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Kulbhushan Jadhav case
The verdict by International Court of Justice (ICJ) is an endorsement of Pakistan’s stance on dreadful activities of notorious spy. As Pakistan is celebrating victory it is time to contemplate the weaknesses that should have been removed in the beginning of the case. Ad-hoc judge Tassaduq Hussain Jillani’s dissenting note that the Vienna Convention was not applicable to spies is an emblem of justice. The note reads “The makers of the convention would not have imagined that it would be applied to spies someday. India is taking undue advantage of its rights”
It must serve as an eye-opener for India and it must stop patronizing terrorism through its uniform forces on one hand and crying foul for Pakistan. It must look in the mirror and not through the glass. Its State terrorism has gained unprecedented heights in Indian-occupied Kashmir. International media must unmask the ugly face of Indian terrorism. At last some cool breeze has touched Pakistan after heavy and pinching blow of Reko Diq penalty. It would be a piece of solace for those who lost their near and dear ones in bomb blasts and other heinous acts of sabotage.
IFTIKHAR MIRZA
Islamabad
The ICJ verdict
The 17 July verdict of the ICJ involving Indian agent Kulbhushan Jadhav‘s case is a landmark victory for Pakistan and her legal team as the Court verdict knocked out all remedies sought by India: the annulment of the military court decision convicting commander Jadhav, restricting Pakistan from executing the sentence, securing Jadhav’s release and order his return to India. Simultaneously, asking Pakistan to grant consular access to Kulbhushan Jadhav, in addition, reviewing the case under the Pakistan’s legal system, with means and ways also decided by Pakistan herself.
The Jadhav’s case has also served another cause of Pakistan, showing the international community, the evil acts of Indian-sponsored espionage, terrorism, destabilization and destruction in Balochistan particularly and in general whole Pakistan. So far so good, Pakistan has wisely acted as a responsible nation in the ICJ should continue so by welcoming the decision of the Court, giving the consular access to Jadhav and initiating and concluding the retrial of the Jadhav case with the rule of the land.
AAMIR KHAN WAGAN
Larkana
Students’ suicide
Nowadays suicide among the Pakistani students is on the alarming rise. Four students committed suicide within the last few days in Chitral (KP) just after the announcement of the intermediate (higher secondary school) results. According to the reports all four students were not being able to achieve the grades, they or their parents were expecting. Therefore, that’s why students committed suicide. One student named Fareed Ahmed killed himself after getting 81 percent marks with which he was not satisfied. This tragic trend is not just alarming but raises serious questions about the state of mental health of our teenagers.
The suicidal tendencies among students in Asian countries like Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong, have been reported extensively and are well documented, governments in these countries have started taking this issue of student suicides and help students to cope with stress and other factors that cause suicidal tendencies. We need to let our children be independent and allow them the room to set their own goals and pursue their own dreams. We will have to save them from suicidal thoughts.
MUNEEB UR REHMAN
Karachi
Sad state
of affairs
Since the past couple of months, we all have been witnessing great hue and cry on the matter of drug prices. It has been emanating from both the consumers and the drug manufacturers. However, what needs to be realized is the fact that generalized regulations on the prices of medicines will limit and perhaps even remove drug manufacturers. In a country where foreign investment is imperative for its growth, it looks like government has failed to create an environment favourable for doing business.
As a sad state of affairs, the strict control on prices of drugs have reached a point where a number of pharmaceutical firms have halted the production of life saving drugs. This has also resulted in distress for patients, as those suffering from fatal diseases now have to import these medicines at global market prices, which cost up to Rs. 500,000 per month.
Unfortunately, most of the manufacturing and production facilities in Pakistan are underused and have become non-competitive in relation to the industry benchmark followed in the region due to unjustified regulations. Being on the verge of total collapse, the pharmaceutical industry needs government support more than ever.
KIRAN FAROOQ
Karachi
Open your minds, eyes and ears
With the continued blessings of Almighty Allah, Pakistan is gradually going up, its importance in the region as well as in the comity of nations and more and more world leaders are duly appreciating Islamabad’s positive and constructive role in peace efforts in war-torn Afghanistan and contribution in the UN peace keeping effort. All this and much more is happening every day in all fairness and appreciation due to determined and concerted efforts of PM Imran Khan, FM Shah Mahmood Qureshi and their colleagues all are working to present positive, peace-loving and moderate image of Pakistan and its people before the world at large.
Pakistani leaders are visiting different friendly countries and foreign leaders are coming to Islamabad quite frequently. These visits are making commendable contributions towards improving bilateral relations and boosting Islamabad’s efforts for ensuring peaceful co-existence with all countries particularly the immediate neighbours. PM Imran Khan and his economic team managers continue telling the people that the country is passing through difficult economic crisis, apprising them about difficult and unpleasant decisions being taken by the peoples elected government and urging them to brace these difficulties and cooperate and things are slowly but steadily improving.
They all are committed and determined to give a corruption-free, progressive and developed Pakistan to our future generations. But the opposition parties and their leaders somehow are keeping their minds, eyes and ears closed and shut bluntly refusing to see what good, howsoever little it may be, is happening in the motherland. They are requested to open their minds, eyes and ears.
M Z RIFAT
Lahore
Weird ICC rules
England has won the World Cup for the first time by defeating New Zealand in a nail biter competition. It was really a treat to watch such a wonderful game of cricket, which really shows commitment on the part of both teams that fought till last ball and well deserved to be in the final.
Again it is weird ICC rules that have deprived New Zealand from winning the Cup. Taking nothing from England which has remained outstanding throughout the World Cup and played really well in the final and deserve to win the cup but it would have been much better if they had won the game by defeating New Zealand by some runs of wickets instead of tied the match. ICC should seriously think over to change rules and make such rules which help teams playing well should win the game.
FAISAL ANSAR
Karachi
Non-communicable diseases
Non-communicable diseases (NCDs), also known as chronic diseases, are not passed from person to person and in most cases are of long duration with a prolonged course and usually have slow progression. Around the world, NCDs kill approximately 38 million people annually and three-fourths of this alarming figure is based in the low and middle-income countries.
There are five main types of non-communicable diseases; cardiovascular diseases including heart attacks and strokes, cancers, chronic respiratory diseases, diabetes and hypertension. Research has shown that such diseases are caused by the age factor, fast and unplanned urbanization and the global acceptance of unhealthy lifestyles and life patterns. According to a research by the WHO, 52.1% males and 53% of females die of NCDs in Pakistan under the age of 70.
Pakistan, in general, is not really equipped or ready to deal with the NCDs that have dangerously hit the people. Currently, the Sindh Government is responsible for structuring the policies for such diseases tailored to local needs of a province. NCDs are increasing at a drastic rate in Pakistan and it is time for decisions, keeping the future trends in perspective, especially in health, to make the nation aware of the dangers and enable society to steer away from such diseases by making reforms in their lifestyles.
NUZAIR A VIRANI
Karachi
