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.
Food crisis
Pakistani and American officials agree that the recent war in Ukraine, flood devastation in Pakistan, rising inflation, devaluation of the rupee and related issues could lead to a very real food crisis in Pakistan and that there is a need to try and save people from the ravages that such a crisis could cause. There are already indications of a growing food crisis in flood-hit parts of Pakistan. The Ukraine war has worsened the situation, given that Pakistan brings in wheat, fertilizer and other material necessary for agricultural growth from that country, something that is not possible now. Pakistan-US relations have been based primarily around the issue of terrorism and geopolitical factors.
Now there may be a new kind of relationship on the table which would see more cooperation between the two countries in areas such as agricultural development, flood relief and finding ways to assist people who have been affected by such devastation. Food security has become a catchword in the development sector, but this is what has been undermined throughout the world. The UN and other agencies created to combat conflict are failing. Almost 60 % of chronically undernourished people are located in countries affected by conflict.
While the UN continues to call on global leaders to wake up and respond, there are a few that are doing anything significant. In countries like Pakistan, as the level of poverty surges, the size of the food-insecure population also goes up. Even those who can buy food to sustain themselves face malnutrition and lack of wholesome meals. The government must take a couple of steps to alleviate the situation. As one of the countries predicted to suffer the most due to climate change, Pakistan should be operating on an emergency footing. This should include helping small farmers who cannot even try to battle climate change effects without the aid of the state.
QAZI JAMSHED SIDDIQUI
Lahore
Yoga
Yoga is very safe, easy and healthy way to get fit whole life without any problems. It just needs regular practice in right way of body movements and breathing. It regularizes the connection between three components of our body such as body, mind and soul.
It regularizes the functioning of the all body organs and prevents the body and mind to get disturbed because of some bad situations and unhealthy lifestyle. It helps in maintaining the health, knowledge and inner peace. By providing a good health it fulfils our physical needs, through knowledge it fulfils our psychological needs and through inner peace it fulfils the spiritual need thus it helps in maintaining the harmony among all.
Regular practice of the yoga in the morning provides outer and inner relief by keeping away from the countless ailments at the physical and mental level. Practicing postures or asanas strengthens the body and mind as well as creates the feeling of well being.
It sharpens the human mind, improves intelligence and help in high level of concentration by steadying the emotions and feelings. The feeling of wellbeing creates helping nature within us and thus enhances the social well being. Improved concentration level helps in meditating and provides calming effect and inner peace to the mind. Yoga is like a practical philosophy which develops self-discipline and self awareness within us through regular practice.
HASAAN ZAFAR
Karachi
Holy Quran’s desecration
I strongly condemn the desecration of the Holy Quran. Such events do not bode well for the survival of humanity and world peace. The international community has to play a joint role to prevent such incidents. If seen, the desecration of the Holy Quran is the result of the collective indifference of the Islamic world.
There is a need for Islamic countries to raise their voices at the global level by adopting a coordinated strategy in this regard. Desecration of the Holy Quran is a very heinous and intolerable act that cannot be allowed at all. Hurting religious sentiments is a clear violation of international human rights laws.
AHSAN UL HAQ SHAIKH
Chunian
Underage driving
Underage driving, nowadays, is one of the major causes of accidents. Young teenagers lose their lives because of this lethal pastime activity. Rich parents submit to the wishes of their children without giving a thought to what might happen.
If not lose their lives, they often injure themselves so severely that in many cases they are not able to walk or move freely, their whole life. However, parents and government are responsible to allow them. I request all parents to not give their children a bike underage.
HAMMAL NASEER
Balnigwar
Critical situation
Pakistan is going through a very critical situation owing to IMF strict conditions and as a result, the Government is imposing heavy taxes and increasing prices of fuel which ultimately puts extra burden on common people financially. The question is that for how long will the Government keep increasing fuel prices and the amount of taxes on general people?
It has become very difficult for common man to run the affairs of life such as bearing the expenses of meal, school fee, transportation of their school going kids and affording fuel charges for their vehicles. While those people who are living in rented houses, they have to bear an additional expense of giving rent and a threat that in case of not giving rent, they would be thrown out of the house.
Crown of all issues, in near future, no such viable solution is evincing which is the biggest issue and, in such a situation, incumbent Government should step down and pave way for others to take the rein of the country and it could only be hoped that the new government might have some different policy to take the country out of quagmire of all these issues. May God bless our homeland.
FAISAL ANSAR
Karachi
