RAMAZAN is the month of blessings and charity. The religious side of all Pakistanis is working overtime in this month to seek forgiveness for the sins they commit throughout the year.

This is the month in which Iftari and Sehri buffets are set up in mosques and on footpaths. Another common sight is people distributing food for Iftar.

There is a darker side of Iftar packs’ distribution which is exposed when our inner instinct of acquiring as much as possible for free kicks in.

A few days ago a van roaming around in Defence was spotted handing out Iftari bags even to the big and flashy cars pulling up alongside it. I would have no objection if this was being done close to Iftar time, but at 5pm, this is stretching the charity hand too much. I was shocked to see people eagerly going after the doleout.

People keen to distribute food and water should do so among the needy not the greedy.

Syed Sorath Shah
Karachi

Published in Dawn, July 22nd , 2014

Opinion

Editorial

Rigging claims
Updated 04 May, 2024

Rigging claims

The PTI’s allegations are not new; most elections in Pakistan have been controversial, and it is almost a given that results will be challenged by the losing side.
Gaza’s wasteland
04 May, 2024

Gaza’s wasteland

SINCE the start of hostilities on Oct 7, Israel has put in ceaseless efforts to depopulate Gaza, and make the Strip...
Housing scams
04 May, 2024

Housing scams

THE story of illegal housing schemes in Punjab is the story of greed, corruption and plunder. Major players in these...
Under siege
Updated 03 May, 2024

Under siege

Whether through direct censorship, withholding advertising, harassment or violence, the press in Pakistan navigates a hazardous terrain.
Meddlesome ways
03 May, 2024

Meddlesome ways

AFTER this week’s proceedings in the so-called ‘meddling case’, it appears that the majority of judges...
Mass transit mess
03 May, 2024

Mass transit mess

THAT Karachi — one of the world’s largest megacities — does not have a mass transit system worth the name is ...