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.
Ethics of public office holders
The recent resignation of Steve Easterbrook, CEO McDonalds, following reports that he had an inappropriate consensual relationship with an employee, highlights importance of ethics and morality, in corporate working. In USA, consensual relationship between adults is legal and not considered a crime. McDonalds and numerous other private and public corporations forbid managers from having romantic relationships with an employee.
General Petraeus, a decorated war hero, who served as CENTCOM commander and after his retirement in August 2011, was appointed as Director CIA was forced to retire on November 2012 by President Obama after FBI reports that he had an extra-marital affair with principal author of his biography. It is an accepted norm that individuals who hold any public office, elected or paid, must adhere to more conservative and stricter code of ethics than that applicable to common citizens.
It is unfortunate that while we claim to be Islamic Republic, and our laws forbid extra- marital relationships, yet individuals holding important public offices in executive or state owned corporations and even those serving in sensitive organizations like NAB etc have never been proceeded against, even though video proof of their involvement exists. This reflects on moral degradation that engulfs ruling paid or elected public office holders. Conflicts of interest of serving public office holders are overlooked.
Almost half our Foreign Service officers have acquired foreign immigration for either self or family while they were in service. Former President Musharraf has admitted that he was gifted almost $20 Million by a Saudi royal, yet the state has not proceeded against him. A State that fails to protect its jungles, amenity plots etc from illegal occupation by powerful land mafia, is considered to be Banana Republic.
MALIK TARIQ ALI
Lahore
Modi’s seven sisters!
Abolition of Articles 370 & 35-A by terrorist-Modi in Jammu and Kashmir; was/is a challenge to 10 other States – Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Himachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, Tripura and Uttarakhand. The seven states of north-eastern India called ‘Seven Sisters’ were/are also, rocked, by a large number of armed and violent rebellion. They accuse New Delhi of apathy towards their issues such as illiteracy, poverty, and lack of economic opportunities. Political leaders from Indian State of Manipur (recently) said they are unilaterally declaring independence from India and forming a government-in-exile in Britain (Nature’s riposte to Hindutva as ‘she’ did though Altaf Hussain). The exiled government would push for recognition at the United Nations – as you sow so shall you reap!!
Who does not know that Manipur’s merger with Indian Union in 1949 was not a cordial affair? The princely state’s king was put under house arrest and isolated from his advisors when he signed merger agreement. Though Nagaland has special provisions under Article 371-A, yet insurgency is haunting under National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN). ‘Wait and see Nature’s action soon’!!
Another satanic start of Modi is that 1.9m Muslims of Assam have been deprived of their citizenship! Naxalites/Maoists, second major freedom movement (after IoK), are quite ready to jump towards sky. The worst scenario is that “UN; ICJ; UDHR; OIC (***)” are sitting idle – favouring ‘except a few’ for release of terrorist-Jadhave, Navel officer of India (!!). Anyhow; we can say that Modi & Co be ready for handing over dowry to seven (+) sisters in near future according to law of Nature!!
M AZAM MINHAS
Tatrinote, AK
Street child
There are an estimated 100 million children living in the streets in the world today. Street children are minors who live and survive on the streets. They often grow up in public landfills, train stations and under the bridges in major cities. Because of conflicts with their family, these children don’t want to or can’t return home. The situation of street children does have many different aspects. The combination of family members, economic, social and political factors play an important role in their situation. Street children often don’t have access to a healthy and sufficient diet. Sometimes they don’t even have food, because living on the streets, they don’t produce any and don’t have money to buy.
Street children are obviously not educated. Because of this, they don’t have the same opportunities as other children. In fact, because they don’t see a future for themselves, and because they have no professional training, make it difficult from leaving the streets and finding a job. In order to better understand children living and growing up on the streets, it is important both to make them participate and to put them in contact with key institutions.
SAAD HUSSAIN
Via email
Lahore again
For the past few years, Lahore has been undergoing a spell of intense smog during winter caused by air pollution. According to the expert reports, the AQI level has been increased this year as the wind shift has brought additional smoke from neighbouring India. The government of Punjab has not taken adequate steps to prevent or reduce air pollution. Thus, this would be considered a serious violation of human health and rights.
The smog is severe and at a high level in some areas of Lahore. Residents are claiming the issue of acrid smell, eye irritation and haziness. It becomes difficult to drive vehicles. Even vehicle wipers cannot wipe the dense smog. The safety precautions and awareness regarding the smog must be given to the common man to decrease the health hazards.
The people should take plenty of water intakes, wear a mask, maintain hygiene and avoid outdoors. It is not only affecting humans but animals and nature as well. The government should pass a law for industries and vehicle manufactures/consumers to control this air pollution. It can be possible by utilizing renewable energy sources and the manufacturing of environmentally friendly consumer products.
MAEEDA SHEIKH
Rawalpindi
Importance of tree plantation
Through the columns of your esteemed newspaper, I wish to bring to the fore the importance of trees in our life. Climate change and global warming are the realities of the 21st Century. Pollution levels in metro cities have touched an all-time high. All these factors take a toll on public health and give rise to various diseases. A simple solution to combat this problem is planting trees. Trees are the lifeline of our planet. Trees produce oxygen which helps purify the air.
Trees also provide cool shade from the harsh sun rays. Many trees have medicinal properties. Trees also produce flowers and fruits. We should encourage people to plant more trees and to nurture them. If all of us take a pledge to plant a tree on our birthday then soon we would have a good forest cover. Schools and colleges could provide incentives to students who take part in tree plantation drives. The government should also demarcate areas for planting trees and provide adequate security measures to safeguard them.
MAIN DAWOOD
Wah Cant
Innovative theft
As reported in a section of press 20 sacks of pine nuts worth Rs.12.5 million have been stolen from Wana. The thieves were very innovative as it was first theft of this kind. Pine nuts (Chilghoza) grown on pine trees have become a very expensive dry fruit. Export of this fruit to the Middle East increased its price exponentially and the same has become out of reach of ordinary man.
The incident in itself is an eye-opener for authorities that how expensive have become dry fruit in Pakistan. There must be some kind of price control mechanised evolved to bring down the price of pine nuts, Kaju, Pista, Almond, etc.
IFTIKHAR MIRZA
Islamabad