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.
Conduct unbecoming of a civil judge
Reports about a 10-year old poor girl, serving as a housemaid of a civil judge in Islamabad, being allegedly beaten and subjected to severe torture, over a period of time, by his wife are shocking. The least that was expected of the concerned civil judge was to act responsibly, as a custodian of law, instead of the role he has adopted.
In the first instance there was complete denial, followed by reports of offering money to settle the matter with a poor unfortunate family. The issue here is of the mindset within our lower judiciary which seems to have a tolerance for such acts of savagery which no religion or state should allow.
Mere enactment of laws by legislature is not the remedy. Instances of rape, sexual molestation, child abuse and brutality are on the rise, because of lack of implementation of laws and the decadent mindset of those within the state institutions appointed as custodians of law.
The State must conduct a thorough screening of all those recruited by the state to serve in the lower judiciary, law enforcement, civil bureaucracy etc., who have this convoluted and sick mindset that accepts these offences casually. DNA tests and other scientifically-based evidences, which have been established, must be accepted for prosecution and conviction.
It is in the civil courts, where lower judiciary, allows evidence to be recorded and accepted, which decides the fate of millions of poor and underprivileged sections of this society. The manner in which IHC acted with responsibility, when a former PM publicly threatened a female civil judge, requires the concerned HC to act judiciously in this instance of public interest.
The least that should be done is to suspend the concerned civil judge, followed by a departmental enquiry for in-house enforcement of discipline, apart from the criminal proceedings which should go on simultaneously as per law.
MALIK TARIQ ALI
Lahore
Who is a terrorist?
Though, once again desecration of the Holy Quran by burning was done in Sweden by the same ‘satanman’ yet, OIC’s response was not perfect. The first, International Day to Combat Islamophobia was observed by the UN on March 15, 2023, even then not acted accordingly. On the other side a Muslim-man got permission for lighting Torah; Zaboor (religious books). Though, he arranged a platform for acting on accordingly yet not, did so. He kissed the Quran and said: our Holy Book doesn’t permit this act of desecration/terrorism. Islamophobia is prejudice and discriminatory attitude against Muslims which include/s – media trial of Muslims and their religion; Mosques; burning of Holy Quran; travel bans; women dress and what not. The Organization for Defending Victims of Violence (ODVV) in its report on anti-Muslim Hatred and Discrimination to her 46th session of HRC clearly stated that “Islamophobia is an exaggerated act of fear, hatred and hostility toward Islam. The western world is considered as the architect of Islamophobia. They consider Islam as the most popular and fastest growing religion in European and American continents, so they are continuing their unholy acts without break.
Following the West, India is taking lead in this unholy campaign against Muslims and Islam. The blasphemous remarks against the Holy Prophet (PBUH) by top leaders of ruling BJP-pigs in India and earlier strategies of ridiculing Muslims through Communal Riots; Citizenship Amendment Act-2019; Ghar Wapsi Programme and forceful conversion into Hinduism are going on. These are clear-cut indications as to how these campaigns are reshaping to marginalize and exploit the 220m Muslim population of India. So, the question arises even then, Muslims are terrorists.
The gist of Islamophobia spread against Muslims was/is due to (equal to zero rebut from OIC). Leadership of Ummah have almost changed their lifestyle like non-Muslims de facto. Majority is living in between Muslim-and-non-Muslim-characters. So, they have no care for concentrating upon who is a terrorist?
M AZAM MINHAS
Tatrinote, AK
Vanishing forests
Forests play a pivotal role in the environment. Forests decrease carbon dioxide and generate oxygen. Forests are opportunities that provide food, wood, medicine, fuel and many more. But unfortunately, deforestation is at an alarming level. It is said a country should have at least 25pc of land forests but globally only 30pc of land is covered with forests.
Moreover, 13 billion hectares of land are being deforested every year. Pakistan covers only 5.4pc of forests. Finally, people must grow more trees instead of deforestation.
ASMA NASIR
Turbat
Box letter
World Hepatitis Day
World Hepatitis Day, observed on July 28, aims to raise global awareness of hepatitis, a group of infectious diseases known as Hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E and encourage prevention, diagnosis and treatment. Hepatitis affects millions of people worldwide, causing acute and chronic disease and killing close to 1.34 million people every year. Hepatitis causes liver diseases and can also kill a person. In some countries of the world, hepatitis B is a commonest cause of cirrhosis and may also causes liver cancer. The viruses are transmitted through different routes Hepatitis A and E through contaminated food and water; Hepatitis B – through unsafe blood and other bodily fluids and Hepatitis C – mostly through infectious blood. The objective of dedicating a day for Hepatitis Awareness is to provide an opportunity to focus on strengthening prevention, screening and control of viral hepatitis and the diseases that it causes.
JUBEL D’CRUZ
Mumbai, India
