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.
Kaemari crisis and fuel availability
First of all, I want to share my deep sorrow on the causalities resulting from toxic gas leakage in Kaemari area of Karachi. Soon after the Kaemari incident, rumours started about fuel shortage in the city and social media was stormed with fake news. Being a bike user, I was worried, but honestly speaking, I did not face any trouble in fuel refill at any of petrol stations and when I asked one of PSO pumps’ staff member regarding possibility of fuel shortage then I came to know that they are getting even more supply to cater any possible trouble.
We do criticize the government institutions for so many reasons but I believe we should also appreciate the good work. When I discussed with my colleagues about the fuel shortage rumours and reality then many of my colleagues pointed about how PSO is continuously clarifying on TV channels about fuel availability and condemning rumours. It is important how a public sector organization took the responsibility to aware people about the factual situation to avoid any chaos. Government giving good opportunities for private businesses to grow but meanwhile should also focus on the growth of profit making organizations. We see reports that PSO is going to face financial crunch due non payments from other institutions and such issues must be addressed timely before we make more steel mill type cases.
FAIZAN YASIN
Via email
Soul of nation
Abdul Sattar Edhi 28 February 1928– 8 July 2016 was a Pakistani philanthropist, ascetic, and humanitarian who founded the Edhi Foundation, which runs the world’s largest volunteer ambulance network, along with homeless shelters, animal shelter, rehab centres and orphanages across Pakistan. After his death, the Edhi Foundation is run by his son Faisal Edhi.
Edhi was known not only at national level but he also extended support to the victims of Hurricane Katrina and the 1985 famine in Ethiopia. Edhi was nominated several times for the Nobel Peace Prize. Edhi received several national and international honours and awards. On 28 February 2017, Google celebrated Edhi with a Google Doodle hailing his “super-efficient” ambulance service.
?. 50 cupro-nickel commemorative coin was issued upon the recommendations of the State Bank of Pakistan to the Prime Minister Sharif, who decided to commemorate Edhi’s services on the national level. Edhi became the only social worker and the fifth Pakistani personality to have been honoured with a commemorative coin. He was a king without crown; Muhammad Ali Jinnah gave us Pakistan. Abdul Sattar Edhi gave our country its soul.
HAFSA NADEEM
Islamabad
Atrocity of Indian government
The Indian capital Delhi has been engulfed by hate. Pro-govt mobs have ransacked and looted entire neighbourhoods, while visiting horrific violence on Muslims and anti-govt protestors more generally. There is something eerily reminiscent about India’s descent into mob violence; reminiscent of what happened under Modi’s Chief Ministership in Gujrat (2002), and also partition violence in 1947. Pakistanis are all too familiar with the politics of hate to feel anything other than revulsion for what is taking place across the border at the present time. Yet there is hope too, in the young people – and women in particular – that continue to defy the mobs and police inaction to stand for peace, dignity and equality of all. For all the doom and gloom, we have to continue to hope that India’s progressive youth are able to withstand onslaught of reactionary forces and a wilfully complicit state apparatus. Pakistan’s youth too have to defy politics of hate in our own country, fight is long and hard, but the long project of transforming state and society must not be derailed.
NAVEED ABBAS MAITLO
Islamabad
Protecting Hindu minorities!
A number of video clips are viral on social media in which Muslims are seen being victimized and marginalized in the neighbouring country, India. In the past, attack on Babri Masjid had resulted in creating panic across Pakistan. Keeping this in view, it is very necessary to take pre-emptive moves in Pakistan. Being a peace-loving Pakistani citizen and good human being, it is also our collective responsibility to ensure protection of patriotic minorities, especially Hindu community, from any unwanted incident. Pakistan Hindu Council, in its recent statement, has truly mentioned that teachings of every religion focus on serving humanity irrespective of religious affiliations. Regardless of what’s going on in India, we must keep playing our due role to promote tolerance, co-existence and interfaith harmony in Pakistani society.
SABAH UDDIN QAZI
Islamabad
Corona-virus in Pakistan
I will be grateful if you could kindly publish my letter in the column of ‘letter to the editor’ of your esteem newspaper. Recently, we have seen two cases of corona-virus in Pakistan which can be an alarming situation for the citizens.
Corona-virus symptoms appear after three to four days, when this disease is halfway spread in the body and as well as the surroundings. Some of the safety measures that can be important to stay unaffected by this disease: clean hands with soap and water, cover nose and mouth when coughing and sneezing with tissue or flexed elbow, avoid close contact with anyone with cold or flu-like symptoms, thoroughly cook meat and eggs, avoid unprotected contact with live animals. While the government has taken some emergency steps for control of the disease, we should also take some safety tips which can be helpful.
JARRI ABBAS
Via email
Unemployment crisis
In Pakistan, the unemployment rate is increasing rapidly and the major reason is the wastage of resources on a large scale. It results in the decrease in the income of people. The unemployment problem in Pakistan is increasing rapidly and due to this, many crimes are taking place. We can see that many people no matter, what the education are idle because they are not getting any job not even the jobs of clerks, in ordinary offices or in schools, the condition of unemployment is leading towards the depressing state and the main reason is the poor education system.
The parents spend huge amount of money on their children’s education, but the jobs are very rare and prove indefinable in today’s era. Sadly, the government is not taking any action on the unemployment problem in Pakistan. The government needs to take necessary action towards our education system. Well recognized training and technical institutions are needed to be established where skills programs are offered.
ARISHA ANSAR
Karachi
