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.
Brutal killing machines
Pakistan, being a nuclear state, is expected to have writ of law and the constitution enforced across the length and breadth of the country, whose citizens have a right to exercise dissent, and protest in a civilized manner prescribed by law.
The right to protest is guaranteed by the Constitution, but not the right by mobs to kill and destroy state and private property. Nowhere in the world is this allowed or tolerated.
What this country has witnessed recently is a ferocious blood bath perpetrated by brainwashed zealots unleashed on the streets and roads, blocking the main GT road for almost two weeks by a few within this country, devoid of any political vision, who since its creation are bent upon derailing and demolishing the vision of Father of Nation Quaid-e-Azam MAJ.
The writ of State was allowed to be humbled by a few thousands, few of them armed with Kalashnikovs, accompanied by mobile cranes capable of demolishing concrete structures. All this unfortunately was done in the name of a religion that forbids resort to violence.
Instead of some remorse, an arrogant Mufti is empowered to belittle and abuse federal ministers and all citizens who believe in Jinnah’s vision of a modern democratic welfare state, whose citizens enjoy equal rights, and the writ of law to prevail over the whims of a few.
Those who dare to stand up and protest or demand that Jinnah’s Pakistan be restored are branded as “Liberals”, a term normally having a positive meaning, but reduced to almost the status of an abuse.
Our enemies don’t need to spend billions to inflict harm and project this country as a state under siege by militants and extremists.
What if they exploit religion, brainwash few and adopt tools so often resorted to by those involved in political engineering manoeuvres?
MALIK TARIQ ALI
Lahore
Blistering
hike in prices
It is very horrendous to see the prices of daily commodities mounting at an unprecedented level.
The incumbent government has left no stone unturned to incite the ire of poor sector of the country.
Of-the-cuff surge in petroleum prices at mid-night of Thursday has also embroiled Pakistani masses into exquisite conditions.
Furthermore, prices of food stuff are even more horrifying and it has become hard to purchase them.
Suffice here to write, prices of tomatoes, sugar and ghee have reached at an unprecedented level relapsing masses into an abysmal and a morass condition. However, purchasing food stuff is going away from the approach of general masses.
Therefore, the incumbent government needs to scrutinize and revise its cut and dried policies to satiate empty bellies of plebs, who are striving hard to meet one time meal
NASRULLAH KHADIM
Kashmore, Sindh
GB’s due status
Merely a provisional province status impotent of power and autonomy is not the only concern of inhabitants of Gilgit-Baltistan.
For the representation of GB in the national legislature, Articles 51 and 59 of the Constitution also need to be amended. But, having said that, representation is not the only concern.
We want the complete transfer of administrative, financial and legislative powers from the Centre to the GB (if it becomes future province) in line with the 18th Amendment.
What is the most pivotal is access for GB’s lawmakers to all constitutional bodies like the National Finance Commission, National Economic Council, Council of Common Interests, the Indus River System Authority, CPEC Committee, etc.
Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly should have the autonomy and power at par with the rest of other provinces under aforementioned milestone Zardari-era Amendment.
Then only the empowering GB as a province could be served in its true letter and spirit. Or else, it could only prove to be a cosmetic and hollow political slogan used for next elections by PTI.
Although the PTI government has finalized the draft of the 26th Amendment to the Constitution aiming at awarding GB provisional province status.
Having said so, the real question is: will this Amendment resolve the thorny and chronic issues of GB, or only will prove nothing more than formalities like 2009 and 2018 Orders by PPP and PML-N respectively which could not make sure the end of center-controlled bureaucratic empowerment.
Will this status give its due share in the flagship project of CPEC that’s origination point is GB? Only adamant to status sans rights and powers will do no service to GB until and unless the true transition of powers under the Constitution is made in letter and spirit.
ZAHID ALI ZOHRI
Nagar, Gilgit-Baltistan.
Education for women
According to Islamic rules, the rights of individuals come first. The Quran declares that the best act is the decent treatment of women.
Furthermore, Islam also encourages education for both men and women. Islam presented the idea of women’s rights in order to secure economic security for them. This is to be achieved through freedom, education and inheritance.
Education is particularly important for women because children with educated mothers tend to be more developed intellectually.
Furthermore, if women are educated they can contribute to Pakistan’s economy by being a part of the workforce.
It is my request to the government of Pakistan that they step up for women’s rights and education. This is something that has been neglected for far too long. As a result, the nation has suffered.
HAMMAL NASEER
Turbat