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.
Security
lapses & failed strategies
For over four decades, citizens of Pakistan have been facing a crisis of repetitive internal security lapses, because of the failed strategies of those, who have assumed unto themselves role of guardian of national and foreign policy and economic priorities, so vital to protect life and property of citizens. It is the constitution which guarantees this security to citizens, both from internal and external threats, and create instruments funded by taxpayers, to perform this task. Instead of focusing on a political strategy to involve citizens in running affairs of the state to achieve Jinnah’s vision of a modern democratic welfare state, we focused on strategies that were bound to fail.
It is an established principle, dating back to before the Roman Empire, that a state must have sole monopoly over the use of force, and should never allow private militias to exist within its territory, nor give them sanctuary, failing which it may collapse from within, or fall victim to chaos. We should have focused on development of human resources, economic development and supremacy of constitution through writ of laws. A state that sacrifices its territorial sovereignty to serve global strategic goals of other nations, is a state which exposes itself to chaos and insecurity.
MALIK TARIQ ALI
Lahore
Extreme sports in Pakistan
As far as I can remember, Pakistan has always been one of the biggest producers and exporters of the sport goods in the world. Prominent brands like Adidas, Puma, Nike and many more have been producing as well as monitoring the excellent quality of sports goods and equipment.
Pakistan has always been present in one form or another in sports like Cricket, Football, Hockey, Kabaddi and many more streamline sports and have performed exceptionally though room for improvement is always there. But extreme sports like Snowboarding, Skiing, Ice Skating, Mountain biking never get the spotlight they deserve. Pakistan has organized Skiing and Snowboarding events in Malamjabba and Naltar since I can remember done under the supervision and expert management of PAF but alas, most of the population is not aware of these sports, have never tried it or don’t know that these sports even exist in our country. As winter is here in its full swing and after the inauguration of the Airport in the northern area of Pakistan, there are bright chances that these sports can get spotlight now on the national level. These sports will help boost confidence, diversify and create an atmosphere of positive competition so we can represent our country even better in the biggest event of them all, winter olympics.
Let’s hope that with the increase of tourism in our country, especially in northern areas of Pakistan, more schools and trainers will be available to boost the awareness and interest in sports that can help build a positive image of our country in any shape or form.
HASAN YASEEN MIRZA
Islamabad
Comparison
The day we are born till the day our soul departs this world, we live in a life of comparison. To one side, it can be a positive gesture and bring optimism for growing up. But as this world’s circumstances are leading people to live mentally disturbed life, the comparison is one of those. Comparison increases the hunger of always getting more and less satisfaction with what we have at that moment. Most of the ruination is due to the ways we live and teachings we learned since early life.
When there is comparison involved in every aspect of living, the true essence of life goes far away leaving behind just the race of becoming first. No one is perfect, everyone has some flaws but there is always space for getting more out of you. One should try to make oneself the better version of oneself but never compare oneself with the others. Comparing body structures, facial looks, intelligence and confidence is useless work as this just destroys your internal ability and your power of being yourself.
When you start following others rather than making your own path and identity, this thing makes you and your life enslave others. Though comparison can be taken positively, there is a clash with our learning of negativity and judging. When you stop comparing with someone it doesn’t mean that the other person is not on the right path. It just means you start working on yourself by idealising the best of YOUR not others. Both parents and educational institutes can play their roles of removing the harmful effects of comparison on our mental health and life.
FATIMA KHAN
Lahore
