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.
EVMs
The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) submitted a document to the Senate Standing Committee on Parliamentary Affairs, outlining 37 objections against the plan to introduce electronic voting machines (EVMs) for the upcoming general election.
In principle, the idea of using technology to further streamline the process and iron out existing kinks in the system is great and much needed.
However, the implementation of such processes on a mass level requires a lot of planning and deliberation; it is encouraging to see that a debate has started among the key stakeholders on this matter.
One of the core concerns has been surrounding security and how machines could be tampered with, or that the software could be hacked. Simply digitization of a process doesn’t necessarily make it better than the previous one.
Security-related concerns are understandable considering how countries like Germany, Netherlands, Ireland, Italy and Finland had abandoned the use of EVMs due to lack of security.
The objections raised by ECP certainly hold a lot of weight. This is a big decision which should not be taken in haste without considering the concerns that are being raised by several stakeholders.
Perhaps it would be better to pilot such a system multiple times in local elections, address the shortfalls and then bring it into use for general elections.
The ultimate aim is not just the introduction of technology in and of itself; instead, it is ensuring free, fair, credible and transparent elections as per the Constitution.
QAZI JAMSHED ALAM
Lahore
Need for road
The world has become a global village due to faster communication among countries either by sea, air or land.
However, village Cheehani, District Khairpur Mirs, Sindh, a part of this global village, is lacking the basic necessity of link road that is of hardly two kilometres.
The concerned TMO authorities are requested on and off to look into the matter but they always turn a deaf ear and blind eye to it.
The muddy pavement is the only way connecting villagers to the city, schools and hospitals yet it turns more hazardous during the rainy season, due to which the villagers have to endure innumerable issues in terms of commuting to different places, especially school going kids and the ailing.
The Chairman and other Councillors are repeatedly requested to get the road constructed but they haven’t done anything practical except for making fake promises.
It’s for the concerned district management to look into this matter and prioritize getting the 2km road constructed.
SAJJAD HUSSAIN
Agra, Sindh
IPCC report
The IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) launched a report that warns the world is susceptible to grave calamities due to constant emission of green house gases.
However, since the Industrial Revolution, the world is entangled in continued emission of poisonous gases, owing to gain provisional economic benefits, and unfortunately, oblivious of its crippling impacts over the atmosphere.
Resultantly, a severe climate change is ravaging the mechanism of the world. Furthermore, the report warns that if CO2 emissions continue, it would annihilate up to 95% of the earth surface by 2100.
Meanwhile, the surface climate of oceans would be destroyed with constant absorption of poisonous gases from the atmosphere.
Hence, given the exacerbated situation, the global community should follow a unified strategy to curb the emission of poisonous gases and ensure a safe and secure environment to the innocent inhabitants of the earth.
SAMEER DM
Kech
New dress code
The Federal Directorate of Education has taken a positive step by issuing a formal dress code for the teaching and non-teaching staff, both male and female, at educational institutions.
The code prohibits educationalists from wearing jeans, tights and T-shirts during their duty hours whereas principles are instructed to ensure that their teaching and non-teaching staff observes the dress code and maintains their personal hygiene.
Maintaining formal dress code in any official gathering, ceremonies, etc., in an institution is impressive for both, teaching and non-teaching staff. No one can deny the fact that students are the products of their teachers.
A teacher’s purpose is not merely just teaching but to enhance and groom the personality and behaviour of their students as well.
A teacher reacted to the letter issued by the Federal Directorate of Education stating “Instructions related to hair and nail cuts should be for students, not for teachers.” At the end, I would like to highlight a precious statement, “Teacher is a role model for students.”
MUNA MANZOOR
Turbat
Students
on strike
A country where students are penalized by police is not a safe state for anyone. During a recent strike in Quetta by students against the change in BMC entrance test, students were badly beaten, injured and punished by the police. What a misery to add, some were taken into police custody.
No matter what the students’ demands are, they should not be beaten up by the police. The Constitution of Pakistan grants the freedom of speech and protest to every citizen including students.
How can we expect to prosper in the future were students, our future, are beaten just for exercising their rights?
WASEEM AHMED
Hub city
Ah, Rahimullah Yousafzai
I, like many others, was saddened to learn of Rahimullah Yousafzai’s passing. He was one of Pakistan’s most respected journalists.
He was an opinion maker because his columns were well researched. My condolences and prayers go to the family.
May Allah rest his soul in peace. One of the most respected person in media who was taken as an authority especially on Afghan and our bordering region issues. It was always an education to interact with him.
M FAZAL ELLAHI
Islamabad
