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Politics in game
PAKISTAN’S first victory against an Australian team on the latter’s home turf in 22 years made the cricket fans jubilant. Sadly, this historic victory had to share space with the fallout from India’s refusal to play in Pakistan during the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
It simply does not get more disrespectful than refusing to play in the host country during a major tournament. It is also just as unreasonable, especially considering that nearly every major cricket team, apart from India, has visited Pakistan in recent years without a hitch.
This proves that the country is more than capable of handling security for foreign dignitaries, delegations and sports teams, despite a recent resurgence in terror attacks. However, such justifications for Pakistan’s internal safety are superfluous when the reason for India’s refusal appears to have nothing to do with safety.
To let politics intrude on a major international event is just not right. Sources within the government have confirmed that Pakistan is prepared to withdraw from playing India in any international event, including the World Cup, unless it reciprocates by visiting Pakistan.
It must also be noted that if India’s way of enjoying its newfound global primacy is to bully other countries and throw its weight around in international sporting bodies, doing so will only come at the cost of both sports and diplomacy.
Cricket is a sport that is struggling for relevance in the 21st century and having two of its largest fan bases more concerned with whether the tournament will even take place than the outcome of the matches does not help the sport.
Cricket needs a healthy India-Pakistan rivalry on the pitch and that means setting politics aside when it comes to sports. People of Pakistan and India have an earnest desire to normalize relations between the two countries through sports and trade easing visa restrictions as well.
QAZI JAMSHED SIDDIQUI
Lahore
Outdated policy
There are many outdated policies in Pakistan which need to be updated but as I supposed to discuss only one I would like to go with the hard copies of educational degree. Students usually suffer a lot after passing their respective degree along with maintaining the hard copies of degrees from primary to graduation and onward which must be replaced with soft copies subject to verification process and all necessary steps.
Students apply for different jobs and in different educational institutes almost all of them have made mandatory to provide original hard copy in order to get job or admissions. So this requirement not only bothers students but it is also hard for institute to provide original degree again and again. By replacing it we can save expenses as well as time of students. Moreover soft copies are more accessible everywhere in the world and we don’t need to carry them. The online access to document will help all of us to avail opportunity everywhere. There is another positive side of soft copy that we can contribute in savings the cutting of tree as we know hard copies are made from wood for which trees have to be cut that negatively effects our climate.
AZEEM HASSAN
Khairpur Mirs
Preserving cultural diversity
I am writing to emphasize the vital importance of preserving Pakistan’s rich cultural diversity, comprising Punjabi, Sindhi, Pashto and Baloch cultures. Each nation has its unique traditions, customs and heritage, shaping the country’s identity. Every year, each nation celebrates its cultural day, showcasing distinct practices and values. However, I am concerned that cultural erosion and homogenization threaten this diversity. I urge the government to promote cultural education, language preservation and traditional arts to ensure the continuation of these distinct identities. By embracing and respecting our cultural differences, we can foster national unity, social cohesion and global recognition of Pakistan’s vibrant cultural tapestry.
PALWASHA JABBAR
Karachi
Extracurricular activity funding
In an era where networking can get you places where your degree can’t, it is still something which isn’t encouraged much in our educational institutions, especially public sector universities. Though the concept of student run societies exists, the autonomy doesn’t really lie with the students.
Student bodies or student-run societies in universities are groups of students who work together for a common cause, in terms of curricular, or extracurricular. Such societies range from promoting theatre and drama, to spreading awareness about the latest technologies of the world. They arrange workshops, guest speaker sessions and different events for the university students to benefit from. Such events also provide the students with opportunities to network and make connections and also enhance their soft skills.
But alas, everything requires money. This is a major setback faced by such societies. They lack the funds to properly arrange such events and to invite high profile guests and treat them with hospitality. This limits their efforts to bring good quality content to the students, despite their willingness. Some often resort to charging the participants for a fee to attend such events, which put an additional burden on the already struggling students.
Universities should support such societies by helping them connect with the relevant people who can sponsor such events. There are many organizations willing to bridge the gap between the industry and academia who would actively participate in such activities, provided that the universities officially provide them visibility on the students’ efforts.
EHWER HASHMI
Karachi
