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.
Congrats to António Guterres
Heartiest congratulations and unfeigned best wishes on the onset of your second term as Secretary General of The United Nations (UN). The challenges ahead maybe difficult but certainly not insurmountable.
The oppressed world nations are anxiously looking up to the UN for resolution of their profoundly pressing and long-pending predicaments. Needless to say you, as always, would stand by them in their hour of need, and ceaselessly endeavour to not only mitigate but resolve their problems with unfathomable sincerity.
M FAZAL ELLAHI
Islamabad
Kacheri Chowk:
Huge mess
Rawalpindi is one of the largest and busiest cities of Pakistan. This is the reason that there is a huge traffic problem in the city with numerous traffic jams and blockages all over the city. Kacheri Chowk is the largest and busiest junction of the city with total eight incoming and outgoing lanes and two of its lanes are of GT Road.
This is the reason that there is a huge traffic jam at the junction all over the day and the situation gets worse during the peak hours. Not only has this, if any VIP passes through the junction, the waiting time for the citizens also gets increased. On average the motorcar personnel have to wait two times for its turn to get passed through the signal.
The government is planning for a long time to construct an underpass at the Kacheri Chowk and according to some sources, the plan had gotten approved. However, after many years, we haven’t yet seen any progress. Each day, the number of vehicles is increasing and the situation is getting worse.
We request the RDA and other related authorities to consider this project on a priority basis. From construction of the project to its completion, it will also take more than one years and after its completion, it will be a great relief for the people of Rawalpindi.
M ABUBAKKAR
Rawalpindi
Freezing of IEA’s assets!
The United States created and dropped atomic bomb on Japanese and fought 20-year longest war against Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan for capturing mineral-full mountain/s and reaching up to Central Asia. But, at last, US laid down arms, in front of Afghan Mujahedeen.
After pull-out, US & Co abruptly stopped economic assistance along-with freezing $9.5b assets, due to which serious crises have started in the country. This scribe is compelled to write: is it civilization/terrorisation and; is there anyone to reply in defence of this dreadful killing; looting.
Certainly it was/is the US and NATO that have created this mess in IEA during their two decades cruelty. According to WFP, one-third of Afghanistan’s population is facing food insecurity at present.
During their occupation over 40% of crops were destroyed, due to non-attention towards agriculture and livestock in the country. The previous (so-called) governments did not address basic issues of IEA instead acted as dirty-tool of cruel India; Israel; US.
Blood is thicker than water! Recently, Pakistan managed OIC’s Foreign Ministers meeting to draw international attention towards emerging humanitarian crisis of over 38m Afghan Muslim’s resurrection in the comity of nations – where, so-called civilized US & Co used every arm except atomic bomb for rebutting the 9/11 drama…
And, at last, they left Afghanistan with the sole help of Pakistan. It is essentially important at this critical time to provide all out assistance to Afghan brothers, since, the harsh winter conditions have already started.
Any instability and lack of commitment could give way to a new conflict in already war-torn Afghanistan and responsibility will be of US’s allies – note it. So, United States and International Financial Institutions must unfreeze instantly (reserves of $9.5b) and any other, if any. Otherwise, they must be ready for facing Natural destruction as happened with Russia in the past – as you sow, so shall reap.
M AZAM MINAS
Tatrinote, AK
Austerity measures
The word “Austerity” refers to moderate economic conditions created by government to reduce public expenditure. The first austerity measures were introduced in the UK in late 2008. Pakistan is a developing country where dire need for austerity cannot be overemphasized. Austerity measures act like contractionary fiscal policy. It slow downs the economic growth which makes it even more difficult to raise revenue which is needed to pay off sovereign debt.
The austerity measures circular issued following the Federal Budget for financial year 2020-21 is pretty short. It bans the purchase of new cars, motor cycles and other vehicles, it also uses paper on both sides to maximize the usage of official stationary. But neither there are restrictions not actions taken against antagonist to austerity measures who are leading corridors of power at national and provincial levels.
While talking about austerity measures none other dthan the PTI Chairman/Prime Minister Imran Khan, following a free, fair and transparent general election in July 2018 vowed to set an example of austerity in utilization of public funds by the Prime Minister’s House and Prime Minister’s Office.
Pakistan is already under heavy doze of inflation where low economic growth and internal state affairs have been posing a threat to it’s prosperity. Adoption of austerity measures may solely cause economical catastroph that surely will invest in poverty.
SAJID ALI NAICH
Khairpur Nathan Shah
