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Resurgence of doctrine of necessity
Judgments must be given solely on the basis of laws and Constitution and not on what is the interpretation by an individual judge or bench which thinks that circumstances demand a decision to satisfy a group which enjoys popularity or a political party that has got a popular mandate. A popular mandate to a political party is for good governance and address problems faced by masses.
It is for the collective welfare of masses and not a particular section of population, nor a licence to act like a monarch or a dictator, with no tolerance or space fir those who are critical of him. A popularly elected leader who acts like a dictator and refuses to accept mandate of his opponents is as bad as a fascist. Adolph Hilter got the popular vote and ruthlessly punished all his critics. There is no place in a democracy for one-party rule, irrespective of popular mandate he may have got.
The decision by Indian Supreme Court justifying demolition of Ayodha Mosque was based on popular mandate enjoyed by a particular political party or group of Hindu Supremacists. This decision of Indian Supreme Court is akin to Justice Munir judgment in Maulvi Tamizuudin case; where progressive interpretation, was based on ground realities and not on law.
MALIK TARIQ
Lahore
Solutions for air pollution
Smog has become a tough seasonal occurrence, similar to heatwaves. Winters in Lahore and Punjab are marked by respiratory illnesses and slow deaths caused by poor air quality. We were warned long ago that cities and their industrial and vehicular emissions would exacerbate air pollution; now, these predictions have become our lived experience. An existential problem needed a planned and strategist multi-layered solution.
It is necessary to issue fit-for-environment licenses to vehicles, imposing fines on unfit vehicles and using safe city cameras to facilitate the crackdown. This is a massive step and will be implemented gradually but is expected to significantly reduce smog and make the air cleaner. The journey will not be free of challenges as the Environment Protection Agency gears up to digitalize the certification mechanism.
Taking ownership of our air and environment can substantially reduce the execution challenges of the smog-free atmosphere. The provincial government should also consider alternatives to fuel-driven vehicles. Around the world, major urban centres have faced the smog problem and the most reliable solution has been replacing traditional vehicles with electric vehicles (EVs). Los Angeles adopted this plan for public transit and Beijing is also implementing it.
The provincial governments should learn from these success stories of combating smog and providing clean air to breathe. Initially, public transport and government-run mass transit vehicles should be replaced with EVs. Gradually, the government can encourage private car owners to switch to EVs. Innovative solutions like electric vehicles are promising and in the face of a time-ticking climate change reality, innovation should be welcomed.
QAZI JAMSHED SIDDIQUI
Lahore
Love offering in Church
If you go to church for the Mass on Sundays and don’t have change of Rs 500 to give it as a love offering, give the Rs 500 note you have instead. God will bless you and give you seven times more in return.
The more you give to the Lord, the more blessings you will receive. I have experienced it, that’s why I am writing this.
JUBEL D’CRUZ
Mumbai, India
Family of good times
Whenever I am lonely and secluded, The birds of my life make me chirpy, The flowers of the day let me succeed. The doors of happiness get the rain, The sparkling stars tell the ulterior, Nature gleams with the beauty of the interior.
The poem “The Family of Good Times” is a beautiful and imaginative piece that explores the theme of finding comfort and joy in nature during times of loneliness and seclusion.
When the speaker feels isolated, the “birds of my life” – joyful moments and experiences – bring happiness and cheerfulness. The “flowers of the day” – the beauty and wonder of the present moment – inspire strength and success.
FARYAL NAZ
Gujar Khan
Box letter
Confronting electricity theft
Electricity theft poses a significant challenge in Pakistan, where the annual economic impact exceeds a staggering 600 billion rupees. Despite the country’s capacity to generate a surplus of 6,000 megawatts daily, widespread theft through illegal connections, meter tampering and unauthorized transformers continues to strain the energy sector. This rampant theft not only burdens the national economy but also disrupts the daily life of citizens, leading to increased tariffs for law-abiding consumers to cover the financial losses. The situation is dire across various regions, with annual losses of 137 billion rupees in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 51 billion rupees in Sindh, 133 billion rupees in Punjab and 100 billion rupees in Balochistan. Urban centres such as Peshawar, Mardan, Dera Ismail Khan, Noshehra and Charsadda collectively lose 65 billion rupees annually due to electricity theft. To combat this pervasive issue, concerted efforts are required at both the governmental and societal levels. One proposed solution involves enhancing the enforcement of anti-theft laws and regulations. This includes cracking down on illegal connections and taking strict action against those involved in meter tampering and other forms of theft. By ensuring compliance with existing laws, authorities aim to reduce the financial burden on the energy sector and improve service delivery.
GULAB UMID
Turbat
