Criminal silence
Madam,
I am writing to express some questions on terrorism in Muslim-majority states. Why are these countries always under attack? Why don’t their leaders condemn terror attacks? In 2016, most terrorist attacks occurred in Muslim countries. Why don’t we raise our voices against these attacks? How can we remain ignorant of the atrocities on Muslims of Syria, Egypt and Afghanistan? Why do we remain silent on the plight of the Rohingya community? If we don’t speak against such violence today, we may become victims of the same tomorrow.
It is unfortunate that electronic media does not report on terrorism in other countries. We learn about them through social media. Why are politicians not interested in tackling terrorism as a global issue? Intolerance and terror should be eliminated from society.
Maira Asif,
Lahore.
Empowering transwomen
Madam,
I’m writing to express my appreciation of Marvia Malik, who was recently hired as the first transgender news anchor in Pakistan. Historically, the transgender community has suffered a great deal of discrimination and stigmatization – although they, like any human being, should have access to education, employment, health and dignity. The hiring of 21-year-old Marvia, a journalism graduate, by a private news channel has caused a sensation.
I would like add that if we support our transgender community and empower them through such opportunities, they can create history. They must have equal access to education and employment. Employers and educators should not discriminate against them.
Marvia is now part of a global community of transwomen who have made history by breaking barriers. We must support such icons.
Noor Fatima,
Lahore.
Generation gap
Madam,
It is unfortunate how the widening generation gap in Pakistan is affecting our family values, morals and relationships. This change can be traced to the emergence of the latest technological landscape across the globe. Although technology and innovation has created many opportunities and new ways of communication for the millennial generation, it has detached them from reality and real relationships. They are now emotionally and mentally detached them from their parents. There was a time when parents, relatives and neighbors were role models for children. Today, this has changed. The millennial generation seems to have replaced parental love with friends, drugs or sex. Furthermore, in today’s world of hyper consumerism, people seem to have forgotten their basic tenets of faith.
According to recent news, teenagers in Islamabad have been found using drugs. I believe this rise in the use of drugs is not the fault of children. Parents stopped giving their children the right attention when they needed it and eventually it led them to drug abuse. Attention does not meant restricting their growth, but the spiritual, mental and emotional bond between parents and their children, which seems to be missing these days.
Neelam Waseem,
Karachi.
School toilets
Madam,
The degree college for boys in Turbat not only caters to students from this area, but is also a place of learning for boys from Dasht, Kassak, Dump, Kalag and Hirronk. Many people studying there after passing their matriculation. There are scores of students at this college and only two toilets for such a large number. All schools must have decent hygiene standards and they must be equipped with adequate facilities to cater to the needs of the students. Officers of the education department in this district must inspect the conditions of schools and colleges and construct more toilets where they are needed.
Meherul Nisa,
Turbat.
Careless doctors
Madam,
Turbat is a well-developed city of Balochistan but it is full of problems. One of them is the carelessness of doctors employed at public hospitals. They often do not show up for work hours and those who come, do not complete their shift. They mostly spend their time at private hospitals where they charge a lot of money. At public hospitals, they do not treat patients properly and just prescribe medicines without proper examination. Our health authorities should look into this and punish those doctors who are neglecting their duties.
Amber Ashraf,
Turbat.
Election campaigns
Madam,
Instead of campaigning on issues faced by people - such as affordable education, health, safe drinking water, law and order and the economy - most political parties are just playing on religious sentiments.
These self-appointed custodians of religion roam around in luxurious imported vehicles and recruit poor semi-literate youth for proxy wars while sending their own children for education in Europe or America.
The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) and other mainstream parties which have been in power during past three decades need to focus on their achievements in provinces. Recently, thousands of school teachers who were allegedly sold jobs during 2008-2013 have been protesting in Karachi. Similarly, there are numerous allegations of gross irregularities in recruitments in state corporations like PSM, KPT, PIA, CAA and Pakistan Railways. Land grabbing thrives in the country.
Similar charges of irregularities in award of contracts for major projects for power generation have been levied against those who held power in the Punjab, Baluchistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit Baltistan. Wasting scarce state resources has become a norm for the ruling elite of this country. Instead of levying taxes on the affluent, governments are giving tax amnesties and protecting land grabbers and criminals. Pakistan today faces threats from within because of the evil nexus of illiteracy, extremism, corruption and lack of social justice.
Malik T. Ali,
Lahore.
Education in Balochistan
Madam,
The state of health and education of children of Balochistan is terrible. It is the responsibility of the state to protect the basic rights of children. In Balochistan, children have no future because the government is unwilling or unable to protect and promote their fundamental rights.
Balochistan the largest province of Pakistan and there are a host of problems faced by the children of this part of the country. Illiteracy is a major issue. According to some estimates, the literacy rate here is 35 percent (males 42 percent and females 21 percent). Factors behind such dismal statistics are shortage of schools, buildings and essential facilities needed for a productive academic environment. If the government of Balochistan wants to change things, it must first focus on reforms in the education sector.
Fourteen-year-old Sagheer recently dropped out of a public in Kolowa due to financial problems. Now he herds cattle. He told me that his parents were poor and could not afford to send him to school. Stationery and uniforms were expenses they could not afford. He is not alone, there are many like him. It breaks one’s heart to realise that these children cannot fulfill their dreams due to no fault of their own.
Child marriage is a global issue but its prevalence is particularly high in Balochistan. Nearly 22 percent boys and 63 percent girls here are married before the age of 18. Child marriage affects both sexes, but usually girls suffer the most.
Child marriage is practiced in most the villages in Balochistan. People from rural areas are unaware of the rights of a child and they do not understand the impact of child marriages on the development of human beings.
Last month, 16-year-old Mariam got married after she dropped out from school. She wanted to be a teacher but her parents preferred to marry her off.
Around 1.8 million children are out of school in Balochistan and it saddens me to mention that 60 percent of the children quit school by the time they reach middle school. It is estimated that 45 percent of students abandon school without completing matriculation. More than 5,000 government-run schools have only one room with a single teacher. In rural areas, schools are in terrible conditions. Safe drinking water and clean toilets are not available.
Majority of the children belong to working class families who cannot afford to pay private tuition fee. At government schools; teachers remain absent and there are no textbooks and libraries.
Our corrupt leaders seem to have no sympathy for the plight of the children of Balochistan and seem to be enjoying their lavish lifestyles.
The government must increase its spending on education and create a system where education should be affordable for everyone.
Munaj Gul Muhammad
Via email.