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.
Pak-Saudi ties
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have always enjoyed healthy ties with one another in history but in recent times, the unwavering support that the Kingdom has offered the country has been unparalleled. In the latest news, educational equipment worth Rs.3 billion has been promised to the University of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (UAJK).
This generous donation will allow for educational standards, facilities and opportunities to grow in the region – an improvement that was desperately needed. More developmental projects have been initiated through the help of our ally and now, the government must prove that it can utilise it appropriately.
The equipment is set to be used in the newly constructed King Abdullah campus of the institution. This equipment may actually be what a decent proportion of the youth needs to complete their academic qualifications or pursue career paths that would not have been possible otherwise. The Saudi Fund for Development has been a major asset for Pakistan as it has provided more than $333 million for 23 projects focused on fulfilling the country’s healthcare, education and infrastructural needs.
Just recently, the Saudi government announced that it would give scholarships to Pakistani students to study in Saudi universities. Furthermore, Saudi Arabia is also one of the countries that has promised Pakistan $4 billion to bridge the funding gap after the IMF loan. With the country’s worsening economic crisis and IMF’s strict regulatory eye, such help provides immense relief and enables the government to actually focus on work that needs to be done. Accordingly, it is the government’s moral imperative to ensure that delays, disbursement of funds, release of payments or any other inconvenience do not stand in the way.
QAZI JAMSHED SIDDIQUI
Lahore
Is learning history important?
Learning the history of the world, the history of heroes who lived in the past, the history of the people who failed and never gave up can be fun and also passion building. Because, history makes us think like leaders and legendaries who lived in the past like Ibraham Lincoln who went through worst situations before becoming the President of America, Martin Luther King Jr, whose speech holds the highest record ever, Albert Einstein without whose laws the whole science is incomplete. It simply means that the more we learn history, the more we grow and get educated.
There is no denial that when we learn the history of successful people and know how they confronted failures, we will be inspired and that is what makes try to become like them.
Learning history should be compulsory because it tells us which is the right way to success by telling about the life of successful people. like Thomas alwa Edison whose biography tells us that giving up should not be an option as well as one can also learn that failure is not a guilt but a lesson. Most importantly, in history we not only learn about past but we also learn to lead a better life.
Before concluding, I should add that history is a mystery but nobody should play with mysteries. I mean, the authorities should not give false information about history. The one who brings changes in history, should be punished.
PARVEZ MOULA BAKHSH
Malir, Karachi
Population management
The population bomb is ticking and the people are still unaware of this upcoming havoc. In 1968, Paul R. Ehrlich, a Stanford University Professor wrote a book called “The Population Bomb.” In this book, he predicted worldwide famine due to a drastic increase in population with major societal upheavals. Whether it is a developed country or a developing country, overpopulation is a matter of concern. It becomes difficult for them to provide basic human necessities and facilities due to the increase in population.
Overpopulation is a global crisis that can only be managed by the cooperation of the health sector and government. Public and private health sectors should spread awareness among the masses by introducing them to save contraception methods. Talking about birth control methods and even using them is considered taboo in South-Asian regions. In rural areas of Pakistan, people feel the honour to have more than 5 kids. Government should take this matter seriously and start promoting birth control methods through their digital platforms. Every family must be restricted to having only two kids. On an individual level, people need to be aware of this ticking bomb. The world is already facing a food shortage, water scarcity and economic crisis. It is better to take measurable steps now to secure the future of our kids.
NIMRA ANJUM
Faisalabad
Polls in Zimbabwe
I am shocked by the crafty ways displayed by the Zanu PF-led government. The Zimbabwe government seems to be smelling a bad rat, hence is now focusing on rigging elections in 2023 rather than fixing the ailing economy. They are doing so by attempting to identify every angle and implementing structures ahead of the game in the forthcoming elections next year. The problem is that our beloved country, which was once the bread basket of Africa, has been handled in a careless, blind and desperate manner.
It is evident that President Emmerson Mnangagwa government is aimlessly making controversial appointments on the Election Board with his acquaintances and (family members). One may call this practice an “equal opportunity “ but in actual fact it is not. This does not require a person with or without a degree, political or non-political to see what is happening. Appointing friends as Elections Commissioners who are affiliated with the ruling party ZANU PF government is a strategy.
Zimbabwe employment levels continue to skyrocket and one wonders why such equal opportunities may not be offered to other independent Zimbabweans or opposition parties. They are also specialists in this respective field, have the heart to serve and hence are qualified enough to help the country electoral board move forward in a fair and lawful manner. Bringing in family doesn’t guarantee the highest quality transformation that our thirsty country is in dire need of. The world should put pressure on free and fair elections otherwise an exodus of Zimbabwean migrants will continue to be scattered and increased in foreign countries such as South Africa, Botswana, Namibia and United Kingdom.
BEVERLEY MUTANDIRO
Feltham
