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.
Tomatoes export from Pakistan
Trying to update the ancient agriculture sector of Pakistan seems like a very long and difficult process. One way the Government can help streamline their efforts is by concentrating on one product’s entire supply chain. China used the same model to become world export leaders in many agriculture products. For example, the KP and Baluchistan provinces have very high production of tomatoes each year. Tomatoes can be turned into four products: Concentrate, Puree sauce, Paste and Ketchup. Each product can easily be packed for long storage and transport, while each product has export market of over 500k metric tons If the Government of Pakistan negotiates G2G contracts for tomato product supplies to other nations and then offers a Public Private Partnership for establishing tomatoes processing facilities according to international export standards they can convert this excess tomatoes production in two of the poorest provinces into an export cash crop. In the public-private partnership the Government would be responsible for technical guidance, export contracts, land and licenses, while private partner would be responsible for investment, construction and management of plant. The Government would also help increase tomato production by offering support price and free quality seeds to farmers for five years.
Once the exports start, it would create a continuous demand for the products and establish a robust industry. One government organization can be given this task, along with relevant HR expertise and list of agriculture products to target each year. The same process of streamlining and enhancing the entire supply chain from farm to export for other agriculture products can be established and slowly help improve the agriculture sector over the years while also increasing farmers income.
SHAHRYAR KHAN BASEER
Peshawar
Mugabe’s mess still haunts Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe is a country which is still being haunted by the Mugabe regime. It has been crippled by economic decay, high inflation, high youth unemployment which has left many of the country’s youth turning to numb there pain, dilapidated hospitals with many not fit for purpose and inadequate healthcare, unproductive farming system which has a big effect on the economy and job generation, collapsed infrastructure, toxic politics with the country current President having rigged the electoral system even going as far as the judicial system.
This President should be embarrassed with the mass exodus of Zimbabwean citizens to other countries. He has tried but failed and the pain and suffering is nowhere near the end. Emmerson Mnagagwa has to accept and take a self evaluation on his time in government and change or resign from his post as the President of our Zimbabwe
KUDZAI MASHIRI
Via email
Resignation
of UK CE
Congratulations are in order for the ex-Chancellor of the Exchequer (CE). I applaud him for his boldness; he has demonstrated a trait of leadership which should be emulated by other MPs and Ministers across over the world. It shows that if you are forced to do something against your conscience no matter your status in the cabinet, you should stand up for what you believe and show by resignation. African ministers and leaders should stand up and not condone things which are against their beliefs.
In Zimbabwe, you have a Finance Minister who has a doctorate in finance but is doing a job which is beyond his economic knowledge, he is financially illiterate and continues to lead the country into hyperinflation, characterised by shortage of bank notes, unprecedented black foreign exchange, cashless cash machine, long queues for pensioners to withdraw only 20 US dollars. Mtuli Ncube should reflect on his time as a Finance Minister and do the right thing by people of Zimbabwe if asked to do some financial insanity or resign like Sajid Javid.
KUDZAI MASHIRI
Via email
PSL economic benefits
The Pakistan Super League is in its 5th season this year and it has become a great of income for Pakistan economy. Moreover, according to the economic experts, PSL will be obliging in increasing the country’s feeble economy by generating money and bringing the sports tourism as well as positive image of Pakistan.
Furthermore, PCB and PSL itself are building money via the auction of title sponsorship, broadcasting rights, ticket sale and much more. In addition, one of the most excellent things about the PSL is that it provides recognition to the local talent onto the world stage and their good performance will also lead towards higher ticket sales. The success of the PSL will not only encourage the cricket players but also the other sporting leagues across the nation.
HADIA AZIZ
Islamabad
Treason: Action needed once
In Pakistan, political leaders give statements according to their political philosophy rather than for the collective benefit of the country. These statements are used against the country. The most famous example is Kulbhushan Jadhav’s case in which one of Nawaz Sharif’s (ex-prime minister) statements was used in the International Court of Justice against Pakistan. In the same way, politico-religious leader Maulana Fazal-ur-Rehman claimed that he had called off his sit-in after receiving an assurance that Prime Minister Imran Khan will resign in 2020 and elections will be held after three months of IK’s resignation. Maulana Fazal-ur- Rehman proved himself as one of the bitter foes of IK’s government. He has staged a 13-day long protest in Islamabad. His prime objective was to shed the present government. He had ended his Dharna after negotiations between the Opposition’s Rahbar Committee and the Government.
Recently, Maulana Fazl-ur-Rehman confessed that his sit-in was a conspiracy to topple the PTI Government. A treason case should be filed against him under article 6 of the Constitution. Pakistan’s constitution suggests capital punishment for treason.
MAEMUNA SADAF
Islamabad
The Goan Carnival
The carnival is the most famous festival and has been celebrated since the 18th Century AD as a precursor to the abstinence of Lent. It is exclusive and unique to Goa and was introduced by the Portuguese who ruled the State for over five hundred years. Huge colourful parades take over the state’s cities with bands, floats and dances.
Although, the four-day festival is primarily celebrated by Catholics, it has also absorbed Hindu tradition revelry, western dance forms, and turned into a pageantry of sorts. Though it started as a celebration enjoyed only by the local population, it has today crossed the state frontiers and attracts thousands of people from all over the country as well as from other parts of the world.
The carnival is held either in February or March for four days (depending on when Lent starts) when the legendary king Momo takes over the state and the streets come alive with songs and dances. The carnival is meant to be a feasting-drinking-merrymaking orgy just before the austere 46 days of Lent. Huge parades are organised throughout the state with bands, dances and floats out all night on the streets, and grand balls held in the evenings.
The history of the Goan carnival goes back to almost 500 years. It was essentially introduced in Goa by the Portuguese. The trend of celebrating the carnival with hedonistic pleasures dates back to ancient Rome and Greece. It came to be known to the Portuguese and Spanish people with time and when the Portuguese established their colony in Goa, they introduced the concept there. Since then, the carnival is regular feature every year and a time when people all over Goa take part in it with pleasure.
JUBEL D’CRUZ
Via email
