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.
Haladhar-Gaffar saga
A funeral procession passed in front of the Prophet (PBUH) and he stood up. When he was told by the people that it was the coffin of a Jew, he said, “Was he not a human being?”
As a father of a 18-year-old boy studying in a faraway city, my heart has simply got shattered to pieces by reading the inconsolable sudden death of 18-year-old boy Rudra in an another faraway Indian city and feeling the shock and pain of his father Haladhar Let – – – migrant labourer from West Bengal !
But along with such grief, my chest has also got swollen with much pride and joy on reading the unfathomable humanity and liberalism of the labour contractor Abdul Gaffar; who, despite being a person of modest means, immediately paid a sum of Rs. 80,000 (non-refundable) as the cost of embalming the body and transporting it to the Bengal village in an ambulance!
“I just had my iftar … I thought it was my duty as a pious Muslim to help Haladhar in this time of distress. It was not about money, it was about humanity” – – – the words of Abdul Gaffar simply arrive as rings of temple bell in the communal environment prevailing on the globe! May the world draw inspiration from this Haladhar-Gaffar saga and take a vow not to sacrifice the all-embracing spirit of the Prophet on the altar of communalism!
“Was he not a human being?” — The simplest of questions raised by the Prophet form the greatest and ultimate truth of human civilization. After all one and only humanity and brotherhood transcending all barriers of language-race-religion-colour-nationality can act as the guarantor of world peace. May this humanitarian spirit as emphasised by the Prophet enjoy the last laugh in the world and let this be the spirit in the days to come.
KAJAL CHATTERJEE
Kolkata, India
A call to action
I am writing to express my concern about the growing issue of drug-addicted people damaging public property. It is disheartening to see that such individuals have been spotted at different places breaking roadside infrastructure and stealing iron pieces to sell them to buy drugs. The consequences of their action are far-reaching, and they not only affect the immediate environment but also have economic repercussions. The damage caused to public property creates a burden on the taxpayers who have to pay for the repairs which diverts resources from other important initiatives. Furthermore, the sale of stolen iron pieces further fuels the drug epidemic, exacerbating the issue and creating a vicious cycle.
It is crucial that we take action to prevent such incidents from occurring in the first place. Law enforcement agencies should increase their efforts to identify and apprehend those who engage in such behaviour. Additionally, public awareness campaigns should be launched to educate the community about the dangers of drug abuse and its potential consequences on society.
We cannot continue to ignore the issue of drug addiction and its impact on our communities. It is time that we take a collective responsibility to address the root cause of the problem and provide necessary support to individuals struggling with addiction. Failure to do so will only lead to further damage to our public property and contribute to the overall degradation of our society.
SHAISTA NAZ
Via email
Declining exports
I am writing in response to the media reports regarding recent declining exports, which has raised concerns among policymakers, the business community and the general public. The decline in exports, especially in the textile sector, is alarming and requires immediate attention from government.
The high production costs, bureaucratic obstacles and a complex tax structure are some of the domestic factors that are affecting the export industry. Additionally, the high interest rates, an unstable exchange rate and recent exchange control regulations by the State Bank of Pakistan are exacerbating the situation.
The reduction in exports is adversely impacting Pakistan’s economy, exacerbating unemployment and diminishing the standard of living. Therefore, it is imperative that the government takes swift action to address this issue.
In my opinion, the decline in exports in Pakistan is concerning and requires immediate attention from the government. Policies must be introduced to boost exports, including providing incentives for export-oriented industries, investing in skill-improvement training programs and facilitating business operations. Additionally, addressing challenges like regulatory compliance, complex tax structures and energy shortage is crucial to creating a conducive environment for economic growth.
DR MUHAMMAD ZESHAN
Islamabad
Extremism
Pakistan’s increasing radicalism and disregard for cultural differences has been creating extreme chaos. It is depressing to observe the rise in acts of violence, prejudice and intolerance against people of various racial, religious and ideological backgrounds.
Pakistan is a multicultural nation with a deep cultural history. Nevertheless, certain individuals and groups in our society are encouraging hatred and separation rather than appreciating and accepting this diversity. In addition to endangering the unity and stability of our nation, this also violates fundamental human rights.
Extremist organisations frequently use religion as a justification for their activities and as a means of forcing their ideas on others. This not only contradicts the real principles of Islam, but it also pushes minorities out of the mainstream and fosters an atmosphere of distrust and dread.
Regardless of someone’s origin, we must foster a culture that values diversity and tolerance. Only education, public awareness campaigns and the provision of forums for interfaith and interethnic discourse will be able to accomplish this.
The government must also take a firm stand against extremist organisations and make sure that they are not permitted to disseminate their hateful and intolerant ideologies.
ARFA BATOOL
Karachi
Box letter
Beggar mafia
The evil of beggary has pierced into the roots of our social life. It has taken the form of an industry. These days, it has become a regular occupation of many people in Karachi, There are masterminds who run regular “Beggar/Begging Organizations” and are very m entitled to be levied on wealth tax. They abound in all places like public parks, gardens, market places, streets and by lanes as well as trains, buses etc. They stand at the bus stops and as soon as a bus halts they stepped into it. They walk up and down in gangways in houses and trains and even touch the passenger with their fingers imploring alms. Practically every transport station and road are crowded with them. Some of them are suffering from infectious diseases and therefore are a great menace to public health, Begging is prohibited by law but it is the duty of the authorities to see that the law is properly enforced. It is also the duty of the people to see that they do not encourage these beggars by giving them alms in buses and trains. There are other ways of giving charity but this method of encouraging beggars must come to an end forthwith.
MUHAMMAD FARIS
Karachi
