Articles and letters may be edited for the purposes of clarity and space.
Palestinians’ plight
The current Israeli-Palestinian conflict has its roots in the late 19th century. After World War II, when the British Empire disintegrated, the UN divided the land of Palestine between Jews and Muslims under Resolution 181. Israel came into being in 1948, and the first Arab-Israeli war took place, in which the Arab countries lost and about 750,000 Palestinians were expelled from their land. There have been numerous wars since then, including the 1956 crisis, the Six Day War, and the Yom Kippur War.
The ongoing conflict began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas fired several missiles at Israel, killing more than 33000 people. Israel responded very harshly, and since then 22,141 people have been evicted from their homes, 98% of whom are from the Gaza Strip, including about 6,450 women and about 9,000 children. Despite international criticism, Netanyahu’s government is not moving towards a ceasefire, and all international human rights are being violated in Gaza. Hospitals and Palestinian tents are being targeted. Moreover, the aid coming to Gaza has also been stopped.
On May 4, negotiations for a ceasefire between Hamas and Israeli representatives took place in Egypt, but they did not yield any positive results. Hamas was ready for a five-year or more truce deal with Israel, willing to lay down weapons and become a political party if Israel agreed on an independent Palestinian state with pre-1967 borders. Furthermore, Hamas also demanded a gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces from all of the Gaza Strip.
The tension between Iran and Israel makes this conflict more complicated. There is an urgent need for concerted action to address systemic violations and uphold the principles of international law and human dignity in the region, as the Palestinian territories have long been a focal point of intense geopolitical conflict. If international organizations, especially the United Nations, do not take any important steps, the killing of Palestinians will continue in the same way.
NIMRUS FATIMA
SARGODHA
Economic reforms
Pakistan is currently grappling with severe economic issues. Inflation is skyrocketing and basic necessities are becoming increasingly unaffordable for many people. This is causing significant hardship and deepening poverty across the nation. The government needs to prioritize economic reforms to stabilize prices and ensure that essential goods are accessible to everyone.
This means implementing policies to control inflation, supporting local industries and reducing our dependence on imports. Additionally, we must strengthen social safety nets to protect the most vulnerable members of our society from the adverse effects of economic instability.
Beyond immediate relief, we need long-term strategies to foster sustainable economic growth. This includes investing in education and skill development, promoting entrepreneurship and improving the business climate to attract both domestic and foreign investment.
It’s crucial for the government to collaborate with economists, business leaders and civil society to develop and implement comprehensive economic policies. By working together, we can tackle the root causes of our economic challenges and pave the way for a more prosperous and stable Pakistan.
M SHUJAAT ALI
Karachi
Box letter
Drug menace
The drug menace has spread far and wide, affecting millions of lives, particularly youth and children. This issue is not only a personal problem for the individuals affected but also a societal concern, threatening the very fabric of our communities. The consequences of drug abuse are devastating and far-reaching. Drug addiction leads to increased crime and violence, health problems and overdose deaths, family breakdowns and social issues and an economic burden on individuals and society as a whole. Moreover, the drug menace undermines the country’s economic growth, stability and international reputation. I urge you to take immediate action to address this crisis. This can be achieved by strengthening drug enforcement laws and policies, enhancing awareness and education campaigns, providing treatment and rehabilitation facilities, and collaborating with international organizations to combat drug trafficking.
IZZAT SOWALI
Turbat
