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.
Achilles’ heel
The vulnerability of our weak health system coupled with insensitive attitude of public at large displayed an easing lockdown has posed a serious threat to the people’s safety. All the SOPs are flying in air as least attention is being paid to these orders. As we generally follow ‘Herd Mentality’, we least bother about the consequences of our behaviour. Everybody is incessantly out for Eid shopping. It appears as if the sky will fall if they do not go shopping. No precautionary measures are being exercised by shopkeepers increasing the gravity of situation and making things worse. It appears that another complete lockdown is in the offing as local transmission of pandemic is shooting up sharply.
Unfortunately, government and opposition are busy in exchanging barbs and point scoring against each other. No decency has been shown by PTI, PPP & PML-N. All are coins of the same value. No feelings for poor masses of the country. Moreover, the government employees have been forced to contribute to covid-19 fund, however, no such contribution has been made by parliamentarians. It is suggested that they may also contribute their one month salary to the Fund to show solidarity with their voters and countrymen. Alternatively, their Achilles’ heel will be visible to all.
IFTIKHAR MIRZA
Islamabad
Quality time
in quarantine
Due to Coronavirus pandemic, we are all doing our part by staying indoors and practicing social distancing. Quality time in quarantine is an excellent opportunity to spend time with your loved ones who are at home and to reach out to those that are not. We are often so busy with work, school, social events, and our electronics that we do not spend enough meaningful time together. This does not need to be a stressful season if we choose to be intentional with time given to us.
When you are presented with the opportunity to stay at home 24/7, you can make it enjoyable with family members around you. Try to involve yourself as much as you can with family discussions. Focus on spreading laughter and taking the same in return. If you used to spend a significant part of your time in office, it is a perfect chance to make it up with family.
ALI KHAN
Islamabad
Further delay will cost!
All the governments after 2000: Musharraf, Zardari and Nawaz Sharif have taken the credit for the commencement of the Diamir-Bhasha dam’s construction. And for now, the PTI government has once again announced start of its construction, which in reality is not start but a resumption of work.
The project will offer 16500 jobs and adds 45MW to the electricity and saturate 1.2 million acres of agricultural land. It also increases 35 years in the fe of the Tarbela Dam which is Pakistan’s largest dam. Furthermore, it also supports PMIK’s vision regarding global environmental change. Now the main concern is that the price of construction of the dam is, for now, 14 billion USD which was seven billion in 2008, which means half of that and it will increase if we delay it more.
PTI government should start the construction immediately instead of short-term projects for political purposes as past governments did. Because it is a long-term project for the real progress of the country, thus it should be started forthwith. If it gets delayed, it becomes unbearable for our fiscal resources.
FARI AHMED
Havelian
Pakistanis stand united
SINCE creation of Pakistan, it has been observed Pakistanis always stand united during trying times. Pakistan is the most generous nation as a recent study found that 98% of Pakistanis donate their time and money to charity. As a nation we don’t have a lot, we are in debt but still at least we have big hearts. During the current Corona crisis, many Pakistanis are offering as much charity as they can. While citizens of rich countries are quarantined or isolated themselves in their homes, we, the Pakistanis, are out and helping our brothers who are passing through bad days owing to lockdown.
Mainly the credit goes to our NGOs that put their lives in danger and are helping out people through different “Ration” Packages. Our politicians, businessmen and elites are also contributing by joining hands with NGOs. Many youngsters volunteer themselves for “Tiger Force” which was announced by PM Imran Khan to help deal with the crisis erupted out of COVID-19.
Volunteer organizations like Robin Hood Army, Edhi Foundation and Saylani Welfare Trust have been at the forefront to help those who are in distress. This is the real Pakistan. This image of Pakistan should be promoted worldwide so that citizens of other countries know about Pakistanis who stand united during natural calamities without taking care of their own life, they just help out their brothers.
Nimra Shakeel
Islamabad
Red cent
Outbreak of COVID-19 has created an international emergency across the globe, the spread of COVID-19 and lockdown in Pakistan has created unemployment for the daily wagers. Institute of Rural Management (IRM) has a special concern for the distressed and downtrodden, especially in the times of natural calamities and steps forward to support them in any way possible.
While the world is struggling to fight an invisible enemy, IRM foresees the real enemy, i.e. hunger. Starvation is more lethal than the virus and has the potential to kill the marginalized segments especially children and women, well before COVID-19 strikes. During these difficult times, this deprived lot is facing the naked reality of malnutrition and food shortage as a result of losing their livelihood. This underprivileged population has lost their dreams and hopes which would cost dearly to our shared future of a prosperous Pakistan.
For the last 28 years, IRM has been working with these disadvantaged communities at every step of their struggle. To combat the crippling effect of COVID-19, IRM attempted to create a meaningful social impact through distribution of ration (food and essential items) and raising awareness among the less aware families of our beneficiaries. IRM has distributed essential ration to over 600 vulnerable families of brick kiln workers, women headed households and extremely poor subgroups in over 10 locations in Punjab and Sindh. IRM is able to do this with the support of many individuals from Pakistan and abroad. We aim to extend support of ration facilities to 2100 families. We hope that this pandemic comes to an end soon.
SHUMRAIZ IQBAL
Islamabad
Offending advertisement
Why a company has to promote ragging to sell toothpaste? I have been watching a TV advertisement for the last couple of weeks that shows a mother dropping her six-year old daughter at school gate when three girl students about eight years of age stop her and say “Aye Chota Packet, Ruk. Naam Bata” (Hey small pack, wait. Tell us your name).
The six-year old says “Nida, aap ka kya naam hai? Bada packet?” (What is yours? Big packet?) And all the girls burst into laughter. And the mother of six-year-old student watches her daughter silently at the school gate. Instead of going inside school and lodging complaint with the school principal, she sends a flying kiss to her daughter despite seeing her daughter’s humiliation.
We had heard of ragging in colleges of new comers by their senior students. With this advertisement of toothpaste, what culture are we promoting? Are we teaching our young and innocent minds of ragging in schools from this young age? This advertisement should be immediately withdrawn and Pakistan Censor Board and PEMRA should be more vigilant before issuing NOCs to such meaningless advertisements.
M RAFIQUE ZAKARIA
Karachi
