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.
Terrorism and insurgency
The attack, a blast that took place as the vehicle carrying JUI-F Senator Hafiz Hamdullah in Mastung is a reminder that we are facing rising terrorism and insurgency. This is also the second high-profile attack involving the JUI-F as apparently the target. A suicide blast in Bajaur in July during a JUI-F rally had left 54 people dead including JUI-F office-bearers while in May JI head Sirajul Haq had also escaped a suicide attack in Zhob.
Responsibility for the Mastung attack has yet to be ascertained but the attack in Bajaur had been claimed by the Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP), which had previously issued a series of fatwas permitting the assassination of JUI-F scholars and activists in April 2022, However, the ISKP is not the only terrorist group that is threatening Pakistan, with the TTP and other militants including those in Balochistan still active. The range of groups targeting the state and their differing strategies and motivations highlight the growing complexity of our terror threat.
It is unlikely that a one-size-fits-all approach will deal with the multi-pronged threat that we currently face and the security forces and law-enforcement agencies are likely to need to tailor the strategies to tackle the unique threat posed by each of the groups. There is also the overarching problem of the TTP being able to find safe-haven in Afghanistan. Unless this issue is effectively addressed, Pakistanis will never be safe. There is a need to also strengthen security measures, particularly at sensitive locations such as police compounds and political rallies. That attacks on political figures seem to be becoming a trend is likely to further complicate an already messy elections picture.
Political polarization is at its peak and now there is a heightened security threat in the lead up to the polls, making the entire exercise all the more arduous, risky and costly than it already is. Due to day to day prices of electricity, fuel, gas and eatable goods public is on roads to protest, the growing terrorist activities are very much alarming for the peace and tranquillity in the country. We need political certainty in the country at the earliest so that the terror hydra is finally vanquished.
QAZI JAMSHED SIDDIQUI
Lahore
Cricket crisis
The Pakistani cricket team’s performance in the upcoming ODI Cricket World Cup 23, scheduled to take place in India next month, holds immense significance. Not only does it carry the weight of the Pakistani nation’s hopes, but it also symbolizes a source of inspiration for approximately 500 million Muslims residing in India, IIOJ&K, and Bangladesh The team’s success can uplift spirits far beyond borders.
In view of the foregoing, the recent disappointing performance of our cricket team in the Asia Cup has highlighted the need for a significant transformation within the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). It’s evident that the current leadership is professionally and mentally unable to modernize the organization. In fact, if things continue this way, the PCB might suffer a fate similar to the PHF which has altogether destroyed the fabric of hockey in Pakistan.
Given the urgency, here are some immediate changes that the Caretaker Prime Minister (as the chief patron of the PCB) should consider before the ODI World Cup: 1. Appoint Shaheen Shah Afridi as the captain of both the T20 and ODI teams. 2. Include Saim Ayub and Imad Wasim in the World Cup Squad. 3. Replace Inzamam-ul-Haq with Iqbal Qasim as the Chief Selector. 4. Replace Misbah-ul-Haq and consider Javed Miandad or Mohsin H. Khan as the Chairman of the Cricket Committee. 5. Replace Micky Arthur with Aamir Sohail or Mohsin Hasan Khan as the head coach.
These changes are essential to revitalize our cricket team’s performance and bring fresh leadership to the PCB.
SYED NAYYAR UDDIN
Lahore
Change of Guards
Justice Qazi Faez Isa, senior most Judge of the Supreme Court of Pakistan (SCP), took oath as the 29th Chief Justice of the highest appellate court of the country. It was indeed great to see his wife, Iron-Lady Sarina Isa by his side on this momentous occasion.
It wouldn’t be impertinent to mention, in response to a Freedom of information request by the Women’s Action Forum (WAF), Justice Qazi Faez Isa was the only judge who published details of all his assets, income and privileges on Supreme Court website. His wife, Sarina Isa also voluntarily did so.
Needless to say, the fortitude and patience with which Sarina Isa stood by her profoundly illustrious husband Justice Isa, during his trying times, is an example for others to emulate. The awfully difficult times they both passed through, is what this nation would never be able to consign to the oblivion.
M FAZAL ELAHI
Islamabad
Box letter
Stop deforestation
Deforestation refers to the decrease in forest areas across the world that is lost for other uses, such as agriculture, croplands, urbanization, or mining activities. It has been greatly accelerated by human activities since 1960. Deforestation has negatively impacted humans as it has led to global warming. It is often recognized as one of the major causes of the greenhouse effect. When trees are cut down in forests, the temperature rises. In the last century, Earth’s temperature has increased by one degree, and according to scientists, this trend is expected to continue. In Pakistan, only 4.5% of the land is covered by forests. People are cutting trees down without being aware of the side effects. The causes include overpopulation, furniture making and sometimes people deliberately set forests on fire. For example, the largest rainforest, the Amazon, was burned on August 22, 2022, due to irresponsible actions. Many people who go camping set campfires and then leave, leading to wildfires. The side effects of deforestation include soil erosion, climate change, desertification, floods, and more. The human body is also affected as amount of oxygen decreases. Therefore, governments must support tree-planting programmes.
SARA ARIF
Turbat
