Good positive decision but?
PTI’s federal government has decided to clear almost all outstanding dues of newspapers advertisements through Press Information Department during its tenure to the tune of Rs 1.4 billion to enable the newspapers managements to cope with prevailing difficult situation.
This is certainly and surely a good positive decision in the right direction and will result in improving the federal and print media somewhat strained relations. But clearance of these dues should better be subjected to production of a certificate that the newspapers concerned managements have not done any sort of downsizing at least during the last months.
While appreciating this as a good decision, this is quite pertinent to ask as to what about the long outstanding dues of the freelance journalists and columns including this scribe who have been contributing articles and mini-articles (letters to the editor) during years 2017, 2018 and 2019 with the permission of the PIO’s concerned and have not been paid despite the hard copies of their contribution being submitted regularly every month to the Principal Information Officer (PIO) of the Press Information Department.
It seems that while working out newspapers outstanding dues, the PID officials have just over-looked the contribution made by some freelance journalists/columnists who are also in dire need for payment of their outstanding dues to cope with the prevailing difficult situation like the newspapers managements. Worthy PM Imran Khan and Special Assistant to PM on Information and Broadcasting Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan are humbly requested to also look into this demand of the freelance journalists and columnists on a priority basis, despite being preoccupied with tackling of Corona pandemic, and thus help them resolve their financial problems also.
M Z RIFAT
Lahore
Relaxed lockdown
Our Holy Prophet (PBUH) has very clearly elaborated on imposing restrictions on citizens living within a city or state which faces a pandemic {like COVIT-19}, that poses threat to human lives. There is no conflict between science and religion; in fact, they both supplement each other. After all science is just a discovery of the laws of nature. Almighty Allah SWT created the universe and infinite galaxies which normally function in accordance with laws of nature.
The wheel has been invented and all countries on this planet have, as it was the practice in the past, when such pandemics struck human race, resorted to exercise strict social isolation, till such time a remedy is discovered. Those nations, whose leadership chose to exercise caution, came out lesser scythed, than those whose leaders fail to take the lead and take tough decisions. Amidst the confusion that has prevailed in Pakistan, although we were warned in time by WHO, which had advised all countries in January 2020 about the dangers imposed by this virus which mutates very fast, we unfortunately continue to be in state of utter indecisiveness.
Countries like South Korea, New Zealand etc have managed to lessen their fatalities by resorting to lock-downs and testing, while others like USA, Italy, UK, and Spain continue to face onslaught of this deadly virus. Our PM, who has a soft corner for poor, has opted to relax restrictions on lockdown. However, I fail to understand logic of the priority that this country places on Real Estate Business, which has been parking lot for corrupt black economy. Can anybody explain why real estate brokers have been allowed to open shop and how do they qualify for humane compassion reserved for poor daily wagers.
MALIK TARIQ ALI
Lahore
Reduction in interest rate
The State Bank of Pakistan has reduced interest rates by 2% three times in a month, after interest rates have dropped to 9%. Now the central bank’s reserves recorded a rise of $25 million in one week. Spokeswoman SBI said the central bank’s reserves were worth $ 10 billion 97 million, while commercial banks’ deposits exceeded $ 6 billion 32 million.
The total value of the reserves stood at $ 17 billion 29 million.Bringing down the interest rates helps ease out the tensions in the business community and will also help provide the sector with a very significant boost at a time when the economy is struggling. It is important to gain the trust of the local market in order to not only help them improve their output but also to be able to help the government devise better and market-friendly policies that reduce the impact and create opportunities for revenue collection for the government as well.
In the wake of this epidemic and lockdown situation, the reduction of rate interest is indeed good news for businessmen, manufacturers, industrialists and entrepreneurs as they are protesting all over the country. This will make them happy as the lower interest rate Can Spur Consumer Spending ¡Expansion and Growth. It is now hoped that they will be flexible in their demands and support government and defeat the Coronavirus epidemic.
NIMRA HAQUE
Karachi
Irregularities in appointments
Media reports quoting NAB reveal that a reference has been filed against former PM Shahid Khaqan for alleged irregularities or illegalities in appointments of PSO MD and DMD. It is indeed time that abuse of power by elected and paid public office holders in appointment of cronies or individuals who do not meet required laid down criteria should be curbed by giving all those responsible for such abuse of powers exemplary punishments. However this should not be a witch hunt against political adversaries.
Pakistan today faces danger of financial bankruptcy given excess foreign debts and failure by state to curb its non-development expenditure. We cannot afford to continue with business as usual. This objective can only be achieved if scrutiny occurs across the board, including all glaring irregularities made by present government.
There are numerous judgments on record by superior judiciary which have declared many such appointments illegal, such as choice of Shujaat Azeem, a dual national, with visible conflict of interest as Advisor on Aviation by former PM Mian Nawaz Sharif. Financial irregularities have driven viable state-owned enterprises like OGRA, CAA, PIA, PSO etc into white elephants. It is to check such irregularities that financial records of every state-owned enterprise must be thoroughly scrutinized by Auditor General of Pakistan.
Judgments by SCP have placed restrictions on appointments of dual nationals to head key state organizations to ensure that they do not evade accountability by seeking refuge in other countries. We all remember how Zahid Ali Akbar, wanted for alleged irregularities in WAPDA and PCB during 1987-92 evaded arrest in 2013 by Interpol, when he was caught in Bosnia by seeking refuge as British national. How can this government justify appointment of an 80 and 71year old dual nationals as chairman of PIA or MD PIA Investments given their past records?
GULL ZAMAN
Peshawar
Mania of Netflix series
We belong to a society in which most of us fail to know our own abilities because we find more solace in following others blindly. In this time of lock down, people are getting their selves involved in different kind of activities in order to gain pleasure in the spare time. Nowadays, we can notice the popularity of certain series especially Money Heist and Peaky Blinders: that are available on Netflix, which is an American media provider, founded in 1997. I am sure that most of us are already familiar with this streaming service because of its popularity on social media platforms.
Whenever I visit social media, people are sharing stuff related to these Netflix series. People, who were previously unaware of such entertainment are proudly discussing about it. They are pretending as if they have achieved something extra ordinary by watching these series. On the other hand, people who are not interested or are not well informed in these series are being presented as deprived people on whom others should be pity.
Even there are certain people, who are not well acquainted with English language or the plots of such series but they are striving hard to follow them just because of the so called peer pressure, which is quite ridiculous. I don’t understand this behaviour of my nation why we all are the blind followers? If a specific group emerges with a unique idea, all the others start imitating it without thinking of consequences. For me, it is not necessary to have a Netflix account, it’s not obligatory to follow such series if you were never interested because life is much more innovative beyond these social stereotypes and trends.
SYED TOUSEEF SABIR
Islamabad
