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.
Road accidents
Why road accidents are happening every day and hundred of people are losing lives? In my view Pakistanis least bother about following traffic rules. Most of those driving on roads are careless and involved in over speeding that causes serious accidents.
According to recent press reports three school going children died in smog related accident and six others were injured. Also in Bahawalnagar twenty people, teachers and students were injured when a van and rickshaw collided on Friday due to smog. Would traffic police take action? It should strictly enforce traffic rules and punish those who violate them.
BALACH RAHEEM
Via email
Ignoring economic downturn?
Bad governance reaches its peak few days before the Senate elections amidst reports of unprecedented sale purchase of party tickets and votes. This all emerged yesteryears when PML (Junejo) awarded tickets against 6 general seats from Sindh to party nominees and Musheer Ahmed Pesh Imam, then Secretary General of Party was among 6 candidates. Reports appeared about financial deal struck by a businessman Ijaz Ahmed (alias Ustad Ijaz) from Karachi with PML top brass and as a result Musheer Pesh Imam, who himself was issuing party nomination tickets was made to lose by Sindh Assembly voters. Then onward this practice is going on and this time floodgates of aspirants coffers have been opened and ruling party is facing blackmailing from highest bidders especially from Balochistan and KP.
The toothless parliaments are instead of playing any positive role are becoming a financial liability on national exchequer, social media reports have given a detailed break-up of annual expenditure incurred on National and Provincial assemblies and Senate that comes to a staggering figure of Rs. 35,547,000,000/= excluding salaries of Speakers, Deputy Speakers of National and provincial assemblies and Chairman & Deputy Chairman Senate. Economic statistics so far showing 2.15 % or so increase in inflation in this quarter, I shudder to think what is there to celebrate on so-called relief received from IMF & FATF when OGRA has reportedly proposed increase of Rs. 20/- per litre in petrol and 19.25 per litre in Diesel price from 1st March 2021. Textile industry is in doldrums due to poor performance of our economic managers, and APTMA, that resulted in more than 60% shortfall in cotton crop, than preference given over local requirement by freely allowing export of Yarn to foreign buyers. Fears are that our textile garment, made-up and allied industries will go on forced closure, consequences of which will result in multiplied negative effects on our economy. Will someone please attend to more urgent problems starring on the face of the nation then confusing the masses on secret ballots or show of hands in the Senate Election, which doesn’t have any productive role in nation building programmes?
ALI ASHRAF KHAN
Karachi
Oil smuggling in Balochistan
Due to low economic activity and poverty, approximately 23 million Baloch people are involved in oil smuggling business from Iran border in order to get a little money to meet daily requirements of life. As thousands of youngsters have done their graduation from different institutes across the country with good grades but due to lack of employment opportunities they turned to oil smuggling.
Recently Iranian forces opened fire on them and approximately 50 Baloch people were martyred and dozens got wounded. The Iranian forces attack has created a huge burden on their families. However Baloch people have become helpless in the battle of life, because there is nothing left for them to live a prosperous life. Central and Balochistan governments should find solution for helpless public.
ALTAF ADAM
Awaran, Balochistan
Environmental changes
Environmental issues in Pakistan include air pollution, water pollution, noise pollution, climate change, pesticide misuse, soil erosion, natural disasters, desertification and flooding. According to latest global environment performance index (EPI) ranking, Pakistan is in the list of countries, which suffer from poor air quality. The climatic changes and global warming are most alarming issues risking millions of life across country. The major reasons of these environmental issues are carbon emission, increasing populations, and deforestation.
Climate change in Pakistan is expected to cause wide-ranging effects on the environment and people in Pakistan. As a result of ongoing climate change, the climate of Pakistan has become increasingly volatile over the past several decades. This trend is expected to continue into the future. If these changes continue then Pakistan will become the most dangerous country for spending life. So we should provide awareness to people and practical steps taken to reduce the effects of these changes.
HAMMAD SHAFI
Lahore
Frequent power breakdowns
I wish to draw attention of concerned authorities, through column of your newspaper, to the issue of frequent power breakdowns in our city.
For last several months, we are facing sever problem of frequent power breakdowns. This issue has become a headache for residents especially for students who have to attend online classes. Moreover, low voltages causes short circuits and damages electrical appliances.
The authorities are not giving any positive response to repeated requests and complaints. The situation is getting worst day by day. The authorities are requested to pay attention to our complaints and solve this issue.
FATIMA MOHSIN
Sahiwal
Digital Pakistan
State Bank of Pakistan has implemented multiple steps in digitalising the economy. Raast, a digital app where retired govt servants may get pension and other benefits while distribution of funds to needy people through Ehsass app is helpful to many people. Banks to introduce new app to for online payment and e-commerce service for customers.
Digital save time plus transportation investment in multiple areas such as educational professions, schools fee payment and etc.
ALIA HAYAT
Kech, Balochistan
Children & climate change
Children are future of our nation and it remains our responsibility to make them aware of challenges, problems and risks of climate change and to ask them for contribution in reduction of climate change.
This is possible if we start taking initiatives like celebration of “Plant Day” which will not only inform children about importance of plants but also encourage them to grow and care for plants at home, school, parks etc. Additionally, with this activity children will also be contributing in reducing negative effects of climate change.
MUJTABA HASSAN
Larkana, Sindh
