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.
New social system needed
The social system of this country suffers from drawbacks, as all of the country’s opportunities have been restricted to just 1% of its population, that solely include the prerogative class. Capitalist enmity targets centre of the country, government, to abide by demands. Upper elite class occupy ministerial positions to evade taxes, if, they are incarcerated to pay, it is very low to crucify their deeds. Poor are getting poorer and the rich are getting richer.
The natural apocalypse devastated 2/3rd of the country and yet Pakistan isn’t capable of tackling any unprecedented tribulation. Responsible authorities and institutions should recuperate helpless masses that deserve better treatment.
SAJID ALI NAICH
Khairpur Nathan Shah, Sindh
Counterfeit medicines
Counterfeit medicines are a serious problem in Pakistan that can have harmful effects on human health. These fake drugs are often made with inferior ingredients and may not contain active ingredient needed to treat a particular condition. This can lead to ineffective treatment and can even worsen a person’s condition.
Counterfeit medicines also pose a significant financial burden on individuals and families, as they may spend money on fake drugs that do not work. In addition, these fake drugs can also damage reputation of pharmaceutical industry in Pakistan, making it harder for legitimate companies to do business. The government and relevant authorities should take urgent steps to combat the sale and distribution of counterfeit medicines in Pakistan. This can include strengthening regulations, increasing inspections and increasing penalties for those found guilty of selling fake drugs. The public can also play a role in preventing the spread of counterfeit medicines by only purchasing drugs from reputable sources and reporting any suspected fake drugs to the authorities. It is need of the hour that we all come together to fight this problem to protect health and well being of the citizens of Pakistan.
IFRAH AMEER
Via email
APC replaces NGF
Nishestand, Guftand and Barkhwastand, means Sat-together, discussed then dispersed in present day democracies. All Parties Conference (APC) has replaced NGF. To eyewash attention from burning issues confronting the nation APC has become a futile exercise and waste of national time and resources.
When AJK Muslim Conference of Sardar Abdul Qayum engineered a AJK Supreme Court judgment to annex then Northern Areas with AJK, an APC was held in Islamabad under auspices of Muslim Conference of Sardar Qayum, who was convener of this meeting where central leaders of MRD were also invited to get endorsement on this court order, Air Marshal Asghar Khan, Nawabzada Nasrullah Khan and Malik Mohammad Qasim and I being central information secretary of PML (Chattha) attended. APC was also attended by public representatives from Gilgit Baltistan and Azad Kashmir,
Molvi Saleem from Baltistan opposed this agenda of Sardar Qayum, Nawabzada Nasarullah gave his point of view, then Malik Qasim asked me being a refugee from Kargil/Laddakh to present true historical perspective and views on this issue as a native of that area, then Air Marshal Asghar Khan who was well versed with history of this region and establishment of Dogra Raj and creation of hundreds of princely states to strengthen British Raj in India fully supported my point of view that GB has administratively and directly never remained under J&K.
This move of Muslim Conference failed after that.
Successive parties installed in office continue to lose writ of political and administrative authority and today we are facing threats to our national unity, solidarity and cohesion, APC called by PM Shahbaz Sharif was bound to fail due to the manner in which it was convened.
Time has come for soul searching to chalk-out a complete road map for bailing out 95% people from the clutches of 5% so-called power brokers who have broken the back of the nation.
Seriousness is required without political expediency and musical chairs for power and pelf. We can survive without the IMF or donor’s umbrella if a benevolent leader comes to lead the nation by hand till their feet are sure and they know their way. Allah bless Pakistan and humanity.
ALI ASHRAF KHAN
Karachi
Environment
I am writing to express my concern about state of environment. The country is facing significant degradation due to a variety of factors, including deforestation, pollution, and overuse of natural resources. Deforestation is a major problem in Pakistan, as country’s forests are being cleared for agriculture, urbanisation, and production of wood products.
This has resulted in loss of biodiversity and habitat for many species, as well as increased carbon emissions and reduced ability to store water.
