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.
Happy Birthday Jinnah
IT was Muhammad Ali Jinnah who had been a symbol of equality, justice and fair play to everybody. Mr Jinnah had, for a sure, sacrificed his life for cause of freedom of Muslims of sub-continent. It was he whose struggles caused Pakistan‘s birth as an independent-state for those victimed-muslims. Thus it is our responsibility to respect him, to learn about his life and to remember this great leader on his birthday.
It was Muhammad Ali Jinnah who feared that India’s Hindu majority were incapable of treating its Muslim minority either justly or fairly. This fear empowered him to fight for freedom and for a separate Muslim State. When Jinnah‘s dream was materialized, he had been Pakistan’s first governor general and Jinnah insisted on the need for Pakistan always to safeguard minorities: To whichever community they may belong, their religion will be secure. There will be no interference of any kind with their freedom of worship: They will be, in all respects, the citizens of Pakistan without any distinction of caste or creed.”
Mr Jinnah told his nation, “Remember that the scrupulous maintenance and enforcement of law and order are the prerequisites of all progress”. “The tenets of Islam enjoin on every Musalman to give protection to his neighbours and to the minorities regardless of caste and creed.” He felt most proud of having “achieved Pakistan without bloody war and practically peacefully by moral and intellectual force and with the power of the pen,” cautioning his followers not “to besmear and tarnish this greatest achievement for which there is no parallel in the history of the world”. Mr Jinnah was not only emancipator for Muslims but he was also a symbol of peace for minorities in Pakistan. Thus we, all Pakistanis, should celebrate his birthday without any distinction of caste, creed and religion.
IMTIAZ ESSA HALEPOTO
Jamshoro
Why do we celebrate Christmas on 25 Dec
There are several reasons why Christmas is celebrated on December 25. The date is nine months after March 25, a day recognised by Christians as Annunciation is. It was the day Mary was told by God through the angel Gabriel that she would have a baby.
The nine months that follow are an approximation of Jesus’ birth. December 25 also coincides with pagan Winter Solstice celebrations like Saturnalia and Dies Natalis Solis Invicti. Since they were historically celebrated around that time of the year, there was precedent for holiday festivities during this time of year.
JUBEL D’CRUZ
Mumbai, India
Sewerage water
Through the courtesy of your elite newspaper, I would like to draw attention of the local authorities of Karachi towards the serious issue i.e. sewerage system of Karachi. This problem is not new; it is very common and getting worse day by day. Moreover, dirty water spills in front of houses. In most of the cases, sewer water mixes with water supply lines which leads to spreading viruses and more dangerous disease. Poor sewerage system and overflow of dirty water block roads and causes severe damage to them. Vehicles also face the trouble while passing because of sewerage water. Sewerage water contains toxic and carry pathogenic organisms that can transmit diseases to humans and animals. This matter is getting more serious day by day, kindly pay attention to this matter.
FATIMA AYAZ
Karachi
Jurisdiction
of SC
I believe that according to the Constitution of Pakistan, the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court extends across the length and breadth of this country and it is binding upon every resident to submit before them. The SCP has ordered that all Billboards installed, especially those at busy road crossings must be removed, and this constitutionally speaking, is applicable to the whole of Pakistan.
Unfortunately, in practice, it seems there are three interpretations of the law in our country, namely- one for the powerful paid elite, one for the rich and third for common citizens of this country.
Even a PM can be prosecuted and removed from office if convicted for any illegality committed, but some whom he may have appointed and are on the payroll of national exchequer cannot be treated in a similar manner. Despite the judgment by the SCP to dismantle all such Billboards, they continue to exist in Karachi and Lahore cantonment areas, DHA, Bahria etc and nobody dares to prosecute those responsible.
Can somebody enlighten ordinary citizens like me, who think that all are equal before the law. Theodore Roosevelt once stated, “No man is above the law, and no man is below it; Nor do we ask any man’s permission, when we ask him to obey it”. Our Holy Quran and Holy Prophet (PBUH) also emphasized that all men/women are equal before the law.
ALI MALIK TARIQ
Lahore
Reckless
road rage
I am writing this piece to express my deep concern over the alarmingly increasing road rage on roads of our city, leading to countless accidents every day. Gone are the days when people could not afford buying cars, bikes, and SUV’s. Now owing to the growth and development of the economy, per capita income of the people has grown manifold. The recent survey on maximum number of car ownership has confirmed the maximum number of cars and bikes in our city. The most worry causing aspect is the parents allowing their minor and immature children to drive high-end vehicles on roads. They do maximum accidents.
Apart from this, the traffic police appear to be lazily indifferent to the problem of road rage. Often the violation of red lights is condoned. Even after being caught red handed the culprits are not punished because of their political connections. If immediate tangible measures are not taken, the city roads will become veritable killer roads.
The traffic police must act proactively. There should be strict actions against minors who are involved in reckless driving. The parents must also be cautious in allowing their minor children to drive on roads. I appeal to the concerned authorities through the medium of your esteemed columns to look into the issue and do the needful.
ABIDA G MUHAMMAD
Karachi
