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.
Losing strategic depth
As Taliban fighters have taken over more than 65% of the Afghan territories, Pakistan continues to isolate itself from Afghan crisis in the aftermath of US troops withdrawal from the war-torn country.
The differences between Afghan and Pakistani governments continue to worsen as they blame each other for increasing instability in the region in general and particularly in Afghanistan.
The Afghan government is reluctant to accepts its failure and rightly so because the haphazard evacuation of the US forces is primarily the reason behind the chaos.
However, the Afghan government does need an introspection. Despite the fact that US and NATO forces had been there for 20 long years, the Afghan government failed to bring Taliban to table.
Instead, they maintained a belligerent attitude towards Taliban making them more resilient and stubborn consequently.
The aggravating situation in Afghanistan is a matter of huge concern for Pakistan in terms of security as Pakistan is expecting huge influx of refugees from the western border.
Pakistan has rightly expressed its concern that the militants might enter its territory posomg a grave threat to national security. Such alarming circumstances require rather a proactive approach not a reactive one.
The current statements by senior government officials including the Prime Minister Imran Khan himself are unlikely to bring positive results since the relationship with Afghan government has never been ideal for a while. Burgeoning tension between both governments will create more space for Indian agencies to carry out nefarious activities using Afghan territories.
TARIQ MEHMOOD KHALID
Sargodha
South Africa should pay attention
At the heart of the country’s troubles is the Zimbabwe Africa National Union-Patriotic Front, a long-time anti-apartheid party that came to power in 1980. Zimbabwe was Africa’s bread basket but is now its beggar.
The government had a duty to uphold the rule of law to show foreign investors that their businesses would be safe to ensure foreign investors help smaller companies raise the required capital.
People across Zimbabwe are facing many problems such as abject poverty, dilapidated infrastructure, etc. South Africa is surveying the damages.
Durban has estimated over $1billion in damages and lost goods, which, along with 129,000 jobs at risk, could amount to a $1.4billion hit to the port city’s GDP.
Zimbabwean government institututions are massively corrupt, divestment is taking place at a great scale and companies are shutting down. Mnangagwa mismanages the economy, abuses human rights and is clueless, corrupt and careless.
Health system has almost collapsed and many are seeking treatment in South Africa and other countries. Mnangagwa and his recklessly irresponsible ZANU PF government should be removed from power by all means necessary to save Zimbabwe.
KUDZAI CHIKOWORE
London
Sindh University fee hike
The notification of annual examination fee of affiliated degree colleges on 13 August 2021, announced by University of Sindh Jamshoro, startled every student across the province.
The university is the second largest university of Sindh province, and was a hope for backward students.
Majority of students studying in degree colleges belong to poor strata of society. Despite this fact, the administration spiked the examination fee from Rs.6000 to Rs.11300.
This step of the university would not only despair students from attaining higher studies, but it will also create the hurdles in literacy rate.
The educated youth of any nation is her strength. But unfortunately, the University has been converting the strength into weakness. The higher authorities of HEC and Sindh University are requested to look into the matter.
Education in contemporary world is the matter of life and death for a nation to survive with. Prime of Pakistan is the hope of the youth, so they must get this hope shine in him.
IMTIAZ ESSA HALEPOTO
Jamshoro
Lake Nyos disaster, 1986
Limnic eruption occurred on August 21, 1986. The West African country of Cameroon faced a rare natural disaster when a big puff of carbon dioxide gas exploded from Lake Nyos and a massive outbreak generated a 330-foot-high column of water and a 160ft thick CO2 cloud.
On the other hand, after the eruption the blue outlook of the lake turned red brown because of the iron-rich water.
Due to this disaster, 1800 people and 3500 livestock from nearby villages suffocated. On the other hand, when that event occurred, no one knew what was happening and why. Therefore, the whole area became a part of that disaster.
Somehow the African governments are also responsible because a little thing makes a big material and this event was not a short one.
Moreover, recovery took place in 2001 when scientists arranged some pipes to manage CO2, and in 2011 two more pipes were arranged.
Now look at the time gaps between 1986-2001 or 1986-2011. It is not even a small incident yet governments lowered their speed to work timely and rapidly. Learning from past mistakes prevents future problems.
Governments of every country should make themselves highly advanced with punctuality and sincerity.
Think like a professor before becoming a professor. The same applies for those who want to be a part of the government body.
RAGNI LUND
Sindh, Pakistan
