Articles and letters may be edited for the purposes of clarity and space.
SCO significance
Membership in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) provides Pakistan with a valuable platform for collaboration with regional powers such as China and Russia, fostering peace and security in Central and South Asia. This partnership enhances Pakistan’s efforts to combat terrorism and extremism through joint intelligence sharing and military exercises.
Economically, the SCO opens up access to a vast market and offers investment opportunities in infrastructure, energy and trade, particularly through initiatives like the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). Pakistan’s strategic location as a regional hub significantly boosts its potential as a trade route connecting Central Asia with the Middle East.
Diplomatically, SCO membership reinforces Pakistan’s relationships with neighboring countries, enabling it to assume a more influential role in regional affairs. The cooperative environment of the SCO helps Pakistan balance its relations with major powers, fostering stability and advancing its national interests.
AHSAN UL HAQ SHAIKH
Chunian
OIC’s role and criticism
The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) was founded in 1969 with the aim of protecting the interests of its member countries. The Middle East is currently undergoing a devastating crisis, with a significant threat of regional conflagration.
Since October 7, Israel has killed 50,292 Palestinians, including one-third women and one-fifth children, with 100,000 reported casualties, according to Euro-Med Monitor, a Geneva-based human rights organization. Many countries have denounced the violence, ethnic cleansing and Israeli oppression against the Palestinian people.
The role of the OIC is crucial in protecting and safeguarding the rights of Palestinians. However, the organization has failed to penalize Israel for its heinous crimes. Instead of taking concrete action, the OIC has limited itself to passing condemnatory statements without holding Israel accountable. Muslim countries must unite, set aside their differences and take decisive action to stop the onslaught against the Palestinians. The threat posed by Israel extends beyond Palestinians to other Muslim nations as well. There is also a need for stronger support for the Islamic Republic of Iran, which is the only country among the 57 OIC members that has responded to Israel with action, while most other Muslim nations remain silent.
MANZOOR AHMED
Kashmore, Sindh
Justice delayed, justice denied
When the judges of SC and all other HC, reserve judgments for extended periods, exceeding several months, and in some cases even years, then it amounts to justice being delayed and denied to citizens.
Leading lawyers are complicit in delaying justice by seeking extensions on technical grounds, to facilitate their clients and the judges who comply with such requests. Litigants suffer endlessly and many die in vain, waiting for justice to be given.
The Judicial Code of Ethics must include a reasonable time period in which judges must announce their reserved judgments. If they fail to do so, the Supreme Judicial Council must initiate action against such judges. As it is the credibility of our judiciary, within the country, and abroad is not very encouraging. It should be a cause for concern for SCP and all HCs of Pakistan.
It is also time that proper legislation be carried out by Parliament to ensure that reserved judgments must be given within a maximum of two months at the most.
MALIK TARIQ ALI
Lahore
Dr Kumar’s accident
I recently read the column by Dr. Ramesh Kumar Vankwani regarding his unfortunate road accident in Karachi. His harrowing experience highlights the growing menace of reckless driving and the lack of public responsibility when it comes to helping accident victims. It is alarming how traffic rules are openly violated across the country, and yet there seems to be little regard for the consequences.
Despite frequent accidents on our roads, drivers continue to ignore traffic signals, overspeed and drive carelessly, putting countless lives at risk daily. Dr Vankwani’s accident is a reminder of how close we all are to becoming victims of such negligence.
Moreover, the public’s response to road accidents is concerning. Often, bystanders hesitate to assist victims, either out of fear of legal repercussions or sheer indifference. This lack of empathy needs to change if we are to foster a society where helping one another in times of need becomes second nature.
I urge the authorities to not only enforce traffic regulations more strictly but also create awareness campaigns that educate the public about the importance of helping accident victims without fearing legal consequences. It is time we take collective action to ensure safer roads for everyone.
AREEBA JAMAL
Islamabad
Activists manhandled
The protest on October 13 in Karachi over Dr. Kunbhar’s blasphemy case took place at the Karachi Press Club, where many social activists gathered to demand a fair inquiry and accountability in his case.
Among them was Sufi folk singer Saif Samejo, a renowned musician from Sindh and founder of the Sketches band, who was arrested on charges of violating Section 144 in the city. Despite the peaceful nature of the gathering, the police chose to arrest him in an embarrassing manner instead of stopping them respectfully.
This incident was utterly disgraceful and deplorable. It is deeply disturbing to witness our artists being subjected to such disrespect and our activists maltreated. They faced altercations while participating in a peaceful gathering at the Press Club.
This was not a protest for political mileage, nor were they extremist or provocative; their only purpose was to ensure that the issue remained highlighted and that such cases would not be encouraged in the future for the betterment of society. The extremely condemnable behaviour of the police must be addressed. For God’s sake, don’t treat people like animals.
AREEBA ALTAF
Sindh
