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.
An open letter to UNSG
Excellency, your concern vis-à-vis the sufferings of the Ethiopians due to the ongoing conflict and bloodshed in Ethiopia, is unfeignedly appreciated. Indeed, your appeal must be heeded and the ongoing hostilities must cease forthwith.
Excellency, taking this opportunity, may I urge you to also make a strong/passionate appeal to world nations to prevail on India to immediately end the atrocities being committed against the innocent people of Indian occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IOJK) by the ruthless Indian forces, since the past over 7 decades?
May I also sincerely urge you Sir, to make a fervent appeal to the powers that matter to strongly back up the UN and strengthen its hands in implementing the UNSC Resolution No. 47 of April 1948 that assures right to self-determination to the brutalized people of IOJK?
Excellency, the utterly subjugated people of India-occupied Jammu and Kashmir continue to ask, will the UN, backed by the US and other world powers, prevail upon India to urgently cease its brutalities in IOJK and hold a plebiscite in the occupied territory, as was done in the case of East Timor and South Sudan in 1999 and 2011 respectively?
M FAZAL ELAHI
Islamabad
Beggar mafia
In Lahore, the menace of forced begging is constantly increasing because of widespread networks of criminal mafia which have been expanded under poor legal system including government’s weakness and corruption. According to the recant “Human Development report” almost half of Pakistan’s population is now living below the poverty line.
Within this segment there is a large number of beggars. The beggar population is heterogeneous in nature, encompassing a diverse range of ages, genders including, transgender and ability with many disabled beggars visible on the streets of Lahore.
Inayat, a 12-year old , begging near the traffic signal of Zahoor Elahi Road (Lahore) say, “I don’t have food at home that is why I have to come here to beg, My Sahib (Guardian) is addicted to drugs and he wants money from me “. Begging has become a form of organised crime where criminal networks force people into begging.
The groups that arrange these illegal structures are more famously known as the “Begging Mafia”. Their motivation to beg differ drastically from those of the poor. The mafia bosses never beg themselves. Instead, they kidnap children by impersonating social workers, faith leaders and even orphan caregivers. Children and seniors deliberately have their limbs abnormally twisted or removed, leaving them crippled. This is to deceive the public seeing physically impaired children and distressed mothers can cause the toughest heart to melt and in turn donate. They have so many criminal gangs.
The female beggars enter the houses quietly and rob the people in different ways. Groups and gangs use advance technology such as Smartphone, emails and modern transportation system to plan and use not only to beg, but also to trace the location of beggars, to inform, beggars about law enforcement activity and making them aware them when “anti-begging squads” are near.
TANIA SHOUKAT
Gujranwala
Kashmir volcano
Kashmir has been the burning issue for the last several decades, not only for the people of this region but also for the whole world. For the Muslim countries, it is a volcano whose heat is constantly burning them.
As Holy Prophet (SAWW) says: “ All Muslims are like a body , if one part of it hurts then the whole body becomes restless.”(Bukhari Muslims). The people of this paradise valley have been suffering the worst trouble for a long time. However, they were not and will not be disappointed. They are looking forward for a beautiful morning. World’s judges, security guarantors, what has happened to you? Why are you dumb and deaf? Even the United Nations is mute. The flowing blood of Kashmiris in the streams of this valley is crying for help, for freedom that is their fundamental right.
On Kashmir day, every year, meetings are held, speeches are made, articles are written, but the result is ZERO, due to lack of action. Has anyone ever thought why the entire world is facing the COVID-19 ? Maybe this is the divine punishment (Azab-e- Elahi) as the Kashmiris are kept in chains of slavery for a long time. Now, i am quite speechless, nothing beyond that is their freedom.SHEHZADI SHAZIA QURESHI
Dheri, Rawalpindi
Mental health
Mental illness is a medical condition that affects brain which is needed for proper mental functioning.
In our life, our family, friends and classmates virtually know someone suffering from Psychological Disorder. There can be many conditions like depression, tension, frustration, bipolar, schizophrenia and intellectual disturbance like cognitive and associative disorder that affect main area of brain.
Surprisingly, WHO estimated that 46% of people are suffering from anxiety and panic disorder in Pakistan. People should accept the three inconvenient truths: Lack of awareness of this condition, our reluctance to admit it and mental illness is highly stigmatized.
We should aware people that mental illness is common; it is nobody’s fault and is not a spiritual problem. There can be psychological disturbance due to biological factors, life experiences and family history.
But as a keen observer of society, I noticed it can be due to some other reasons like a person who violates social norms is labelled as mental retarded. An anti-social person is considered as complex ritual of obsessive compulsive person.
Mental illness can be determined by range of socio-economic, biological, environmental and by applying different psychological tests and behavioural modifications. Mental illness can be treated by seeking professional help, connecting to other and developing coping skills. We need to take effective steps to raise awareness among people and educate them about benefit of psycho-therapy and mental rehabilitation of a psychological sick person.
Technical recommendation is required so that these persons may perform positive, constructive and socially acceptable behaviour so that they can improve their mental health and eliminate all the factors which are responsible for creating maladjusted behaviour.
SHANZEH ZUBREEN KHAN
Lahore
