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.
Violating SOPs
Ever since the lockdown has been eased in the country by the federal and the provincial governments, we are witnessing the scenes of flouting law and ignoring the government directives to a very high extent. Despite government instructions, people are flatly violating the SOPs; by its flagrant disregard to the SOPs, our nation is manifestly proving itself to be morally degraded society.
People are still not taking the deadly pandemic COVID-19 seriously and assembling in markets and bazaars for shopping without taking necessary precautions. Being a concerned citizen, I request the federal and provincial governments to impose fines on those who are not wearing masks and not maintaining social distancing at public places so that people can fully understand the unintended consequences of Coronavirus.
MUHAMMAD SHAHRAM
Hyderabad
Corona Virus rumours
Nowadays Coronavirus is one of the major issues around the world. Most of the countries are fighting against this virus. There are many myths on social media such as how to fight against this virus?
It is suggested “by eating Allium you will cure from Coronavirus”, or it is prescribed that this virus didn’t attack in hot atmosphere”, or this virus attack only to child less than age of five years and a person age greater than 40, or You can boost your immune system and lower your risk of getting Covid-19 by eating sweet potatoes and taking certain vitamins and supplements, or taking colloidal silver, or you can avoid the virus by drinking warm water every 15 minutes. These myths are creating big problem for illiterate people. The issue is that people start treating themselves by following these wrong prescriptions and as a result they end up facing a lot of problems. We, as a nation, must not spread such type of myths, because this creates problems for people who follow these prescriptions. The government should take stern measures against those who spread such myths, as government has announced about Tiger Force which will supply goods to needy people that is good decision but they should also told to spread awareness between peoples.
M HAMZA EHSAN
Rawalpindi
Pakistan air crash (PK 8303)
It was supposed to be another regular flight on one of Pakistan’s busiest domestic routes between its two biggest cities. PIA’s PK 8303 flight had a normal departure from the eastern city of Lahore. Close to landing before 2:45 p.m. local time, the pilots told passengers to fasten their seat-belts as it approached Karachi’s airport in a flight that usually takes less than two hours. Everything was fine – until the last few seconds.
The plane began its descent. Instead of gliding on the runway, it hit the ground a few times — for about 20 to 30 seconds — before the pilots pulled the plane back up into the air again. It reached a maximum altitude of 3,175 feet about two minutes later, based on data by FWIW, The pilots added power and lifted off again, a manoeuvre known as a go-around. While a witness estimated it was aloft for 10 to 15 minutes longer, Flightradar24 data indicates it was nearing the ground 5 1/2 minutes later “Sir, we have lost engines,” the pilot said to a controller, according to a recording from LiveATC.net, which collects audio feeds from air-traffic staff. About 30 seconds later, the pilot again radioed a distress call.
The plane, carrying 99 people, eventually smashed through rooftops of houses before finally crashing into a narrow lane of the residential area miles away from the airport that the runway was possibly in sight. “After the crash, there was fire everywhere, you could not see anyone,” said Muhammad Zubair, a survivor from the plane crash that killed 97 people. “I opened my seatbelt, and headed towards the light.” There is a huge loss for Pakistan and very sad news for every one.
ARWA JAVED
Wazirabad
Students and online classes
All educational institutions were ordered to close after the Coronavirus pandemic hit Pakistan. The federal and provincial governments ordered educational institutions closure to protect the youth from the virus. Some universities suspended their semesters, while others continued with their classes opting for unreliable and untested online class systems. After a few days, better sense prevailed as the government and the Higher Education Commission decided to end the online classes as they discovered that the quality of teaching was not of the desired quality and standard.
Students hailing from remote areas were facing severe Internet issues and were unable to learn from the online classes. Sadly, online assignments are still being conducted by universities. In my opinion, online assignments are of no use because the students have not even covered half of their syllabus and online classes are not giving the desired result.
The teachers are giving assignments to students on topics they have not been taught. The students have been abandoned to learn by themselves from books and Internet without any assistance from the teachers. The government and the universities should come up with a proper plan to coach students while maintaining social distancing.
ZILL-E-HUMA
Rawalpindi
Comedy of errors
The recent comedy act of Indian Border Security Force (BSF) is laudable. The comic action that a pigeon has been dispatched by Pakistan for espionage in India-held Kashmir speaks volumes of their ability to see things in their right context, Yes! With number of corona cases exceeding 145000 and over 4000 deaths, and crippling economy and vanishing lower middle class, India must need something to divert the attention of her public.
But not in this poor style. The country simmering with poverty is catching at straw for her face saving. It would be much better for the saffron regime garbed in pseudo democracy attire to focus on her genuine issues instead of mud-slinging on Pakistan.
IFTIKHAR MIRZA
Islamabad
A Miracle during Cyclone Amphan
Miraculously Mother Mary’s statue is untouched by the cyclone Amphan even though a big tree fell over it. It happened on May 20, 2020 in Kolkata at Barrackpore Claret Nivas Convent. Praise the Lord.
JUBEL D’CRUZ
Mumbai, India
Africa’s common challenges
It is adequately clear that Africa’s common challenges in a global environment are still numerous. However, Africa has managed to have the low death rates as of now caused by COVID 19 against all the predictions which were made by World Health Organisation.
Whether the low death rates in Africa are caused by weather, luck, geographical location, food diet, effective management of the virus, we still need to recognise and give credit to Africa. This is the positive news that we should cherish from Africa and hope that the situation will continue to be like that as Africa defies all odds, predictions and probabilities. Well done Africa.
HANDSEN CHIKOWORE
London
