Historic deal
29th February is a historic day as years long conflict in Afghanistan that took thousands of lives has ended. The truce between Taliban and US has seen the day light. Pakistan was fulcrum of all efforts to put both parties to negotiations culminating into deal that binds both parties to refrain from clashes. Afghanistan has been receiving bullets and gunpowder. Peace remained a word unknown to majority of citizens.
Pakistan faced worst terrorism during this period and lost millions of lives & billions of rupees during war on terror. It is to be seen that how both parties follow the conditions of truce. Afghans have a character of not bowing to any superpower. However, after truce, the daunting tone of US may disrupt the peace process. It would be in the fitness of things, if both parties show self-control and patience to reach a viable plan of US forces exit and complete independence of Afghanistan.
IFTIKHAR MIRZA
Islamabad
US-Taliban peace deal
It seems that Pakistanis are beating drums on what is being hailed as a peace accord between US and Taliban in Afghanistan. On the face it looks and sounds great that finally after almost two decades there is a glimmer of hope for Afghan people yet let there be no mistake that such agreements have been signed in the past by great powers but no agreement has brought lasting peace in Afghanistan. Some analysts are hailing Taliban as “New Taliban” with different mindset and ready to embrace the changed realities of life in 2020.
The interesting thing to note is that agreement or accord is signed by US and Taliban, where are other stake holders? Afghanistan is a complex country comprised of many ethnic and cultural groups from North to South. All neighbouring states have their favourites in Afghanistan who not only back them in short term but try to manipulate political realities in country. Divisions inside Afghanistan are of irreconcilable nature. Some groups including Taliban are faith motivated force where as some other groups are culture motivated, both sides have been at daggers drawn with each other.
If Faith is taken as an independent variable, the same variable failed to bring peace after Islamabad accord back in 1992 after which all warring parties were taken to the Holy Places to take pledge to hold peace. That process was much more inclusive than this one. Afghanistan at the moment is an Islamic Republic which means any faith-based force should reconcile with the present government but we all know that this has not happened. The strain of faith Taliban believe is different from the understanding of present Afghan establishment. The only plausible reason behind this agreement is Trump’s election.
MALIK ATIF MAJOKA
Melbourne, Australia
Killing of Muslims
In India, everyday we see hundreds of Muslims being killed by the BJP goons and the Modi government does nothing to stop these atrocities from taking place. India is not a safe country to live in. It is no longer secular.
JUBEL D’CRUZ
Mumbai, India
Girl power
Apropos to your news headline “Pakistani industrial designer among 6 winners of Lexus Design Award”, published on 23 February. Aqsa Ajmal from the National University of Science and Technology (NUST) won the Lexus Design Award in Italy earlier this year.
She has earned the honour of being the first Pakistani to achieve the milestone with a novel project “PURSEWIT” a washing machine which is accurate for the visually-impaired people. Reportedly, in the awards, a total of 6 entries were shortlisted by the end from the record-setting 2042 from 79 countries.
Concluding, she said that “her aim is to create a functional prototype for the design week and attract individuals or companies which would provide the necessary resources in making this is a plausible phenomenon which is easily accessible in the market.
SAMEER UMRANI
Malir Karachi
Spread love, ignore terrorism
The damage done by the terrorists should serve as an eye-opener for India to tackle the menace effectively. It seems India is now one of the most dangerous countries to live in. It has not been able to draw up an effective national security policy and many of the suggestions made after each terror strike have not been implemented. We do have all instruments in place, but unfortunately we have no political maturity which is required to put these instruments to use. Indian criminal laws also need to be brought up to date and justice needs to deliver within a specific time frame.
Intelligence agencies must be restructured and properly equipped, and police vigilance intensified to ensure efficient exchange of information as well as better monitoring of the terrorists’ movements. It is our duty to be together and fight against the curse then only we can emancipate humanity from the nexus of terror and crime. The whole world must be united to fight against this menace against humanity.
Time has come that all public gathering places all over the world must have high security frisking and banning entry of fire arms and ammunition with special attention to in-house staff. Global powers should come under one umbrella united to thwart the terrorist network and remove their presence once for all from the face of this planet. Let us Spread Love , Ignore Terrorism. Let our political leaders realise the seriousness of the peril and think of a permanent solution.
VINOD C DIXIT
Ahmedabad
While Delhi was mourning
The so-called February 24 North East Delhi violence is very unfortunate to the core. This is the first time I am writing on the controversial Indian Citizenship Amendment Act [CAA] to various English newspapers from countries outside India like Pakistan, Nepal. Initially, I had been largely hesitant to write to foreign English newspapers especially from Asian region on this Act as it should not send wrong signals across the region. But the unfortunate Delhi violence that has not only caused damage to public property but also inflicted heavy human casualties has now forced me to write this serious letter.
True/agreed, there had been heavy protests against CAA across the whole of India in the first place. Yet again, such protests had been seen spilling over many parts of India, creating panic among the people. However, the way the protests have started turning has been disturbing and this unruly manner has raised many questions over communal harmony, togetherness and bond of love in the region. In fact, almost all the international media houses like CNN, BBC had started flashing news of Delhi violence across the world. Clips of mourning after the human casualties have been really hard to digest, reminding me of recent sad demise of my father in my native district of Tuticorin in Tamil Nadu.
In fact, people from all walks like Hindus, Muslims, Christians have been coexisting in my parts of the country. The Indian authorities from powers that be to the police should be careful of future turn of events relating to the controversial law, taking all kind of precautionary measures in the best interest of all in Asian region.
P SENTHIL S DURAI
Mumbai, India
