Meddling in Middle East
Madam,
Relations between the United States and Iran were never this chaotic. They were allies until Reza Shah Pehlvi’s regime since he introduced secularism as the state policy of Iran. The United States was laying the groundwork of its economic and political expansion by destroying indigenous cultures. The US intervened twice in Iraq and the occupation in Afghanistan ended up being the longest war in the history of the country. Meddling in Middle East has become a US obsession. The novel Uncle Tom’s Cabin sheds light on US history and it is still relevant 200 years later.
The US Central Command suggested a surge in troops as they manage US military operations in Middle East. Trump’s authorisation is needed for a significant number of troops to be deployed. His administration’s goals have sparked a debate. Acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan believes that the US does not seek to worsen the situation, nor does it want to pursue a war with Iran.
Few US officials maintained a steady drumbeat of leaking information pertaining to Iranian military movements. This substantiates the motives of the administration for directing warships into the Middle East to counter Iran as they perceive them as a threat. The US military strength includes extra ballistic missiles, surface ships with long-range attack capabilities and Tomahawk cruise missiles.
For a comprehensive strike to be waged, a significant number of 100,000 troops would need to be deployed. These troops and military capabilities would execute a strike to obliterate Iran’s land, air, and nuclear capabilities. The US claimed to have intelligence since May 2019, that there might be a possible attack on the US troops and impede their interests in the region. However, Democrats have contested this presumed intelligence.
In Middle East, the military situation is volatile as there are several budding crises in the region, and the Iranians and the US troops are in close proximity. In 2016, some American sailors were captured by Iran in the Persian Gulf. The Strait of Hormuz has been threatened by the Iranians to be blocked.
How Trump pulls the reins will determine the outcome of this situation. In the endgame Trump’s decisions must be reassessed to defuse the crisis. Examples are set with astute tactics not hasty decisions.
Kelton High,
Via e-mail.
A better policy
Madam,
The government’s decision to eradicate the use of plastic bags is a commendable. The federal government announced a deadline for shutting down factories producing plastic bags in a bid to curb a major source of pollution. However, the government owes an explanation to owners of the factories and to the public about this policy matter.
It is probably true that these factories were established under a legal mechanism and regulations. The owners probably fulfilled the legal requirements as per policies of the government to have been operational for so long. Surely there were not functioning without government sanction? If they were, then what does it say about the government? Furthermore, does the government have any alternative plan for consumers when they stop using plastic bags?
The government should evolve a mechanism to give compensation to those affected by the ban on plastic bags. At the same time, it should announce a transition period to switch over to a plastic bags-free society. In this transition period, the government should also provide free technical expertise to owners of factory units as well as subsidy or tax amnesty on the import of machinery for establishing new units for manufacturing biodegradable and environment friendly bags. The government should also provide consumers biodegradable bags and engage international donors in the green sector — like the Asian Development Bank and the United Nations Development Programme — to fund the move toward a plastic bag-free society.
Raza Khalid,
Lahore.
Dual nationals
Madam,
Other than lip-service and fake declarations, it appears that no tangible steps or policies have been devised to stop money laundering and flight of foreign exchange from Pakistan which is depleting our foreign exchange reserves. In a country where employment opportunities are on the decline, it is a suicidal policy to employ those with dual nationalities, instead of those qualified for those jobs and hold only Pakistani passports.
It is not a complicated science to understand that dual nationals who have settled their families abroad and bought assets there would send all their savings from money earned in Pakistan to support their families living there. The only exception should be specialists any field for which a Pakistani national is not available. Just take example of PIA which has nearly 60 percent dual nationals employed as flight and cabin crew, for which many Pakistanis are available, since requirement is FSc and CPL for former and graduation for latter.
It is a known fact that hundreds of thousands of dollars are being irregularly transferred by these individuals. Similar is the case with those performing operational duties with access to airports. Nowhere in the region can dual nationals be employed in customs, immigration, foreign service and key financial regulatory institutions. Countries like India and Malaysia do not allow their nationals to hold dual nationality precisely because of their split loyalties, yet have more remittances than Pakistan.
Rana Zafar,
Faisalabad.
Tribute to fathers
Madam,
It is unfortunate that Father’s Day, which is marked every year on the second Sunday of June, is not celebrated as widely as Mother’s or Valentine’s Day.
Although many people shared old photographs on social media this year, I must say that not enough tributes were paid to fathers who are the unsung heroes of our lives. My father is my king and I love him dearly. He worked hard throughout his life to ensure that his family had a comfortable life. He sheltered us and saved us from danger and all the other bad things in the world. He was the first one in his family to pass university. He tried his best to make sure that we always had everything we needed.
Our fathers need our love and affection because they love us unconditionally and expect nothing in return. I would like to pay a tribute to all fathers in the world and a special thank you to my own father for being the wonderful man that he is.
Nida Elahi,
Multan.