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.
Promoting Sindh tourism
Sindh is the second most populous province of Pakistan with rich culture and customs. As it is believed that Sindh is the cradle of civilizations and land of lovers. Pakistan’s northern areas are providing beautiful and green mountainous vistas to tourism. In contrast, Sindh province is rich in cultural, religious, historical and archeological tourism sites. For instances, Thar desert in monsoon, Gorakh Hill station, Kennjhar lake resort, Moen-Jo-Daro, Thatta Makli graveyard, religious shrines of Qalandar Lal Shahbaz and Sufi Saint Shah Latif Bhittai and many others. Tourism not only enhances economic growth but also transform the standard of lives as tourism creates opportunities of employment and small businesses.
But unfortunately, Sindh’s tourism is facing plethora of challenges like poor infrastructure, lack of government tourism policy, dysfunctional Sindh Tourism Development Corporation, corruption, crimes etc. In addition to these, lack of accountability is the ball and chain in making tourism sites more attractive as funds for several tourism development projects are siphoned off due to blatant corruption. These challenges are the hindrance in promoting Sindh tourism.
Government of Sindh must show seriousness in promoting Sindh tourism. It is the need of hour for the people of lower class as they have lost their jobs and income sources due to lockdowns/coronavirus. Therefore, tourism is the only way to create opportunities of small businesses through which they can earn some income.
SUHAIL AHMED ABRO
Larkana
Online classes during lockdown
There are many challenges that students have to face when learning online such as distraction when studying online, being out of one’s comfort zone and less personal interaction between teachers and students. Online learning also requires students’ to be highly self-motivated and have strong time management skills.
The situation is similar in the mountainous area that where online classes failed to pick up as most areas do not have network connectivity or the guardians are not able to purchase Smartphones due to lack of money with them. Most parents who send their children to government schools cannot afford Smartphones. The Covid-19 lockdown is ending up putting a lot of stress on parents.
It becomes difficult for students to maintain connectivity as a one-week Internet package costs Rupees 300 and ends prematurely because of prolonged online sessions. Our internet connection often fails during online class and we struggle to rejoin the session.
I request that the government take care of the students who had no access to touch screen mobile phones, laptops and internet facility. It is very difficult to install an internet connection because it costs rupees 3000 which is impossible for a poor family to pay.
SYEDA AILIA TAQI
Karachi
Rains in Karachi
I would like to bring to the notice of the higher authorities a very serious problem. All of us know that recent/ongoing rains in Karachi have badly damaged roads. Dirty water is accumulated on roads which has become a cause of many accidents leading to deaths and injuries to the people plus serious damage to the vehicles. Moreover, our health is not good because of dirty environment. People are facing health issues and get diseases like malaria, diarrhea, dengue and other diseases. What to talk of Covid-19 pandemic.
Due to heavy rains in the city, the roads become dodgier than before because there is no proper drainage system. It should come as no surprise to find that a poor drainage system results in water flooding the roads, and that it in turn results in damage to those roads. And when your drainage system fails, citizens cannot even travel from one place to another due to painful and distressing situation.
I request the authorities to kindly take some action on our complaint and help all the citizens living in Karachi. I would be very thankful.
MASOOMA AHMED
Karachi
Domestic violence escalation
Pakistan ranks as the sixth most dangerous country in the world for women, an estimated 50000 women are killed per year from domestic violence in Pakistan with thousands of others maimed or disabled. A recent incident of domestic violence took place a day before yesterday; a social media user Zoobia Ameer released a jarring video of his brother beating her and her mother mercilessly.
It can be seen clearly that “He grabbed his mother, shoving her against the door and unleashing a barrage of kicks and slaps. She said in an interview that he had beaten them three to four times before this but this time he crossed the limits! While it is clear enough that the line was crossed the day when he beat them first time. Ameer pleaded for protection and justice from law enforcement agencies.
Zoobia Ameer claimed that Police were reluctant to register a case against his brother Arsalan and his wife. They arrested him but released him after a short while. There should be enforcement of laws relating to women’s rights. The legal aid and support should be considered in time to prevent and control the severe forms of domestic violence for the protection of women’s life and dignity. The government should the perpetrators to book, so that nobody will ever dare to abuse or act violently.
SYEDA RUQIYA FATIMA
Karachi
Coronavirus: Contagious disease
Coronavirus is a highly contagious disease and it spreads fast from person to person. No other disease before has been known to spread at such a fast rate as the novel Coronavirus. To make things worse, no cure for the infection has yet been discovered. There is no option other than to treat the affected person symptomatically; however, the final recovery depends largely on an individual’s stamina and immunity.
From the perspective of this scenario, the lockdown seems to be the only practical and effective solution to prevent the spread of the disease. Social distancing is a measure imposed by the lockdown. People are advised to not socialise during the duration of the lockdown, which is for their own benefit. The lesser they socialise; the thinner will be their chances of getting infected.
JUBEL D’CRUZ
Mumbai, India
