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.
Pathetic condition of trains
On 30.01.2020, I travelled from Hyderabad to Lahore by Business Express Train. To my utter surprise there was no dining car facility in the train, therefore passengers could not avail food, drinking water and any eatable from Karachi to Lahore. Even passengers were not provided with the facility of pillow and quilt at night. Many of them had to sleep in this harsh weather without it.
On query, I was told that in many trains these facilities have been withdrawn without communicating it to the passengers through media or at the time of reservation thus causing great inconvenience and hardships to them. On return I experienced the same pathetic situation in Karachi Express. The condition of trains was shabby. Even the side tables and dustbins have been removed from the trains.
It is an irony that Pakistan Railways has miserably failed to improve the condition of trains and provision of basic facilities to passengers despite charging them heavy fares. Will Railway Minister & Chairman Railway Board take cognizance of it and order restoration of dining cars and other facilities to passengers in all trains.
TARIQ MAJEED
Hyderabad
Coronavirus prevention
The outbreak of novel and deadly Coronavirus in China has become a serious danger for our country. The fatal virus also seems to have spread to other countries like US, France, UK, Australia, India, etc. However, given substantial Chinese population in Pakistan and the frequent travel between Pakistan and China, the danger of virus spreading to our shores looms large.
It is good to know that government has taken swift and commendable steps by installing detection scanners at airports. In addition, the media has a crucial role to play in spreading awareness about this virus and relevant preventive measures.
MUHAMMAD HAIDER
Karachi
*****
China is our brotherly friend through thick and thin but as Muslims we also have a responsibility to help other Muslims. The Chinese Muslims are being persecuted in China. They are being beaten and tortured in streets and even in detention centres. In today’s age of technology, videos of these tortures and beatings are slowly coming out and I fear that it will have a very drastic effect on the people of Pakistan. In the videos the Chinese Muslims can be heard crying for help.
What China is doing is not the solution and Pakistan should try to help China understand the ramifications of their current course of action. In Islam it is allowed that if Muslims cannot practice their religion freely than they should leave that place. Therefore Pakistan can ask Chinese Government to allow these Chinese Muslims to leave China. While Pakistan can also ask all Muslim nation’s to help find homes for these Chinese Muslims and help them easily integrate into new countries. Even some EU countries like Italy, Poland, Bulgaria and Romania that are facing low population issues can be asked to accommodate some of the Chinese Muslims families. SHAHRYAR KHAN BASEER
Peshawar
Life in India
India’s Union Budget 2020 is disappointing. Although it has taken care of the interests of many sectors and taxpayers, it has not given any specific relief to important sectors such as real estate and automobiles. Similarly in India, if you take a round in the market, you will see policemen accepting bribes from Tiffin carriers, vegetable vendors, fruit sellers, fish mongers and even from tea sellers. These poor men/women who earn very little are harassed and assaulted by the cops’ everyday.
And if you resist in giving the cops your money, you are beaten black and blue and a false case is registered against you. The very men who are supposed to uphold the laws are routinely found misusing their powers and do not respect laws of the country. They should be punished.
JUBEL D’CRUZ
Via email
Research projects in schools
The standard of our education is awful. We want higher marks, it doesn’t matter our concepts are clear or not. Cramming is dominant in our educational system. Actually, we observe intelligence of students on the basis of their marks. We are lacking in research field. We have only a handful of research centres in our country. Unfortunately, they are not playing their role well.
Research projects should be started from primary level. Schools need to change their pattern. They need to promote research as much as they can. We need to find a solution to our problems. For this purpose, we need to promote the value of research in education system. Government should build up more Research centres in all schools, colleges and universities.
NIMRA ANJUM
Faisalabad
Intolerance
The society has stooped so low that no room has been left to differ from anybody on trivial matters. It is so shocking that a taxi driver shot nurse dead for opting to travel by Rickshaw instead of Taxi outside District Headquarters Hospital Bannu. The Taxi driver argued with Rickshaw driver, heated words were exchanged and Taxi driver fired three bullets, killing the nurse at the spot. Carrying passengers from one place to other is a social service, People serving in this sector are expected to be more polite an tolerant.
Alas! we lack basic civic sense of responsibility and treat human beings cattle. Killing human beings so ruthlessly is not a norm of civilized societies, It is suggested that before issuing driving license public transport, the applicant’s mental health must be tested through psychological test to ensure he will not prove harmful for passengers. The taxi driver is at large till now. Exemplary punishment must be given to him to check such instances in future.
IFTIKHAR MIRZA
Islamabad
Code of ethics for advocates
A code of ethics, also known as “Ethical Code”, is a guide of principles designed to help professionals conduct affairs honestly and with integrity. The advocates, being part of the system of delivering justice holds great respect in a society. The most important scope of the legal ethics is to uphold the dignity and order of profession of law while performing affairs in an equitable manner with clients, witnesses as well as opposing party.
An advocate shall not involve in any criminal activities or exhibit unprofessional and rowdy behaviour or engage in any activity that is deceitful, fraudulent or supra-law. Furthermore, as officers of the court they are required to uphold the dignity of judicial office and maintain respectful attitude towards court.
According to canons of professional conduct and etiquettes framed by the Pakistan Bar Council, “an advocate in his professional capacity shall not advise the violation of any law”. He/She must seek truth and justice under all circumstances. It is, therefore, unethical for a lawyer to hide or conceal any material evidence or information that may lead to unfair sentencing of a person who may be innocent.
That said, if an advocate fails to follow the prescribed code of conduct, does not oblige the professional ethics of a legal profession then any person can even file a case of professional misconduct against him/her or court can take action (suo motu) against him/her. The nature of misconduct can be concerning professional negligence, misappropriation of client information or funds, switching sides, contempt of court, improper behaviour before a judge, giving bad advice, furnishing false information, suggesting to the bribe the court, forcing the prosecution witness not to tell the truth, coercing the colleagues, indecent cross examination, breach of trust, fraud or forgery.
Lastly, it is against an advocate’s code of ethics to solicit or advertise work. Both direct and indirect advertising is prohibited. An advocate may not advertise his services through circulars, advertisements, touts, personal communication, interviews or personal relations.
MUHAMMAD ZAMAN BUTT
Lahore
Cancer vaccination, screening
As we observe World Cancer Day today, let us bear in mind the difficulties that frustrate developing countries from raising the priority accorded to promotion of Cancer awareness. Cancer that is uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells anywhere in a body kills an annual estimated 8.8 million people globally. Low and middle-income countries face highest increase in Cancer rates unless the exposure to risk factors is reduced. Many Cancers have a high chance of cure if detected early and treated adequately.
Common Cancer types, such as breast cancer, cervical cancer, oral cancer and colorectal cancer are largely curable if they are detected early and treated appropriately. Developing countries lacks vaccinations and screening programmes which are effective interventions to reduce the global burden of these specific types of cancer. Together, let us aim to save millions of lives by advocating for basic vaccination and screening programmes in poorer countries.
HANDSEN CHIKOWORE
Birmingham, UK
