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.
Orange line train: Victim of politics
Orange Line is an automated rapid transit system started in Lahore. When open during this year (2020), the line will be Pakistan’s first metro. The line will span 27.1 km with 25.4 km elevated and 1.7 underground. The line will be served by 26 stations and is expected to handle 250,000 passengers daily. Though it is frequently mentioned as a part of the wider China- Pakistan Economic Corridor, the Orange line is being financed by the Government of Punjab.
The project has been subject to criticism regarding transparency, while environmental groups have been critical of the environmental sustainability of the project. Various people and organizations have raised concerns that the Lahore Metro Orange Line might be a possible threat to heritage sites in this historic city. On 19 August 2016, the Lahore High Court ordered the cessation of construction works located within 200 feet of 11 historical sites, though the injunction was eventually lifted and construction allowed to proceed.
The project is delayed due to the legal action against the Line. After 22 months construction work resumed after the judgment from Supreme Court of Pakistan going in favour of the Metro. After the election, work on metro slowed down because a Minister of Government of Punjab termed it as white elephant and showed reluctance to complete it. The 2019-2020 budget of Punjab has allocated low amount of funds for the project which will slow the pace of its development. The Orange Train Line will be beneficial for the people and the country’s economy. The public benefit should be taken above politics.
HAFSA NADEEM
Islamabad
Wildlife extinction
90 species of reptiles, mammals and birds are at the risk of extinction in Pakistan. Animals like deer, tiger, blackbucks, lion and Indian-horned rhinoceros have almost vanished from the forests of the country. According to reports, a great many animals and birds are vulnerable to extinction. These animals include Asiatic Cheetah, Markhor, Hawksbill Turtle, Kashmir Grey Langur, Hog Deer and Indus Dolphin as well as prominent birds like Houbara Bustard and Lesser Florican. It is disappointing to know that the International Union for Conservation of Nature has put 37 species of mammals at the risk of being extinct completely.
It is imperative for the authorities to take rigorous measures to save these species like measures that have been taken to preserve Markhor, our national animal. Various laws, amendments, policies and measures must be made against poaching and illegal hunting of endangered animals and birds in the country. The concerned authorities are requested to devise a proper mechanism to protect the wildlife in the country.
HAMMAD CH
Rawalpindi
Cheating in CSS exam
Deep-rooted corruption is destroying our government departments. Just imagine, no government department is clean. Recently news unearthed that FIA has arrested two Federal Public Service Commission (FPSC) officials who were selling CSS question papers before the examination.
CSS exams are currently being held in 19 cities across the country including Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi, Quetta and Peshawar. This paper-selling mafia has been operating for long. Just imagine how many incompetent CSS officers have passed this exam by spending a few thousand rupees. How do you expect honesty and competency from such officers? It is my request to the FIA to launch a thorough investigation and take action against those who were responsible for selling and buying these exams.
JUNAID KHAN BALOCH
Larkana
Lessons from air crashes
Sad news of the crash of an American military plane called Bombardier E-11A has caught the attention of the international media houses. Right now at least two airmen have been confirmed killed in the plane crash. Initially, there had been varying reports of the whole incident, some spilling the beans on the possible enemy ploy and others not even confirming the immediate casualties of the incident. And such was confusion out there that there had been no confirmatory reports of the air crash in the first place – in short, nothing concrete had been confirmed right then.
It is only after quite sometime or a few days later that Pentagon had officially confirmed the casualties caused in the crash that had taken place in Afghanistan’s Ghazni province. Brushing the ploy rumours aside apart, the cause of the crash has not yet been identified, confirmed by the Pentagon. Even in this technological world, a great deal of acumen will bring in new insights into many crises facing the world and human beings. People in many places and from various arenas like businessmen, farmers and workers have been usually handling their tough tasks and inevitable situations with their great experience and acumen quotient. The USA ought to [should] take necessary steps to pull the plug on possible loopholes in their technological advances by means of great knowledge and shrewd alertness.
P SENTHIL S DURAI
Via email
Hapless and helpless
A few days back I found an old and destitute person in a park at Riwaz Garden Lahore. It immediately struck to me that certainly this old man is a hapless and helpless person. He was forced to take shelter in the park due to severe cold weather. The residents of the area out of humanitarian spirit and sympathy contacted different government departments by telephone but Rescue 1122, Police, Social Welfare and different other organizations including Edhi explained their own departmental impediments and hurdles to help him.
They shifted responsibility of lending help to this shelterless old person on my shoulders and further stated that this old man can only be granted relief according to their departmental procedure. In this hour of trial and need PRO to Commissioner Lahore Abid Saleemi and PRO to Deputy Commissioner Imran Maqbool contacted Assistant Commissioner City Tabraiz Murree who immediately sent district administration team by taking personal interest. They shifted this old person to Data Darbar Shelter Home. He is provided with shelter and food facility over there.
I have also been given assurance by district administration that the said old man will be shifted to some welfare institution after providing him necessary treatment facility so that he can be properly looked after. I strongly believe that presence of such kind hearted and humane persons like Tabraiz Murree in government machinery is a blessing. I pray that may Allah Almighty give more humanitarian feelings to welfare organizations like shelter homes so that shelterless and helpless people can easily find refuge over there.
FARHAN ALI SHEIKH
Lahore
