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.
Helpless PM
A large number of Radio Pakistan’s serving and retired employees are facing problems in getting their salaries and pensions regularly for the last more than one year and they are exposed to serious financial problems in the wake of prevailing highest inflation.
A couple of days back, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had visited Peshawar Radio Station where the employees had apprised him about their problems. The PM had directed the authorities concerned that Radio Pakistan serving and retired persons must be paid all their dues in 48 hours.
Those 48 hours have passed without any action by the concerned official quarters and now the Secretary Finance Ministry has thrown a bomb on more than four thousand retired employees by saying that payment of pension is not the government responsibility.
Will the honourable prime minister and the worthy Information Minister look into the problem of Radio Pakistan serving and retired employees, come to their rescue, save them from starvation and order payment of their dues on priority basis on humanitarian grounds, please. Thanks.
M Z RIFAT
Lahore
Snatching is normal thing
It is said in Karachi that there is no crime which the police does not know about. In robberies and dacoities, they conveniently provide cover to the thieves and appear once the mission is accomplished, just to get information as to what amount has been robbed so as to claim their share from the robbers.
The police have full information about the criminals in their area and maintain a history sheet. They have a network of informants who keep them updated on activities of all criminals, including those who are involved in mobile snatching.
Mobiles and other articles like purses, laptops, tablets, watches, worn jewellery articles, etc., are usually targeted at traffic blocks or during rush hours when traffic is at standstill and then someone emerges by the side of your car and pulls up a pistol etc and demands you handover the mobile or other valuables. It is not very difficult to pinpoint these locations and then high definition cameras can be used to cover the area which could lead to the arrest of these criminals. Police can also deploy some of their personnel in civilian clothing, driving in cars in this traffic block and flashing their expensive mobiles luring such criminals and hence trapping them.
Further as all stolen mobiles are ultimately sold in the second hand or used mobile markets, clamping down on such dealers selling stolen mobiles can also be an effective way of curbing this menace. Blocking the usage of such stolen phones by IMEI Nos by phone companies can also help.
All vendors helping to open such blocked phones should be taken to task and maybe booked as accomplices if found helping them to unblock. All it needs is a concerted effort and a willingness to accomplish the task beyond your personal interests.
MUHAMMAD AMMAD
Karachi
Decrease in agriculture lands
I am writing to express my concern about the alarming decrease in agricultural land in Pakistan. It is distressing to see that fertile land is being rapidly converted into housing societies, commercial zones and industrial estates. This trend is not only affecting the livelihood of farmers but also posing a serious threat to our food security.
Pakistan is primarily an agriculture country and the majority of our population is directly or indirectly associated with this sector. However, the government’s apathy towards the preservation of agricultural land is leading to the destruction of our natural resources. The mushroom growth of housing societies and commercial zones on agricultural land is a matter of grave concern.
The government must take immediate steps to stop the conversion of agricultural land into non-agriculture use. They should implement strict regulations and ensure their enforcement to protect our farmlands. It is high time to realize importance of agriculture and to prioritize the protection of agricultural land for betterment of our future generations.
SUBHAN MUSTAFA
Via email
Box letter
Electricity breakdowns
Over the past few months, there have been numerous instances of power outages in Gulshan-e-Iqbal block 10-A, main Rashid Minhas road. These outages have lasted for extended periods, ranging from a few hours to even days in some cases. The lack of electricity has disrupted daily routines, hindered productivity, and caused financial losses for businesses. Additionally, vulnerable individuals, such as the elderly and those with health conditions, have faced significant hardships due to the lack of access to essential electrical appliances and medical equipment. Moreover, the frequent electricity breakdowns pose safety risks to our community. The lack of lighting in residential areas and on streets during power outages increases the chances of accidents and criminal activities. Furthermore, the disruption of power supply compromises the functioning of critical infrastructure, such as hospitals, emergency services, and water supply systems, putting lives at risk during emergencies. It is essential for the local authorities and power utility companies to take immediate action to rectify this situation. Firstly, I urge the concerned authorities to conduct a thorough investigation into the root causes of these frequent breakdowns. Identifying the underlying issues, whether they are related to infrastructure, maintenance, or other factors, is crucial to implementing effective solutions.
FATIMA JAMSHAID
Karachi
