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.
Parade on
23 March
Since I can remember, Pakistan Resolution Day (23rd March) has always been a significant day in the history of Pakistan. We used to sit with our parents and watch the parade. Keeping in mind the current political, sports event coming up, I wonder what is going to happen. How have we forgotten the significance of this day? Why as a nation, are we attracted to tragedy? Why do we love controversy either applicable or baseless? Let’s take a bird’s eye view of what is coming up for the Public of Islamic Republic of Pakistan.
As 23rd March inches closer to us, the Pakistan-Australia series is going to be held in Pakistan after 24 years which is a positive development. Given that Pakistan has always encouraged sporting events and their promotion, it’s never too late to kick start the events that were held in the UAE because of security threats. It is safe to say that Pakistan is ready to host any international event.
During the same course, PDM is going to be in the capital city for their protest against the government. It is their right to protest as much as they want but they should consider the other events happening in the capital after so long and they are creating the atmosphere of anarchy and mayhem, justified or not. What message will the Australian Team get when they get the whiff of what is happening around?
On the same day, we have the parade in the parade ground and our Prime Minister is going to inaugurate the new Metro Track on Srinagar Highway. In this playground of political instability, both the Government and PDM should reconsider and let people enjoy a sporting event of high significance. We, as a nation, cannot afford slip-ups and misadventures internally or externally.
HASAN YASEEN MIRZA
Islamabad
Inflation and basic rights
In Pakistan nowadays, the rate of inflation has rapidly increased due to corruption, malafide practices in administration, high taxes and inadequate availability for skill development learning. People of the country are under extreme burden of how to feed their families because of low income, high prices of goods and skyrocketing taxes. In 2018, the rate of inflation was 3.93%.
In 2019, the rate of inflation was 6.74% that raised to 10.74% in the next year. So, it can be examined easily from the statistical data of inflation that how the public is being affected because of taxes, heavy foreign loans, high prices of goods and corruption in the government machinery. People cannot afford medicine as the prices of medicine have been increased 100% this year. The crippling situation directly impacting on daily basic poverty in Pakistan has raised to 5.4% in 2020.
The World Bank has estimated that over two million people have fallen below the poverty line in Pakistan. This is the current situation of inflation in Pakistan.
Basic human rights which have been enshrined in the constitution of 1973 are also being violated as people do not have much access to basic needs to live a prosperous life. So, the government should focus on the stability of the economy by relying on our own resources and getting rid of IMF eventually.
AFRASAYAB ABBASI
Islamabad
Worthless repair
A bridge on M-8 near Turbat city was recently repaired by NHA workers. They repired it completely and blocked it for a month disallowing any vehicles. When they opened it again for traffic the bridge gave away. It couldn’t stand for one night and all the public money utilised went to drain. The government should take strong action against such persons who are openly wasting public money through sheer corruption.
DIN MOHAMMAD
Via email
Torture in custody
Torture and other ill-treatment of suspects in police custody is a widespread problem in Pakistan especially in our province. A Human Rights Watch report stated that such practices include beatings by hand or with batons and strips of leather. Stretching and crushing of detainees’ legs with metal rods, sexual violence, prolonged sleep deprivation and mental torture.
In addition to this, detainees are forced to witness the torture of others. Custodial deaths resulting from torture are not uncommon. The released captives often report about long-lasting effects of physical pain, disability and mental stress that they face during the ordeal. As per reports police frequently tortures suspects to record their confessions and to get required information. The police is alleged to do such things in custody only to coerce bribe from families of captives or due to pressure of politicians or landlords. Such inhumane treatment in custody must be banned at all levels and police reforms immdeiately carried out.
SAJJAD CHEEHANI
Agra, Sindh
Celebrating Stephen Hawking
Recently Google had honoured the world-famous physicist and cosmologist Stephen William Hawking with flashing a special doodle on him on his birthday. Soon after, I had started recollecting his details. Despite his tough physical disabilities, he had continued his passion for scientific endeavours like cosmology and physics.
Given his life and continued scientific research, this Englishman called Hawking has been a source of inspiration for numerous people from across the globe up till date. In world today, such inspiring people have been the driving force behind publication of many books and magazines. A newspaper, schoolbook, magazine or book, writing has always been a source of inspiration and a powerful communication tool. To inculcate such beautiful habits as reading, speaking and writing, it is time to encourage publishing more and more books. For this, big personalities like Stephen Hawking will always be inspiring. Plus, in this technological world, tech giants like Google should support publishing books through various means like doodles and dough.
P SENTHIL S DURAI
Maharashtra, India
