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.
Global warming
According to the International Labour Organisation, countries which depend on agriculture are at risk of water shortage. Among such countries is Pakistan. In coming years, water crisis will aggravate. All those countries which run their economy by selling agriculture products will face high unemployment, inflation, poverty and gap in income. Many countries including Pakistan, Sudan and Yemen will be the first to face global warming effects.
In fact, these countries have already been facing the spectre of global warming in the shape of drought, risk in temperature, floods and change in crop cycles. Farmers’ income will decline owing to floods and low yields.
According to the World Economic Furum, there is 40 to 50pc employment in the agriculture sector which is at risk. Symptoms of destruction can be seen in recent floods and rising temperatures. In order to overcome the consequences of climate change and to save the agro- economic, Pakistan should start water management practices. It should build dams, stop water-logging, and monitor the distribution of water among all provinces. Only this way can Pakistan save not only water but employment too.
SIKANDAR SAJJAD
Larkana
Pakistan’s role in Afghan peace talks
After nine rounds of talks between US and Taliban, it seemed that the region will enjoy peace very soon. As the negotiations were nearing the climax, President Trump called off the peace talks, slamming them for renewed violence. This decision created anger in Pakistan. A peaceful Afghanistan is beneficial for a peaceful Pakistan. Pakistan is the most affected country due to bad situation in Afghanistan. PM Imran Khan requested Trump to resume talks with Afghanistan.
A high level Afghan Taliban delegation met Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi in Islamabad with the two sides reaffirming their resolve to resume stalled peace talks at the earliest. Reiterating Islamabad’s support to achieve ‘permanent’ peace, Qureshi underscored that stability in Afghanistan was essential for Pakistan’s socio-economic development and progress. He added that Islamabad had been urging the world to overlook the hardcore political, economic, socio-cultural and ethnic ground realities in Afghanistan and its immediate neighbourhood. There was no military solution to the Afghan conflict.
The Foreign Minister also said that the Pakistan-brokered US-Taliban talks laid a firm ground for a sustainable peace deal. A pacific settlement of the conflict would lead to a significant reduction of violence and end of bloodshed. It will provide a long-term peace, stability and prosperity for future generations of Afghanistan. The Taliban delegation appreciated Pakistan’s support for peace. US special Envoy for Afghanistan Reconciliation Zalmay Khalilzad also met Pak officials in an effort to review the Afghan peace process. The US and Taliban delegations visit has revived hopes for Afghan peace deal.
OMAR SHAHKAR
Islamabad
Say no to plastic bag
Ban on the use of plastic bags is highly appreciable action taken by the present government. Almost a hundred countries have banned use of plastic bags due to their harmful effects. Plastic bags not only contaminate food products but also can do great harm to wildlife and marine life.
A normal plastic bag takes more than 1000 years to degenerate and almost every piece of plastic ever produced exist in some form in our environment. So, to avoid all these harmfull effects ban on plastic bags was a prerequisite.
SABIN RASHID
Islamabad
Dussehra marks victory of good over evil
Dussehra is a ten-day and nine-night-long Hindu festival. It marks the victory of goodness over evil power such as victory of Rama over Ravana and the victory of Durga over Mahishasura. It sends a message that in a battle of right and wrong, righteousness always triumphs victorious. The festival of Dussehra is mostly celebrated outside the houses, in community places, in the form of fairs ranging from small to large.
The main attraction of the fair is a large effigy of Ravana, which is dramatically burned down to ashes by a member of the public depicting Lord Rama. Dussehra is also called Vijayadashami, which is a combination of two words, Vijaya meaning ‘victory’ and ‘Dashami’ meaning ‘tenth’. Hence, Dussehra is celebrated on the tenth day with great enthusiasm and fervour.
JUBEL D’CRUZ
Mumbai, India
World Teachers Day
Every year, the United Nations celebrates 5 October as World Teachers Day. World Teachers Day marks the anniversary of the adoption of 1966 ILO/UNESCO recommendation concerning the status of teachers. This recommendation sets benchmarks regarding the rights and responsibilities of teachers and standards for their initial preparation and further education, recruitment, employment and teaching and learning condition.
Every year, Pakistan also celebrates World Teachers Day. Events are held, teachers are remembered and appreciated for their contribution to society. Lots of promises are made by the government but they prove mere promises; nothing tangible comes out of them. Teaching is one of the most respected professions, yet ironically it is also one of the most poorly-paid profession. There was a time when most teachers were government servants. But with the gradual privatisation of the education sector yet another key area where the government abdicated its responsibilities, this also does not hold true. There are more private sector teachers than there are public sector ones.
Both sectors have their issues. Teachers in the public sector complain of the lack of merit in their promotion, the absence of a clear career path as well as highly poor working condition. In private sector, most of the teachers complain that they are not paid on time, while working like a robot. Private sector teachers are deprived of their basic facilities and have no incentive to do better. The working condition of most schools both public and private sector are poor, infrastructure is crumbling.
ANSAR AHMAD KHAN
Mardan KP
Dr Namrata
The mysterious circumstances of the death of a young doctor in the hostel of a renowned university are worrying. With reference to the news item ‘Family says BDS student Namrata murdered, demands investigation’ (Sept 17), I would like to say that this is not the first time we have heard of such tragedies taking place in our country For me, this is cold-blooded murder. Dr Namrata was a final year BDS student. She was a social activist. She worked for the welfare of the poor and had enrolled many poverty-stricken students into schools. She used to handle difficult situations technically and systematically.
Does a happy and motivational pupil commit suicide? Her family has refuted reports that the student committed suicide and demanded a “transparent investigation” into the circumstances of her death. While the law enforcement agencies are looking into the case, I think it is important for us to search for solutions or at least provide help to students who need it. We need to take mental health and personal safety seriously.
SIKANDAR SAJJAD
Larkana
Zimbabwe economy
The figures produced by IMF regarding the state of Zimbabwe is scaring. It seems Zimbabwean leaders have learnt nothing from the economic mess of 2008 which forced many Zimbabweans to cross crocodile infested Limpopo River into South Africa seeking better opportunities.
The memories of 2008 bad conditions are still fresh which was characterized by sharp drop in food production, collapsing of banking sector, farmers unable to get loans for capital developments, unemployment 80 %, Life Expectancy dropped.
The current government should accept that they are stained in defeat and should form coalition government to prevent total collapse of Zimbabwe like Somalia. The current leadership is failing to revive the economy in a country with abundant resources and two years after Mugabe was ousted.
HEATHER MAKAWA
United Kingdom
