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Spirit of Ramadan
Ramadan is a month of blessings when Muslims consider it obligatory to help their fellow citizens, especially the poor and deprived. Unfortunately, unlike Christians living in the West, where retailers and manufacturers of basic items, offer discounts during Christmas season, our Retail/Wholesale traders in Pakistan, involved in food items, create artificial food shortages, by resorting to hoarding etc. This is against the very spirit of Ramadan and teachings of our Holy Prophet PBUH. There is an authentic Hadith narrated by Mamar-bin-Abdullah-bin-Nadlah, that the Prophet PBUH stated “no one hoards, but a sinner”. Al-Bukhari and Muslim both quote Prophet PBUH “do not hoard; otherwise Allah SWT will it hold from you”.
Every government, which has been at helm, is responsible for failing to curb this immoral and unethical practice. Quaid-e-Azam in his first address to Constituent Assembly on 11 August stated that “Black -marketing is another curse—you have to tackle this monster, which today is a colossal crime against society, in our distressed conditions, when we constantly face shortage of food and the essential commodities of life. A citizen who does black-marketing commits, I think, a greater crime, than the biggest and most grievous of crimes,—They ought to be severely punished, because they undermine the entire system of control and regulation of food stuffs, and essential commodities, and cause wholesale starvation and want and even death”.
In 1948 MAJ as GG proposed 3 years in jail with a fine of Rs100,000 for hoarders. A Hoarding and Black-Marketing Act Act 1948 came into being. In today’s terms this Rs1Lakh is equivalent to over Rs 30Crores. Unfortunately, these Retailers/Wholesalers are a powerful group, who enjoy clout in the ruling elite, both political and paid. With passage of time their hoarding practices have been accepted by every government. They even manage to evade, being included in the tax-net, despite enormity of economic quagmire we face. We, as a nation, have disregarded Jinnah’s vision and are suffering.
MALIK TARIQ ALI
Lahore
Breaking barriers
A few days ago at my university, we had a session on “mock interview skills.” Instead, it would be more beneficial to have sessions on creating a business plan, pitching ideas, arranging finance or funds. As a business student, I value the importance of time and its efficient utilization. In the business field, we recognize the scarcity of resources, including time, and the need to contribute to society through innovative business ventures.
Not everyone may possess the ability to generate or pitch ideas, but they can contribute by joining those who do. This creates numerous employment opportunities. In today’s modern world, starting a startup is relatively straightforward. Unfortunately, I must admit that I’m not referring to Pakistan due to political instability and economic challenges. Regrettably, our education sector often seems focused on producing skilled labour akin to donkeys, carrying weight and delivering it without fostering leadership or entrepreneurial skills.
As a member of the younger generation, I am concerned about the future of our country. Our education system appears to emphasize creating labourers rather than leaders or entrepreneurs. Instead, institutions could guide us to adopt an upper-level perspective, encouraging us to see the bigger picture and think like businessmen.
Institutions should understand diverse aspirations of students, going beyond generic goals like becoming a doctor or engineer. Recognizing individual personalities and perspectives is crucial in shaping leaders and entrepreneurs our future demands.
ABDULLAH LAKHO
Sukkur
Impact of taxation policies
The recent surge in sales tax to 25% on 1400 cc cars coupled with currency devaluation has dealt a severe blow to our automobile industry. Sales have plummeted by 30%, affecting parts manufacturing and employment. This decline translates to decreased tax revenue, while energy prices and financing rates soar.
With over 40% taxation on each car sold, the proposed increase in GST to 25% on local vehicles only exacerbates the issue, favouring imports and burdening the middle class. The customers would be greatly benefitted if the authorities reconsider these policies, engage in dialogue and seek sustainable solutions that foster growth rather than stifle it.
QASIM HAIDER
Karachi
Box letter
Maternal safety
Reproduction is essential for sustaining the human race, yet pregnancy complications pose significant risks. While millions of babies are welcomed into the world daily, the reality is marred by life-threatening complications. A safe pregnancy should lead to a safe delivery, but the prevalence of caesarean sections, though often necessary, introduces heightened risks for both mother and child. The requirement for specialized equipment during caesarean deliveries highlights the severity of associated complications, contributing to a high mortality rate. Dow University of Health Sciences, a leading hospital in Karachi, often handles complex cases from interior Sindh, where inadequate healthcare infrastructure leads to mishandled caesareans. Many women from these regions are admitted for caesarean procedures, only to face complications due to the low quality of healthcare. Consequently, they are transferred to Karachi for critical care, often ending up on ventilators. The pattern of these cases is distressingly similar, revealing systemic issues in healthcare provision. Despite efforts to provide specialized care, fatalities persist due to the severity of complications and the challenges in accessing timely and appropriate medical treatment.
ARISHA IRSHAD ALI
Karachi
