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.
Ramazan package
Utility Stores Corporation has launched its Ramazan Package at all utility stores of Pakistan where 10 to 15 % concession is being given on over 19 essential commodities out of subsidies granted by government especially on sugar, ghee, tea, wheat, flour, etc.
Practically what is happening an hour before the utility stores open, a huge line of people — men and women — is formed without following Corona Virus SOPs and without maintaining social distance to get items at concessional rates and in the bargain may end up risking their lives.
More rush is seen on the sugar counter where people stand neck to neck only to get two kg sugar is also required to get his thumb or finger marked with indelible ink as done during voting.
This procedure entails considerable delay where woman have to wait for hours to get two kg of sugar.
People visiting USC are forced to buy other items before they are allowed to purchase items subsidised by the government.
This is ridiculous in matter and substance, since there is no check on the people as anyone having patience to line up can avail the facility thus denying the usefulness of the scheme to deserving poor people.
It would have been more appropriate to send loaded vehicles in the areas with essential commodities they lived for availing this concessional package, still three weeks are left government may consider to change its modus operandi for the benefit of poor deserving people
MUKHTAR AHMED BUTT
Karachi
23 March national awards
National awards are generally given to citizens of Pakistan who have rendered services to the nation beyond the call of duty, or were involved in socio-economic activities for the benefit of citizens, or some daring act of bravery to save the life of others etc.
One such person was a schoolboy Aitzaz Hassan Bangash, who gave his life on 6 June 2014, to save 2,000 students in Hangu, from a terrorist attack.
It is only in exceptional cases that foreigners, including dual nationals, living abroad have been given these awards for services rendered to Pakistan.
One such person was Javed Anwar, a Pakistan-origin American millionaire, based in Texas, who was one of the leading contributors for the fund being raised for re-election of former President Trump.
Javed openly campaigned against President Biden and was a vocal supporter of President Trump despite his involvement in Islamophobia and anti-Muslim campaign.
In a recent program on NBC, George Bush openly named Javed Anwar as front-runner campaigner for former President Trump.
I am surprised why our Foreign Office and our Ambassador in Washington did not bring this to the notice of competent quarters.
Giving this award to Javed Anwar is quite likely to irritate those within President Biden’s inner quarters.
What was so exceptional a service rendered to Pakistan by Javed Anwar, that he qualified for the highest civil national award? Such oversights are likely to be exploited by Indian Diaspora and their lobby to create doubts in President Biden’s camp. This would definitely not benefit our national interests.
National award nominees must be scrutinised carefully, especially when they are given to foreign citizens, actively involved in American politics, and campaigning for a party, not in power and actively involved in Islamophobia.
MALIK TARIQ ALI
Lahore
Biased CM
The CM of Maharashtra, Uddhav Thackeray has once again ruined our Easter festival by not allowing us to have Mass in church.
He did not even allow us to have Mass in our churches on Christmas, New Year and Good Friday too. If he cannot tackle Corona virus situation in the state, he should resign.
We have all lost our jobs and money because of the lockdown. The Corona virus situation in the country and the world over is not going to end. It is here to stay forever just like AIDs and tuberculosis.
The entire Christian community of Mumbai has decided not to vote for him in the next elections. And we mean it because we have suffered a lot (and are still suffering) during the lockdown.
JUBEL D’CRUZ
Mumbai, India
Adversities of third Gender
There are about 3,00,000 trans-genders living in Pakistan and about almost 90pc are those who are not recognised by their actual parents.
In 2016, Alisha, a 23-year-old transgender activist was shot seven times and rushed to the Lady Reading Hospital in Peshawar, where she died due to delayed treatment, reportedly because staff couldn’t decide whether to place her in a male or female ward. It’s a shame and a slap on our society’s face.
During recent years, our government worked for their rights including the issuance of National Identity Cards, voting rights and even jobs in the Government but the real question is our society in a stage of accepting them? No they are not. They should be given all equal rights that are given to two genders.
Due to all these issues they go to prostitution and most often become beggar. It’s a time that our country should change as the world is changing.
ABU BAKAR AWAN
Islamabad
