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.
Kashmir Day
05 February is the 31st Kashmir Day. First observed on 5th February 1990, Kashmir Day holds vital importance this year as the beautiful valley covered with chniar and maple trees has been wailing and bemoaning since 5 August 2019 when the special status of Kashmir was abolished. Kashmiris all over world are protesting against Indian unlawful act.
More than 900,000 Indian army is inflicting violence and atrocities on innocent Kashmiris. They are still under siege. Internet and other communication facilities have not been restored. International community as well as the United Nations have issued various warnings to India but to no avail. The miseries and misfortunes of Kashmiris are not ending. Pakistan has stood with their Muslim brethren in testing times and given moral support vociferously. This day is a reminder that tyranny cannot prevail for long time. Justice will prevail at last.
IFTIKHAR MIRZA
Islamabad
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Kashmir Solidarity Day also known as ‘Yaum-e-Yakjehti-e-Kashmir’ has been observed in Pakistan since 1990 as a day of protest against Indian occupation of the part of the territory. The day is marked by political rallies, marches and speeches about Kashmir showing solidarity with the people who have been suffering and fighting there against the injustice of Indian government. The split of Kashmir between India and Pakistan has led enmity and bloodshed with three wars over the region in 1947, 1965 and 1999 and still the dispute has not been resolved. The brutality of Indian government continues till today.
Over eight million people in the region are still under a constant lockdown. People remain prisoners in their own houses, their mosques deserted, internet access is blocked, roads blocked, bridges closed and low attendance in schools. Indian personnel stand guards outside pathways, next to hospitals and schools spreading fear and terror among Kashmiris who are demanding their independence.
It is heart-breaking that international news agencies covering wars and conflicts across the world have completely forgotten to cover day to day horror which continues to unfold in Kashmir. India must end the lockdown which has been imposed upon the people of Kashmir so that they can vote freely and exercise their rights. The world must realize that resolving the Kashmir dispute could prove to be the pathway towards attaining regional stability in South Asia.
SUMAIYA KHALID
Karachi
Learning from Indian Budget
We have become used to being polarized in each and everything. Let’s take Indian Budget 2020 as an example. We either say it’s a good budget or a bad one without knowing its different aspects. We, as a nation, strive for prosperity, but for achieving prosperity we need to learn from ourselves as well as others. Although the people of India are not so happy with the budget but there are minor improvements in some sectors also. We need to incorporate those improvements in our structure as well. One such sector is Taxation.
They have made two major improvements in their taxation sector. Firstly, they have exempted the tax for foreign investors. This step would lead to an increase in foreign direct investment in the country. Minister of Finance of India, while presenting the budget, offered tax breaks to foreign investors and specifically those who are willing to place a long-term bet on the economy. They have made excellent bait for trapping the foreign investors. If the same is done in Pakistan, surely foreign investment would surge and help stabilize the unstable economy of our country.
Secondly, there is a tax in India known as Dividend Distribution Tax (DDT). In the new budget, they have removed DDT as well. As most of the start-ups are not able to pay their employees in terms of salaries, they distribute dividends of the company. But a major flaw in this is that the employees or even investors need to pay taxes on it before even earning a penny from it. This obstructs the flow of investments. Removing this tax will give a major push to investments. Whereas in Pakistan, dividends of resident companies are taxed at the rate of 12.5%. If these dividend taxes are abolished or reduced in Pakistan, it would make equities of Pakistani companies more attractive and boost market sentiment. Hence, it is important that we make these changes in our country as well. It is important for us to start learning from other side of the border as well to thrive.
GAURAV DEV
Karachi
Non-development budget
According to prominent Pakistani economists (like Mian Atif, Qaiser Bengali etc.), most foreign loans are spent on top bureaucracy of this poor country, whose salaries, perks and pension have become a burden on national exchequer. If this is true, then under no circumstances, should this be acceptable. The size of State machinery should be made lean, clean and more efficient.
Foreign loans should only be taken for development projects which will boost economy, generate employment and improve exports, or on development of human resources and research. Austerity measures should start from those who have been beneficiaries of state largess for far too long and not on poor and tax-paying middle class. This country needs to invest in development schemes which improve public transportation that will ultimately lead to savings on import of cars, motorcycles, petroleum and also help in improving environment and reduce traffic congestion. When total revenues generated by State are less than money required for debt repayment instalments and pension, perks etc., of paid servants of the state it should raise alarm bells for an impending economic emergency. Salaries, pensions and retirement perks of paid state servants should be in proportion to economic capacity.
In such circumstances, it is criminal to allow housing societies to be irregularly developed on state forest land or green agriculture belts owned by small land-holders who till land to produce wheat and vegetable for self and sale to public. It is criminal complicity of these mafias with previous successive governments which has now resulted in shortage of essential agriculture food items and cash crops like cotton. Absentee land owners, who are beneficiaries of state allotment under garb of welfare, are another burden on economy, because they have failed to boost crop growth primarily because it is not their livelihood.
MALIK T ALI
Lahore
Effects of climate change
According to recent statistics, Pakistan is the 5th most vulnerable country in the world affected by climate change.
The report estimated that the data of 152 extreme weather events from 1999 to 2018, reveals that 9,989 people lost their lives due to weather events resulting from climate change and sustained economic losses worth $3.8 billion during these years. So, the government must take tangible measures regarding the prevention of climate change in the country.
ADNAN AHMED
Islamabad
Great Britain and HIV
It is highly applauded to hear that the UK is winning the war against HIV according to the latest figures published by Public Health England. There are an estimated 103,800 people living with HIV in the UK and in other parts of the world particularly in Southern Africa, the numbers are in millions
The UK should use its global influence to persuade and support most affected countries such as Zimbabwe, South Africa, Botswana, Lesotho and Swaziland to adopt the same methods of prevention so that globally there could be significant reduction in new HIV infections.
HANDSEN CHIKOWORE
London
