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.
A democratic show?
Opposition parties parliamentarians put up a “very impressive democratic show” the other day when President Dr Arif Alvi was addressing joint session of Parliament to mark inauguration of second parliamentary year highlighting the achievements of the PTI federal government despite very difficult economic situation it had inherited, pointing out areas like population growth and water scarce situation where the government needed to pay greater attention on a priority basis and reiterating Pakistan’s commitment and determination to stay with the Kashmiris till they get freedom from Indian shackles and continue providing diplomatic, political and moral support to them.
Despite all this hostile show both President Arif Alvi and Prime Minister Imran Khan kept their cool and smiles on their faces were enough to demonstrate their democratic attitude and thinking. Opposition parliamentarians had brought in posters and photographs of their leaders facing NAB and other inquiries although carrying such posters in Parliament is not allowed. This was a sad reflection on security lapses on the part of the security staff. Opposition parliamentarians continued shouting and slogan chanting even when the President was mentioning Kashmiris struggle for right of self-determination and Pakistan’s support to them and this had left many mouths sour to say the least.
M Z RIFAT
Lahore
Non-reformative Punjab Police
Imran Khan, the Prime Minister of Pakistan, during the election campaign had promised that he would bring the much-needed reforms in the police force of the country by changing its behaviour and by making it people-friendly. But, it seems that his Punjab Chief Minister and his team has completely ignored the reform agenda of Mr. Khan in the province of Punjab, as on a daily basis we see on the electronic media misbehaviour and brutal approach of Punjab police with the common citizens; sometimes resulting in their loss of lives as well.
In other words, contrary to the tall claims of the Punjab Government and its spokesperson(s), the attitude of the Punjab police is not only arrogant but also very threatening with the common citizens; which, however, needs to be seriously noticed by Mr. Khan and his Chief Minister of Punjab. The attitude of the Pakistani police can’t be corrected with cosmetic measures of giving it sermons and lectures of being friendly with the common citizens.
Rather, the attitude and the performance of the Pakistani police may be corrected through merit-based appointments and postings and through offering them attractive package and by making them accountable of their committed misdeeds by giving them due punishments. Only then, the attitude of Pakistani police would change in the form of being polite and friendly towards the common citizens of the country.
ABDUL SAMAD SAMO
Karachi
Article 149 echo
Federal Minister for Law and Justice, Farog Naseem presented a statement for Karachi situation in the form of invoking Article 149(4) of Pakistan Constitution and it was nit-picked by Government of Sindh. Now what is actually Article 149 that is being even criticized by PTI ally, the Grand Democratic Alliance Party? The deteriorating condition of Karachi urged Federal government to take necessary steps on an immediate basis and imposition of Article 149 sparking a new debate over the issue has gained attention all over the country. This Article states that Federal government can order the provincial government to follow the necessary directions in favour of national prospective.
The executives of federal government can give directions to provincial authorities for maintaining communication and construction issues that are strategically important for the whole country. This Article also addresses that the federation executive can also extend its directions to province for sustaining peace and economic stability for the sake of country.
This Article thus started rivalry between federal and provincial governments but one cannot deny the importance of this Article which is the need of the hour for Karachi which is again ranked in top polluted cities of world. Karachi cannot bear any political unrest at this stage when it is already in bad books.
M AMMAR SALEEM
Bhakkar
PNCA affairs
As an art lover, I keep surfing website of Pakistan National Council of the Arts (PNCA) to find out what programmes and exhibitions are upcoming at the National Art Gallery.
The other day, while doing so, I just clicked on” Job” only to my great surprise to find vacancy announcement for no less a post than the Director General of the PNCA. I was surprised to see this because as a regular visitor to there, I was fully aware that incumbent Director General is still there and performing his duties. It said the maximum age limit is 63 years.
The advertisement on the subject has not so far been published in the newspapers to the best of my knowledge. Quite obviously in such a short time of couple of weeks or so, it is rather difficult to find a suitable and fully qualified person. There should be a long drawn process for picking up the right person for the right job and not committing some blunder in a hurried manner.
As an art lover and well-wisher of PNCA and also not holding any brief for Syed Jamal Shah, it is suggested that the incumbent DG should be given extension only till such time that a suitable person is found without promoting nepotism for three years top position on contract, please.
SEEMI N.HANIF
Islamabad
Political battle stations
The 2020 presidential election has been the talk of the town in the USA. With each day passing, the talk of the 2020 US election gets bigger and more interesting. The USA media houses like CNN, Washington Post have been creating interesting stories about the 2020 battle on the other hand.
Yet again, the buck stops here. More interestingly, the race to Democratic Party candidate for the US President is just interesting enough. Former American Vice President Joe Biden being the frontrunner for the same, even so, there have been interesting debates among Democratic Party to choose the final candidate.
On the whole, the 2020 election is a bundle of full excitement. Clearly, other countries shall emulate an American style in the matter of electioneering in order to add zip and zing to the political front.
P SENTHIL S DURAI
Mumbai
