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.
Unending dilemma
Since its inception, Pakistan has been facing indelible challenges of the utmost severity. The country has endured all sorts of issues, inter alia, constitutional loopholes, political instability, economic meltdown, civil war, military takeovers and so forth. It has been 75 years since the country has won its independence, yet it is still struggling to find its feet. Although Pakistan was hamstrung at the beginning, losing the founder, and first PM in quick succession, we had plenty of time to recover. Rather than setting Pakistan on the course towards prosperity, then rulers spent their time on palace intrigues, accumulating personal fortunes and making a mockery of all laws, paying knee-jerk attention to the system of democracy.
After its independence, the country started facing a constitutional crisis. Exactly after nine years, hardly Pakistan got its first constitution in 1956. During these nine years, the country had changed five governments. Ironically, among these five Prime Ministers, one was assassinated among a huge crowd. Later, every successive government was unable to handle the chaotic situation of the country. Being a fledgling state, it was a Herculean task for every government to deal with the influx of immigrants, financial crunches and to maintain a legal, political and absolute sovereignty with scarce resources and a pernicious atmosphere. Resultantly, the country relied on external powers for support.
It is vigorously believed by the intellectual minds that political parties are the backbone of any nation. These political parties represent the true sense of democracy. Democratic norms and political parties are inextricably bound together. Pakistan’s history is full of examples that paint a grim picture of Pakistani politics. Since its inception, the uneasy nature of political instability has always prevailed. The country’s political parties have always been subject to a continuous blitz. They have never shown a willingness to reduce domestic problems cordially and amicably.
NASRULLAH KHADIM
Kandhkot, Sindh
Test format and PCT
When talking about test format, we often see, match is in our hands but all of a sudden we start losing it because of our partnership’s dismissal. You cannot win a test match without taking 20 wickets, clear as a whistle. We mainly play test cricket in Asia, hardly in SENA or WI where quick bowlers get help. In Asian conditions, spinners should be our weapon not weakness. Our domestic products are Zahid, Sajid & Noman, all three are far away from the benchmarks of being a quality spinner. No spinner in the side averages less than 30. Abrar is still new, he needs experience but he’s not threatening (keeping in mind).
Lack of quality in the spin department puts pressure on fast bowlers who are actually young and playing all three formats. They will underperform if they are bowling half of the overs on these dead tracks.
Our fielding crumbles on some occasions because of frustration and lack of confidence. All this scenario raises questions for the captain and I don’t know why. The main issue is that domestic structure isn’t giving quality products and most of the youngsters don’t want to play the longer format.
UNZILA TAHIR HUDA
Karachi
Fee fiasco
I am writing to protest against the unfair and unjust practice of charging an extra fee for those who have passed the written test for BPS 5-15 jobs, for different levels of education categories including, Matriculation, Intermediate and Graduation, which is conducted by the Sindh government through SIBA Testing Service. This policy creates financial hardship for those who are already having a hard to find job in the present economic crisis.
Initially, candidates paid 350 rupees for participation in written exams for each category, including matriculation, intermediate and graduation. Now, SIBA Testing Service has made the announcement that candidates must pay an additional 350 rupees to receive a test-passing certificate. The candidates’ fundamental rights and dignity, for whom they have worked so diligently to study for and pass the exam, are violated by this policy.
The government should support and encourage jobless students during the current situation Pakistan is going through since they may contribute to the development of the country. New policies that increase their difficulties and challenges shouldn’t be imposed by the government. Many young people are facing incidences of anxiety and depression as a result of these kinds of policies.
I urge the government of Sindh to take this matter seriously and learn from the achievements of neighbouring countries in the field of education. The government should revoke this policy to enable our youths to contribute proudly to Pakistan.
MUMTAZ ALI FROM JOHI
Dadu
Box letter
Search for a perfect Bahu
Why we are so bound to be judged by others? Why we have given rights to people to devalue our self-worth? Pakistani culture for marriage is really repulsive. Although it’s one of our religious duties, people instead of making it easier made it complicated. Aunties while looking for a Bahu (daughter-in-law) think like as they are in sabzi mandi searching for a perfect shaped tomatoes, not too short, full red just ideal for their dish. Why height, weight, complexion, well-off background of a girl is the only concern in Rishta process? No matter their sons have short height, dark complexion, they still seems prince to them. On the other hand, people to whom these things don’t matter much, bluntly ask for a handsome dowry as if they were waiting for this moment to get “Free Ka Saman”. These things made our culture really disturbing. We can’t even assess the feelings people actually go through just because of these useless demands. The rate of anxiety and depression is increasing day by day in Pakistan because aunties are not getting their “Perfect Bahu” and the victims of their nonsense are the girls who face consequences. Who is going to stop this display of girls? How we get rid of this “Chai Session Culture” of our country? It’s my personal thinking, this culture really hurts girls’ self-respect. We need in order to eradicate the age-old custom. Before respect and recognition, what women deserve, is the essence of being made aware of the idea that they are much-needed, vital humans and not perfunctory beings.
SARINA JABEEN
Karachi
