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.
Biggest jail or a lockdown
It has been over a period of three months now that Kashmir lockdown happened. People of Kashmir are facing brutality at the hands of Indian armed forces since the time of partition. But this lockdown has been the longest and people around the world are speaking up for the rights of Kashmiris and calling it the biggest jail of the world. The situation is far from normal. Internet and mobile phone services remain suspended, public transport is not easily available and most businesses are shut. Some are in protest against the government, and others for fear of reprisals from militants opposed to Indian rule.
There‘s shortage of food and medical facility in almost all parts of the State. People are suffering and dying on a daily basis. Yet we are only confined to raise our voice on social media and talking against the brutality instead of doing something concrete. Is it a fear of war between the countries of the selfishness but for sure it would not be wrong to say it is not a lockdown but the biggest jail of the world?
M SAAD HUSSAIN
Islamabad
Stop littering
Lettering has now become a common habit in our society. As we can get evidence from everywhere like parks, picnic places and roads carry heavy loads of the garbage, which is terribly affecting our atmosphere.
Many people think it is only the responsibly of the government officials to clean the area, which is the root cause of this issue. If the individuals take responsibility of their own garbage and throw it into the proper dumping area, it will not only help, to a great deal, in cleaning the environment but also create the sense of responsibility among the individuals. I would like to request all the citizens to become a responsible member of society, to make our environment clean and healthy.
HADIA AZIZ
Islamabad
Raja Bazar: Traffic issue
There is serious traffic mismanagement in the locality of the Power House Roundabout in Rawalpindi Raja Bazar and surrounding areas. This requires serious attention of the authorities. What is needed is the installation of a proper traffic signal system and enforcement of traffic rules. The authorities must look into this serious bottleneck.
MIRZA USAMA HAIDER
Islamabad
PTA clarification
THIS is with reference to an opinion article headlined ‘Salute to the virtually silenced (Nov 6) by Rafia Zakaria. Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) wishes to clarify that under Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA 2016), PTA has been mandated to block/remove unlawful content hosted on the internet. This may include content, that is, blasphemous, indecent, pornographic, defamatory, impersonation, and anti-state etc.
PTA identifies such content completely in accordance with the provisions of PECA 2016 and then takes action. PTA is committed to protecting the public from harmful, illegal and potentially damaging content. Therefore, the writer’s perception that PTA “assaults” the rights of any organization or limits online freedom for a specific individual is in total contravention of the facts.
ADEELA IQBAL
Rawalpindi
Significance of CPEC
This is with reference to the negative propaganda against CPEC project that intrusion of Chinese products into the Pakistani market may cause unemployment and destruction of local manufacturing industries. In reality, China-Pakistan Economic Corridor project is vital for both Pakistan and China. This mega project will also improve the regional connectivity and will transform the region into the economic hub. This project will change the destiny of all the countries in the region. CPEC will bring an economic revolution in our country and will help the people improve their life standard.
The Middle East and European countries are also expressing their interest to be the part of this game changer project. Pakistan defence forces have taken the responsibility of security of CPEC and will leave no space for enemies to sabotage this project. Furthermore, the government had established the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor Authority (CPECA). The basic aim of forming the Authority is to ensure timely completion of the CPEC projects.
The Prime Minister has said the CPECA will help ensure coordination among the departments concerned. Putting aside all the conspiracy theories and how the CPEC is bound to destroy local industry in Pakistan. Merely taking a notice of these theories is a sheer waste of one’s time. While in actuality CPEC is bound to improve the life of locals, especially in regions far less developed and under-developed.
AFIA AMBREEN
Rawalpindi
Zimbabwe’s HR record
It is deeply distressing to note that two years after Mugabe was ousted in a military coup, Zimbabwe is still stained in a state of gross human rights abuses. President Mnangagwa who promised genuine democratic reforms is presiding over intensified repression of peaceful protests against human rights violations and illegal abductions of activists.
The violations are perpetrated by government supporters as well as law enforcement agencies and include assaults, torture, death threats, kidnappings and unlawful arrests and detentions. The law enforcement agencies are a major source of human rights abuses in Zimbabwe. The world should condemn human rights abuses in Zimbabwe and ask President Mnangagwa to democratically reform the country so that Zimbabwe’s international re-engagement efforts will be taken seriously.
TAPIWA MUSKWE
London
Sinking ship
The veteran politician and JUI Chief has told his followers in a rally that the government ship is sinking and the present rule will be over soon. It is irony of fate that leaders like Fazl-ur-Rehman come as savior of public and cheat and deceive them on one pretext or another.
They exploit religion for their vested interests and jeopardize normal system with their out-of-box solution. One may ask the JUI Head what good his party has done to the people of KP during past three decades?
IFTIKHAR MIRZA
Islamabad
