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.
PSL 2020 postponed due to Corona
The Pakistan Super League has been postponed due to the fear of spread of the Corona Virus. There are 184 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Pakistan according to the latest update, with two in Punjab (of which Lahore is a part), and the number has been going up with each passing day. The Punjab province is under Section 144, a law that bans all private and public sports activity as well as other public gatherings.
PSL organizers decided on March 13 to change the schedule of the tournament following the premature departure of a number of overseas players and the increased risk in Pakistan, cancelling the four-match playoff stage (March 17 to 22) and introducing two semi-finals (as a double-header) and the final on March 17 and 18. More players have left Pakistan since then. Team owners and management staff of PSL 2020 accepted the decision. Various international cricketers also decided to withdraw from Pakistan Super League before the announcement.
RAZI REHMAN
Karachi
Commendable endeavours by CM Sindh
Proactive approach by Chief Minister Sindh Syed Murad Ali Shah who has taken preventive measures to keep the masses of the province safe from deadly Corona Virus which are commendable. CM Sindh reviews the overall situation of the province on a daily basis in order to further inhibit the transmission of this deadly disease and so far has succeeded to control the same.
World health organization has also appreciated and acknowledged the endeavours taken by Pakistan in this regard and ranked Pakistan as one the best and safest countries combating with novel COVID-19 primarily because of efforts of CM Sindh. A hospital with 2000 beds has also been constructed in Sukkur to treat infected persons which is also one of the biggest hospitals built for this purpose.
Other Chief Ministers of the country should replicate his endeavours to create awareness and take proactive approach to keep the citizens of the country safe from this lethal disease and well aware of its symptoms to take precautionary measures.
FAISAL ANSAR
Karachi
COVID-19 and our govt
Corona Virus, which took place in China’s Wuhan city, has now enveloped 166 countries in the world and is threatening everyone in the world. Unfortunately, our country, Pakistan, is also in the grip of this perilous Virus which is threatening but what depresses one the most is the weakness of the authorities which lack strong planning. Reports say that 6,000 Pakistanis fled from Taftan border, a border between Iran and Pakistan in Balochistan, without screening for Corona Virus after their return from Iran. Isn’t it alarming? Surely, it is. How can the government of Balochistan be so foolhardy to let 6,000 Pakistanis go their homes without screening?
On the other hand, some videos and pictures got viral on social media unveiling the shortage of basic facilities in Taftan border where a large number of Pakistanis returning from Iran kept in quarantine. Even they face the shortage of toilets which are really needed to answer the call of the nature. No word is strong enough to condemn our government. But it is not late to consult with experts and find possible ways to end up the spread of COVID-19.
SAHIR ISHAQ
Dashtok, Zamoran
Don’t panic
I want to draw the attention of the authorities concerned through your newspaper to the issue of careless driving in the commercial hub of Pakistan e.g. Karachi. The drivers of Karachi are very careless. They are found of over-taking and high speed. The buses of Karachi are always overloaded and two or three passengers often found hanging on the foot-broad. The result is that accidents are quite common in Karachi.
I do hope that the authorities concerned will take some prompt action and remove the distress of the public.
TOOBA BATOOL
Karachi
Choice of CM!
It is the will of the people and their votes which determine choice of individuals to be at helm of affairs in a democracy. The Founding Fathers of Pakistan, through will of the people and their joint efforts, succeeded in carving out a sovereign independent state, where people alone could decide their fate through collective wisdom. There is nothing more sacrosanct than the collective welfare of citizens.
PM Imran Khan has been elected by the people, to serve them. It is the dignity, self-respect and welfare of the people which is more important than misplaced ego of those whom they elect. The choice of CM should reflect the will of the people and not be slave to ego of an individual, irrespective of whichever constitutional post he holds. Those holding any elected or paid public office do so to serve, protect and ensure safety of their life and property. Any compromise on this basic mandatory obligation would invite wrath of people and Almighty Allah. The manner in which the dignity and ego of the people of Punjab has been marginalized by choice of CM, is being referred to as “Buzdarization” of this province where almost 60% of population of Pakistan lives.
All institutions of the state, be it the elected executive, parliament, judiciary and subordinate institutions like uniformed security services, civil bureaucracy etc. exist and are paid from national exchequer to serve the people and not any individual, nor his ego, neither corporate interests of any group. The choice of individuals selected to head various provinces and state-owned entities, like FBR, PIA, CAA, WAPDA etc must be strictly on merit. Any deviation from this would marginalize national security and collective welfare of over 220 million.
MALIK TARIQ ALI
Lahore
Career counselling
Career counselling is a type of advice-giving and support provided by career counsellors to their clients, to help the clients manage their journey through life, learning and work changes (career). This includes career exploration, making career choices, managing career changes, lifelong (career counselling) and dealing with other career-related issues. Pakistani youth of the 21st Century is living in an era of unemployment, frustration and mental illness due to our higher education institutions that have failed to deliver quality education and the most important, a good career counselling even in renowned universities of Pakistan. There is an incumbent need of career counsellors in the educational institutions of the country.
The youth of Pakistan give blind shots in every field; they don’t know about their strengths, they don’t know what they want or what they can be. They are totally following parental path which leads them towards failure and damage their personality as well as future. So it becomes so much necessary for the Higher Education Commission to appoint career counsellors in all educational institutions of Pakistan that can guide the youth properly.
SHAHZAIB SHAIKH
Karachi
Supply chain risks in restaurants
Every industry has its risks likewise is the case with food distribution industry. From getting food products from suppliers to delivering it to restaurants, every stage has risk associated with it. It requires great due diligence and smart decision making to mitigate risks in supply chain for maximum cost saving.
There are both external and internal risks linked to restaurant food distribution industry. These include natural disasters, accidents, monopoly of suppliers, maintaining optimal level of inventory, availability of stock, lead time, damage and theft of products. Human risk involved at every stage both internally and externally which cause problems and delay in operations.
For restaurant food distribution industry these risks can cause serious damage to reputation and brand image of the company so it’s important to be well informed about them and take proper measures in case of any unforeseen situation arises. Introduction of ERP software’s also helped distribution companies to get better view of the historical data. Forecast of demand, supply and inventory management through software gives them better idea of how much risk is involved in every decision they make. It’s also important to give training and incentives to staff to keep them motivated and charged up, so they can perform and execute their duty well.
It’s also important for every company and business to notice future trends of restaurant food distribution industry worldwide in order to embrace change rather than go obsolete by hanging onto old practices. Block chain technology and internet of things can also play major part in supply chain but these technologies have their risks as well. Gaining advantage of these trends would help companies to grow their market share in the industry. It would be interesting to see progress of restaurant food distribution industry in next five years, how it all unfolds.
YOUSUF HASAN QURESHI
Islamabad
