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.
LoC violation by Indian troops
As PM Imran said Modi is riding a tiger, the Indian troops are not far behind. Despite the fact that our forces are completely refraining from retaliation, things at the LoC are getting worse, Indian incendiary media is fanning the fire and showing events out of their proportion. International community must come forward to stop the atrocities of Indian troops across Kashmir border. Soldiers and civilians are giving their lives on a daily basis for no reason. For how long one can tolerate this attitude?
The unwarranted abrogation of independent status of India-occupied Kashmir is still a thaw in bilateral relations of both countries which is being followed by a non-serious jingoistic plan to bully Pakistan that may in turn completely ruin the world’s largest democracy. India is literally bludgeoning democracy for past so many years. In the present scenario Muslim countries in particular must raise voice against India to set her tone from aggression to normal as all Muslims are one Ummah. Hindutva mindset shall not be left unbridled.
IFTIKHAR MIRZA
Islamabad
Will economy improve?
One of the most important slogans from the manifesto of the PTI government was that it will improve the economy of the country and foreign investment will come after Imran Khan takes up the office. But even after one year, the situation seems to be worse if not better. The business community is not happy with the government, the dollar rate is high as always and the economy is on the ventilator on it’s death bed.
Optimism although is always good, recently the IMF’s Deputy Director Research Gian Milesi-Ferreti in a press conference stated that Pakistan has started implementing an ambitious plan with IMF. In short he said that Pakistan’s economy will turnaround from the year 2020. Now we can only hope that the government somehow improves the economy and create jobs and other opportunities for the welfare of our citizens which is their ultimate duty.
ASIM KHAN
Islamabad
Your journey just got easier
Technological advancement in different sectors is making people’s life easier. Although Pakistan, in comparison to the developed world, is still lagging behind in terms of technology but our struggle to match the global pace is commendable. I am a lawyer currently living in Islamabad but originally I hail from Faisalabad. Working five days a week and spending weekends at my hometown requires extreme commuting. Fuel refilling and handling cash accordingly has always been a hassle for me since there are no ATM machines or card swiping facilities at most of the fuel stations, and where they are available, at times those ATMs are out of cash. I have recently started using PSO’s DIGICASH Fuel Card and surprisingly it has made my life much easier. PSO has done a great job by introducing this very secure fuel card along with a handy mobile phone application to manage my fuel consumption easily. Also when I use DIGICASH, I get loyalty points in return which I can redeem for free fuel. Ever since I got my fuel card, I don’t need to keep a lot of cash.
This is such a relief. Not only other fuel stations, but all public sector companies should also follow PSO’s example and introduce such facilities for people that bring convenience. The Government should also invest in this and take up the initiative at national level. Such digital advancements offer endless possibilities; however they will only be utilized properly if the Government is involved and our people as well as workforce are equipped with the necessary knowledge regarding the developments that are being introduced.
FAIZAN YASIN
Islamabad
Illegal parking mafia
I am a citizen of Pakistan, I am from Karachi. What was once called a city of lights but no one can call it a city of lights, given the unsettled condition of Karachi. Along with Karachi’s rapidly growing population, its problems are also increasing at the same pace. The biggest problem at the moment is the illegal parking of vehicles. One evening, passing through Tariq Road, the situation, in terms of traffic, was very sad. The road was jammed. When observed, it was found that the jam was caused by the vehicles which were parked wrongly and some people were taking parking charges from people in a big way.
On asking for charges, the boy said 20 rupees for bike and 40 rupees for car parking. Half the road was jammed due to illegal parking. The illegal parking mafia has engulfed not only Tariq Road, but also other areas of the city, including Numaish, Sadar, Korangi, Landhi, Karimabad. Citizens are facing a lot of trouble due to the hours-long road jams, whether they are ambulances trapped in traffic. If it happens rain, roads and streets even become dysfunctional. I appeal to the authorities concerned to please provide proper parking facilities to the citizens so that they can park their vehicles in a proper way and also continue their journey in a peaceful environment.
MUNAZZA SAHER
Karachi
Rural women
Agriculture sector absorbs around 46% of the total labour force of Pakistan where women have a major proportion, despite the higher involvement they are unfortunately getting little return due to male dominance in rural areas. They play a significant role in agriculture, food security and nutrition., but no due recognition is given to them.
Mostly in Sindh and Baluchistan women haven’t many choices, they haven’t freedom of choice nor they make decisions neither they take part in any social activity. The killing of women and girls is so common in rural Sindh, they just need to use a tagline of KAROKARI nothing else.
The mindset couldn’t be changed in this way such that our so-called police can tackle it which every government believes. The government must work on rural education of both male and female by opening new schools or make sure the efficiency of current schools so that children can get education which will make them a better person.
KHUDA DAD
Kashmore
Freedom of religion
Everyone has the right to freedom of thought: this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance.
The bedrock of the Islamic case for religious liberty is the Qur’an’s vision of the human person. The Qur’an’s anthropology ¯ which is shared by Christianity and Judaism ¯ views every human being as a creation of God, blessed with intellect and free will. God created humans “in the best of moulds”and in doing so honoured humanity and conferred on it special favours. The Qur’an emphasises that human beings have inherent worth and dignity. Further, it holds that God gave humankind the intellect and ability to discern between right and wrong.
The Qur’an emphasises free choice. “Whoever chooses to follow the right path follows it but for his own good; and whoever goes astray goes but astray to his own hurt”. Resoundingly, the Qur’an declares that “there shall be no coercion in matters of faith”. Belief is an individual choice or, rather, it is a choice involving the individual and God. Therefore, forced conversions are simply unacceptable, and anyone who would use force rather than persuasion to promote religion must ignore the view of the person central to the Qur’an.
The capstone of the qur’anic case for religious liberty is the fact that not even the Prophet Muhammad could impose or force people to profess Islam. When people were unreceptive to the message of Islam, the Qur’an explicitly reminded him that he was never to resort to coercion: “Your task is only to exhort; you cannot compel them [to believe]”.
MAHEEN REHMAT
Karachi
Aditya not fit for a CM’s post
I feel like laughing when Aditya Thackeray says he wants to become the CM of Maharashtra. What a big joke! This guy has got no experience at all. What will he do after sitting in the CM’s chair? He’ll be a laughing stock to all.
If ever someone from the Sena family wants to become a CM, it has to be either Uddhav Thackeray or Raj Thackeray. They have got more experience than Aditya and they’ll make a good CM and will be able to rule Maharashtra like the late Bal Thackeray very well.
JUBEL D’CRUZ
Mumbai, India
Prevalence of depression
Depression is a mental disorder and is different from usual mood fluctuations and short-lived emotional responses to challenges in everyday life. More than 300 million people of all ages, mostly women, suffer from depression. It can cause the affected person to suffer greatly and function poorly at work, at school and in the family. At its worst, depression can lead to suicide.
Close to 800,000 people commit suicide every year because of depression. Depression results from a complex interaction of social, psychological and biological factors. People who have gone through adverse life events (unemployment, bereavement, psychological trauma) are more likely to develop depression. Prevention programmes should be organized to reduce depression. It includes school-based programmes to enhance a pattern of positive thinking in children.
MAIRA NADEEM
Rawalpindi
