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.
Humans under complete lockdown
Lately, the government ordered an ease to the lockdown, but the data regarding the cases of Covid-19 is quite alarming. In South Asia, Pakistan is ranked among the highest in the number of confirmed cases. Our government is trying its best to ensure the safety of people. But what we are doing as a nation? New Zealand’s PM stated that she could not have made her country Corona-free without the cooperation of the common man. The public is educated enough to be aware of this deadly virus and they should act according to precautions taken by the government.
Ease in lockdown was done to save Pakistan from economic fall-down but people were continuously warned to follow SOPs which they clearly didn’t and, resultantly, we now have been listed in top countries of the world where the spread of infection is extremely dangerous. Now as suggested by WHO, Government of Pakistan specifically Government of Punjab must consider complete lockdown for the time being and must respect the efforts of our departments for the public’s welfare. As a responsible citizen, please stay home, avoid leaving home and even if you have to, follow SOPs.
As a citizen of this country, I would like to appeal the President and Prime Minister of the country that extremely strict action should be taken against those who aren’t taking this deadly pandemic seriously and heavy fines should be charged on those who don’t follow basic precautions.
MOBEEN KHAN
Islamabad
How CSR is driving future of organizations
The key to progress for any great nation lies in various stakeholders coming together and working collectively/cohesively for the betterment of society. Pakistan is one of the few rapidly developing countries in South Asia and the reason for this growth lies in organizations and individuals acknowledging their roles as key drivers of change. For companies, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is becoming an ethical duty that they take pride in fulfilling by addressing issues related to the environment, education, healthcare, SMEs and a host of other segments.
Pakistan, geographically, lies at strategic crossroads and this has always given it the opportunity to avail lucrative investment opportunities. Various organizations, government departments and functionaries have gathered attention from local as well as international entities. However, the interests in a country are always deeper than just trade. CSR is becoming an essential part of the development of this nation because it enables the whole state to rise together. Private-public partnerships and corporate level initiatives shape and bolster the progress of nations because governments require the support. This is exactly what Pakistan is looking for. Fortunately, the country has seen a surge in participants willing to play their part as active members of this community. Financial institutions, automotive manufacturers, FMCGs and a host of other companies are beginning with themselves and making sure that their efforts positively impact those around them.
JS Bank, for instance, became the country’s only financial institutions to be accredited by the Green Climate Fund while also becoming completely compliant with SBP’s green banking guidelines. These achievements earned the organization international acclaim with the ‘Best Bank for CSR’ Asiamoney Award 2020.
M ALAMGIR KHAN
Islamabad
Our Ummah
is lost
This letter is in reference to the dilemma the Muslims of Yemen, Syria, Palestine, India and Kashmir are facing. The world is enduring from the Coronavirus pandemic regardless of faith, religion, creed or race. It is, nonetheless, sad to see that Muslim minorities living in countries such as India are suffering the hostility of the non-Muslim majorities. At this moment in time, we all must stand together as human beings irrespective of our being Muslims, Hindus, Christians or Jews. My heart aches every time when I hear news that Muslim villages are being burnt in India because they (villagers) were tested positive for the Covid-19 virus. In addition, the Palestinians have to face Israeli aggression on and on. It is time that we listen to the unheard voices of the innocent children, women and aged, and join forces as one united Ummah to prevent the repression we face the world over.
ABDULLAH BIN NAWAZ
Islamabad
NADRA franchises issue
In today’s era of technology, most of our needs are fulfilled through Online. NADRA franchises in most parts are working slowly whereas its clients have to stand in long queues the whole day under scorching heat. Thus the chances of spread of Covid-19 are high and at the most of branches, SOPs are not implemented effectively. NADRA needs to launch an E-system under which all requirements of national identity cards, death certificates etc be fulfilled.
This is critical time of pandemic Covid-19 as it spreads immediately through our social interaction. Therefore, it is the need of hour to open online system or widen the franchises by establishing new ones. The NADRA should also develop innovative technologies to improve working in offices and relieve its clients from long queues and crowds.
IMTIAZ ESSA HALEPOTO
Jamshoro
Economic crises, market prices
The economy of Pakistan is facing many crises. The government is trying to overcome the problems but it seems difficult. Because of current situation including Coronavirus, lockdown and locust attack on the crops the economy of Pakistan is falling down. This is also affecting the prices of goods especially consumer products. The main problem Pakistan is facing nowadays is insufficient revenue and fiscal deficit exports.
Now in some products the common citizens can compromise but when it comes to consumer goods it is really difficult for the common people to survive. The increase in prices is really a matter to think for the poor because they are unable to fulfil their daily requirements. One main reason for this is locust attack on crops. The required amount of crops is not produced and this leads to increase in prices of these crops.
On the other hand because of Coronavirus exports are badly affected. Pakistan is not exporting products to the other countries as it was done before. Government is also facing difficulties in importing products. Now some products are in abundance and some are in deficiency. In both situations, the consumers mean the common population of Pakistan have to suffer. The government is trying its best to overcome all these conflicts but because of low money production the government has to borrow things from both domestic as well as external resources. This increases the amount of debt stock which is responsible for increase in cost of products.
MALEEHA SHOAIB
Rawalpindi
World
Asteroid Day
World Asteroid Day which is celebrated on June 30 is a global awareness movement where people from all walks of life and all around the world come together to learn about asteroids and what we can do to protect our planet. Although asteroids would seem like mere rocks floating in space, they are actually objects of great importance for astronomers, geologists, planetary scientists, among others.
On the evolutionary field, they are pristine objects from the dawn of the solar system, building blocks of planets, moons and comets that never came to be. They maintain their original chemical composition that speaks to us about how our solar neighbourhood was like 4.5 billion years ago.
JUBEL D’CRUZ
Mumbai, India
