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.
Getting
info from
govt dept?
Yes, you can get information from any governmental institute. Constitutional clause 19 A was amended in 2010, according to which people are allowed to check and ask for information from any public body or governmental institute and they are bound to reply you back in specific time span. Usually in 14 days a Public Information Officer (PIO) is bound to reply you back if he/she don’t reply then you can ask directly from commission that is bound to reply you in 60 days.
The official website is also launched through which people can address any issue and get information using this right. For instance, you can ask for right to information for a certain initiative that has been passed or some tender of construction. But unfortunately, due to lack of awareness people don’t even know about their fundamental rights. Be aware of your rights and create awareness among others as well to promote transparency and accountability within society.
RIMSHA REHMAN
Islamabad
Vaccinating the vulnerable
The cases of Corona virus are surging in Pakistan, as government is making all-out efforts to procure Covid vaccine at the earliest. Federal government has announced to allocate $150 million for early purchase of vaccine. As this is promising news for hard-hit public government should make adequate arrangements to prioritise vaccination of most vulnerable segment of society that is more prone to this chronic disease.
The people who have put themselves in harm’s way to fulfil their fundamental duties such as people who are healing others, stocking grocery stores, picking garbage and most importantly those who are teaching in such a grave environment. This is a good way to acknowledge people for their services.
FAISAL HAYAT
Okara
An open letter to Bilawal
Peoples’ Party that was founded by Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto followed a democratic path in the shape of 1973 constitution and got immense popularity among common people of Pakistan within short period of time under the slogan of Roti, Kapra and Makaan. The same party is now struggling for its existence after the martyrdom of brave father and brave daughter Bibi Benazir Bhutto on 27th December 2007. There are various reasons behind loosing party’s fame such as lack of good governance, nepotism and corruption in Sindh government since 2008.
Bilawal Bhutto Zardari the chairman of PPP, on every political forum and gathering is criticising PTI government on its bad governance but before doing all this he should critically look into serious issues of common people in Sindh. The people of Sindh are confronting day-to-day problems. Stray dogs are biting many children daily while due to unavailability of anti-rabies medicines infected children are loosing lives. In Thar, lives of infants are at stack due to malnutrition and starvation. In interior Sindh, no serious steps have been taken for betterment of education despite imposing Education Emergency. Corruption is rampant. Law and order situation is getting worst day-by-day. People are not even safe in their own homes. Police has failed to regain its reputation among masses.
Rape, murder cases and tribal conflicts are increasing on an alarming rate. Kidnapping and ransom trends are at peak level. Lack of justice has encouraged criminals to increase their criminal activities. Youth is made to commit suicide due to unemployment, poverty and nepotism in govt departments.
Bilawal Bhutto Zardari should improve provincial governance at Sindh and may take it as a real opportunity to address these burning issues in a systematic way by taking stern decisions and strengthening institutes. The result of good governance will definitely affect other provinces as well and PPP leadership of Bilawal Bhutto Zardari may regain its former position in all over the country once again.
ALI GUL LEGHARI
Dadu, Sindh
Power of words!
There is a saying “Put yourself in one’s shoes, and then you’ll realise what one is going through”, and this actually hits me harder. One can easily get away by contending “I am not callous, it’s just that I speak truth/ or what I feel I should say”. So have you ever realised that sometimes words hit you so hard that they shatter your soul, break every bit of your being and left you wandering are you of any purpose?
There is a fine line between being blatant and being honest. We all appreciate being fair and are averse to sugar coating but does that validate our ruthless attitude. Does this give us the right to bury one with our words, and does this justify one’s mantra of being “outspoken”? Before answering just place yourself in that person’s shoes, how would you feel if one does this to you? This is not to shame anyone but just to make everyone understand that a kind heart and a lending ear is better than a brilliant mind and an unbridled tongue.
SOBIA WASEEM
Karachi
