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.
Physical fact
As many as 57 independent Muslim states in today’s world are rich in natural resources, tapped or untapped, but their respective populations in quite noticeable bulk are wandering for bread/loaves in European countries/US states.
The host countries afford them unbridled economic development opportunities to the Muslim bread seekers, avenues to reach elected houses in each host country are also available to the bread hunters of the Muslim states where they enjoy prideful top executive and planners jobs, manage big businesses, own larger properties, are political, social, economic and tech scientists in each host country.
But back home face abased economic woes, illiteracy, disease, joblessness, social and political prejudices and all that is connected with these syndromes. In European states, US elitism is at the service of the commoners, but this ease is quite deficit in these 57 Muslim states quarrelling against one another since uncounted past.
HAMEED SHAHEEN
Rawalpindi
Funds for general polls
Ever since the change of the federal government in April this year through a no-trust motion, PML-N led largest coalition government replaced PTI-led coalition government, the former ruling party is protesting and calling for holding early election in the country and letting the people decide who should rule Pakistan and take decisions in the greater national interest internally.
The incumbent government, Prime Minister, the largest-ever federal cabinet ministers, advisors and special assistants to the prime minister day in and day out are addressing press conferences and issuing statements that the general election will only be held when scheduled and not earlier than that on demand and pressure of any one.
General election was last held in July 2018 and as such is scheduled to be held in July/August 2023 on completion of five-year stipulated constitutional tenure and the government side is saying and pressing every now and then and rebutting the demands and protests of the former ruling party. When the federal budget was announced on 10 June 2022 for financial year 2022-23, a number of documents were published and released as traditionally required. These documents also included one document “Budget in Brief”. On its canning, one finds on its page 20 under the head of “Grants and Subsidies” allocation of somewhat hefty amount of Rs 5000 million allocation for General Election.
This is in addition to Rs 500 million allocated to the Election Commission of Pakistan for holding of Local Government Election. Contrary to budgetary requirements, abbreviation of “ECP (LG polls) has been used.
If the government is persistently insisting on general election to be held only when scheduled then any budgetary allocation could easily be made in the budgetary documents when the federal budget for financial year 2023-24 is announced in May/June 2023. Fate of allocation of Rs 5000 million for general election in the federal budget for ongoing financial year is not comprehensible.
Will the worthy Finance Minister, who only a couple of months back returned home from abroad after five-year self-exile to assume the control of the wavering down sliding national economy and put it on the right path of moving upward, would look into the matter, please ?
M Z RIFAT
Lahore
Growing water scarcity
Water scarcity in Quetta city is increasing with a steep rise. Quetta is an arid region with insufficient water resources to fulfil the needs of its inhabitants. Water scarcity is caused due to mismanagement of irrigation, an excessive number of tube wells, a lack of dams, and government incompetence.
According to an Express Tribune report “Quetta district faces a shortage of 25m gallons of water which gives birth to powerful and thriving tanker mafia”. Quetta Water and Sanitation Authority (QWSA) in its report says that the city demands 50 million gallons of water daily.
The lack of government planning related to sanitation facilities creates an alarming situation for residents. Strategic Foresight for Asia in its report maintains that the population of Quetta is nearly 12 million. Recent floods, terrorism accidents and earthquakes compel large scale of people in rural areas to migrate to Quetta city resulting in the acceleration of further population.
Despite the above-mentioned factors, other tangible points ought to be analysed rationally. Due to illegal construction of housing societies on the drainage system, open spaces are disappearing. And concrete has taken their place which stops water in this condition it will cause wastewater without proper use resulting in water scarcity.
Ostensibly, water security is one of the burning issues in the whole province. Balochistan has enough water resources but lacks organized management, planning and awareness to save water. It is incumbent upon us to start awareness campaigns about the preservation of water to save the city from increasing water scarcity.
ROSHAN KHAN BARRECH
Quetta
Importance
of sports
Sports are very essential for every human being. It keeps us fit, fine and healthy. It also has great importance in every stage of our life. It also improves our personality and gives us a glowing and smooth skin. Sports keep all the organs in our body alert and our heart becomes stronger. Sports has always given priority from old ages and nowadays it has become more fascinating. Due to the physical activity, blood pressure also remains normal and blood vessels remain clean. Sugar level also reduces and cholesterol level comes down.
Different people have different interests in sports but the action is the same in all of them. Just like a diet of healthy nutrients is needed for nourishing our body, playing sports holds a great significance in enhancing our lives, especially for growing children. As a student, one has to face many challenges, and playing sports helps them cope with the exam pressure and prepare them for further challenges by providing them with physical and mental strength.
Children who are indulged in physical activities sustain good values of mutual respect and cooperation. Playing sports teaches them skills such as accountability, leadership, and learning to work with a sense of responsibility and confidence.
In today’s era of excessive competition and changing environment, people barely care about their health and have to face its consequences in the later stages of their life. They easily become prey to many life-threatening health issues. Those who are indulged in regular physical activities can easily defend themselves from such diseases. Therefore, playing sports can resolve this concern.
JUBEL D’CRUZ
Mumbai