Pollution is also a major issue in Pakistan, as industries and transportation contribute to air and water pollution, while also damaging human health and environment. The overuse of natural resources such as water, minerals, and fossil fuels is also contributing to environmental degradation in Pakistan. This has led to loss of biodiversity, soil degradation and increased greenhouse gas emissions.
It is imperative that government and citizens of Pakistan take action to address these issues. This can be achieved through measures such as reforestation, pollution control, and sustainable resource management.
Additionally, it is important to raise awareness among the public about the importance of preserving the environment. I urge the government and citizens of Pakistan to take immediate action to address these issues and protect the country’s environment for future generations.
IFRAH AMEER
Islamabad
Drug addiction
I’m a citizen as well as student. In my student life I saw that students face a lots of problem. In our local community people have lots of issue in daily life. People as well as students wants to get rid of this. Our generations wants shortcut to meet the expense of life. When their shortcuts fail they go under stress. Students are bullied. They are also depressed. They all want mental peace. So they go for drugs to attain comfort. In this report, I will shed light on the issue of drugs addiction.
It is no doubt that drug addiction affects all aspects of life. In villages and modern cities, among rich and poor, employed and unemployed and as well students, it is found that use of drugs is common .It is the most common practice among boys and girls in all educational institutes. The drugs are supplied through drug mafias, which are linked with smugglers.
More than 100 areas of Lahore are hubs of drug addiction. The range of drug addicted lies between 16 to 40 years old. Their families out of frustration expel these drug addicts. They start begging. Many of them die daily. It is true that age of 16 is often childish. The students of this age don’t know what is better for them.
The consumption of drugs by upper class in the form of crystal ice, cocaine, heroine and LSD pills are increasing every year. There were many cases of addicts committing robberies to buy drugs but also attacking their parents, family members or even killing them. During past year, 4747 cases were registered against drug dealers. The annual report 2021 of an anti-narcotics campaign that an addict spent an average Rs450 to Rs1000 per day on drugs. 460 homeless found dead. The expert lamented that health profile of about 80% of the students in the city had not bee completed.
AFSHEEN SABIR
Lahore
Violence against women
Violence against women has been on the rise in Pakistan, a country of over 200 million people. It ranks sixth on list of world’s most dangerous countries for women. According to statistics collected by White Ribbon Pakistan, an NGO working for women’s rights, 4,734 women faced sexual violence between 2004 and 2016. Over 15,000 cases of honour crimes were registered. There were more than 1,800 cases of domestic violence and over 5,500 kidnappings of women during this period.
According to media reports, more than 51,241 cases of violence against women were reported between January 2011 and June 2017. Conviction rate, meanwhile, remains low, with the accused in just 2.5% of all reported cases ending up being convicted by the courts. The Chief Justice of Pakistan has recently announced that 1,000 courts would be set up to deal with the cases of violence against women. I request Government of Pakistan to take serious action against this monster, which is rising in Pakistan with each passing day.
HAMMAL NASEER
Balnigwar, Balochistan
Violence against women
Violence against women has been on the rise in Pakistan, a country of over 200 million people. It ranks sixth on list of world’s most dangerous countries for women. According to statistics collected by White Ribbon Pakistan, an NGO working for women’s rights, 4,734 women faced sexual violence between 2004 and 2016. Over 15,000 cases of honour crimes were registered. There were more than 1,800 cases of domestic violence and over 5,500 kidnappings of women during this period.
According to media reports, more than 51,241 cases of violence against women were reported between January 2011 and June 2017. Conviction rate, meanwhile, remains low, with the accused in just 2.5% of all reported cases ending up being convicted by the courts. The Chief Justice of Pakistan has recently announced that 1,000 courts would be set up to deal with the cases of violence against women. I request Government of Pakistan to take serious action against this monster, which is rising in Pakistan with each passing day.
HAMMAL NASEER
Balnigwar, Balochistan
