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.
World belongs to brave
All the creations of the Almighty have been bestowed with immense talent upon them irrespective of their caste, colour, creed and sex; only the need is to provide them with equal chances to attain their desired goals. But the dilemma of people is they are not provided ample and equal opportunities. The most negligible chances are for transgender community as they are considered of no value, no importance, no dignity at all in our country.
They are treated as goods for nothing and people humiliate them at each nook and corner. They are the most marginalized segment of our society as they are deprived of all the basic needs and people don’t let any stone unturned to bring storm in their life. They are having no schools, no offices to study and work. But Dr. Saima Gul, a transgender, proved his/her metal to make her way in the field of medical science and became the first transgender doctor of the country. Their sex can’t define their destination but it’s the courage which can help them out to sail through the troubles of life to attain their goals.
SAJJAD CHEEHANI
Agra, Sindh
Women violence
Women violence is increasing in our society. According to the report of 2019 by “Peace and Security Index” Pakistan ranked 164 out of 167 countries in women violence cases. India ranks first in women violence cases.
When we talk about violence, it could be a Domestic, Femicide or Sexual. In domestic violence, women are facing physical, psychological, economical and emotional violence and reports have been reported in newspapers. Not only domestic but even in this century women, especially young girls, are facing Femicide violence. Not long ago the Switzerland-based “ World Economi Forum” had stated that 5,000 Pakistani women in a year are still being killed in the name of ‘ honour’. In September 2019, the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) had rung alarm bells over plight of women in Pakistan, saying 430 cases of honour killing were reported in Pakistan during 2020. Under the feudal and tribal culture the women are disgraced and humiliated in public. They are forced to walk naked in markets and bazaars of the Southern Punjab and have been reported in the newspapers.
A Pakistani NGO, “White Ribbon” has revealed in one of it’s recent reports that 4,734 women had faced sexual violence between 2004 and 2016. This organization had remarked: “ Over 15,000 cases of honour crimes were registered between 2004 and 2016.” There were more than 1,800 cases of domestic violence and over 5,500 kidnappings of women during this period. According to media reports, more than 51,241 cases of violence against women were reported between January 2011 and June 2017.Women are still fall prey to violence and culprits are never punished. Women should be educated at mass level and be made aware of their rights through electronic media. The law regarding the protection of women rights must be enforced seriously and the culprits must be given capital punishment.
TANIA SHOUKAT
Gujranwala, Lahore
Will Karachi roads ever be safe again?
Driving in a bustling city like Karachi can be a daunting experience for many. The general regard for traffic rules, road safety measures and basic driving etiquettes are moving further and further away from our daily commutes. Moreover, it is quite appalling to see the deteriorating conditions of the roads in the city to be hazardous for drivers and pedestrians alike.
Karachi is ranked as one of the top metropolitan cities with the most traffic accidents. Every other day, we come across news about people being killed in road accidents either due to the negligence of drivers or failing to follow basic traffic rules. Major thoroughfares have the highest occurrence of accidents leading to serious injuries or fatalities. What astonishes me the most is the fact that people can stop these road misfortunes from happening if we start focusing on the gravity of road safety measures that need to be implemented.
Areas such as the National Highway, Quaidabad, Shara-e-Faisal, Rashid Minhas Road, Ayesha Manzil, to name a few, are mostly at the centre of news for casualties due to unsafe driving conditions or carelessness of the drivers. Not only that, even the traffic police is too casual to set law and order on the roads.
There is a dire need for educating the masses including children about road safety measures. On one side it is indeed heartening to hear about public-private partnerships that aim to address road safety concerns holistically.
SYED OVAIS AKHTAR
Karachi
Proposed PDM march on 23 March
Right to protest against government’s certain decisions perceiving them as wrong is a democratic right of opposition. However, selection of 23 March which is Pakistan Day for protest against inflation in the country by Pakistan Democratic Alliance (PDM) is a shameful act.
It is intriguing nonetheless, less anti-government and more an anti-state announcement. Pakistan is our identity. I, as a son of the soil, urge upon Prime Minister, COAS and DG ISI to take strict note of this announcement by PDM. Pakistan Zindabad!
SHAHZAD LODHI
Lalazar, Rawalpindi
