After reading Adam’s Mom, May 11, by Amar Jaleel, I was in real shock.
But who are these people who are responsible for creating such a brutal system in Pakistan? These are the our political leaders who have maintained a system of brutality in Pakistan only so that they can keep the poor from challenging their authority. And they have been at it since the creation of Pakistan. They have also created the police, which serve them.
There are millions of Adams who have faced such situations in which some are still alive and the rest have passed away.
There are numerous qualified and intelligent people in our country, but they are still without jobs. On the other side, there are the illiterates who are in control of this country and making billions out of it.
But there is no law to catch these corrupt. And while Adam was well qualified, holding a masters degree in philosophy, he was an ordinary typist in a government department which did not regard his hard work.
He was made to slog, even when sick. He wasn’t even given proper medical facility. His pension was withheld and his mother is now begging at the Regal bus stop. RAJA GHAZANFAR ALI KHAN
Islamabad
The debt trap
This is in reference to the article, The debt trap, June 1.
The writer has very ably narrated the case study of the Argentinean economy and governance structure after blindly following IMF prescriptions. While drawing parallel, the situation of many developing countries and particularly Pakistan is not different at all. Since 1960s, this country has had finance ministers directly planted under the advice of international financial institutions, the present incumbent included. Military dictators were pampered while democratic regimes taken to task. Real issues of national economy were sidelined on the cost of improving macro economic performance, debt repayments, currency devaluations, and all that favoured the donor agenda. The monstrosity of mindless selling of national assets in the name of privitaization is a glaring example.
The important point to note is the re-organization of the Argentinean society in the post crisis scenario. Cooperative action, attempts for collective survival, defiance against further exploitation and self help are few strategies that society has now adopted. Fortunately each of these strategies has several success stories in Pakistan in the form of pilot projects. All that is required is upscaling and implementation.
What are we as a country waiting for? The looming collapse to hit us first and them seek remedies? Or to act wisely by reading the writing on the wall and put our acts together? Will the ‘real democrats’ in power these days care for a response? NOMAN AHMED
Karachi
A fresh approach is needed
With reference to an interview of Dr Atta-ur-Rehman, May 25, I do agree with him but till the time there is injustice in our society you cannot progress.
The other thing which I want to bring to the notice of Dr Atta, is this that one of the resources of a developing country is of its candidate doing research work in science faculty, if you are not using them you are training only the left arm of your country.
Initially, candidates can be made to work on different projects, especially on those products that are imported into the country. Later they can put their expertise to good use by contributing to the local industries, which too should be ready to accept them. This way we can also help solve our unemployment problems to some extent as well as the overall industrial base of the country could also benefit from their work. HAROON RASHID
Lahore
