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.
Toshakhana verdict
The arrest of PTI chief Imran Khan was not a bolt from the blue, and there was an air of inevitability about the trial which led to his conviction. He has joined a distinguished list. It is time for politicians to look carefully at the disqualification clauses of the Constitution, and work out why they can be used against them.
Imran Khan has a series of appellate forums to nullify his disqualification. However, other two cases i.e. Foreign Funding and Al-Qadir Trust are also in courts to be decided. However, even if he is released on bail, his party has been in bad shape since the reaction to his 9 May arrest which led to creation of adverse sentiments in public.
If he is kept in jail, and the election is held, his party will find itself at a huge disadvantage, especially if he is unable to contest or campaign effectively. This does provide Imran Khan with the opportunity to rethink his own policies of confrontation, in which he seemed to consider political opponents mortal enemies, whom he had to hound at all costs and by any means.
He might not see the path ahead for a return, but he has the example of Mian Nawaz Sharif, whose ouster took place on his petition, though not on his charge. Now Mr Sharif is heading for a return, having spent multiple years in exile, similar to when he had to leave Pakistan in the 90s for more than a decade after Gen Musharraf seized power. Besides Imran Khan, all politicians and political parties must come together, agree to stop calling one another names, and work out a way in which Prime Ministers are not turfed out of office and then politically eliminated. Politics is a science of dialogue and reconciliation instead of personal grudge and vendetta
MUNAWAR SIDDIQUI
Lahore
Climatic woes
Pakistan is perpetually facing climatic disasters and calamities, whereby, the country is on the way to fiasco which is beyond the pale. Yet no actions are taken to eliminate the climatic state-of-affairs, which can lead the country to serious repercussions in the long run. Not only people, but also the environment is affected. Soil erosion is occurring, meanwhile. Apparently, economic growth is facing hindrance.
Notwithstanding the measures of calamities, sadly, policy makers are not concerned with regard to the current crisis. Resultantly, the country’s agriculturalists, farmers and land workers are disturbed. Roads and railways are not safe to travel, since rains and disasters have caused severe damage to the roads, railways and lands.
By the same token, dangerous heat-waves have been observed in previous days, which are harmful for living beings. In addition, utilisation of goods and food has become arduous. Aside from this, the folks of rural areas are not out of harm’s way, nor their children.
Conclusively, the current climatic crisis has left the nation high and dry. It is lamentable that our policy makers are not working out to put these conditions to an end, so that societies in general and countries in particular can advance.
MOOSA PANHWAR
Sukkur
Malnutrition
This is to draw attention to the prevailing issue of Balochistan malnutrition which has long lasting impacts on its poor residents. It is worrisome to see the alarming rates of malnutrition among children and adults in the province, which not only affects the health and well-being of individuals but also impedes the overall development of the region.
It is high time that concerted efforts are made to address this crisis and ensure a brighter future for the people of Balochistan. Malnutrition is a multidimensional problem stemming from a combination of factors such as poverty, lack of access to quality healthcare, inadequate infrastructure and limited educational resources.
The consequences of malnutrition are severe, leading to stunted growth, weakened immune systems, lower cognitive abilities, and, in extreme cases, loss of life. These outcomes not only impact individuals but also burden the healthcare system and hinder the productivity and progress of the entire province.
FARIS KHALIQ
Kech
Pakistan’s brain drain crisis
Pakistan is facing a severe brain drain crisis as a significant number of its citizens, including highly skilled professionals, are leaving the country in search of better opportunities abroad. In the first six months of the current year, over 800,000 Pakistanis have emigrated, with about 100,000 of them being highly trained individuals, such as doctors, nurses, engineers, IT experts and accountants. This massive exodus is indicative of the country’s struggling economy, exacerbated by the prevalence of Islamic fundamentalism.
The surge in emigration has been a growing concern for Pakistan in recent years, but the departure of highly trained professionals has intensified the issue. The nation is grappling with multiple challenges that contribute to brain drain, including rising unemployment, soaring inflation rates, a crumbling economy, political instability and the rise of extremist ideologies. These factors have created an environment that pushes skilled individuals to seek better prospects abroad.
As reported by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics, 832,000 individuals have left the country by June this year, and 400,000 among them were educated and qualified professionals. The figures for 2022 were three times higher than those for 2021, during which 225,000 Pakistanis emigrated, and 2020 saw 280,000 individuals leaving the country.
SAIRA SAMO
Larkana
Box letter
Stop killing birds
Killing birds is a major problem in Balochistan. Most of the areas of Balochistan have been witnessing the birds’ killing and many videos and pictures of the innocent birds have went viral on social media, still the authorities concerned remain in silent mode. The rising level of killing birds has become a challenge for the authorities to solve the issue. There are a number of countries that have protected the animals and made sustainable efforts to provide animals’ rights. The concerned authorities need to address this problem to provide rights to the animals by decreasing their killing in the province. This issue brings more challenges for the birds if government hesitates in taking action.
ZAINAB ISLAM
Kech
