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.
Code of ethics and conduct
Hazrat Ali (RA) stated that “Kufr Ka Nezam Chal Sakta Hai, Magar Zulm Ka Nizam Nahi”. For any system of governance to function and deliver, those holding power must adhere to a strict code of ethics to prevent any abuse of power, along with a welfare system for the most deprived. It is mandatory to adhere to a code of conduct, with absolutely no conflicts of interest, on those holding powerful constitutional offices, because their decisions and policies impact the fate and destiny of millions.
The three constitutional pillars of the State are Executive, Legislature and Judiciary, each has a defined role to perform without interference in the jurisdiction of the other two. The more the power, the more the responsibility and hence the need to have a system of checks and balances, which are adopted universally, in every democratic nation. Pakistan today faces a plethora of problems, because of the abuse of power ever since 1953, by those at helm, in their pursuit of the games of thrones. It is time all such adventurism cease, and everyone submit to the supremacy of the constitution. No one should be above the law.
There is a notification dated 2nd September 2009 issued by Secretary SJC, where there is a “Code of Conduct for judges of SC and HCs. In Article-IV it states that “A judge must decline to act in a case involving his own interest, including those of persons whom he/she regards and treats as near relatives or close friends. A judge must rigidly refrain from entering into or continuing any business dealing, however, unimportant it may be, with any party to a case before him.
Should the dealing be unavoidable, he must discontinue his connection with the case forthwith. A judge must refuse to deal with any case in which he has a connection with one party or its lawyer, more than the other, or even with both parties and their lawyers. To ensure that justice is not only done, but is seen to be done, a Judge must avoid all possibility of his opinion or action in any case being swayed by any consideration of personal advantage, either direct or indirect.”
MALIK TARIQ ALI
Lahore
Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia is a chronic brain disorder that affects a small percentage of the population in Pakistan leading to symptoms like delusions, hallucinations, disorganized speech, cognitive impairments and a lack of motivation.
Ongoing research is uncovering innovative treatment options, including a computer game developed by the humble lab mouse that offers insight into the neurobiological basis of psychosis and schizophrenia. This breakthrough holds potential for advancing scientific understanding and potentially improving the lives of schizophrenic patients.
Schizophrenia affects around 0. 2% of the global population and many patients in Pakistan remain untreated due to limited access to proper care. The lack of education and awareness about mental disorders contribute to the stigmatization of schizophrenia. Most people with schizophrenia are not dangerous or violent. However, the lack of mental health facilities and support in communities can lead to homelessness and frequent hospitalization. Substance abuse increases the risk of developing schizophrenia later in life.
Schizophrenia symptoms vary in severity, length and frequency. Positive symptoms include hallucinations, paranoid thinking and distorted perceptions while negative symptoms involve the loss of normal behaviors. Cognitive functions are also affected by schizophrenia causing issues with attention, concentration, memory and academic performance. Symptoms typically emerge in early adulthood and must persist for at least six months for a diagnosis.
Diagnosing schizophrenia requires a comprehensive medical examination to rule out other conditions that mimic its symptoms. Individuals with schizophrenia may not recognize their illness until they receive treatment making it challenging to convince them to seek help.
EMAN YASIR
Via email
Proposal to leave IMF
The Government of Pakistan is advised to take strategic measures in order to address the outflow of USD from Pakistan to Afghanistan and Iran, as reportedly stated by the country’s Finance Minister, Ishaq Dar, while also aiming to bolster its foreign exchange reserves.
To achieve this objective, it is recommended that the government promptly introduce a scheme that enables both resident and non-resident Pakistanis to deposit foreign currency into specialized bank accounts. These accounts would offer an attractive profit rate of 10%, payable biannually in PKR to the residents and in the USD to the expatriates, and provide an amnesty guaranteeing no questions asked. The minimum deposit requirement for this scheme is set at 1000 USD.
This proposed scheme holds the potential to yield immediate foreign currency influx for the Government of Pakistan, while simultaneously reversing the outflow of foreign currency to neighbouring countries. Consequently, it is anticipated that this initiative will contribute significantly towards strengthening the value of PKR, a much-needed appreciation that would greatly benefit the country’s economy.
SYED NAYYAR UDDIN
Lahore
Box letter
Inflation & corruption rate
The value of Pakistan currency is low and degraded in the global trade market. In an inflationary environment, unevenly rising prices reduces the purchasing power of most consumers, and this erosion of real income is the single biggest cause of inflation. Due to inflation, central bank needs to print bigger currency notes. For this big value notes, the ease of cash transaction becomes easier. For this many people run their business without paying any tax which helps in the growth of black money. On the other hand, this untraceable notes transaction helps promote corruption too. So, we finally get, Blackmoney+Corruption = Parallel economy. I would request our honourable Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and also Finance Minister Ishaq Dar to ban large amounts of currency notes or platinum coins which both lead to degradation or downfall of our currency in international trade or market. Ban on those currencies would be a good attempt to improve Pakistan economy and value of Pakistan currency in the trade market. Also, a good deed for scaling down the corruption rate in Pakistan.
MUBASHIR KHALID
Via email
