Letters to the Editor (December 2018)

Education: The Key to Success

Education is a blessing of Allah Almighty. There are hundreds of thousands of people who have thirst of Education. Education is valuable in so many ways and it gives awareness to the people, helps them to think for their better life, guides the uneducated individuals to leave nonsense habits, helps them think with a broader frame of mind, imparts to them skills so that they may make their life easy. Nelson Mandela rightly said, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” However, it is a common observation that a number of people despite being highly educated act with a conservative mind and bound their life only to one goal even though they have so many options to channel their struggle in the right direction. I want to say that an educated person must act also like an educated man. After all, education is the key to success.

Mahnoor M. Ayoob Magsi (Dadu Sindh)

Chinese Consulate Attack

The daring but heinous terrorist attack at Chinese consulate in Karachi has again created concerns about security situation in Pakistan. Although the attack was successfully foiled by security forces, it, nonetheless, consumed 2 police officials and two innocent civilians, while three terrorists were eliminated by the law-enforcement agencies.

It is an undeniable fact that cordial relations between China and Pakistan are a headache for the world in general, and India and USA in particular. American-backed terrorists act as mercenaries and they, in cahoots with each other, have been leaving no stone unturned to sabotage China-Pakistan Economic Corridor.

In such a state of affairs, Pakistan has to improve security apparatus and respond any attack smartly. Diplomatic places like Chinese consulate should be protected. Such gruesome attacks are having deleterious impacts on the prospects of enhancing foreign direct investment in Pakistan.

Wajahat Abro (Shikarpur)

Deforestation in Pakistan

Forests play an important role in the development of a country. They are the natural resources that provide many a benefit to the people. According to experts, forests should cover at least 25 percent of the total area of a country. But, in Pakistan, unfortunately, only 4.5 percent of the total area is covered with forests. And, further perplexing is the ongoing deforestation that has deprived our country of precious vegetative cover.

Deforestation is a main environmental problem today’s world is faced with. It includes the cutting down, burning and destroying of forests. It is the first link of the chain of environmental degradation that also includes soil erosion, climatic changes, air pollution and loss of hardwood and fuel wood.

If measures to stop the process of deforestation are not taken immediately, humans will be under the grip of severe environmental crises. They may lose animals and plants, and it is highly likely that fatal diseases would become endemic which would severely harm the mankind. We must join hands to plant more and more forests and curb the menace of deforestation.

Aqib Dad (Kech)

First 100 Days of PTI Government

Good governance comes through strong and independent state institutions. These institutions need to be built, sustained and made stronger than individuals. Unfortunately, a little effort has been made to build institutions on a stable footing in Pakistan since independence and individuals have taken precedence over institutions. Pakistan suffers from a number of crises but the crisis of good governance is on top because it is the root of all other problems. The new government of PTI has completed its first 100 days but it has remained ineffective as no new legislation has been passed by the parliament. It seems no proper homework was done by PTI before coming into power. U-Turns taken by PM Imran Khan created mess and even the issue was discussed on the Centre for Middle East Policy at Brookings Institution. All these issues have seriously pushed off the country to an abysmal state of poor governance. Due to bad governance, education, health, civic services, agricultural infrastructure are all in bad state. Even the most basic social needs of citizens are not fulfilled.

People at the helm of affairs need to understand that good governance is more than mere management. It is not only about decision-making and policy formulation but also priority setting, their implementation and getting results. Transparency, legitimacy, merit and the rule of law are important pillars of good governance.

Dr Zeeshan Khan (Lahore)