Pakistan in 2018 (but, unfortunately, the actual number
is much higher than this).
So as we call ourselves Muslims and the followers of Islam and the Last Prophet (PBUH),
then are we following the words, sentences or instructions of them? Had they suggested us to be
involved in such heinous acts? Not at all! However, we must remember that by praying fives times
a day and embracing Islam means not that you are a Muslim. Real Muslims are those who spend
their lives according to the Islamic principles and junctions.
Ultimately, I suggest all of my beloved Pakistanis to bring unity, equality, cohesion,
peace, humanity, sincerity, prosperity among Muslims and other Pakistani citizens instead of
being indulged in those horrendous practices which are the terrible agonizing acts of brutality
with children.
ABDUL WAHEED
Kech
Occasion of Dussehra
Enjoy the victory of good over the evil. May you have a fun – filled and bliss Dussehra. A time
for celebration, a time for victory of good over bad, a time when world see the example of power
of good. Let us continue the same “true” spirit “.
Dussehra is a 10-day and 9 nights – all my Hindu community celebrating this festival is
very long time. It marks the victory of goodness over evil power such as victory of Rama over
Ravana and the victory of Durga over Mahisasura. It sends a message that in a battle of right
and wrong, righteousness always triumphs victorious. The festival of Dussehra is mostly
celebrated outside the houses, in community places, in the form of fairs ranging from small to
large.
The main attraction of the fair is large effigy of Ravana, which is dramatically burned
down to ashes by a member of the public depicting Lord Rama. Dussehra is also called
Vijadashami, which is a combination of two words, Vijaya meaning ‘victory’ and ‘Dashami’ meaning
‘tenth’ – Hence, Dussehra is celebrated on the tenth day with great enthusiasm and fervour.
SIKANDAR SAJJAD
Karachi
Heinous crime
In recent years, there has been a sharp increase in cases of kidnapping of children, mostly of
those between four and fifteen years, and their sexual abuse. According to reports, there were
3,445 cases reported in 2017; the number having risen to 3,832 in 2018. The year 2019 seems to
be rather deadly during the first six months of the current year (January to June) at least
1,034 cases were reported, whereas many other such incidents go without record.
The trend continues as every day there is news of child abduction, sexual abuse and in
some cases murder, across the country mainly in Karachi and Punjab. Child abduction for sexual
exploitation is a heinous crime and of great concern to the society, but seemingly, the
government remains casual and insensitive to the situation as the overall law-enforcement
efforts to curb such crimes remain severely inadequate. Around five million primary school-age
children are out of school today and it is natural that they could fall prey to criminals. It is
duty of the government to protect them from being exploited in such a ruthless manner.
MUHAMMAD HAIDER
Karachi
Paddy crop
Due to increasing demand of agri-food business, Paddy (rice) is one of the largest contributors
to Pakistan exports not only chipping in Pakistan’s foreign reserves, but it also helps farmers
meet their necessities. It is harvested in the northern bank of Sindh mainly from Dado to
Kashmore.
Every year millions of tons of rice are produced, the production has been much better
due to hybrid seeds for the last few years, but in this year hybrid seeds failed to sustain in
high temperature in the maturity stage which experienced on Sept 3 and 12. The losses may vary
from 70 to 80% maybe 90% in some areas, which is not less than billions.
It is the responsibility of the Sindh government to find out the actual cause of this
issue and strictly deal with seed producers like Guard, the agricultural company which has a
competitive advantage of Heat Tolerant than other seed producers which is mentioned in the main
website of Guard Rice Seeds.
KHUDA DAD
Kashmore
Lack of psychiatrists in Pakistan
Reportedly, there are about 33 million to 50 people in Pakistan suffering from mental illnesses
and disorders. There are only 402 psychiatrists in the country and the government’s spending on
mental health was 0.5pc of the disgracefully low health budget.
Out of the number of professionals who had graduated in 2008, only 0.00.2 psychiatrists,
0.07 psychiatrists, 0.008 nurses, 0.005 social workers in the country. It is the responsibility
of the Pakistan Medical & Dental Council and HEC to unriddle the acute paucity of qualified and
trained psychiatrists, psychologists, psycho therapists and counsellors through incentives,
while Bar Councils have to initiate regular mental health legislation workshops for lawyers and
jurists.
JULAL IBRAHIM
Kech
