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.
Torture in custody
Pakistan is a country where cases of custodial death are increasing day by day. The primary duty of police is to protect the citizens and their rights but sadly here in Pakistan instead of protecting the citizens and their rights is responsible for killing the one’s being accused. They misuse the word “Custodians of law” and take the law in their hands. Instead of investigating and trying to find the truth they start torturing the accused in order to make them accept the crimes they didn’t even commit and even if they committed those crimes police is no one to punish them.
It’s only the judiciary that can punish them and that too in accordance with the law. Recently a man named Salahuddin, a suspected robber who was seen robbing an ATM and sticking his tongue out and making faces in the CCTV cameras was arrested by the police and a video of him being tortured during investigation was released and then the next day his death was confirmed. His father stated that his son was mentally disabled that’s why he had tattooed his name and address on his arm for identification purposes. He was tortured by the custodians of law; there were torture marks and bruises on his body. “But the question is why was he tortured? For committing a crime about which he himself wasn’t aware? A person who didn’t even have the sense of vice and virtue was pushed to death by the custodians of law.
RIDA HAMNA
Islamabad
Inter family marriage
The practice of marriage between first cousins is traditionally common in Pakistan. This practice doubles risk of children being born with birth defects, according to the research rate of death and congenital abnormalities in the babies are higher than expected. Marriage to a blood relative accounted for nearly a (31%) of all birth defects in babies of Pakistani origin.
The risk of having a baby with birth defects and abnormalities are usually heart or nervous system problems which can sometimes be fatal and it rises from 3% in the general Pakistani population to 6 % and spina bifida or cystic fibrosis is three per cent to four perccent among those married to blood relatives. Every year there are about 90 more baby deaths than would be expected in the Pakistani community because of birth defects. The issue is highly sensitive because marriage within families is an established tradition. Health professionals should come forward and help create awareness among the general masses about the issue.
ROHMA ALI
Islamabad
Technology and risk in supply chain
Technology and supply chain are interlinked. There are always risks involved in technology like cyber security, risks associated with robots and artificial intelligence steep pressure to innovate workforce shortages and lack in diversity. All of these technological risks are connected with supply chain.
In today’s era of digitalization, the role of Technology has made supply chain management towards a new direction with an increasing emphasis on technological progression.To build a substantial customer base digitalization for all the business processes has become essential.
Firstly, Contractual risk involves adequacy of selection of digital enabler. It involves prioritization of initiatives ensuring minimum impact or disruption of services. Secondly, Implementation risk involves architecture for the digital enablers. It involves a culture of digital mindset and secure usage of the digital components. And finally, governance risk revolves around the digital transformation to ensure cross functional synergies and eliminate risk arising due to interdependent processes. There are several other scenarios across digital industries regarding risk domains that would be considered. In a survey of over 500 business continuity professionals from 71 countries, 75% of respondents reported that they did not have full visibility of their supply chain and then 30% did not know where they fit into any of their supplier’s priorities. A solution to reduce risk by tracking locations, monitoring environmental conditions, alerting of real-time exceptions, verification of drivers and smart sensors placed on packages transmitted data at customised business defined interval. This information flow will provide the necessary visibility to reduce risk technology and supply chain can help each other grow only if used in the right way by the right people and at the right time.
Aqsa Kanwal Khan
Islamabad
Sukkur to Multan motorway
The Sukkur-Multan Motorway MF has been completed for about 4 months, but for unknown reasons it is not being opened for traffic and the Rohri police have made this situation a source of earning. Ding Zhou, chief construction expert of a Chinese company working on the federal government’s project under CPEC, announced in June this year that the company had completed the project.
A July date for opening was given but for unknown reasons the project could not be opened. In August, two different dates were given, followed by another date announced on September 22, 2019 for the transport of light transport vehicles. It was opened but closed two days later for some unknown reasons. Thereafter, another date was given on November 7 to open the B motorway M5. In this, most of the citizens travelling for long trip from Karachi have complained that the policemen riding a police mobile on the Rohri interchange of the motorway M5 charge Rs 500. Taking the presents, they allow them to get on the motorway, but they prevent such vehicles from travelling further to the next interchange. The SSP Sukkur Irfan Sims was unaware of any such police corruption when contacted.
The 392-km-long motorway M5, which cuts the distance from Sukkur to Multan National Highway, cost around Rs 2.89 billion. The motorway is ending near Rohri in Sukkur via Multan Shuja Abad, Jalalpur Perawala, Uch Sharif near Bahawalpur, Ahmedpur Sharq East, Rahim Yar Khan, Sadiqabad, Sindh city, Obero, Ghotki and Poonaqal. A total of 54 bridges, 12 service areas, 10 rest areas, 11 interchanges, 10 flyovers and 426 underpasses have been constructed, including a major bridge on the Sutlej River near Bahawalpur.
BILAL SHABIR
Islamabad
