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.
Smog challenge
A weekly holiday and work-from-home arrangements are under consideration in Lahore to tackle the adverse effects of smog. While it is imperative to have a viable coping mechanism and save the residents from the dangers that the phenomenon of smog poses, it is even more important that the root causes are dealt with. Smog has become a regular occurrence in Lahore and surrounding areas and this should ring the alarm bells high.
There are also a few complications regarding a weekly holiday that the provincial cabinet must pay heed to, before finalizing arrangements. Closing markets and small businesses for a day means the earnings of small business owners are being put at risk. In a time when inflation is high and people are struggling to earn accordingly, no measure should harm common people. The idea behind a weekly holiday is to let the city breathe and ensure that the compromised air quality improves. But it cannot be implemented for a long time.
In the long run, steps that will have the healthiest impact on Lahore’s air quality are rooted in alternate and clean energy solutions and disposing of concrete and industrial waste in environment-friendly ways. Weekly holiday may seem like a feasible answer for now and temporary step to combat the menace. A long-term plan must be laid out to protect the city and its air. Smog is deadly for the residents, as it causes and exacerbates various illnesses. School-going children suffer every year; both in terms of their studies as well as illnesses like eye-itching and breathing issues.
The daily life of citizens is impacted in the worst ways and it has far-reaching economic implications. Net productivity outcome is also directly linked with this environmental hazard that limits people to their homes. Provincial Administration can do long-term measures like improving public transportation, promoting clean energy sources and regulating emissions from industries are vital to ensure a sustainable solution.
QAZI JAMSHED SIDDIQUI
Lahore
Momentous acts
It is our responsibility to address the escalating crime rates and safeguard our country, Pakistan, which was created to ensure a life of freedom. Sadly, today, people are not safe in this very country, and crime rate is on the rise. However, why is there a lack of voices being raised? Why are we, as citizens, remaining silent? Shouldn’t it be our duty to halt the proliferation of crimes in our nation?
This is a critical moment that demands action to combat the wrongdoings within our country. Robberies and thefts have become distressingly common in Pakistan. People are no longer secure in their own homes, yet we are observing in silence. We haven’t spoken out against these injustices. Let us rally and advocate for this country; let us advocate for ourselves and our families. We cannot turn a blind eye to these thefts and robberies, for they are the seeds of more significant crimes. If we do not act today to stop them, these crimes will escalate into more serious offenses such as murder, and many of us will tragically lose our loved ones and relationships.
We must take proactive measures to prevent various crimes. As responsible citizens, let us voice our concerns against the crimes occurring around us instead of staying silent or attempting to cover them up. Let us fulfill our responsibility by reporting incidents to the police, contributing to crime prevention. We can collectively take practical steps to achieve this goal.
IMRAN HAIDER
Karachi
‘India’ in the Holy Bible
The name “India” has been mentioned in the Old Testament in the Book of Esther of the Holy Bible (Chapter 1, verse 1). It was not given to us by the British government — “These events happened in the days of King Xerxes, who reigned over 127 provinces stretching from India to Ethiopia…”
This book was written 20,000 years before Jesus Christ was born. What has the Modi government to say about this?
JUBEL D’CRUZ
Mumbai, India
UN/UK: Realise your guilt
The agony and loss of near and dear ones in Gaza and Israel is a crime against humanity perpetrated due to dirty conspiracies originating from the 1947 British Partition Plan. Kashmir continues to burn and it remains a large human jail under the Indian army since the unlawful abrogation of Article 370 from the Indian Constitution in 2019.
The second guilt was committed through the United Nations Partition Plan of 1948, in which more than 50% of the territory of the Palestine State under the Ottoman Empire was given to Israel. The remaining territory was designated for establishing Palestine.
Within 75 years of the so-called august UN’s existence, Israel has usurped the Palestinian territory, and the UN Secretary General, in his paper statement, remarked, “The siege of Palestinian territory is an anti-humanitarian act.” Bravo, spineless Secretary-General.
In 1923, when the British succeeded in dismantling the Ottoman Empire, the biggest injustice was the division of Palestine’s territory between Britain and France, treating it like a piece of cake.
Now, we urge Turkey, Saudi Arabia and other countries committed to justice and freedom to act swiftly in dismantling the neo-colonial capitalist order and replacing it with justice and fair play to save humanity from barbarism and the Zionist agenda. We condemn the US and others that are supporting and justifying Israel’s aggression time and again.
ALI ASHRAF KHAN
Karachi
Box letter
Water distribution
The advisory committee of the Indus River System Authority (IRSA) has approved water distribution for the Rabi season 2023-24, with exceptions for Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa due to irrigation network bottlenecks. The decision includes a 15% reduction in water shares for Punjab and Sindh, based on 29.77 million acre feet (MAF) of water availability. Punjab will receive 16.97 MAF, Sindh 12.80 MAF, Balochistan 1.18 MAF, and KP 0.71 MAF. Canal head zipper’s total water availability is estimated at 31.66 MAF, an 8% increase from the previous year. The committee, comprising members from provinces and federal authorities, follows the 1991 Water Allocation Agreement, determining water availability twice a year for Rabi and Kharif seasons. Despite improved water availability, concerns loom over potential damage to the wheat crop, a key Rabi season staple, while other crops like gram, dal, tobacco, barley, and mustard are also cultivated during this season. The Kharif season ended with better-than-expected water availability, exceeding forecasted volumes by 3%.
S FAZAL
Peshawar
