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.
White list; an uphill task
Before the merrymaking over chance of leaving grey list was over, news arrived that Pakistan may stay in grey list of FATF for another six months to ensure 100% compliance. Pakistan has so far addressed 24 points out of 27. It appears FATF is treating Pakistan harshly. So far only Iran and South Korea are on the black list of FATF. Although, complaints are there against Bahrain, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and UAE for providing funds for terror financing but no action has been taken against these countries so far.
12 countries are presently in grey list, most of these are poor and underdeveloped countries like Ghana, Mongolia, Cambodia, Botswana and Bahamas, being unable to plead their case at this Forum.
Pakistan faces strong criticism at the hands of India as India with annual growth rate over 7 influences western countries to take its side. China, an all-weather friend of Pakistan, has fully supported us but Pakistan has further been given tough time by India’s negative campaigning and unnecessary hue and cry. Pakistan must discourage unwarranted cash transaction and ensure documentation of funds transfers. Hopefully, it will be in the White List very soon.
IFTIKHAR MIRZA
Islamabad
Religious tourism and Pakistan
The total revenue earned through religious tourism across the world is more than 7.6 billion dollars. The top religious site which receives millions of visitors throughout the year include Masjid-al-Haram (Saudi Arabia) 15 million, Meiji Shrine (Tokyo) 30 Million, Kash Vashath Temple (India) 21.9 million, Basilica of Our Lady (Morocco) 20 million, Tirupati Deva Thasan (India) 18.25 million whereas the Noutre-Dame Cathedral (France) is receiving around 13.6 million people as religious tourists.
Geographically and historically Pakistan enjoys an abundance of religious and tourist spots such as plains, deserts and mountains. Pakistan has a lot of religious attraction for not only Muslims but other religions too. For Sikh religion, Pakistan stands as a most sacred place. The sacred place for Sikhs Kartarpura (Nankana Sahib) has recently opened for Sikhs all over the world. From only Nankana Sahib, with the pilgrim cost of PKR 1400 per head and expected 5000 Sikh pilgrims from only India will bestow Pakistan earnings of 7 million US dollars daily. This amount will reach up to US dollars $ 370000 annually. Not only this, other religious sites like Punja Sahib and other Sikh religious sites are now open for visitors. Additionally, Pakistan is also home to Buddist Tevilah. Takt Bai and Texila have a vast range of religious spots for Bhussim. Krishna Mandar (Lahore) is also a sacred place for Hinduism. In 1980, Gandhara Civilization (Punjab & KP) is termed as an international heritage. Discussing more! If religious tourism is properly utilized, it can give rise to 2.7% of country’s GDP. With the improved security situation, Pakistan has become the coolest place to visit in 2020 (Report by Conde’ Nast Traveller). The royal visit of Duke and Dutches of Cambridge at end of 2019 has improved the image of Pakistan.
MAEMUNA SADAF
Via email
Jinnah via
Ayub to Zia
It is time to adopt MAJ’s vision and reject all other doctrines. Enough damage has been done to Pakistan. Ever since those who took over reins of power after tragic demise of Quaid-e-Azam, his vision and plans for modern democratic welfare state with self-rule by people was trampled upon. The process of diversion from MAJ’s vision started with Iskandar Mirza, who while serving British Indian Army as Maj General, simultaneously was serving as Secretary Defence in his capacity as member of Indian Political Service, because Pakistan continued to be dominion of HM till 1956 Constitution was adopted. It was nexus of British-created bureaucracy, which having witnessed that India after adopting Constitution in 1949, enacted laws in 1950 to confiscate all lands and titles awarded by Raj to those who betrayed political struggle for independence. Whatever Quaid stood for and struggled to achieve was systematically reversed. While we managed to get arms and aid from USA, it was done after we capitulated to them and compromised our sovereignty by giving bases like Badaber from where reconnaissance flights took-off for espionage over Soviet Union. In 1962 Pakistan lost perhaps sole golden opportunity to liberate Kashmir while India was embroiled in Sino-India War. In 1965 war, US suspended all military aid, in spite of Pakistan being a member of SEATO/CENTO.
Zia embroiled this country in proxy war which had disastrous consequences for this country’s economy, leaving behind legacy of extremism and terrorism which continues to haunt us today. The foundations for or sole defence deterrence was laid down by ZAB, who was judicially murdered.
MALIK TARIQ ALI
Lahore
Water crisis
in Pakistan
At a time when the population of Pakistan has crossed the 200 million mark and is still rising rapidly, the country seems unable to cater to their water needs. In fact, Pakistan has been facing a serious water crisis for the past many decades. There is no doubt that Pakistan is a country that has been bestowed with five beautiful large rivers, i.e. Indus, Ravi, Sutlej, Chenab and Jhelum, with the Indus, being largest. Each of these rivers carries abundant water but still we are facing water crisis. The real question here is how did Pakistan reach this situation?
If we take a look at history, we find that immediately after independence, a water crisis surfaced due to conflict with India, posing a huge challenge to the new country. However, the government somehow managed and resolved the issue with the signing of the famous ‘Indus Waters Treaty’ with India in 1960. After 59 years of that treaty, this problem has surfaced again and this time it is even going to be more harmful to Pakistan’s economy and its people with a threat of facing a drought by 2025, if proper measures are not taken to control situation.
Pakistan is a third-world country with a poor literacy rate and a largely uneducated workforce. Most people tend to not care about water; rather they have found more ways to waste more water, main key to our survival but such careless attitude can leave many affected.
One of the major reasons for this water crisis is that Pakistan is heavily affected by air pollution. This causes the country’s climate to change rapidly and it keeps getting worse! It asks for plantation of more plants and trees. The government has to use its funds to accommodate more people in urban areas with more industrialization or to do more plantations for the betterment of the future generations!
AHMED HUSSAIN
Lahore
UK knife crime
It is most astonishing to hear that knife crime offences hit record high in the year to September 2019 in Great Britain. The UK is now like a lawless developing country in terms of knife crime offences and Boris Johnson should be embarrassed to see United Kingdom is turning into a lawless country gradually like Zimbabwe where President Emmerson Mnangagwa has dismally failed to instil rule of law after ousting Mugabe.
Offences recorded by the police reached 44,771 and the number of homicides was 617. Great Britain should not act like Zimbabwe in terms of its total failure to tackle massive rise in knife crime offences which are making more people in UK feel unsafe.
TAPIWA MUSKWE
London
