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.
Wake up call
Around the world, leaders are busy fighting Coronavirus as the number of deaths escalate. However, one political manifesto is being ignored that can result in “New War Crime” as Israel plans to seize Palestinian land, illegally, located on West Bank. They further intend to annex the Jordan Valley, indicating an alarming situation. Arab League Secretary General did accuse Israel taking advantage of the current global situation in which the pandemic has taken much of the attention, however, despite such statements, as well as, emergency meeting held between the Arab Foreign Ministers, this situation seems to be dealt with narrow self-interests by Arab League.
Since 2017, when the US announced it would recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel all the statements given by the Arab League that time seems to fade away with time. Now, that the idea of a two-state solution is under threat, the Arab States need to take a firm stand for this Palestinian or the consequences will entirely be based on more extreme sufferings of the weak, the Palestinians. Meanwhile, since Israel PM Netanyahu could not win over the majority during April elections and is facing corruption cases, the need for stronger alliance with the US is a need for him while violating international laws seems somewhat rewarding for them.
KINANAH SHAHBAZ
Islamabad
PIA air crash
A PIA plane carrying 99 passengers crashed on the day of Jumat-ul-Wida in Karachi just one minute before landing; sending a wave of sorrow, grief and shock to the entire nation. It has raised many questions about the efficiency, professionalism, accountability and transparency in the airline. The initial cause is said to be faulty landing gear, abrupt fire in engines and hitting the plane to a multi-story building. Accidents do occur but very unfortunate when cause is negligence and slackness.
The recent PIA plane crash has again triggered many questions in my mind. Why engines caught fire after flight of just less than two hours? What was the cause of fire? Who issued a clearance certificate to plane for flight? Who is responsible for maintaining log book of service and repairs? If plane was not in a condition to fly then who authorised it to fly? Why internationally acknowledged safety rules are not followed in PIA? Why multi-story buildings and residential colonies have been allowed to be established near the vicinity of Karachi international airport posing threat to the life of passengers? CEO PIA has ordered internal inquiry comprising subordinate officers to ascertain the exact cause of tragic incident but one wonders will it be independent and impartial inquiry to probe the real causes of the incident?
Will it be in a position to pinpoint the dereliction of duties on the part of senior management? I believe now time has come to initiate criminal proceedings against the responsible one of this horrified incident instead of initiating departmental action against them otherwise such incidents would be taking place in future. One example is required to be set to teach a lesson to those who are responsible for the death of 99 innocent people and bereaved mourners to bear this irreparable loss of their beloved ones, then nobody would dare in future to do such negligence.
TARIQ MAJEED ADV
Hyderabad
Int’l tea day
21st May was the International tea day. Pakistan observes this day everyday from Torkhum to Karachi and from Chaman to Bahawalnagar, everybody is busy in having a cup of tea. We are the nation in whose body an equal amount of blood and tea circulates. We have such flare for tea that our politicians, leaders, rulers and general members of public can bring storm in a cup of tea, a quality rarely found in any nation. Astoundingly, another feather in our cap is to waste more and more time at tea kiosks.
You can see people swarming in tea shops and wasting precious time there over a cup of tea. Another interesting fact about Pakistan is that whenever you go to some public officer, you are told that the relevant official is out for having a cup of tea, This cup of tea has become quite instrumental in our lives and it appears that we the earth revolves around a cup of tea. It would be appreciated if UN announces a special award for “a cup of tea” as it will be won unopposed by Pakistan officials who are always away from their seat for a cup of tea.
IFTIKHAR MIRZA
Islamabad
A call for UK immigration amnesty
It is adequately clear that the majority of UK illegal immigrants who have no recourse to public funding, no support from benefit system, do not benefit from the furlough scheme and have no access to food banks are the most hardest hit group of women, men and children during this COVID 19 pandemic. They have been highly exposed to severe economically pain and suffering by the pandemic as they have absolutely no any source of consolation for their predicament. They have also been left to dry as all other groups of people in the United Kingdom are being financially supported.
Whilst I am not an advocate for illegal immigration, I firmly believe that it is humane, considerate, reasonable and timely to grant amnesty to all these women, men and children who are suffering in silence during this toughest time in living memory amnesty. Whilst I eloquently admit that they have flouted immigration laws, the current situation of the pandemic has transformed them into the most vulnerable people suffering in silence in the UK.
It is therefore most appreciated to think beyond their illegal status save them from accelerated suffering and death by granting them amnesty because of the exceptional circumstances they are in. Amnesty will reduce heavy caseloads of immigration cases created by COVID- 19, prepare UK to start on an illegal immigrant free year 2021 as they leave EU and the illegal immigrants will be able to fill all the low skilled jobs.
HANDSEN CHIKOWORE
London
