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.
Conflict of interests
It is an established fact and matter of record that Prime Minister Imran Khan and his government are committed to create a corruption free Pakistan for the posterity, eliminate nepotism, favouritism and ‘sifarish’ culture ensuring merit and transparency in all spheres of life. The PTI federal government has just completed two years of its stipulated five years rule but the people have started taking about the conflict of interests within the ranks and file of the ruling party.
There have been quite visible and not so welcome instances of some federal ministers and parliamentarians taking grand U-turn to purana Pakistan from Naya Pakistan and flagrantly indulging in nepotism and favouritism and promoting their cronies least caring about rules and regulations or merit. For instance, a federal minister from Lahore holding two portfolios has number of such dubious appointments to his credit such as Chairperson Board of Governors of Alhamra Art Council Lahore, Chairman Central Board of Film Censors, Islamabad, Incharge and Aet Advisors at PNCA’s Shakir Ali Museum Lahore. Appointment of incumbent lady Director General of PNCA some months back also leaves much to be desired and is in utter denial of for what people had voted PTI in power.
It is appreciable that NAB Chairman has ordered NAB Rawalpindi to look into reports about art mapping of precious art treasures from PNCA and appointments made in it during last two years or so. Hopefully, the inquiry will bring all hidden facts to surface. NAB Rawalpindi officials should also take measures to ensure that PNCA record is not removed or tempered by its officials to hide their anti-art criminal activities.
M Z RIFAT
Lahore
Fire in buildings
Karachi, the metropolis city of Pakistan is in the news these days for all bad reasons. A few days ago a building collapsed in Korangi causing death to innocent residents. Yesterday, fire erupted in a residential building resulting into death of 4 people and leaving several severely burnt. Following building code in construction of multi-story buildings is rare in Karachi. The sub standard concrete jungle of steel and mortar in slum areas is a permanent threat for its inhabitants.
It emits heat on one side and an ecological problem on the other side. Authorities have turned a blind eye to basic problems of Karahiites. The recent rains caused havoc due to illegal construction on water channels. China-cuttings and blocking of rain water nullahs. The most dangerous aspect of all these problems is pubic’s apathy towards themselves. The have compromised to live in all odd conditions and do not raise any voice for betterment of their lives.
IFTIKHAR MIRZA
Islamabad
None of govt business
Every government, whether civilian or military, unanimously agree that ‘it is not business of the government to do business’ as it is a universally accepted principle that the government consists of Executive, Parliament and Judiciary, each working within their confines laid down in the Constitution. The power to interpret the Constitution however lies solely with the judiciary and it alone can keep an oversight on executive and also ensure that legislation passed by Parliament does not violate spirit of the Constitution. If it is accepted that government has no business to do business, it also implies that all departments formed by it and funded by national exchequer also do not do business.
Unfortunately, what is happening is that every subordinate department and state institution is seen being involved in commercial business ventures. Almost all are involved in real estate business, under garb of welfare and even beyond. All this is being done to the detriment of national exchequer, by seeking tax rebates, waivers, subsidies for sugar and fertilisers etc while the State does not have sufficient funds to provide basic civic necessities of life to citizens and fulfill its constitutional obligations to provide subsidised health, education to most deprived, nor even clean drinking water and enforcement of law and order. Even ASF has floated a commercial real estate project.
The State collects taxes from citizens to fund various departments essential for performance of their constitutional functions, pay salaries to citizens recruited strictly on merit, skills and qualifications. Some of these essential departments and ministries are Finance, Commerce, Interior, Defense, Communication, Education and Health etc. All these departments and those recruited by them collectively form the government, working under a constitutionally elected executive. Neither the executive, nor administratively subordinate departments should be seen doing business.
MALIK TARIQ ALI
Lahore
Water shortage
I wish to draw attention of concerned authorities, through columns of your esteemed newspaper, towards an extremely vital and tormenting problem of my neighbourhood. For the last several months, people of this locality, in spite of paying all types of taxes and utility bills, are encountering problems due to water shortage. Most of the time, pressure of the water is low and it takes quite a lot of time to fill a bucket. We are thus facing hot summer without proper water supply. I regret to point out that it seems as if there is no authority or any government department to help out suffering citizens.
The situation has now reached an alarming level, which may lead to protests and agitation. I hope concerned people would look into this matter without further delay and take timely steps to provide suffering citizens a quick relief.
BASTOLINA RAFIQ
Karachi
Sehwan lacks basic amenities
Sehwan is a historical town of Sindh. It is worldwide famous for mystic saint Hazrat Lal Shahbaz Qalandar’s shrine. Thousands of devotees come every day. But unfortunately, no proper arrangements for those pilgrims are made. It has currently been facing huge loadsheding of gas and electricity, crisis of potable water, poor infrastructure, rude behaviour of political appointed doctors and paramedical staff in hospital and cleanliness.
As a result, Sehwan looks poorly managed city of Sindh. Current CM Sindh also belongs to Sehwan yet it lacks all basic amenities. After recent rains stagnant water is still on roads. The town is given huge budget every year, but budget is utilised poorly and minimally. Residents of the town face huge problems, but none is able to listen and solve problems.
Government of Sindh, especially CM Sindh should give attention to the town from where he is elected. CM needs to take proper steps to make it a modern town with all basic amenities.
IMTIAZ ESSA HALEPOTO
Jamshoro, Sindh
