Excessive load shedding
Madam,
It breaks one’s heart to see the suffering of the people of Balochistan, especially when they face the worst of load shedding. It seems that there is no end to the energy crisis. Every day power is gone for longer and living conditions are deteriorating. Long hours of load shedding are particularly worse in summer. It is said that people in Karachi sometimes die of heat waves. I think the situation is even worse in Balochistan.
Take the example of Quetta, Balochistan’s capital. There is no electricity here for more than eight hours every day. The situation is unbearable in small towns and villages - they only get electricity for six hours. Some villages receive electricity just for two hours in two days. It is estimated that Balochistan requires 1,650 megawatts. Presently, Balochistan is not even supplied 650 MW. It gets about 300-400 MW, which is not enough. According to Quetta Electric Supply Company (QESCO), supply to the province decreased due to unpaid bills. Electricity companies in the Punjab and Sindh have huge amount of unpaid bills, but they are supplied energy. These provinces have gotten funds and other kinds of support. Balochistan is the most neglected province and receives nothing from the federal government.
Arshad Jaffer,
Quetta.
Vulnerable minds
Madam,
I have a serious issue with the type of toys parents purchase for their children these days. A toy gun should not be used for a child’s entertainment. This leads to aggressive behaviour and violence. By giving out toy guns to our children, we are promoting a gun culture that only leads to aggressive habits.
Instead, the children must be given lessons in etiquette, ethics and morality because they are the future of the nation. Children who are more inclined towards guns become less tolerant.
They must be stopped from watching movies or playing video games where there is a lot of violence, bloodshed and gore because these normalises things for them.
Sana Akhtar,
Multan.
Historical site
Madam,
Meer-i-Qalaat is an ancient site in Turbat. According to some historians, it is 5,000 years old. Some people say it was once the palace of a king and they found gold, and other valuable items at the site. Punno, the Baloch folk hero, is also said to have lived nearby. It is unfortunate that this site is now thoroughly neglected by the people and the government. It is not discussed in textbooks nor is the site repaired by the government. We read about other historical sites in social studies, but why not this one?
I appeal to the government of Balochistan to promote ancient Balochi sites like Mehrgarh, Kalat port, Tump port, Bet-i-Qalaat and Meer-i-Qalaat. They should be discussed in textbooks so that the upcoming generations can know about their own history.
Maria Ali,
Via e-mail.
Child marriage
Madam,
Child marriage is still common in Pakistan. According to a report, 24 percent women are married before the age of 18. From 2000 to 2010, seven percent girls were married before the age of 15. Unfortunately, the percentage of child marriage remained higher in Sindh with 72 percent girls and 25 percent boys becoming victims of child marriage.
This has eventually caused many dropouts from schools with greater pregnancy-related health risks. In May 2017, the National Assembly rejected the draft Child Marriage Restraint Act for the second time. The proposal law would have increased the legal age for marriage of girls from 16 to 18. I request the government of Pakistan to take urgent measures to end child marriage.
Zahid Parvez,
Sialkot.
Climate change
Madam,
Pakistan has been placed among the top 10 most vulnerable countries with regards to climate change as per a 2017 World Bank report. Recently, there were greater snowfalls than normal in northern areas and this has been caused by climate change.
Despite an impending crisis, the fourth flood protection programme approved by the Council of Common Interests in 2017 still seems dormant. If timely action is not taken, we will face another disaster like the 2010 floods. Prevention is better than cure.
Raja Ashraf,
Lahore.
Attack in New Zealand
Madam,
The recent horrific attack on a mosque in New Zealand is direct evidence of tragic anti-Islam sentiments in the world. In this brutal attack, 49 innocent people senselessly lost their lives and so many others were seriously injured.
The attack is not only the latest example of Islamophobia, but also the clear indication of rising racism. The anti-Islam hatred that motivated the attack has rapidly started to take over Western communities like a cancer.
After this mosque carnage in New Zealand, the whole Muslim world has received a severe and harsh setback. It has brought the Muslim community under the dark shadows of fear, horror and profound sadness. The attack served as a further warning on the obvious dangers of hate and intolerance against Muslims.
The will to address such anti-Islam elements and seriousness of OIC is highly appreciated in this regard. It is the need of an hour for the whole Muslim community to stand on one platform against such anti-Muslims elements.
Mian Sajjad,
Islamabad.
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