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Grain grief
The wheat crisis gripping Pakistan has plunged the nation into turmoil, with accusations flying at top government officials, including caretaker Prime Minister Anwarul Haq Kakar and Punjab’s interim chief minister Mohsin Naqvi. As the crisis deepens, the suffering of ordinary farmers, becomes increasingly unbearable, exacerbated by the government’s failure to provide relief. Despite promises of food security, last year saw the inexplicable import of millions of tonnes of wheat in what many view as a gross mismanagement of resources.
The ensuing blame game has turned into a spectacle, with former Prime Minister Anwarul Haq Kakar and PML(N) stalwart Hanif Abbasi engaging in a heated exchange of words, while the plight of millions of farmers remains ignored. The ruling elite’s indifference to the struggles of those who form the backbone of the agrarian economy speaks volumes about their disconnect from the realities faced by ordinary citizens.
Calls for accountability resonate loudly, with demands for those responsible for the crisis to be held to task and to reimburse the hardworking farmers who have borne the brunt of the debacle. Maryam Nawaz, in her capacity as chief minister, finds herself under scrutiny for her perceived inaction in addressing the crisis.
However, the path to justice must be guided by impartial investigations, not solely by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB), to ensure fairness and transparency. It is imperative for the central government to take proactive measures to address the immediate needs of wheat farmers and to restore their confidence in the system. The agricultural sector, which serves as the backbone of Pakistan’s economy, cannot afford to be weakened any further.
In the face of this crisis, decisive action is required to alleviate the suffering of farmers and to prevent such mismanagement from recurring. The people deserve a government that prioritizes their wellbeing and livelihood above all else.
MUNAWAR SIDDIQUI
Lahore
Hallmark of freedom
The word ‘election’ comes from the Latin word ‘eligere’, meaning ‘to choose’, ‘to select’ or ‘to pick’. ‘To elect’ or ‘to vote’, means ‘to select’ or ‘to make a choice’. The word ‘voting’ is derived from the Latin word ‘votum’ meaning, ‘to wish for’. Voting refers to the process of choosing or electing a candidate to run the government’s affairs, usually through a ballot.
In democratic India, general elections take place every five years. All those who are eighteen years of age and above have the right to vote. A number of candidates go around campaigning during elections. They move from door to door and hold public meetings and explain the programmes of their parties to the common man so that we may vote for them. If the party gets a majority of votes, they win; but if they do not, they lose. An election, therefore, is like a battle. But this battle is fought in a peaceful way. It is a battle of ballots, not a battle of bullets.
Going by the true spirit, elections are a celebration of freedom, regime of democracy, the joy of activities and the zest of competitions. Hence, let us remember: Elections are not wars and, therefore, we should not fight. Elections are a festival of democracy, it is a hallmark of our freedom and self-determination. So, let us celebrate and enjoy elections as festivals.
JUBEL D’CRUZ
Mumbai, India
$1 billion wheat scam
It is a familiar pattern, individuals are given a parting welfare package, after they have served at the pleasure of powerful quarters. After all, the cost of supporting a family residing in Europe is very high. Very few “children of lesser gods”, can understand this, especially those who still believe in undivided loyalty and commitment to motherland.
It really does not matter if Pakistan’s FOREX reserves are at rock bottom and we may barely have enough, with all foreign and IMF bailout packages, for debt servicing and essential imports. Almost $1Billion was the cost of importing excess wheat by caretaker government, which they state was done by private parties.
Yet this wheat gets stored in state owned warehouses, owned by PASSCO, a government owned organization under control of Ministry of Food Security. So local wheat, harvested by Punjab farmers, has no space for storage by PASSCO. Yet, all this does not really matter to those at helm of affairs. Rumours of a spat between a Caretaker and an MNA from ruling party tells it all, when allegedly, the former threatened to spill the beans, if he is subjected to accountability. Financial crimes like this are more heinous than murder, because they threaten foundations of a country. In countries like USA, those involved in insider trading etc., end up in prison for over 25 years, with all their assets confiscated.
There is no law in Pakistan which places restrictions on those who acquire a Green Card “Certificate of Alien Registration”, which is an essential part of naturalization process to achieve citizenship of America, although they pay taxes on worldwide income, and are “required to obey all laws of the US, including state laws and localities”.
MALIK TARIQ ALI
Lahore
Box letter
Education issues
The quote by John Wolfgang brings to light a significant concern regarding the education system, which holds true for Pakistan. The country is grappling with numerous challenges that obstruct its path to success. The scarcity of scholarships available for impoverished individuals compels them to join the labour force prematurely. This situation acts as a detrimental force that permeates the nation, giving rise to social issues such as illiteracy, unemployment and poverty. Moreover, the substandard level of teaching further exacerbates the shortcomings within the education system.Teachers stand as the cornerstone of the education system, underscoring the vital need for a sturdy foundation to facilitate meaningful progress. Additionally, other challenges persist, including disparities between public and private sectors and the reluctance of feudal lords to support establishment of schools. However, these obstacles can be overcome through the implementation of a unified national curriculum, comprehensive teacher training programs and appropriate allocation of resources. Thus, it is imperative for authorities to take decisive actions to address these issues.
MARIA ZULFIQAR
Islamabad
