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.
Introspection not confrontation
Pakistan today faces a constitutional and economic crisis, which requires introspection by all three pillars of the state, namely executive, parliament, judiciary and the civil and uniformed establishment for their unconstitutional interventions which derailed the political process. Decades of mismanagement by mediocrity at helm, and poor governance by successive governments since 1956, has landed this country in a mess.
A country which cannot develop its human resources, and utilize its talent, will face a brain drain. Propping mediocrity at helm, through political manoeuvring by the powerful few of this country, in violation of the constitution, has finally Pakistan in a royal mess. There is no long-term plan to sustain an economy that can provide food and employment to ever increasing population.
For large majority of Pakistanis, who have voluntarily pledged to live and die in this country, the survival of Pakistan is far more important than egoistic pursuits of individuals and powerful groups, slave to their conflicts of interest, in pursuit of this game of thrones. Confrontation, be it the boycott of SC 3-member bench, or refusal to constitute a full court, is definitely not a way forward, but a path that will lead to more chaos, confusion and ultimately anarchy.
It is an unfortunate reality that the path of confrontation is being treaded upon by those, who have already either adopted foreign nationalities, or are in the process of doing so. Be it PTI, PMLN or PPP etc., they all have let their constituents down. Their present leaders do not possess the vision required of statesmen, but men captive to egoistic mindsets, blinded in the pursuit of power, irrespective of the consequences this path may land 230 million citizens in.
Pakistan was created through a democratic political process and it can survive or flourish only if democracy survives and political process facilitated. As long as our economy does not stabilize with a balanced budget, through restructuring the whole system, this political uncertainty will continue to haunt us.
MALIK TARIQ ALI
Lahore
Child labour
The issue that I am referring to is the rampant increase in child labour in our country. Child labour has become a prevalent issue in Pakistan, particularly in the informal sector, where children are often forced to work long hours in hazardous conditions. It is not only a violation of their basic rights as human beings but also deprives them of the opportunity to receive an education and a better future.
The situation is particularly dire for children living in poverty-stricken areas who are most vulnerable to exploitation. It is crucial that we take steps to address this issue and protect our children. The government must take the lead in implementing policies and programs to eliminate child labour and provide support to families to ensure their children receive a proper education. This could include incentives to keep children in school, providing free education and vocational training for their parents. Additionally, there is a need for greater public awareness and advocacy on this issue.
It is essential to engage civil society organizations, media and the private sector to raise awareness and build a movement to end child labour in Pakistan. We all have a responsibility to take action and create a society where all children have the opportunity to thrive and reach their full potential. I urge you to use your platform to raise awareness about this issue and encourage action from the government and the public. Together, we can create a Pakistan where children are safe, educated, and able to pursue their dreams.
REHAM FAHIM
Karachi
Ramadan and inflation
I am writing to express my concern over the rising inflation during the month of Ramadan. It is a time when people come together to celebrate the holy month, but the increasing cost of living is making it difficult for many families to observe this special time of the year.
Ramadan is a month of giving charity, but unfortunately, the high prices of essential items such as fruits, vegetables, and meat are making it harder for people to be generous. Inflation affects everyone, but it has a particularly harsh impact on those who are already struggling to make ends meet.
The government and the relevant authorities should take immediate action to curb inflation and ensure that people are not priced out of celebrating Ramadan. They should take measures to stabilize prices of essential commodities and improve the supply chain so that goods reach consumers at affordable prices.
I urge the authorities to take these concerns seriously and work towards providing relief to the public during this difficult time. We hope that our voices will be heard, and necessary actions will be taken to alleviate the burden on the common people.
KOMAL SHAH
Karachi
Box letter
Increasing drug culture
Balochistan has been put into unending miseries for decades. From enforced disappearances to administrative loopholes, the region is facing severe crises in every department. One among the worst issues is the recent wave of growing trend of drug addiction, particularly in Quetta’s (provincial capital) Sariab area. Despite being home to several mainstream and provincial political party leaders, Sariab could not secure itself from the dirt of drugs in its latest phase. A few days ago, people at Quetta’s Sariab area marched, in the form of a rally, towards the home of the Member of Provincial Assembly (MPA) Malik Naseer Shahwani of the Balochistan National Party-Mengal (BNP-M) against the ‘open supply of drugs’ in the area. Concerned for their upcoming generations and the local environment, they wanted the local government to be reactive against the drug-dealers. And again, to push the local government into action, they need political backing. Going back, Habib Naala (an area located inside the main Quetta city, now also known as City Naala) was home to drug addicts and dealers in the city. The law enforcement agencies launched a crackdown against both the drug sellers and the addicts.
ALI JAN MAQSOOD
Quetta
