Articles and letters may be edited for the purposes of clarity and space.
Sasti roti
Food inflation is at an all-time high, and, therefore, any relief intended to make affordable bread more accessible has become the loudest and most pressing demand. Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz’s emphasis on reducing the rate of roti and naan in a bid to “bring more ease in the lives of people” as a gross simplification of the welfare model, no one can deny that Sharif family’s previous such schemes played a phenomenal role in cementing their support base in Punjab.
No matter what developmental economics may suggest about building on the capacity of a nation so that it stands on its two feet and feeds itself, politicians cannot resist the temptation to rise to fame. Because while reality dictates that a well-run economy creating jobs is far more effective at selling the government’s success story than half-baked ideas, which appear doomed from the very beginning, hungry bellies seldom wait for the tide to get better. Schemes of this nature have been implemented in the past, but unfortunately, they have often faced challenges and failed to deliver the outcomes.
The Punjab government asserts it’s proactively mitigating past pitfalls, prioritizing not just immediate relief but also long-term self-sufficiency. However, it’s aware of the repercussions of previous failures like the Sasti Roti scheme, which resulted in significant debt accumulation. Even after its demise, audits revealed ongoing interest payments, underscoring need for caution in future initiatives.
The added predicament of no proper monitoring mechanism in place due to knee-jerk launching and embezzlement also needs to be dealt with. Past experience offers a lot of caution and potholes to look out for but only time will tell whether this executive is determined enough to nip the proverbial buds and ensure relief to the masses. Besides other policies framing the top priority should be given to grab the “Damon” of price hike to give immediate relief to downtrodden masses.
QAZI JAMSHED SIDDIQUI
Lahore
Fight between…
Our Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has termed Bahawalnagar incident where police and army personnel came face to face following the arrest of serving army officer as ‘fight between brothers’.
We wish it had been between brothers but apparently it appears that the fight was between father and son. One institution acted like father. Who did, is for the readers to decide.
M RAFIQUE ZAKARIA
Karachi
Currency crisis
It’s really sad when your own nation no longer have trust in their own currency. How can you stabilise the economy with so many names given to the currency by these bogus RBZ Governors and their failed handlers from; Bearer Cheque, Bond Note, RTGS, Zimbabwe Dollar Local (ZWL) and ZiG.
When will people accept they are PATHOLOGICAL FAILURES. President Mnangagwa failed to resuscitate the Zimbabwean economy and end rampant corruption. He should let another person take over and govern Zimbabwe.
The President of Zimbabwe should not act as if he is blind to see the apparent extensive damage that the country is going through. His inabilities and incapacities are crystal clear which eloquently means he should be dumped into the history dustbin.
When a government uses the police to protect a currency, it means they have already lost the confidence and trust battle with the citizens. Economics doesn’t need button stick to stabilize a currency; it only needs the policy fundamentals to be right. The very act of announcing this measure of using police to protect a currency actually weakens the currency. Instead of relying on police enforcement, the government should focus on addressing the underlying economic issues to stabilize the currency.
TAPIWA MPOFU
United Kingdom
Deteriorated system
I am reaching out to you with a sense of urgency and deep concern, reflecting the worries that are shared by many individuals about the declining condition of Pakistan’s education system. The future of our country depends greatly on the quality of education that we offer to our young people. Unfortunately, the current circumstances are grave and require urgent action.
Pakistan faces several hurdles in its educational system, including insufficient funding, a lack of qualified teachers and widespread corruption. These obstacles have led to many students being deprived of a good education, contributing to a cycle of ignorance and poverty. The education sector is plagued by corruption with issues like ghost schools, absent teachers and misappropriation of funds being widespread. These practices waste valuable resources and deny deserving students their rightful opportunities.
The authorities need to recognize the seriousness of the situation and act decisively to improve our educational system. This means investing more in education, updating the curriculum, cracking down on corruption and distributing resources fairly across all regions. As responsible members of society, it is our duty to advocate for improvement for our children and future generations. We must come together and speak up, calling on decision-makers to make education a top priority for our country’s progress. It is only with united action and strong determination that we can make the necessary changes to our education system
SHAHMEER YAQOOB
Karachi
Box letter
Drainage issue
I am writing to highlight a pressing concern regarding the drainage system in our street, as a resident of Pindoriyan Islamabad. Following recent rainfall, it has become evident that water pooling has become a significant problem, causing inconvenience and potential hazards for residents. The lack of proper drainage not only creates difficulties for pedestrians but also poses a risk to drivers navigating through flooded areas. Additionally, stagnant water can lead to breeding grounds for pests and insects, posing health risks to our community. I urge local authorities to address this issue promptly by assessing and improving the drainage infrastructure in our street. It is crucial to ensure that rainwater is effectively diverted away from residential areas to prevent further inconvenience and potential damage. I hope to see swift action taken to resolve this issue and improve the living conditions for all residents.
AREENA ABBASI
Islamabad
