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.
Common man’s life
Broken and dilapidated roads, filthy, noisy buses, no drinking water, lack of sanitation, no shelter, dump and stinky garbage, a herd of stray dogs, illegal use of loudspeakers from the hawkers and political and religious persons, a convoy of motorcyclists, chaotic and undisciplined traffic, illiterate behaviour of drivers and conductors in the mini-buses, insecure life of a common person. No government jobs to the local people, market for bribes in government institutions is hot. The population of Karachi is lamenting life in these conditions.
On the other hand, the privileged elite, the judiciary, the politicians, the military and the civil bureaucracy are enjoying life to the fullest. Needless to say, this is true the thief elite evade taxes using different tricks and tactics. Giving nothing to the common man, the state is imposing 70 unique taxes administered by at least 37 agencies of the Government of Pakistan isn’t it mockery with the people of Pakistan? With a difficult life, the common man, especially a salaried person, is truly burdened with taxes.
Another danger is looming that as a result of the imposition of super tax, the capitalists can shift their capital to another country, so that unemployment will increase further. With increasing validity, the powerful institutions of Pakistan have been called “politicians in robes.” In this age of injustice and darkness, it is clearly time to reform the powerful institutions.
SYED SADAQAT HUSSAIN
Karachi
Flawed political system
The political system in Pakistan is far from being fair and transparent. It is still in the tight grip of feudal lords and capitalistic tendencies. Those who possess power and resources can manipulate everything in their favour to win elections and the authority obtained through unfair electoral tactics is then misused to further their power and resources which only reinforces the flaws in our overall system.
Weaker segments of society that are always lured for change are shamelessly left to fend for themselves and nothing concrete is done once elections (local or general) pass. Development funds are embezzled and elected representatives misuse their power to intimidate and belittle their overt or covert opponents. People connected with power structure find themselves at ease in every aspect of life. They are never bothered to achieve their ends by fair or unfair means. Those who are proverbially non-political in their orientations are left insecure and helpless and system has nothing to do with their welfare. This leads them to nurture doubts on the overall political milieu and institutional machinery of the state. This manifestly serious flaw in the political system of Pakistan is making the mockery of all slogans of democracy and deepening the inequality between influential and non-influential segments of society. If this fiasco goes on unchecked and effective accountability of each and everyone – irrespective of their position and power – is not ensured, no appreciable change in our fate can be guaranteed even after the passage of hundred years with same political environment and electoral practices.
SHAKEEL GHOURI
Digri, Mirpurkhas
Selfless service
National Doctors’ Day was celebrated in India on July 1 to express gratitude for the relentless service provided by doctors across the nation. It is observed in honour of Bidhan Chandra Roy, the physician-politician who was the second chief minister of West Bengal.
Since the beginning of the pandemic, doctors have selflessly served the people of the nation. With Covid-19 infections on the rise, once again, this is the right time to appreciate the contributions of doctors to our healthcare apparatus.
JUBEL D’CRUZ
Mumbai, India
Awareness of cleanliness
I would like to draw attention of the concerned authorities towards awareness of cleanliness. It is a known fact that we are least bothered about the cleanliness of our society. It is important to keep our surrounding clean to live healthy life.
Cleaning of surrounding, environment and workplaces is an important habit and also a social responsibility. This habit reduces viruses and bacteria and gives us a healthy life. To lead a healthy life, we must follow the rules of cleaning. But nowadays many people are throwing their daily waste everywhere and making the streets and rivers dirty which cause an unhealthy environment for us and for other animals.
Nobody likes dirt and rubbish but we find it everywhere. But we are losing interest and don’t take care of keeping our public places clean. The streets, parks, bus stops, railway stations and market places are full of torn papers, banana skins and poly bags etc. It affects our health and hygiene.
We should come out with the solutions such as collaboration with specialized NGOs to spread public massage. Educational institutions should take responsibility for spreading awareness of cleanliness in our society. It can be done distributing brochures, hanging banners in public etc. Let us work together and make our society more beautiful.
NABA SAEED
Rawalpindi
Giving up is a wrong decision
There is no doubt that life is tough. Several circumstances are going to occur in our life and we should be ready to confront them. Really, we should not give up if we are going through harsh conditions.
We should be optimistic. We should believe that hard times make people stronger and invincible. Therefore, if you meet a bad time or if you fail, do not worry and never quit but stay undefeated and committed to gaining whatever you want in your life.
We all should know that people who do not give up will change the world by changing impossible to possible. They change minds by changing the situations and conditions. Therefore, you, reader, should never get to serve a better leader in future.
PARVEZ MOULA BAKHSH
Malir, Karachi
