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.
Curse of paedophilia
We have been living in denial, covering up menace of sexual abuse of children, thinking that such cowardice will protect our honour. Unfortunately, it is this lack of courage and responsibility that today even our orphanages, schools, religious seminaries, cities, towns and villages are not safe for our sons, daughters, sisters and handicapped. Crimes of paedophilia and violence against victims of these shameful crimes are on rise in Pakistan and other countries. Lack of moral and political will of those at helm and law enforcement agencies to take these crimes seriously and come down harshly on those who perpetrate such evil crimes is only encouraging these murderers and rapists.
The recent incidence involving young girls, living in a state orphanage Kashiana located in Lahore, where a lady employed as head of orphanage, accused a few members of paid bureaucracy of social welfare department and a provincial minister of trying to molest these orphans is a case in study. As usual a few Punjab Ministers and Provincial Social Welfare Department officials pounced on her as if problem lies with whistle-blower and not perpetrators of these alleged sinful and detestable crimes. Instead of judicial investigation, the matter was referred to an in-house CM Inspection Team, which raises doubts.
It is an established fact that most paedophiles appear very docile and reassuring who manage to win confidence of young children before they lure them. The preferred place of work for such paedophiles is schools etc. The State has failed to protect its most innocent and deprived from such predators. Recently the case of convicted sexual predator, who was jailed for such crimes in UK, Belgium and many other countries, managing to get high profile job as consultant to the KP government was shocking.
MALIK TARIQ ALI
Lahore
World HR Day
Human Rights Day is observed every year on 10 December, the day the United Nations General Assembly adopted, in 1948, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The declaration is a milestone document that proclaimed the inalienable rights which everyone is inherently entitled to as a human being regardless of race, colour, religion, sex, language, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status. It establishes the equal dignity and worth of every person.
But, the Kashmiris on both sides of the Line of Control and the world over observed World Human Rights Day as Black Day to draw the attention of the international community towards the worsening human rights situation in occupied Kashmir. The people of occupied Kashmir have been facing the worst kind of Indian state terrorism in their just struggle for freedom from India’s occupation of their homeland. It is a reality that New Delhi is suppressing the Kashmiris’ ongoing freedom movement through military might. However, despite using all brutal tactics, Indian forces’ personnel have failed to subdue the freedom sentiment of the Kashmiris and they are very much determined to continue their struggle till they achieved their cherished goal of freedom from Indian bondage.
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights empowers us all. The principles enshrined in the Declaration are as relevant today as they were in 1948. We need to stand up for our own rights and those of others. Pakistan has always advocated resolution of the conflict over Kashmir through giving the Kashmiris their inalienable right to self-determination as promised by India and the world community.
AFIA AMBREEN
Rawalpindi
Well done Pakistan
Pakistan has sailed fairly in 2019 South Asian games by wining 29 gold, 34 silver and 46 bronze medals, staying at 4th place in seven countries contesting different games. It is remarkable achievement considering the opportunities available to our players. Playgrounds have now become a thing of the past for most of the schools and universities drying out the chances for children to excel in outdoor games.
Ironically, the new generation is more interested in video games instead of games involving physical exertion which is essential for healthy body and healthy mind. In such circumstances, Pakistan has performed excellently. These players should be trained for other international events for bringing more pride to their nation.
IFTIKHAR MIRZA
Islamabad
Food insecurity
Food insecurity has been a global challenge. The countries which are believed to be very developed face the issue of food insecurity. Reports have declared that almost 37.2% million are living in food insecurity households in the United States of America.
Access to fresh and healthy food is a basic right of a nation. Unfortunately, Pakistan has also been very problematic in regard with food insecurity. Approximately, 60% of Pakistan population is confronting with food insecurity. Notably, food insecurity gives birth to variety of negative health outcomes. A huge number of poor citizens in Pakistan cannot afford fresh and healthy food so they approach unhealthy foods which threaten their health.
Balochistan, better known as the largest province of Pakistan, faces the problem of food insecurity at an alarming rate. According to a report, 30 districts of Balochistan are food insecure. I would like to request the health authorities to be concerned about the health of the citizens and look into this serious issue which is a huge threat to our health.
ZARNAZ MAYAR
Karki
Fawad’s comeback
Pakistan has recalled 34-year-old middle-order batsman Fawad Alam for the first time in 10 years for the Test series against Sri Lanka. Chief selector and head coach Misbah-ul-Haq said on Saturday that the left-handed batsman was selected because of his recent prolific scoring in domestic cricket. The series, which is part of ICC’s World Test Championship, has started in Rawalpindi yesterday (Wednesday). Karachi will host the second Test on 19-23 December.
Fawad Alam last played a Test match against New Zealand at Dunedin in 2009, eight months after an attack on the Sri Lanka team bus in Lahore that shut the doors of international cricket on Pakistan. Fawad Alam scored a century in his debut Test against Sri Lanka in July 2009 and has scored over 12,222 runs in a 16-year first class career at a healthy average of 56.84.
Fawad Alam is one of the two changes Pakistan selectors have made from the 16-man squad that lost the two-Test matches against Australia. Fawad Alam needs to get the full chance and show his performance that way is play long cricket from Pakistan side.
KHURAM JAMIL
Islamabad
Uncertainty
in twin cities
Rawalpindi is adjacent to Pakistan’s capital Islamabad, and the two are jointly known as the “twin cities” on account of strong social and economic links between the cities. These two cities are also known as developed as compared to other cities of Pakistan. In today’s world, protests, sport and other routine activities are concurrently happen and not usually affect traffic but in Islamabad & Rawalpindi we witnessed many times that some protests and dharnas causes unnecessarily blockage of the main roads and traffic diverted to badly maintained routes and result in traffic jams.
All the main routes must be dedicated to the general public because of this uncertainty, normal life has more consequences for daily wagers and labourers and it becomes a nightmare for them to meet their daily essential needs. This uncertainty should be addressed by the higher authorities because in this developed world we cannot tolerate such things. I would like to urge administration and other concerned authorities to come up with suitable strategies to overcome this issue.
QAISAR ANSAR
Islamabad
