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GB needs attention
GILGIT-BALTISTAN has not only been kept in a peripheral political stream since independence, but also deprived of its fundamental rights enshrined in Pakistan’s Constitution. But now, more than ever before, this oblivion region needs an extraordinary attention by the state, given a geopolitical and territorial importance GB has acquired especially due to the CPEC project.
GB needs attention in harvesting its untapped resources and infrastructure in potential revenue-generating areas. For instance, the procrastination of under-construction power projects owing to malfeasance and lack of fund allocations, GB is facing umpteenth woes. Work on such projects should be ensured to be completed within given timeline along with all required technical staff.
Similarly, GB has a unique and potential revenue generative means in the form of agriculture, livestock, mining and tourism. The fast and modern technological methods could be utilised to increase production from agriculture and livestock—trout fish and dry-fruit of GB are of an export quality, that too in ample amount. Tourism needs attention as well. Poor and dilapidated infrastructure of GB surely affects tourism. Funds should be allocated in this regard. Health care and education sectors need an unprecedented attention due to growing population.
All the above-mentioned areas of development need attention and completion on a war-footing basis because this region cannot bear the brunt of deprivation anymore, for now people are far more politically aware and concerned about their marginalization.
Zahid Ali Zohri
Gilgit-Baltistan
Water shortage
One of the major issues that Balochistan faces today is shortage of water. Being the largest province (area-wise), Balochistan suffers from lack of water which is the most essential part of human life. Shortage of water has made the people of the province depressed. However, another factor of water deficiency is that many dams and rivers have dried up due to constant drought in the province.
According to some reports, 62% of Balochistan is deprived of safe and clean drinking water while women from every region of the province are compelled to walk miles each day to fetch a single container of water to drink and make food. It’s no denying the fact that without water nothing lives on this earth.
Yet the government does not seem helpful providing dams or water to the helpless people of Balochistan. In conclusion, I would like to request the government of Balochistan and PM of Pakistan to solve this acute problem so that the people of Balochistan can live with comfort and ease.
ASIM BALOCH
Hub
Demand of new provinces
The demand of creating new province is increasing day by day on administrative and ethnic bases in Pakistan. The voices for province were louder after the 18th Amendment passed in the National Assembly and part of Constitution of Islamic Republic of Pakistan 1973 because of provincial autonomy. The provincial minorities are demanding new provinces in their regions for their rights and development.
The Hazarawals have launched a movement for the new province of Hazara with six districts like Haripur, Abbottabad, Manshera, Battgaram, Torghar and Kohistan in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. People of Seraiki have founded a movement for separate province in the name of Saraikistan in which includes Multan, Vehari, Khanewal, Bahakar and Mianwali.
One of the other provincial demand in Karachi for the people of Mahajir in the name of Mahajir Province which is based on six districts of Karachi like Central, East, West, South, Malir and Korangi. They believe in dogma, ethno-symbolism and prefer living in communities as ethnic groups in plural societies of cosmopolitan cities like Karachi.
RAMEEZ AHMED SHEIKH
Lahore
Corruption galore
Unbridled corruption seems to have been gaining its ground in Pakistan. Corruption-free-Pakistan now appears to be a pipedream. “Say No To Corruption” is meant to perhaps say nothing to corruption here—let it grow by leaps and bounds.
Claiming to put an end to rampant corruption in Pakistan within 90 days and bring back the looted money siphoned off in foreign bank accounts, the PTI government has failed miserably from its start to make any dent in corruption in the country.
In its latest report, the Transparency International has said that corruption has increased four times in Pakistan. And out of 180 nations, Pakistan is ranked at 124 and its score is 31, despite the extraordinary efforts of National Accountability Bureau (NAB) claiming to have recovered Rs.363billion in the last two years and the Public Account Committee which has also claimed to have recovered Rs 300bn in last two years. To end corruption in Pakistan, PTI government should shun from cosmetic or perfunctory measures and take some serious and concrete efforts in this regard.
RIAZ AHMAD SOOMRO
Shikarpur
