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.
Finance Budget 2023-24
There seems to be no realization within the quarters, who should be worried, that the economic mess Pakistan faces is cumulative effect of decades of abuse, elitist culture, and expenditure going haywire, whilst the country’s debt is piling by the day. Austerity has no relevance in this country.
There are only few things which show an increase in this country, population, real estate plots and subsidized housing projects with lush green subsidized golf courses for paid elite and uncontrolled escalation of administrative non-development expenditure. Giving 35% raise to Grade 1 to 16 government employees can be digested, but not the 30% to 17 and above, who should be given maximum of 20% increase, which tapers to 10% for grade 21 and above.
Whilst the population is rising, the agriculture produce is shrinking, directly proportional to increase in real estate projects, built on agriculture producing green pastures. There is no rocket science involved in this. Everyone who matters in this country, is aware of the cancerous impact on agriculture, and its cause, but the benefit for a few, matters more to them, than the pain, anguish, hunger and starvation that awaits millions, as every acre gets converted to concrete jungle.
Loopholes built into the system facilitate transfer of money to foreign countries from sale of subsidized plots allotted to them for performing services for which they are paid. It has become an accepted norm that must go on and on, irrespective of dwindling forex reserves.
The money must be transferred to their favourite foreign countries through regular and irregular channels so that the paid or elected elite can live in luxury, after having had their full, leaving behind a country on verge of bankruptcy. Such an abuse is not allowed in any other country in the region, including India, which gained independence with us, or in BD that separated from us in 1971.
MALIK TARIQ ALI
Lahore
Unity: Pakistan’s last hope
Our country is teetering perilously on the precipice of collapse, confronting the haunting spectre of existential crisis. It is in the vice-like grip of bewildering chaos with an inexorable crisis: tempestuous political tides, staggering bouts of inflation and resurgent terrorism. All have coalesced, engulfing the country. The atmosphere is shrouded in the grim aura of gloom and despondency that is emanating from every corner.
Moreover, the conundrum of internal rifts have sullied the very core value of our national tapestry—unity— that is of unequivocal primacy. At this critical juncture, it is of paramount importance and it behoves everyone, especially the powerful echelons, to transcend above their petty quagmires of discord, egotism, power struggle and forge a united front to combat with the cataclysmic crisis that plague the country.
Otherwise, if the status quo continues, it will not be long enough before we descend into the abyssal zone, where there will be no flicker of hope or a chance for metamorphosis. Moreover, the responsibility of desolating this beautiful country, enshrined in the annals of history through inestimable sacrifices, will rest solely on our shoulders.
HAMZA TAREEN
Via email
Uorfi should dress up decently
Indian television actress Uorfi Javed should be booked for indecent dressing. Being a Muslim, she should understand that dressing up like the way she dresses is against the teachings of the Last Prophet (PBUH) and the Holy Quran.
If all women keep dressing up like the way she dresses up, they are bound to get raped. Even the Holy Bible tells Christians to dress up decently. Does Uorfi Javed visit the mosque with the type of clothes she wears? What is she trying to convey to the people? Shame on her. Islam, like Christianity, is a decent religion but she is putting it to shame.
JUBEL D’CRUZ
Mumbai, India
Heat-wave and load-shedding
Karachi is known for its scorching summer temperature and this year has been no exception. The heat-wave has been particularly intense and has lasted longer than usual. The high temperature has made it difficult for people to carry out their daily activities, especially those who work outdoors. The lack of respite from the heat has also led to an increase in heat-related illnesses such as heatstroke and dehydration.
Adding to the already challenging situation is the issue of load-shedding. Power outage has become a common occurrence in Karachi with some areas experiencing up to 12 hours of load shedding per day. This has exacerbated the heat-wave situation, making it almost unbearable for people to stay indoors without any form of cooling.
The impact of load shedding is not limited to the discomfort caused by the heat-wave. It also has severe consequences for businesses and the economy. Many businesses, especially small and medium-sized enterprises, rely heavily on electricity to run their operations. The frequent power outage has disrupted their workflow, resulting in financial losses and a decline in productivity.
Moreover, the load shedding situation has also affected the provision of essential services such as healthcare and education. Hospitals and clinics require uninterrupted power supply to operate medical equipment while schools and universities need electricity to conduct online classes and exams.
RIFFAT KHAN
Karachi
Box letter
Plastic pollution
Plastic pollution has intensely affected the atmosphere which is extremely terrifying not only for our environment but for our present as well as for our future. Plastics account for 3.4% of global greenhouse gas emissions. The mismanagement of plastic is very high whether it’s about land, water or air pollution, plastic plays a great part in that. Around the whole globe 9% of plastic waste is recycled while 22 percent of it is mismanaged. This pollution harms humans and marines’ lives. For the sake of a clean environment, every individual needs to play his/her part. For example, we all need to recycle plastic or plastic-made material instead of throwing it and polluting our surroundings. Along with it, we must use the least amount of plastic bags by using leather ones. Even by holding awareness campaigns at different spots, we can avoid plastic pollution.
ZAINAB ALIAHMED
Turbat, Kech
