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.
Mera tohfa, meri marzi
This refers to the news report ‘Mera tohfa, meri marzi’ (April 19). What Imran Khan did was no doubt quite legal. However, to the question whether the act was ‘decent’ and worthy of the status of a head of government, the answer is ‘Absolutely Not’.
This reminds me of an incident that happened in England decades back. The government had just passed a legislation which required every motor-bike rider to wear a helmet. And then a rider was caught by the police with a helmet strapped to his knee. The police took him to the court where the rider took the plea that the law only required him to wear a helmet, which he was doing. The court decided in favour of the police but the man filed an appeal against the verdict in a higher court which accepted his plea and decided in his favour, against which the police filed an appeal.
This process of appeals and counter-appeals continued till the case reached the highest court, which decided in favour of the bike-rider, with costs payable by police. The highest court held the government guilty for not doing its duty of drafting the legislation with absolute clarity and exonerated the biker because he had followed the law, as it stood then. Of course the government made necessary amendment to the law.
This clearly demonstrates that some acts can pass the legality test, despite being nonsensical, unfair or worse. Surely, the act of prime minister of the country conducting trading operations by buying gifts from toshakhana and selling them in the market for profit falls into the above category. And the reason is that the conduct of the highest government official indulging in such lowly activities is bound to bring shame, ridicule and embarrassment to the state and its citizens at home and abroad.
S R H HASHMI
Karachi
Digital marketing
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Zeeshan is an Oxford University, UK’s certified digital marketing professional. He is an active member of the American Marketing Association and the Chartered Institute of Marketing. He wishes to help create more knowledge among workers to support the economies of South Asian countries. Digital Marketing is a highly sought-after skill in 2022. Aspiring marketers can register for the course by following @zeedotcx or @schoolofmarcom on Instagram.
MUHAMMAD ZEESHAN
Attock
CM not elected yet
New Punjab Chief Minister has not yet been elected contrary to reports in the media and the notification issued in this regard by the Punjab Assembly Secretariat. As an old parliamentary reporter, who has been covering PA proceedings for decades together, this scribe would like to inform all concerned that the election of Chief Minister conducted by the Deputy Speaker from the Visitors Gallery is not valid to say the least. Both Visitors Gallery and Press Gallery do not form part of the
House in any manner whatsoever. The LHC had authorized the Deputy Speaker to conduct Chief Minister’s election in a free, fair and transparent manner. But following the tragic happenings in PA on April 16, he did that from the Visitors Gallery instead of from the Speakers Dais which is not valid from any parliamentary rules, regulations and practices.Since the Visitors Gallery and the Press Gallery do not form part of the House, any movement from there and speech as such amounts to committing contempt of the sanctity of the House.
The Deputy Speaker should again conduct Chief Minister’s election from the Speaker’s Dais in a free, fair and transparent manner and then notify the winner accordingly through a notification.
Entry into the House by the security guard of the Deputy Speaker and the police in flagrant violation of the sanctity of the House also need to be probed and investigated at the highest appropriate level, please.
M Z RIFAT
Lahore
Intensifying racial sparks
Race has been a reason for clashes for centuries. In this modern era, Pakistan’s masses still believe in this racial system significantly. Thriving ethnocentrism is forging up the intolerant behaviour among folks.
Such skirmishes in society are simulating ethnical assaults to an amplified magnitude. This incremental boost is perfectly depicted in the illustration of an inverted funnel.
Recently, two ethnic groups engaged in a brawl at Quaid-e-Azam University, Islamabad. These ethnic groups were the Mehran (that represent Sindhi community) and Pashtun Council. What initially was a minor dissent went on to become a considerable conflict between the two ethnic groups. The situation turned quite grave. The chaotic incident resulted in considerable vandalism on the premises of the university.
These clashes can’t be justified by any means. The concerned governmental institutions have to ensure the execution of rule of law. There is an urgent need to prioritize this very crucial demand to be recognized.
The concerned authorities should concentrate on the moral schooling of the citizens by endorsing the peaceful coexistence to ensure a constructive, progressing Pakistan.
AMNA RAHMAN
Rawalpindi
