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.
Opening transport
With easing lockdown measures in the place, the PTI led government in Punjab and KPK has in principle decided to open the public transport in their respective provinces. From the very beginning, Prime Minister Imran Khan has opposed the option of lockdown and preferred economic activity, as he earlier opened markets, shops and construction industry but unfortunately people flagrantly violated all SOPs.
Experiment of following SOPs in markets and shops has proved so far as a big failure and great negligence and ignorance by the public at whole and now by opening most unregulated transport sector will likely make the already aggravated situation worse. Opening various sectors may be a compulsion for govt but it should make sure 100% that SOPs are implemented effectively.
AAMIR KHAN WAGAN
Larkana, Sindh
Ludo Star addiction
Ludo star has slowly become requirement of teen. The addiction of ludo star among youth has created a lot of tension among their parents. Constant use of this application become a pain for people instead of enjoyment.
People waste their time and internet in playing this useless game. It seems to be a time-waster. Ludo star has become a dating point as well. Boys and girls not only play with each other but also flirt with each other and they start getting married using this game application. Ludo star has become marriage bureau. Boys openly flirt with girls during game. This online ludo star has snatched the charm of real ludo. The time people put in playing this meaningless game when invested in any new skill or knowledge can prove to be a lot more beneficial to them in future. Instead of playing this game they should play other healthy sports and should focus on their life and prioritise their studies and career.
TUBA SHEIKH
Islamabad
Toshakhana scam
NAB has summoned former PMs Nawaz Sharif and Yousaf Raza Gilani and former President Asif Zardaro in reference concerning luxury vehicles and gifts from Toshakhana. These irregularities started when rules were changed and heads of state and other dignitaries were given option to retain gifts after paying 15-percent of officially assessed reduced price.
Toshakhana is a Persian word for secured treasury where valuables are stored. When Nizam of Hyderabad presented an expensive bejewelled canopy to Ranjeet Singh it was deposited to Harimandar Saheb where it remained safely till it was damaged on June 1984 during Operation Blue Star. Gifts exchanged from foreign heads of state as per regulation are deposited with Toshakhanas. These gifts are paid from national exchequer of country.
President Asif Zardari within first year took one-third of all expensive gifts which include 2 BMWs and 2 Toyota Jeeps from Col Qadafi for which he paid 15% as retention fee. All four former presidents Zia, Farooq Leghari, Musharraf, Asif Zardari took expensive gifts after paying nominal retention fee. Ayub, who apart from controversial gifting of Ghandhara Motors in 1963 following 1962 Sino India war, returned all 30 gifts to Toshakhana and so did Balakh Sher Mazari. PM Shaukat Aziz took 1126 expensive gifts with him on his last flight from Islamabad to London in January 2008, which included necklaces, jewellery boxes, diamonds, gold, watches, carpets, branded handbags etc. Musharraf took 255 gifts out of 260 that were officially declared in Toshakhana and deposited only 5 in Toshakhana, taking rest for a paltry Rs5.1 Million. Gen Zia registered 210 gifts in Toshakhana and retained 22 after paying only Rs1.6 Million. GIK received 89 gifts and retained 88 after paying Rs67,335 only while BB got 630 gifts but retained only 75 after paying Rs1.4 Million. Wasim Sajad, Rafiq Tarar were no exception and neither was Shujaat or Zafarullah Jamali.
MALIK TARIQ ALI
Lahore
COVID-19 infused discipline
COVID-19 is changing lifestyle of many people pragmatically across the globe. Economically sound countries are now facing history’s biggest recession ever and as the world get rid of this pandemic disease the new world would likely to emerge. It would not be wrong to say that COVID-19 infused discipline and obedience at least in the lives of Pakistani nation with some impunity like people are now patiently wait for their turn in queues for which they are queued. Staff and officers in offices mind their own businesses and avoid poking their nose in the matters of others as social distance has abstained them to do so. People are taking great hygiene care and avoid wandering around outdoors unnecessarily. Any precautionary and preventative instructions are communicated through any source are adopted by people which is a great degree of obedience.
Relatives and friends are not visiting their houses to meet them without prior intimation and approval. Taking extra ordinary care not to sneeze and couch over anyone’s mouth as well as people are not spitting everywhere especially at public places. What our academic education and religious teachings could not bind and infuse discipline and obedience in lives COVID-19 has done it efficiently and effectively.
The best part of COVID-19 is that shops are being closed at 5 pm that forced shop owners to open shops early in the morning. Government should capitalise on this opportunity to regulate such legislation that all shops, markets and offices are to be closed before sun set across the country after lock down period and even after when pandemic is over except few businesses like petrol pump, hospitals and medical stores.
FAISAL ANSAR
Karachi
Degree verification
IT is to bring into higher authorities notice that there are innumerable counterfeit degree holders who work in government institutions and there is no pre-existing criterion to filter them out. That’s why we are facing the curse of politicised public institutions where job providing institutions are influenced by political entities giving up meritorious culture. In response, they become their puppets to serve their personal interest.
Since recruitment policy in the past, 2008-2012, has remained really questionable and there is long tally of petitions before courts where plaintiff mostly alleges candidates recommended for job either having fake academic degree or meritorious values were being violated during evaluation process. It is regretful to feel that highly qualified persons are struggling for the government job, but unfortunately they are primarily preoccupied by the political nears and dears. Therefore, I request higher authorities to order for degree verification of government servants indiscriminately across the board. However, it is the verdict of Supreme Court of Pakistan to subject every govt servant to academic degree verification process yet govt did not strictly follow it.
ABDUL JABBAR SOOMRO
Sukkur, Sindh
