PIA’s expenditures
Madam,
Though it is virtually buried under debt amounting to Rs431 billion as of this January, the Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has generously spent Rs18.7 million on free ticketing on domestic and international travel from July to September last year.
This isn’t all. The PIA staff has been very generous with its tickets for quite a long time. Tickets worth Rs2.4 million were issued in 2016 to 122 passengers on 58 flights, while Rs5.6 million worth of free tickets were issued in 2017.
How the PIA managed to get itself into this mess is starting to become a bit clear now.
It is my recommendation that the government come up with some alternate welfare programs for the poor so that the PIA can be smarter about how it spends its money. If the government can’t do this, then perhaps some charitable organisation can take up this duty.
The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf government should also take notice of this phenomenon, as it has declared a crusade against corruption and irresponsible spending, but perhaps its best course of action would be to expedite the PIA’s privatisation process, which has been underway for years.
Mumtaz Khan,
Lahore.
Tourism spots
Madam,
Although the PML-N has been ruling since 1984, their governance agenda primarily focused on developing infrastructure. The Sharif brothers ruled the Punjab and the country for a very long time. Similarly, the PPP has been in power and ruling Sindh for many decades. Both parties have failed to develop tourism spots in Pakistan. Many tourist spots still need basic facilities. Littering is also becoming a huge issue in our hilly areas. The current government should pay attention to tourism and littering.
Shafqat Ali,
Islamabad.
Baloch talent
Madam,
There are scores of talented artists to be found in Balochistan, such as Sarfaraz, Waqar Baloch and Hafeez Lal. Unfortunately, such artists are often ignored by the Pakistan government and film producers. Baloch actors can perform just as well as any other actor in Pakistan. Neglecting such talent is causing resentment among young Baloch men and women who would like to join film and theatre.
Baloch actors have been part of many important films such as Zarab, Kaaresth, Balochistan Hotel and others. They impressed the whole world with their amazing acting. So, when we know we have good actors in Balochistan, why do we ignore them?
It is my request to the government of Pakistan to support Balochistan actors and offer good platforms to them so that they can showcase their skills and talents.
Dostain Muhammad Bakhsh,
Kech.
Transport policy
Madam,
One has to see to believe the number of private vehicles stranded bumper to bumper across Peshawar Road near Westridge, Rawalpindi, picking up and dropping school kids at opening and closing times of schools situated there.
The same is the case with the main GT Road near Sohaan Bridge, which is always jam-packed with traffic because these vehicles are numbering in the hundreds, especially the private cars which are there at the scale of one car per child!
It literally takes half an hour or so to cross these two points, which can be dangerous if there is an emergency. For example, how does an ambulance go through this mess? Why can’t we have school buses like most developed countries and each bus can replace at least 50 cars, thus eliminating the congestion on the roads?
Riaz Khan,
Islamabad.
Protesting doctors
Madam,
Young doctors are protesting again and patients are once again suffering. Doctors are demanding more hostels and better salaries. There is no doubt that in a democratic society, everyone enjoys the right to protest against the government so that their demands are heard. However, it is unfortunate that doctors have made it a habit of abandoning their patients every few days to go on strike. Such protests are always counterproductive.
The closed OPDs do not cause any inconvenience for the elite as they are able to visit private hospitals and approach private doctors. It exacerbates the situation only for patients from lower classes who come to these hospitals from far-flung areas across the country. It is high time for the authorities to take stringent action against those doctors who irk these poor patients.
Ayesha Khan,
Lahore.
Fishing communities
Madam,
Fishery and the fishing industry play a significant role in the national economy. The industry makes a major contribution to our economy as an earner of foreign exchange. Imports of fish are negligible, while the value of exports of fishery products is about USD 196 million every year. The irony is that the federal and Sindh governments don’t have a policy for uplifting fishing communities. The coastal area of Karachi, stretching over 1,200 km - from Mubarak Village to Lath Bashti - with an estimated population of 1.5 million is suffering due to the government’s apathy, as no development projects to mitigate the problems of the area’s people are being carried out.
Most of these villages don’t have proper drinking water and also lack sanitation and drainage facilities. Water tankers are the only means of catering to the needs of the people. Most villages do not have electricity and jetty facilities, while roads and infrastructure in these areas are in dilapidated conditions. Health facilities are not satisfactory in the areas and hundreds of women and children have died due to lack of health facilities.
Haroon Zafar,
Karachi.