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.
Drugs price hike and inflation
I strongly condemn the Government for allowing an increase in the prices of 94 life-saving drugs. This decision would not only add to the woes of the general public but also endanger the life of already ailing poor. Such regressive decision came in the midst of pandemic which is already struggling to cope with the impact of Covid-19, locust attack, floods and resulting unemployment and ever-increasing prices of fuel and daily commodities.
It seems that the government is forgetting the fact that the vast majority of population of Pakistan is poor and lower-middle class. Since the government has taken the reign of the country, every other day inflation rate is accelerating and has reached at an unprecedented level. Instead of giving structural relief to general public, it is apparent all attempts are made to further pushing public into poverty. Issues emanating from extreme inflation are mental health issues, suicides and crimes.
It is general public who is paying the price of government’s mistake of going to IMF and subsequently bearing the greatest burden of it. Question of good governance seems a distant dream in Pakistan. Hence, good governance requires evaluating policies. Moreover, it is advisable while formulating policies, government should take the general and poor public in mind. There may be many priorities, but giving structural relief to public should be of paramount importance. It is hoped the federal government will reverse its decision soon and control inflation and make the price of medicines affordable and accessible.
M SHAHJAHAN MEMON
Sindh
Babri Masjid
Babri Masjid meaning Mosque of Babur was a mosque in Ayodhya, India, at a site believed by many Hindus to be the birthplace of Hindu deity Rama. It has been a focus of dispute between the Hindu and Muslim communities since the 18th Century and especially after its demolition.
The beautiful huge mosque was illegally demolished in 1992 within five hours by fanatic BJP workers. Just recently, senior Hindutva leaders including former Deputy Prime Minister/Home Minister L.K Advani and thirtyone others were freed from the case having no proof of their involvement in the demolition of the mosque. The judge said that there is no conspiracy behind the case. A huge mosque cannot be demolished within five hours without planning and without any preparation.
In 1992 when the historical mosque was demolished by the BJP fanatics, leaders of the Party distributed sweets. The court decision freeing Advani and Co is a reflection that Advani has won and the justice has failed.
FAWAD SHAR BALOCH
Hyderabad
Constructing museums
Before migration to India and ruling the biggest film industry of Asia, Bollywood, probably two of the most legendary figures of Indian film industry Dilip Kumar and Raj Kapoor spent their childhood in Qissa Khwani Bazaar of Peshawar, Pakistan. The KP government’s decision of acquiring the ancestral homes of these two stars is a welcome one.
The Mughal-e-Azam actor Dilip Kumar thanked the Pakistani public for fulfilling his request of sending his birth place pictures. The film museums can boost tourism and can generate for KP government massive revenue from the visitors. Kumar’s wife and former actress Saira Banu admired the praiseworthy efforts of the current provincial government and wished that it would succeed in its efforts.
HAMMAL NAEEM
Via email
Go away, COVID-19
It takes a pandemic to take life seriously.” This has been the statement from many people across the world post-Coronavirus outbreak. Over six months on, there have been emotional stories about COVID-19 infection numbers, death toll and lockdown restrictions. Big and vast media houses in Asia and English News TV Channels from the West like CNN, BBC have been highlighting those stories with messages to the world. “Social distancing,” “mask wearing” have been new norms. But breaking serious health guidelines has been proved dangerous.
I have been doing my personal and professional duties seriously wearing a clean mask. I often encourage my mother and others in my native places like Tuticorin and Tirunelveli in Tamil Nadu to wear masks while off to areas outside. All these six months, countries and people have been put to inconvenience and agony. They have been slowly recovering from income losses and economic crises. On a negative front, there have been certain people disobeying COVID-19 rules, not wearing a mask for example.
Like it or not, this is a “health change crisis” [coined on the lines of climate change]. When we behave in a way that belittles COVID-19 control/response measures, then we would be only ill-equipped to handle such crises head-to-head. It is time to put an end to unwanted, confusing, negative projections and predictions of this virus disease.
With countries trying hard to control the pandemic, it is at the hands of the people out there to permanently stop this virus spreading furthermore. Working from home [online] has been good for now. Up next is the huge responsibility of all countries to do their bits as there have been many Coronavirus-caused crises up ahead. Let us pledge and take all steps possible/necessary to save Mother Earth and this world.
P SENTHIL S DURAI
Mumbai
Mobile banking frauds
Instances of scams and fraudulent activities with regards to banking are on the rise these days. Social media is flooded with customer complaints and the other day I too was targeted by one such scheme. Although this has never happened before, I recently received a message from the official number of an online payment platform. It contained an OTP for a transaction. At first, I ignored the message but shortly afterwards I received a call. The caller had a strange story about how he had sent money by mistake to the wrong number and would be obliged if I could send it back. I was intrigued because at the end of the message which contained the OTP, it was clearly stated that I should not share the OTP with anyone else. I called the respective bank’s helpline and they said I had done the right thing. They instructed me to ignore the caller and message as this is a common scam these days.
Digital banking platforms are encrypted with multiple security protocols to ensure safety of accounts as well as all transactions. Scams occur usually when people fall for fraudulent tactics. It is important to know that a financial institution will never call its customers to obtain any personal data or ask for information like OTPs, PIN codes etc. Banks, financial institutions are playing their role in minimizing the risk of such fraudulent activities. However, we also have to stay vigilant as this is the only way of protecting ourselves from such scams.
ALAMGIR KHAN
Islamabad
