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.
Uniform civil code
With less than a year remaining until the general election, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is rushing to employ every single trick in the playbook to get another chance at the hot seat. That one of his fiery critics showered praises on his “exemplary” outreach to the Islamic world while choosing to remain silent on the growing alienation of millions of Muslims living under the tri-colour flag is a clear indicator of how the political elite wishes to carry itself, regardless of the ideology they follow.
The recent storm has been sparked by the ruling BJP’s pitch to introduce a uniform civil code that would force religious minorities to do away with their own laws and customs when it comes to matters like marriages and divorces. If passed, the common code would further stoke the flames of communal fire, forcing communities to live under the perpetual pressure of being felt less.
The liberal sects of the Indian society do not appear interested in operating from behind the shadows as they proclaim the reforms target the Muslims only. New Delhi is not playing its due role as a responsible state but consolidating the majority population to remain in its favour exploiting their religious sentiments.
After all, there’s much that needs to be updated in the Hindu customs as well. Is Modi willing to act against the prevalence of dowry, a primarily Hindu custom? How effective has the Clause (Article 17) of the Indian Constitution been in laying the foundation of a truly secular society? Narendra Modi and his allies would be opening yet another can of worms by shoving a code of their own choice down the throats of over 200 million Muslims.
QAZI JAMSHED SIDDIQUI
Lahore
Gender pay disparity
Gender pay disparity is the general difference in pay between men and women. According to ILO’s Global Wage Report 2019, Pakistan displayed a staggering 34% gender pay gap. This is more than double the global average wage disparities in the world. Shamefully, we are considered as the country with one of the highest wage disparities. To add more, according to multiple researches from the US, their wage gap is mainly due to other factors such as different interests and differences in working hours. Only a marginal percentage of their wage gap is because of gender discrimination.
However, for Pakistan, the case is entirely different. Gender discrimination and lack of education are the main constituents of wage disparity in our country. No doubt, this issue requires urgent attention. So the question arises, where does this predicament stem from and how do we deal with it?
Well, the root of the problem is the despicable attitude of some Pakistanis towards the education of females. Half of the women in Pakistan have not even attended school in their lives and 90% of women don’t have a post-secondary education. Most of these women are from rural and tribal areas where the education of females is considered unnecessary and even taboo. This not only goes against Islam’s teachings regarding education but is also a human rights violation.
MOEID IRFAN WARRAICH
Sialkot
Celebrating Sawan
Welcome to the enchanting world of Sawan, a month of profound significance and beauty in the Indian subcontinent. As the rain-soaked clouds blanket the landscape, Sawan brings with it a sense of rejuvenation, spirituality and poetic inspiration. In this piece, we will delve into the history of Sawan, explore its association with rain and understand why it holds a special place in the hearts of poets and people across the subcontinent.
Sawan’s association with rain stems from the fact that it falls during the monsoon season in the Indian subcontinent. The monsoon rains play a vital role in agricultural practices and farmers eagerly await this time of the year to cultivate their crops. The arrival of rain brings relief from the scorching summer heat and revives the land, making it fertile and abundant. The connection between Sawan and rain is thus deeply intertwined with the sustenance of life and the prosperity of the region.
Sawan has long captivated the imagination of poets and writers, becoming a muse for their lyrical expressions. The advent of rain during this month awakens a sense of romance, longing and devotion. The pitter-patter of raindrops, the fragrance of wet earth and the sight of lush green landscapes inspire poets to craft verses filled with love, yearning and the ethereal beauty of nature.
From the verses of Mirza Ghalib, Faiz Ahmed Faiz and Rabindranath Tagore to the soulful melodies of classical and folk music, Sawan has left an indelible mark on the poetic landscape of the subcontinent.
KHALID SIDDIQUI
Islamabad
Population
The global community has celebrated World Population Day lately. However, Pakistan is currently facing a worrisome situation as its population growth is rapid. Therefore, if apt policies are not introduced soon, our population would cause more trouble; as our resources are decreasing continuously whereas our population is increasing swiftly. Robert Malthus, a renowned scientist, warned the world that there is a negative correlation between the population of a country and its resources.
Hence, a growing population always reduces the resources of that country. Same is the situation of our country as its population is increasing and the slope of the resources is going downward. Whereas, apt policies can make the population a dividend but bad ones can make it a misery. Unless and until a country utilizes the full potential of its population by making good policies, it will remain a pain in the neck, but our leaders are showing head in the sand behaviour in this regard.
Hence the solution, in brief, is proper implementation of our existing laws, like bar on child marriage and implementing policies like providing economic incentives for smaller families that can influence people’s reproductive choices. Lastly, awareness about population control among the general public, especially in women and girls, is crucial.
FARAZ AHMED
Digri, Mirpurkhas
Box letter
Electricity load-shedding
In this hot summer, the issue of load shedding is making life difficult for the residents of our area. People are going through many hardships. As students, we are facing several problems and can’t focus on our studies properly. Load shedding is causing obstacles in our exams preparation as well. It has also become very difficult to perform basic tasks due to lack of electricity. This year the summer is extremely hot so the aged people, patients, and baby infants are suffering. Also the labourers who are working on a daily wages basis in different fields can’t get their daily payment due to long load shedding. It’s a request that the government should look into this matter and facilitate the public with electricity.
NOSHEEN NAWAZ
Turbat
