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.
Khan must realise
At the Houston rally jointly addressed by US President Donald Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the latter had accused Pakistan of terrorist attacks, holding it responsible even for 9/11 despite the fact that none of the 19 hijackers belonged to Pakistan. Mr Modi had threatened that the time had come for a decisive battle against terrorism “and all those who promote terrorism.” President Trump had silently listened to Mr Modi’s defence of the revocation of Article 370 maintaining that it strengthened those promoting terrorism. President Trump had responded that the USA and India were committed to “combating radical Islamic terrorism”.
On Monday, during a joint press conference between Prime Minister Imran Khan and President Trump, the latter shot down questions regarding Indian atrocities in Kashmir, showing his partiality for India. Mr Imran Khan needs to realise that President Trump cannot be considered an honest broker, and it would be folly to accept his new offer for mediation. What is more, Kashmir is not a piece of cake. The Kashmir issue has to be decided by the Kashmiris themselves through a plebiscite under the aegis of the United Nations.
Mr Khan lacks a sense of history when he says that the USA, being the most powerful country, has a responsibility to resolve disputes. Since after World War II, the US has created more disputes than it has resolved, including the Korean War, the Vietnam War. The USA continues to patronise Israel that has let loose state terrorism on Palestinians. Pakistan is still suffering from the after-effects of the US proxy war against people of Afghanistan on the pretext of 9/11 mysterious incident. The USA is fuelling the flames of war in the Middle East as well.
QAZI JAMSHED ALAM
Lahore
Dengue outbreak
The number of dengue bitten patients is increasing quite exponentially. Sadly, health facilities for the common man in our country are neither accessible nor affordable. In most of cases, standing water, anywhere, is breeding place for dengue mosquito. Dengue sting may prove fatal. It must be noted that dengue is a day-time mosquito.
It bites in day time and not during night. Prevention is better than cure; Clothing with full sleeves, full shoes and use of some good mosquito-repellent may reduce the risk of dengue bite. Parents may advise children to stay inside {houses} and avoid going outside without full protection.
IFTIKHAR MIRZA
Islamabad
Save mother earth from dangers
The recent earthquake that had hit north-eastern Pakistan and the northern region of India is a clear pointer to the sad truth that Mother Earth still has been caught in the vicious circles of Nature’s fury and natural disasters like earthquakes, floods. Our universal globe has been the most beautiful haven for human beings to live, having been giving shelter to all living species and having been home to numerous natural resources like mountains, trees, seas, rivers.
People and countries have been in existence with all Mother Earth’s might. Way back in the early 1990s during my schooldays, people had faced massive floods and their aftermath in areas like Korkai, Tuticorin, Tirunelveli in Tamil Nadu. As a schoolboy then, I remember seeing huge holes/rifts on the road caused by floods near the banks of the river Thamirabarani [close to Korkai] – the people all around were taken by surprise.
Given this past experience, one can imagine the gigantic aftermath of an earthquake even as floods like this could cause damage to things as hard as roads/rock structure. The world apart, all Asian countries including all the Himalayan nations [perched on the beautiful Himalayas] should wake up and get ready to tackle Nature’s fury through sensible methods like planting trees and great technological advances available now.
P SENTHIL S DURAI
Mumbai, India
Vaping
The action or practice of inhaling and exhaling the vapour produced by an electronic cigarette or similar device is called vaping. The rising popularity of vaping has been dramatic, especially among teenagers. E-cigarettes use a battery-powered device which heats a liquid to form vapours or, more accurately, aerosol, that the user can inhale. These devices heat up various flavourings, nicotine, marijuana or other potentially harmful substances.
Nicotine is addictive, of course. And while that fact is prominently displayed in advertising, we know from experience with regular cigarettes that warnings don’t always work!· Nearly 200 e-cigarette users have developed severe lung diseases in 22 states {and the numbers keep rising}. A Washington Post story put the number at 354. Most cases were among teens and young adults. Experts aren’t sure if vaping actually caused these lung problems, but believe the most likely culprit is a contaminant, not an infectious agent. Possibilities include chemical irritation, or allergic or immune reactions to various chemicals or other substances in the inhaled vapours. Typically, symptoms have started gradually, with shortness of breath and/or chest pain before more severe breathing difficulty led to hospital admission. Nicotine is highly addictive and can affect the developing brain, potentially harming teens and young adults.
Even some “nicotine-free” e-cigarettes have been found to contain nicotine. Some substances found in e-cigarette vapour have been linked to an increased risk of cancer. Teens who vape are more likely to begin smoking cigarettes. Explosions and burns have been reported with e-cigarettes while recharging the devices, due to defective batteries. Accidental exposure to liquid from e-cigarettes has caused acute nicotine poisoning in children and adults. Our lungs were meant to inhale clean air and nothing else. It took many years to recognize the damage cigarettes can cause. We could be on a similar path with vaping.
QAZI JAMSHED SIDDIQUI
Lahore
Namrata’s murder
Unfortunately, the increasing cases of violence against minorities in our country are being witnessed nowadays. The new tide of unrest among the vulnerable segments of our society has taken place while putting their life on risk. The government and so-called custodians of human rights are also seemed unable to control the situation.
A final-year student of BDS at Bibi Aseefa Dental College (BADC) Larkana was found dead in her hostel room in unknown circumstances a couple of days ago. Later, the forensic report suggested that Namrata was strangled to death; news of Namrata’s murder went viral on social media. But, still the relatives of the deceased are looking for justice and raising their voice on different platforms for arresting the culprits.
According to Pakistan’s flag, the white stripe represents religious minorities and the rights of religious minorities. Our government should ensure the security of minorities as they are also given equal rights according to Pakistan’s Constitution. At last, it is requested to the LEAs and incumbent government to arrest Namrata’s murderers and award them strict punishment so that family of the deceased have some sigh of relief.
ASAD KHUHAWAR
Karachi
Educating women
History has proven that those countries are developed and successful, who have enforced their men and women to work inclusively. The inclusiveness in both; men and women has created many more opportunities and growth for countries. Countries like US, China, Russia and also Dubai have been providing equal opportunities and facilities to both: men and women.
Therefore, if we look at those states, they are at the top, in terms of economy, welfare, growth, and have controlled poverty and inequality. It’s inequality that causes poverty, hunger, ignorance. The best solution to handle all issues: Poverty, hunger, low growth, ignorance and many more hurdles creating situations is providing education to women.
When State provides equal opportunities to all its citizens whether male or female, it becomes source for encouragement and support. Education is a thing that makes women aware of what is true and what is false. It makes them capable of competing with men in a positive sense. Poverty occurs when a single man can’t fulfil the needs of his family. So, a woman, with proper education and knowledge of society can help the family so easily. In villages, there is concept of early marriages. Due to early marriages, the birth rate and problem to provide them basic facilities increases. An educated woman doesn’t marry so early and it directly improves the society, which is due to education and awareness.
SYED ZAHID ALI
Sukkur
For those always at steering wheels
Very bad as it seems, massive strikes [by transport sector/employees] have been reported from Paris, the French capital. It is all about pension reforms. Part of the problem is due to the inability of President Macron government in France to come to terms with the current situation.
Transport workers have been hard-working human beings across the world. My professional experience always reminds me of the tireless hard work of all those transport workers. Most of all, my close proximity to areas like Korkai, Tiruchendur, Tirunelveli, Tuticorin, Nagercoil, Marthandam, Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu has proved that all the transport workers from these areas have been slogging away for a longer period of time. Therefore, the fact of the matter is that the whole transport system in any country is the lifeline and people employed out there are the real “lifesavers.”
P SENTHIL S DURAI
Mumbai
