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.
Women participation in economy
We all firmly support the idea of women empowerment and truly believe that women are the backbone of the society. There is no doubt that women participation in the economy can improve the economic indicators of the country. In China, women participation in the economy is 37%. Similarly, Indian and Bangladeshi women participation are way higher than Pakistan that stands at only 09%. These indicators clearly show that more women participation in the economy will help countries to improve their financial indicators and significantly enhance GDP growth in the country.
Despite having such beliefs, I rarely see anyone taking concrete measures for women’s financial inclusion. And by this, I don’t mean about giving loans to women-led businesses only, but it is about bringing more women into this circle. A good example of such an initiative is Karandaaz Financial Inclusion for Women Challenge which aims to support ideas of financial products and services specifically directed at women consumers. Through these products, services would be created which would help women to take full benefit of technologies to become self-sufficient and financially empowered.
ADNAN ALI MUGHAL
Islamabad
Bricks kilns and labours miseries
Due to smog in Punjab chief minister Usman Buzdar chaired a meeting and decided to close bricks kilns to deal with smog. This decision is implemented on those brick kilns that are not using zigzag technology. However, the brick kilns that are using zigzag technology will continue their work. Basically zigzag technology is a natural draught zigzag Firing Kiln is a continuous, cross draught, moving fire kiln in which the air flows in a zigzag path due to the draught provided by the chimney.
On one side, this decision will help in reducing smog but the other side is that by shutting kilns for two months would lead to unemployment of thousands of labours. This decision will multiply their problems and miseries. Now they are worried how they will spend these rainy days and feed their children. Government and environment-related institutions are responsible for their unemployment and this condition.
On the eleventh hour they take these to close kilns. It was responsibilities of Government and rest of related institution(s) that they will take proper decisions before smog days and by taking strict action on kilns owners to convert their kilns on zigzag technology. Problems that labours are facing nowadays will never be faced if proper decisions will be taken at a proper time.
AMINA ZAFAR SATTI
Kotli Sattian
Rise and fall of Trump
Former American President, Donald Trump has lost a golden opportunity of his life by his arrogance and weakness of faith. His policy of clash with religions and civilisations was short-sighted and biased.
His rise and fall as President rests with one word, lies. His lies won him a first term and his lies lost him a second term. He deserved what he got. It’s God’s wrath on him.
JUBEL D’CRUZ
Mumbai, India
US election
The much-hyped US election carrying influence over every region of this globe, took four days to decide next president of US. The US citizens cast their ballots amid the calamitous pandemic making the largest turnout in America’s history. All the responsible citizens of USA while standing in the queues to cast their votes took precautionary measures against the unrelenting threat of covid-19.
This time, 77-year old man, Joe Biden, serving as VP during President Obama’s time, trumped over the incumbent President, Donald Trump, taking the lead of four million votes. Predictions about his election proved to be true. Startlingly, all the swing states previously claimed by Donald Trump—Michigan, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania – voted for Joe Biden this time.
Most tellingly, several imprudent decisions made by Donald Trump sans any thorough deliberation with the relevant bodies, like withdrawing from “Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action”, commonly known as Iran deal, and defunding “WHO” at a time when pandemic was not showing signs of mitigation all over the world, tendered ample opportunities for his antagonist and his supporters at home to vote against him.
People belonging to all walks of life, including woman, African-Americans and deluge of white people made decisive decision in voting for Joe Biden. There lies a slew of distinct challenges for Mr Biden to confront, Racism, making robust economy again, staving off pandemic amicably, are a few for which he carries onerous onus on his shoulders to redress challenges diligently and effectively. Every literati person is optimistic that delicate policies orchestrated by Mr Biden could bring harmony in the world.
SYED MUSHARAF RASHDI
Sindh
Motorcyclists’ safety
Motorcycles are very common in Pakistan which are used for transportation and number of young people are keen to ride motorcycles and do not know even rules of traffic. Motorcycles are highly susceptible to accidents in Pakistan. According to a report of WHO that road accidents are leading cause of death of 16-45yr aged people and among them, are motorcycle riders. A few reasons are that motorbike riders do not wear helmet for their safety, every day a number of road accidents are happening and several get injured and die as well.
A head injury is the main cause of death and this can be prevented by wearing helmets when we are riding motorbikes. Driving motorbikes without wearing helmets can cause serious accidents or injuries. If someone pays a visit to a hospital, he finds more number of inpeople who sustain injuries in motorbike accidents. Therefore, government should do something to avert these fatal accidents. It is suggested that the government equip traffic police with helmets and whenever they (police) find anyone without helmet; they provide him helmet on spot, of course on payment, instead of making a challan. Challan is not a solution to the problem as crores of challans have been made and there is no improvement in situation. Hope this suggestion will be considered earnestly and hopefully it will lead to a fewer accidents in future.
MEERAN QOMI
Turbat
