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.
Shifting to solar energy
The government’s announcement of cutting energy consumption costs and clamping down on power theft is a move in the right direction, but just how effective this strategy will be is still questionable. The policy can be effective to come out from crisis levels to the managed shortfall in supply. But this national drive to increase sources of energy at the time did not account for sustainable sources. Turning on so many oil and import-based fuels contributed to the current situation.
Transitioning away from fuel-based energy production, especially since such a large part of the grid relies on imported sources of combustion, will certainly not be easy. Shifting offices and buildings to solar power is a start, but not only does this require investment at the outset to make the shift, but training will be required for staff that maintains this infrastructure. Solar panels need to be regularly cleaned and managed properly to be reliable which means that the strategy of shifting to solar and then forgetting about it will not work.
It is hoped that the government accounts for this, otherwise the investment into solar will yield benefits for a short period, and then require even further investment to repair damages and wear and tear, setting us back even further. A move toward sustainable energy production is the only way we are safeguarding our supply, reducing import costs and making our grid more climate resilient, all through one policy. But it will require a carefully considered plan, with long-term structures in place to make it work. It is hoped that the government is looking at the problem from this perspective and not through the myopic lens of merely working through its remaining tenure.
MUNAWAR SIDDIQUI
Lahore
Unfilled expectations
After a couple of decades, the Taliban came into power by sending America back into the pavilion. Needless to say, everyone was celebrating the Taliban’s victory without knowing the consequences of it. Only a few percent of Pakistanis were not happy to help the Taliban against America but if we help them then Pakistan must be our top priority which was ignored by the erstwhile government and ex-DG ISI who overtly visited Afghanistan and gave a message to the world that we are with the Taliban.
The situation is not the same as we were expecting, civilians and soldiers are being killed on different borders such as at Chaman last week. We just think about a goal without following a system to reach it. Outlawed TTP is being fueled across border, we are not approaching a real issue and getting help from America because only they can help us to counter TTP and other terrorist groups attacking Pakistan.
SHAHZEB ABBASI
Naushahro Feroze
Kashmiris demand justice
Kashmir cause was compromised by Imran Khan during his meeting with President Trump in his meeting during UN General Assembly session in 2019. Why the PDM government has not initiated legal action at appropriate international forum since coming into power in May 2022.
5th August 2019 act of the Indian parliament abrogating the autonomous status of Indian Occupied Kashmir to legalize their unlawful occupation for last 74 years but this can be questioned as it triggers the applicability of number of international rules & laws, this unlawful act in a bid to fool the world to establish India’s relationship with IOK has been transitioned into fully settled Indian Union Territory. Indian action is serious violation of Jus-Cogen (customary principles) and norms of International Law.
Fresh move by India and Israel to allow Israel to develop agricultural farms in Occupied Kashmir is not only alarming but proves their design of settler-colonialist agenda promoted by Israel through Modi government in the Kashmir region. The people of Kashmir have not forgotten the plebiscite promise of the United Nation after obtaining consent from India & Pakistan in 1949. Efforts should be made to seek legal remedy to pressurize both India & Pakistan to honour their founding fathers’ commitment to hold Plebiscite and grant their inherent right to exercise right of self-determination.
ALI ASHRAF KHAN
Karachi
Climate catastrophe
Climate catastrophe is ‘accelerated temperature rise,’ ‘dramatic’ global climate change, ‘irreversible’ climate change consequences, and ‘large-scale singularities.’ Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) does include the catastrophes in their Fourth Assessment Report (AR4. A migrant is someone who is relocating away from the shore due to flooding. A migrant is someone who needs to relocate because his home was destroyed in a forest fire. A migrant is a previous resident who has been forced to relocate to the city due to the drought. People are forced to leave their houses due to climate change, which they do reluctantly.
International law defines and protects refugees. Refugees are persons who have fled their home country due to persecution, conflict, violence, or other situations that have gravely disrupted public order and, as a consequence, require “international protection.” In contrast, the term “migrant” is not defined by international law and is occasionally used differently by various parties. Typically, the term “migrant” has been used to describe persons who migrate for personal reasons rather than to flee violence or persecution, generally across an international border.
It entails reuniting with family or other causes. People may also relocate to avoid substantial suffering caused by natural catastrophes, starvation, or extreme poverty. Those who flee their nations for these reasons are not considered refugees under international law. In simple words, refugees are recognized under international law whilst migrants are not defined under International Covenant on Refugees.
EMAN MUDASSAR TARAR
Sargodha
