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.
Damaged currency notes in circulation
We in Pakistan were unlucky to lose our sincere, founding leaders soon after partition and then opportunists took over who, in time, were replaced by yet other opportunists, with their quality and sincerity dropping all the time.
The latest to misrule the country were PML-N and PPP, with PTI taking over at federal level and in provinces excluding Sindh.
Unfortunately, even this change has failed to bring any relief to the masses who are continuing to suffer just as much, if not more.
Corruption remains rampant while top leader, if not corrupt, than at least suffers from inexperience, coupled with unwillingness to learn or listen to reason.
Of course, financial constraints limit government’s options but the misery is that successive governments do not even do simple things to help the masses.
And here I am referring to the matter of soiled, defaced and torn currency notes remaining in circulation.
I remember that earlier in Pakistan history, when soiled and damaged currency notes reached a bank branch, these were taken out of circulation and sent to State Bank for cancellation and replacement with new currency notes.
Now, such notes are happily retained by banks and dished out again to the unsuspecting clients, which is a shame.
I know the main cause behind excessive decay of these notes is the continuing inflationary pressure which necessitates making even small transactions through currency notes, with coins having become virtually extinct.
There is also the problem of our economy being mainly cash-based, with use of debit/credit cards and similar means of payment likely to remain limited for a long time to come.
Still, the government must find some means to stop this menace, which also spreads diseases.
One solution could be the use of plastic currency notes – which technology is forty years old and is already being used by fifty states – plus minting of higher-denomination coins.
S R H HASHMI
Karachi
The great example of human ethics
For the last four days, a video showing a Grade 22 Sessions Judge bidding goodbye to his ‘maali’ in the presence of all Sessions Court judicial officers and official staff went viral.
As Abdul Khaliq or Mali Chacha seated in the official car, Rajanpur’s Sessions Judge, Muhammad Ibrahim Asghar saluted him for his service of more than three decades, making his last day of service, a memorable day by leaving home with a squad of government vehicles.
Such a heart-warming and soulful scene was witnessed by millions of people online who applauded the judge’s spirit.
This was the first time in Pakistan’s judicial history that such a dignified and glorious ceremony was held on a Class IV official’s retirement.
The Judge addressed the participants of the ceremony for Abdul Khaliq, stating that the latter’s retirement was sad and that a city’s popularity is due to two things; its big people and skyscrapers but while skyscrapers look small from afar, big people look big from afar and small up-close.
Extending his example, the honourable judge stated that though people say Abdul Khaliq is as ordinary employee of Rajanpur’s Sessions Court, they’re wrong because he’s a great man with great qualities and a high moral character.
He advised the judges of subordinate judiciary and judicial staff to work hard for the good name of their organization as it is only those people who gain the same respect as Abdul Khaliq did.
He also quoted that there is no difference between those who work to get currency notes and those who collect garbage.
Undoubtedly, the lower judiciary of our country is always under criticism due to its lethargy in dealing with cases but judges like Muhammad Ibrahim Asghar are also part of our justice system. This extraordinary event also increased people’s confidence in the judiciary.
ZEESHAN HAIDER
Via email
Importance
of friendship
The bond with friends is a strong one and one should be aware to show friends that you care for them and remember good times spent together.
Friends are lifelines in a person’s life but they can have both positive and negative impact on people. It depends on the person how he/she is selecting his/her friends. If you are in a good company, you will be a successful person.
A good friend can guide you whenever you are in a perplexed situation. He/she is the one who can guide you not to go on wrong track, so that you do not get in trouble.
Moreover, if you are in a bad company, you will not be able to achieve anything in life. They will not correct you or guide you to go in right direction.
We should listen to our friends but we should not follow them blindly. Each person has a positive and a negative effect. So, it is totally our choice which way to opt.
Friendship is one of the most precious gifts of life. A person who has true friends in life is lucky enough. Friendship makes life thrilling. It makes life a sweet and pleasant experience. Friendship is indeed, an asset in life. It can lead us to success or to doom.
It all depends on how we choose our friends. I would like to conclude by saying that — A friend is noble, friendship is divine. A true friend is really a gift of God.
There are instances of man sacrificing their lives for their friends. So, everyone should know how to choose a friend because if we have a good friend, we will be successful but if we are in a bad company, we will suffer in our lives.
The glory of friendship is not the outstretched hand, not the kindly smile, nor the joy of companionship; it is the spiritual inspiration that comes to one when you discover that someone else believes in you and is willing to trust you with a friendship.
JUBEL D’CRUZ
Mumbai, India
