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.
Basant: A hazardous festival
Basant is a festival which indicates the beginning of spring. This festival is celebrated every year in Pakistan in the month of February. On the occasion, people fly kites, these kites are made of variety of colours, sizes and shapes. To fly theses kites, a special thread is made which is embedded with cut glass to make it strong enough to cut the competitor’s kite. Although, this festival is a symbol of joy and happiness but it brings some hazards also. First, when the wire attached to kites touch the electricity cables after cut off from the string; it causes a spark on the electricity wires which leads to tripping of electricity.
This tripling leads to power fluctuations resulting in damage of household appliances. Moreover, when anyone try to grab the stray kite which sticks on electric wire it gives an electric shock resulting in, on the spot death. Secondly, people who drive motorcycles are at high risk of damage, the thread attached with stray kite is powerful enough to slit the throat which also causes instant death. Thirdly, excessive use of fireworks and firing is also a by-product of Basant, most of the incidents reported where people die due to stray bullets. Last but not the least, in rush for grabbing stray kites accidents also happen like road accidents and falling from the roof top. It can be summed up as Basant is a festival which brings many hazards due to irresponsible behaviour of people.
However, Basant should be celebrated with traditional enthusiasm to highlight the country’s image at the international level but the hazards attach to it should be minimized. To eradicate the hazards people need to correct their irresponsible behaviour. In addition, government has to make strict rules for everyone and also implement them. Moreover, media should have to spread awareness among people to take safety precautions. Basant is a joyful festival, let’s keep it safe and blissful.
KIRAN FATIMA
Islamabad
Digital Pakistan
The governments vision for a Digital Pakistan is no doubt extensive; encompassing infrastructure, e-governance, fin-tech, digital skills and training, and innovation and entrepreneurship. A multitude of mobile applications for facilitation of citizens have also been launched in this regard. The digitalization will no doubt also help in providing jobs to the youth and spur their creative abilities. But how many of us are actually able to take advantage of such endeavours?
The answer is quite depressing, but the reason is even more so. Lack of education, overall literacy, especially digital literacy; are all hurdles for the common man to take benefit from the introduced technologies. For example, beneficiaries of BISP continue to be taken advantage of by middlemen who exploit their illiteracy. I believe that the government should also focus on provision of core digital literacy to the masses; by either making it a part of the school curriculum, introducing more learning portals like DigiSkills, or give hands on trainings through NAVTTEC. It is only then can the country truly profit from the digital era.
KANWAL ASHRAF
Islamabad
PBM funds protraction
Pakistan Bait-Ul-Maal fell victim of lack of funds. I am a deserving student who PBM has been assisting financially in his tuition fees over two years. But, since last two semesters, I did not receive my cheques. On inquiring in PBM head office Islamabad, I was told that since no funds were issued by government to PBM not only educational but medical cases have also lingered on.
I was told that by January 15, funds are expected to be issued by federal government, but it has been more than one month, situation is constant. On the other hand, the university administration has warned me of excluding from coming exams if dues are not paid. In all this dilemma, it is a hapless student who suffers. Whereas, the officials sitting in both PBM offices and the university administration behave in a rude manner with students. Via medium of this reputed newspaper, I beseech the concerned authorities of the federal government to kindly issue the procrastinated funds to PBM, so that deserving students could continue their further education without any suffering.
Z A BEHRAM
Gilgit-Baltistan
Supporting poor countries
We cannot effectively commemorate World Social Justice Day without reflecting thoughtfully about setbacks and progresses made by poor countries in tackling social injustices. It is a noble idea that people should have equal access to wealth, health, well-being, justice, privilege, and opportunity regardless of their legal, political, economic, or other circumstances. Social injustice creates poverty. Poverty is an outrage against humanity.
It robs people of their dignity and lets injustice thrive. Poverty in poor country has sparked exodus of people seeking better economic conditions in European countries and other developed countries. It is in the best interest of the Western countries to help poor countries to tackle social injustices. Systems and structures that favour the rich and powerful over the poor and marginalised should be highlighted, challenged and changed.
HANDSEN CHIKOWORE
London
Grave misnomer
President of Pakistan or for that of any country is regarded as the First Citizen of that particular country and his wife is known as the First Lady. But due to ignorance or some other unknown factors, previously Begum Kalsoom Nawaz was being described by the print and electronic media as the First Lady when Nawaz Sharif was the Prime Minister. Now, Mohtarma Bushra Bibi, wife of Prime Minister Imran Khan is being called and described as the First Lady which is absolutely wrong and a grave misnomer. Mohtarma Bushra Bibi is as such entitled to protocol as the wife of the prime minister and not that as a First Lady.
The other day none else but Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Information and Broadcasting Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan was reported in the media as calling Mohtarma Bushra Bibi as the First Lady. Her being so ignorant of protocol and Warrants of Precedence is quite regrettable as well as deplorable to say the least. Mohtarma Samina Alvi, wife of President Dr Arif Alvi, as a matter of fact is the First Lady of Pakistan as long her husband is the First Citizen of Pakistan as President.
MUHAMMAD MURTAZA
Lahore
Medical facilities
Last week, as I was exiting Karachi on my way to Gharo, I witnessed a Shahzore truck rolling over in a bid to save an old woman crossing the National Highway near Toll Plaza. Many people got severely injured and there was no hospital nearby. We stopped as well to provide whatever help we could. Somebody called an ambulance and in very little time we saw Sindh Rescue and Medical Services ambulances reaching the location. Unlike typical ambulances in Karachi, we were surprised to see how well equipped these ones were and they even had trained paramedics.
They immediately started treating all the nine victims very professionally like providing necessary first aid to them including IV fluids, injections, splints, spine board and cervical collar. After providing immediate aid, ambulances started shifting the injured to hospitals for further care.
I later found out that this Service is a result of partnership between Sindh government and Aman Health. I was really impressed by how they acted in a timely and professional manner. It is very unfortunate that such ambulances are limited in number. Government should prioritize this to add more ambulances so that such services are available at least in highly populated urban areas and major highways of Sindh.
MUHAMMAD AHMED
Via email
Lack of healthcare in Gwadar
Gwadar is one of the developing cities of Balochistan. Owing to the CPEC project, multiple changes are expected for the people of the coastal city. However, unfortunately, the healthcare sector of Gwadar is entirely ignored and people are facing a plethora of problems. The rich people can visit Karachi for their proper treatment but what about those poor for whom that seems unaffordable and they lose their precious lives due to lack of good health facilities.
However, there are poor people who spend their rest of life for protection of their loved ones. But, lack of proper treatment causes multiple painful cases of death. So I request the government to take worthwhile steps to solve this issue because giving city a new shape doesn’t solve the problems of the people. Healthcare system should be taken care of by doctors and government.
HAZARI KHUDA BAKSH
Turbat
