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.
Temple in Islamabad
Besides the debate on how to control COVID-19, the other hot topic is the construction of a temple in Islamabad. As the construction work on temple began in Islamabad recently, religious fanatics went at the site of temple and broke the wall which was initially built as a mark of temple foundation. Religious leaders and scholars have registered their strong protest against building of temple in Islamabad. Some are of the opinion that they are not against building of temple but why government of Pakistan is paying the construction cost of the temple?
According to these religious leaders and scholars, the money in government treasury is the tax money of Muslims and should not be used for the construction of the temple. If this is how the religious leaders and scholars of this country are looking at it, let me remind them that government recently built religious place for Sikhs in Kartarpur. Why no one raised any objection at that time? Probably because the construction of Kartarpur corridor was announced by someone in uniform? And the construction of temple for Hindus has been announced by an elected government?
For the purpose of record, construction of this temple was announced by the then President of Pakistan Asif Ali Zardari, carry forwarded by Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif. Both the parties feared backlash from religious parties and never built the temple. The present government of PTI decided to complete the long awaited project. I have a question for the religious leaders and scholars of this country. Can a Hindu donate money in the construction of a Mosque? The answer is big No because even Zakat money cannot be used for construction of a mosque.
Now, when government of Pakistan pays money for construction of a mosque or Madressah, the money used from government treasury also include tax money of Hindus, Christians, Sikhs, Parsis and even Qadiyanis. How does this money become pure for the construction of a mosque or Madressah? If Pakistan is an Islamic Republic, why we don’t have Shariah in the country? Why are our courts providing justice (if they are providing any) under the British Law? Pakistan can only prosper if matters of state and religion are treated separately.
M RAFIQUE ZAKARIA
Karachi
Hospital crisis in Zimbabwe
It is heart-breaking and pathetic that some patients in Zimbabwe are sleeping rough on the floors in Zimbabwe’s major hospitals. The nurses are currently on strike and there is acute shortage of doctors particularly at this dangerous and difficult time of Covid 19. There is no electricity which is causing major operations to be cancelled.
The hospitals and healthcare system in Zimbabwe are highly under resourced yet the former Health Minister illegally awarded a multimillion-dollar contract for Covid-19 testing kits, drugs and personal protective equipment to a shadowy company. President Mnangagwa should be challenged by international leaders to improve on management of hospitals and urgently improve the protection and promotion of health in Zimbabwe. Zimbabweans should not seek medical assistance in South Africa and other foreign countries as they will be straining the healthcare systems already under pressure from Coronavirus.
KUDZAI CHIKOWORE
Harare
Family unity
It is a pure fact that family bonds can last a lifetime. Members are a key in enhancing durable subsisting relationships deep-rooted in intimacy and closeness. In our hectic lives our family foundations can feel shaken. We may feel we’re not getting the time needed to invest in the relationships. Perhaps we feel that sibling rivalry is pulling the family apart rather than together. Having strong family bonds ensure that everyone feels secure and has a family rock on which the rest of life rests. If families can create family traditions which weave in and out of the year then family bonds will be enhanced year-round.
Family meetings are a good time for everyone to check in with each other, air grievances or discuss future plans. Feeling supported by your family is one of the most important elements of building strong family bonds. Encouraging everyone to learn what things are important to their family members and to do their best to support each other through the good and the bad times.
Everyone in the family should feel empowered to share their good news as well as share their bad news. When families feel supported, getting through hard times becomes much easier. Before you can change the family dynamic of your household, you must first change yourself.
It is important to note that mood impacts tremendously on those around you. If you feel positive and upbeat, it will boost the morale in your home, instantly lifting the mood of your family. Sibling rivalry is inevitable in most families but it can have negative long-term consequences if not addressed. If brothers and sisters are always quarrelling and showing disrespect, and even aggression to one another, the home is no longer the sanctuary it should be. Instead it becomes a house filled with tension and anger. It is important to nurture patterns of life-long friendships between siblings and set limits as to what will and will not be tolerated.
HANDSEN CHIKOWORE
London
2.89 per unit increase in tariff
It is ironic that NEPRA has once again increased Rs.2.89 per unit the tariff of K Electric. It may be described as a ‘Reward’ for the poor performance of the company which has nothing to its credit except recorded load shedding, frequent power failures, interrupted electric supply and numerous deaths of innocent citizens of Karachi due to faulty system. Indeed, this is a precious gift of private sector monopoly in the field of utility.
Recently, Federal Energy Minister Omar Ayub has disclosed on the floor of the National Assembly that the government is ready to enhance power transmission but K-Electric has no capacity before 2022 of storage of additional quantum of electricity in its system. This is quite an alarming situation which means that Karachiites cannot expect any relief as yet. Nowadays, NEPRA is hearing public complaints against K-Electric in Karachi but at the same time the timings of load shedding is being multiplied.
In fact, NEPRA seems to be helpless for the redressal of public complaints against K-Electric. The study of the entire situation also reveals that ‘NEPRA’ and ‘OGRA’ are correlated. Sooner, OGRA increases the price of furnace oil, NEPRA transfers its benefits to Karachi Electric but if the price of furnace oil decreases, the benefit is not transferred to consumers. Similarly, if we take into account, the statement of Energy Minister, we reach the conclusion that K-Electric did not improve its system but, on other hand, its performance is getting worse day by day.
MAHFOOZ UN NABI KHAN
Karachi
Costly medicine
Medicine is so costly that poor can’t bear the heavy price. Consequently, most of poor die in the want of proper treatment and medicine. The price of medicine is highly expensive in Pakistan which contributes much in deterioration of health of low-income families. It is quite normal in public hospitals of Sindh that doctors recommend private medicine to the patients. Asking doctors about government medicines is the wastage of time, because they start blaming the Government for lack of medicines.
People, who are well-off and opulent, often try to consult private doctors and take their prescribed medicines. However, the poor mainly depend on public hospitals and dispensaries, but lack of medicines in Government hospitals and outside recommended medicine, have contributed a lot in making situation worst for them. Currently, Covid-19 and high rate of inflation have undoubtedly been the great burden on the poor’s pocket. To survive in this hellacious situation of pandemic, is beyond poor’s teether.
Therefore, Government of Pakistan should play its role in relieving poor segment of society. And the proper set up of medicines in public hospitals and dispensaries be ensured, so that no need of buying expensive medicines from private stores be felt. Likewise, Government should also bring costly private medicines at accessible level to the poor. Moreover, imposition of heavy taxes upon private medicines should also be brought down.
IMTIAZ ESSA HALEPOTO
Jamshoro
