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.
Payment to Broadsheet
This poor country has to pay $28.7m to a US firm Broadsheet LLC hired by a military ruler Musharraf in 2000, who was blinded by his egoistic obsession to punish former PM Nawaz Sharif. There is a legal requirement to conclude a contract signed with a foreign company in case the State does not intend to proceed further.
The Junta had numerous legal advisors and others holding immense power, which places on them responsibility for signing an agreement with Broadsheet LLC and not closing it with no financial repercussions. What is astonishing is that $5m was paid to settle the matter but there are no receipts as evidence that such a payment was made.
This country has suffered because of obsession of elected or unelected heads of state, to punish their political adversaries, and in the process their mental faculties are so occupied that the affairs of state suffer. There is a procedure laid down in the constitution to proceed against public office holders. An elected PM must not allow his mind to be obsessed with political adversaries. Public Office holders’ accused of corruption should be proceeded against in accordance with laws in existence and constitution.
A former Chairman FBR has stated that billions belonging to Pakistanis is deposited in foreign bank accounts. He also stated that only 20% of this is corruption money and the rest 80% is institutionalised corruption consisting of commissions from state procurement deals and deposits by traders etc through under or over invoicing etc.
MALIK TARIQ ALI
Lahore
Without traffic police
Despite being a populated city, Turbat in Balochistan has no traffic police. There are no traffic lights or traffic sergeants to look after issues of serious traffic violations on roads.
It is true that previously there were not many vehicles on Turbat’s road due to which there wasn’t a need of any traffic system. However, lately with growing population, there is great rush of vehicles that needs to be disciplined. Relevant authorities should look into this issue.
AFROZ M J
Turbat, Balochistan
No garbage disposal
Garbage disposal remains on hold and behind many buildings in our neighbourhood garbage is lying in heaps. This situation is very troublesome as after two days it produce bad pungent smell that is harmful for our health, along with the horrid sight of garbage everywhere.
Sometimes when it’s windy garbage is dispersed on entire lane and road, which makes it more troublesome and unhygienic. People have no choice but to throw their trash on streets and as a result children cannot play while people can’t go on daily walks anymore. This prevailing situation has worsened with each passing day. I request authorities to please look into this and do something about it.
RAVI SHANKER
Karachi
Scarcity of gas
Scarcity of natural gas in Sindh has always been a burning question. Mostly in winter people need warm water in morning for shower and different daily activities. Due to dearth of gas most residences resort to use gas cylinders to fulfil their necessary needs like cooking and other chores. Using gas cylinders at homes is harmful because they can explode and may cause loss of lives and bring other destructions. Owing to lack of gas mostly people use to buy food from outside for which they have to bear expenses of a huge amount of money and also fall prey to various diseases by eating adulterated meals. After paying due charges of bills dwellers of Sindh do not receive proper gas. In short, Government of Sindh must pay attention to this issue and redress grievances of people as soon as possible.
HASNAIN ASAD MEMON
Sukkur, Sindh
New Covid wave
When Corona Virus pandemic began early 2020, experts wondered if there would be waves of cases, a pattern seen in other virus pandemics. The overall pattern so far has been one of increasing cases of COVID-19, with a surge in summer and a larger one in winter. Some locations that saw a high number of Corona Virus infections earlier, followed by a decline, are seeing a “second wave” of infection.
SHUJAUDDIN SIDDIQUI
Karachi
*****
Current school closures have added to time that most students already spend at home during summer months without explicit face-to-face instruction from teachers. Meanwhile, teachers are scrambling to adapt content for an online platform and parents are juggling work responsibilities with caring for and educating their own children.
Students themselves are faced with isolation, anxiety about a deadly virus, and uncertainty about the future. In so many ways, the current situation is unprecedented for most people. Some experts fear school closures and the loss of some family incomes could keep children out of school indefinitely.
HARUM SHUJAUDDIN
Karachi
*****
The basis for socio-economic advancement of society is established by an efficient education system. The fact that Pakistan’s literacy rate is about 56% suggests that country needs to do a great deal to improve its education sector.
Education programmes around the country were halted by Covid-19 pandemic. There is discussion on social media how to restart educational activities.
MUHAMMAD FAHAD
Islamabad
