With reference to the article Death of a doctor (May 23), I believe words such as moron, selfish and miserable soul should not be used for doctors. These are disgusting and nasty. Medicine is a noble profession and it teaches you how to care for people.
Instead of discouraging doctors, one should realize that they are the only ones who work throughout the year. The deed of a single doctor should not be taken as something that represents the whole profession.
SADAF MASOOD
Karachi
The cry of Afghan widows
With reference to the article The cry of Afghan widows (May 9), I agree with a number of things that the writer has written.
Today, Peshawar is facing some of the more critical problems including high crime rate as well as other social evils. And these problems have been compounded by the Afghan refugees.
I have been in this city for the past twenty-four years and I have seen the miserable poverty of these widows, force them to indulge in prostitution. Unfortunately, public officials are also involved in the promotion of this moral evil. The pimp of a brothel is liable to pay his share to the officer in charge of the local police station and they know exactly what is going on behind those closed doors. There are areas that are infamous for such activities, including Fakirabad, Gulbahar, Town guest houses and Hayatabad. There’s also the gun culture.
The only way out of this mess is that the government should encourage the safe and sound return of these refugees as soon as possible. Because these ills are not only a burden on our economy, but also a sign of shame for our society.
NAQEEB-UR-REHMAN
Peshawar
The survivor of Michni Post
With reference to the letter to my column by Dr Ali Jan, I would like to admit that I am basically a very innocent vagabond who is easily misled by newly installed inscriptions on the sites I happen to visit and by history books.
However, instead of blaming me I suggest that he should contact the local authorities who were incompetent enough to install such a misleading inscription and request them to change it according to the correct version of history, if there ever is a correct version of the history.
As regards to the conquest of Afghanistan by the Sikhs, Dr Ali may have a point there. But Khushwant Singh in his biography Maharaja Ranjeet Singh also has a point when he states in the foreward and I quote, “The year Ranjeet Singh died, his Muslim soldiers, under the command of Colonel Sheikh Bisawan crossed the Khyber Pass and hoisted Ranjeet Singh’s flag in the streets of Kabul.”
Perhaps Sikh armies did not conquer the whole of present Afghanistan but Dr Sahib must admit that the Americans did and that is one and the same thing as the saying goes, “Nathha Singh and Prem Singh is one and the same thing”.
MUSTANSAR HUSSAIN TARAR
Lahore
A glimpse into their world
With reference to the article, A glimpse into their world (May 23), I appreciate the way the writer has depicted the plight of these destitute and abnormal humans.
The article was very touching. We should all give our philanthropic assistance and attention to these poor and alienated souls despite the fact that they live amongst us and yet are lost in some strange and unknown world. I think all that they need is a little attention and care from us. If we succeed to do so as a whole, surely we can let them feel as normal human beings like us.
