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.
US elections and Pakistan
Irrespective of who wins and likelihood of Biden being next US President, their foreign policy would be based solely on their own national and global strategic interests. Pakistan needs to develop its relationship with countries in the region like China based on common long-term strategic interests. There is a need for restructuring our foreign policy with collective input and soul searching by all stakeholders with emphasis on economy, trade, etc., rather than these transactional policies. Unfortunately, Pakistan itself is responsible for basing its relations with the USA on a transactional basis, instead of on trade and infrastructure development seeking direct foreign investment with long-term benefits to our economy.
An economically unstable country like Pakistan cannot afford to venture across its borders, or be involved in proxy wars for the benefit of global powers. Seeking Strategic Depth beyond our borders has only resulted in making our own territory unsafe, leaving behind legacy of terrorism and extremism which has shattered our economy and caused death for hundreds of thousands of Pakistanis and displaced millions. Performing errands in return for short-term monetary benefits has benefitted powerful individuals, more than the country.
The beneficiaries of this transactional relationship have been powerful individuals, like the gifting of Gandara Motors in 1963 or facilitating their families acquiring assets overnight, immigration status, scholarships and going from rags to riches. In the process, Pakistan has earned the ire of other global powers in the region like dthe (former) Soviet Union which played a detrimental role in 1971 as payback for U-2 reconnaissance missions from Badaber airbase and shooting down of an aircraft on 1 May 1960 and capture of pilot Gary Powers. Nikita Khrushchev had warned of reprisals.
MALIK TARIQ ALI
Lahore
US election like Zimbabwean election drama
It is astonishing that Donald Trump, the USA President is acting like a third world untutored politician who is refusing to lose the elections. Surely the USA was a symbol of democracy in the world. The recent drama about their elections will lead many with questions whether America is still a first world country or Donald Trump has eroded them into a normal election fiasco in a third world country. Trump enhanced racism in America and divided many people. When George Floyd, an American hip hop artiste, was killed by a white police officer, this abusive president did nothing.
He failed to act or take action to show strong leadership. Is America copying Zimbabwe to rig elections? America should not copy Zimbabwe in rigging elections because Zimbabwe is a failed state. Trump should stop behaving like President Emerson Mnangagwa who is an expert in rigging elections.
TAPIWA MUSKWE
United Kingdom
State Bank
of Pakistan
This refers to recent crisis in State Bank of Pakistan. It is globally observed that when global institutions fail to come out of crisis, they borrow huge amount as debt and utilize that amount in business plans wisely. As a result, they, in a short period of time, come out of crisis and prove themselves inspiration for others.
Unfortunately, our institutions give huge remunerations to foreign consultants for business plans. But they ignore to make a portal, where nationals can show their talent and capabilities. State Bank of Pakistan has launched many fruitless projects but got no fruit. Additionally, Pakistan has huge talent but there is no utility of it. Thus State Bank should launch a portal for business plans and assessments. In this way, national talent will voluntarily come out and it will work in country‘s progress as a milestone. Similarly, State Bank should launch a hybrid solar energy project in a loan scheme for government employees. In that way, there will be fruitful achievements for employees‘ prosperity and Bank‘s stability.
By introducing solar energy scheme, tens of successful and fruitful benefits will come out; employees would save their expenditure of electricity, problem of energy crisis will resolve gradually and it‘ll give huge opportunities of earnings to all nationals. In addition to that, loadshedding will also decrease. Solar energy is safe energy in comparison to electericity which sometimes causes fatalities. One can also use Air Condition by solar energy and can save oneself from giving bribes. Installation of solar energy will introduce huge opportunities of earnings and it is safe for global environment. Therefore Governor of State Bank of Pakistan should launch a business plan portal and solar energy scheme so that Pakistan can be a prosperous country.
IMTIAZ ESSA HALEPOTO
Jamshoro
Goswami’s arrest unfair
The arrest of Republic TV editor-in-chief, Arnab Goswami in a case where a closure report was filed a few years ago is a shocking abuse of police power. Even if the police have reopened the case, the arrest is totally malafide.
This is just a personal vendetta against him and I condemn the arrest. Arnab Goswami is not a hard-core criminal, neither is he a criminal. Just because the police have the power, they keep taking the law into their own hands and feel they can do what they want.
JUBEL D’CRUZ
Mumbai, India
Poor governance
The mismanagement of Bulawayo City Council and poor governance by President Emmerson Mnangagwa have caused severe water shortage in the city of kings which was once one of the most visited cities in Zimbabwe. The water pipes and systems are all dilapidated and the solution is not in sight for the Bulawayo City Council. The shortage of water has exposed residents to severe health hazards. Bulawayo City Council public toilets are horrible health hazards particularly the one along Lobengula Street.
Human waste is seen all over the central business district of Bulawayo city. Residents are forced to pay to use such disgusting and horrible toilets. The failure to manage and maintain public toilets in Zimbabwe clearly shows the world that ZANU PF and its government cannot management anything at all. It is really surprising that their councillors and city mayor who spend time in offices but have no clue or any idea of fixing the problems about the public toilets.
ZANU PF is a toxic party that even failed to manage toilets and how could we expect them to manage Zimbabwe which has abundant natural resources including diamond, gold, coal, iron ore, chromium ore, vanadium, asbestos, nickel, copper, lithium, tin, and platinum group metals. ZANU PF government and its leadership must be flushed out of the Zimbabwean political systems because they have made everything to stink with sewages in Zimbabwe and a breadth for fresh air cometh not.
KUDZAI CHIKOWORE
London
Food security and safety standards
The issue of food safety is emerging as a huge crisis on the international level. This year, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations is encouraging everyone to consider the importance of the food system in our lives, and how we can make it stronger.
The Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) has released the key findings of the Household Integrated Economic Survey (HIES), 2018-19 which reveals that 16% of the population is experiencing moderate or severe food insecurity. This is indeed a very alarming situation for the country where the issue of food security has remained a subject of conceptual debate in the development of Pakistan. As a result, the vulnerability to food insecurity and hunger remains a threat for the nation.
This issue can only be resolved once we introduce new techniques and empower our farmers and facilitate them with the modern machinery so that they can produce good quality food. Our government is very keen in improving the standard of farmers which is, of course, a very positive sign.
However, if the government should issue licenses to the food industry on strict compliance and ensure that they follow the standards set by PSQCA and other food authorities with basic health rules, there should be random inspection on a periodic basis, and those producing low quality and unhealthy food should be given strict punishment and their licenses cancelled.
M ROHAIL HASSAN
Karachi
