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.
Indo-Pak relations
On one hand it is always heartening to see our Sikh brothers and sisters crossing the Wagha border on foot to visit their worship places which includes birth place of Guru Nanak.
A large number of the Sikh community also cross into Pakistan every year to celebrate Baisakhi and other religious festivals. But on the other hand, women of Indian origin like me who are married to Pakistani nationals also feel hurt as to why India discourages Pakistanis to visit India.
I was married in 1992 and visited my parents and siblings in Pune (Mahrashtra) after every two years. But for the last 7 years, I have not been able to visit India because train and bus services are suspended due to strained relations between the two nations. Travelling with family of six by air is too expensive. The only route left is to cross the border on foot through Wagha/Attari crossing but very few lucky ones get visa of this category.
Indian Home Ministry is also very strict in scrutinizing the visa documents and visa processing time is 2 to 3 months. In the last 7 years, I have made 3 attempts to get Indian visa for my family but our applications were turned down on one pretext or the other.
If governments of both the countries are not happy with each other, why punish the ordinary people who want to visit each other’s countries to meet their near and dear ones.
I appeal to Indian PM Modi and PM Shehbaz to pave the way for a conducive environment enabling nationals of both the countries to visit each other. Visa rules from Indian side need to be softened as it is much easier for Indian nationals to acquire Pakistani visa. Frequent travel of people from both countries will help in normalization of relations between India and Pakistan.
RIZWANA RAFIQUE
Karachi
Bleed green
Whenever you appreciate a certain thing, you become conscious of its real quality, and whenever you become conscious of the quality of anything, you begin to develop that quality in yourself. When we appreciate the worth of a person, we tend to impress the idea of that worth in our own minds, and thereby cause the same effect to be produced, in a measure, in ourselves. People wanted their work to be recognised and acknowledged. Pakistanis are patriotic because they are willing to shed blood for their beloved country.
However, they don’t receive the same treatment. Pakistan is unable to value its people. Most health workers are moving abroad not because they want to earn big bucks but also because they aren’t getting security here. People are not being saved, and the looting system is in place. Brain drain is a significant phenomenon that has to be prioritised.
Documents state that in 2022, 765,000 persons emigrated from Pakistan, more than double the 225,000 departures in 2021 and 288,000 emigrants in 2020. 92,000 highly educated individuals, including doctors, engineers, information technology specialists and accountants were also included in this year’s report.
Usually, the cream of the country left the country for their future. We cannot hold them accountable for leaving Pakistan in their own self-interest. The other side of the coin demonstrates that security is a concern for most people, and Pakistan lags behind in this regard. Pakistan is adored by the world, yet it doesn’t seem that Pakistan can reciprocate.
ARISHA IRSHAD ALI
Karachi
Neat and clean Karachi
A small little intervention by the civic authority could make the road look so neat and clean. If torn flags of religious and political parties, worn out posters and excessive wires are removed from the various roads of Karachi, it would look nice. Wall chalking is also a total headache for a long time. It serves as a stark reminder to concerned authorities to take stringent steps to stop and remove such wall chalking and bring to justice the people involved in this dirtiest game through trial under relevant laws.
Similarly, if each road has a green belt with large trees bilaterally, Karachi’s landscape would totally change. To beautify Karachi further, Gulmohar trees should be planted in every empty part along the road-side of the city. Atmosphere of the city is very suitable for this beautiful tree which has red and orange flowers. Removing heavy billboards, wires, torn flags of different parties, posters, and wall chalking from the poles and walls would be commendable and exemplary work from the City Government.
SYED SADAQAT HUSSAIN
Karachi
Box letter
Water curse
The problem of insufficient water supply in Karachi is disturbing. This issue is made worse by the illegal alliance between the tanker mafia and the water board, which has turned getting a basic necessity like water into a curse for Karachi residents. Water is the biggest requirement for existence, but considering how it is distributed to the residents of Karachi, which is Pakistan’s largest metropolis, has prompted some very serious questions on future plans of the government to address this urgent problem. Simply water is only available for the citizens of Karachi by paying hefty amounts either for the purpose of cleaning or drinking. For instance, a 1000-gallon water tanker costs 3300 rupees, and 5000-gallon tanker costs 11,000 rupees depending on your location. Water tanker mafia are not only involved in stealing water resources illegally but also linked in many other criminal activities such as rash driving causing road accidents. This issue is to be highlighted at the highest forum of the country and law enforcement authorities to refrain from tanker mafia for such unlawful activities. Necessary steps for the continuous, unbiased and equal distribution of water are to be taken. To sum up, water should be available for residents of Karachi through water connections provided by the water board.
LAIBA NAEEM
Karachi
