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.
Punishment for wrongdoing
Imran Khan’s arrogance has played a major role in mishaps that have befallen him. The break up with the establishment came after the former PM withheld the transfer of ISI chief. The no-confidence motion that led to his government’s fall was the outcome of his refusal for nearly four years to have working relations with the opposition. After losing power, Imran Khan used public meetings to accuse the army leadership for becoming neutral.
His youthful followers went steps ahead with his chief of staff inciting those in uniform to disobey orders from their superiors. Imran Khan now faces trial on charges of criminal contempt because the hubris-ridden leader was unwilling to apologise unconditionally for his remarks threatening a woman judge. Reluctant to concede that he can ever be wrong, Imran Khan accuses opposition parties of trying to create a rift between the PTI on the one hand and the army and judiciary on the other.
Despite his arrogance Imran Khan is the chairman of PTI which rules Punjab, KP, AJK and Gilgit-Baltistan. Imran Khan demands a system of justice where the weak and powerful are treated equally. One still expects the PTI leader to accept whatever judgment is passed by the court, utilising the legal course of appeal in case of an unfavourable judgment without politicizing the issue.
Several politicians have been debarred in the past from holding public office as punishment in contempt cases and have borne the punishment patiently. In Greek tragedies arrogance invariably leads to nemesis, the retribution or punishment for wrongdoing.
It should instead act as a chastening experience leading to the realisation of dangers posed to society by arrogance on the part of political leaders. it is recalled that no one was above the law in “Riyasat-e-Madina” which was claimed by Imran Khan to be established.
MUNAWAR SIDDIQUI
Lahore
Character
and morality
Pakistan, at 75, has touched its maturity level, but moral standards and character decay day in, and day out. Natural calamities and treatment against marginalized people have always exposed us, and belittled our reputation and reverence, too, wreaked an utter ignominy. The subject of “character building and morale standing” is the prerequisite for taking any other course like political stability, economic sustainability, speedy justice, institutional good governance, improvement of infrastructure, upholding fair and transparent elections, assurance of meritocracy, etc. The pillar of any perceptible optimistic change is based on the aforesaid subject, worth of it must not be undermined at any cost.
In this context, the famous adage says “When wealth is lost, nothing is lost. When health is lost much is lost. But when a character is lost everything is lost.” Without an iota of doubt, we have lost everything on every stage despite having plenty of natural resources, a young labor force, strategic location, intellectual minds, and whatnot. Nothing is more menacing to the national interest than the damage to character and morale durability, greater than any external hazard. Peril lies within the boundaries of the country, even fighting and defending against attacks from neighbours on borderlines would emerge as futile attempts to ensure effectual rehabilitation of the apparatus, and liveable surroundings.
As a matter of fact, the role of schools, universities and madaris (seminaries) is paramount and perennial for the character construction of the nation through compatible steps to curb the immoral tendency of the youth from the grassroots level and impart a sense of spiritual, social, and constitutional accountability among them. As a result, we as a nation may find our true pathways and explore the undiscovered beauty of outgrowth to the zenith of our potency by sticking to morality and values. I hope, you will provide precious space in your invaluable and esteemed newspaper for cascading my perspective to the readers of this reputable newspaper. Thanks a billion!
ABDUL NAJEEB MEMON
Larkana
Regulate prices
There seems to be a dengue emergency on the horizon as cases are increasing rapidly across the country. The situation in Karachi however has been particularly severe as there have been around 3,300 cases of dengue in Karachi this year; of these 1,066 have been reported in September alone.
As has been witnessed several times in the past, opportunists are always around the corner to exploit such situations as reports of testing prices being jacked up significantly by hospitals and laboratories. The management of diseases such as malaria and dengue requires repeated tests which imposes a heavy financial burden on poor patients.
As per reports, rates for the dengue NS1 antigen were ranging from Rs 1,460 to Rs 3,000, around Rs 550 for a platelet count test, and Rs 1,300 for the ICT Malaria test. These prices are more than double what is usually charged and it is absolutely criminal how the vulnerable are exploited in a time of need and desperation.
This is a result of poor regulatory and market controls on part of the concerned authorities as a result of which producers and wholesalers find it easy to increase their margins at the expense of the common man. We frequently witness the prices of essential medicines shooting up until the authorities are woken up from their slumber.
It is high time that the government should adopt a more proactive approach and work on regulating prices otherwise this will continue to be a regular occurrence in future.
QAZI JAMSHED SIDDIQUI
Lahore
