THIS is with reference to the letter ‘Awaiting PSO dividend’ (Sept 16). The final dividend is recommended by PSO’s Board of Management and is approved by shareholders in the Annual General Meeting (AGM).

In its meeting on Aug 23, the board recommended a final dividend of Rs10 per share. The payment against the award will be made after the AGM, the date of which is set in accordance with the Companies Act 2017.

The amount of dividend is declared as a matter of routine after considering various factors, such as current/forecasted cash flow position, chronic circular debt issue, future working capital needs and retention of earnings for future expansion, diversification and key initiatives in pipeline that will eventually increase the company’s profitability and the net worth of its shares.

Spokesperson, PSO
Karachi

CHAMPION CALLIGRAPHER: Pakistani calligrapher Muhammad Ali Zahid recently made the country proud at the Albaraka Turk International Calligraphy Competition, which was held in Turkey, by winning the top prize. He is the first calligrapher from Pakistan who has earned recognition at the international level. The government should motivate more people to showcase their talent and work on global platforms.

Muna Manzoor
Turbat

SIZE MATTERS: The size of Covid vaccination certificate, issued by the National Database Registration Authority (Nadra) is too big to fit in standard wallets or card holders. Instead of using the A-4 size, the certificates should be designed in the CNIC size, reserving the front side for personal information and back side for vaccination information. The suggested size is easy to keep in the wallet and can be produced quickly when required.

Muhammad Nasimul Huda
Karachi

CHILDREN’S FUTURE: The future of our children is being threatened by the Single National Curriculum (SNC), which I find regressive in nature. It seems as if the powers that be want absolute autonomy in implementing any idea, no matter how sketchy or ill-conceived it might be. The government must listen to the people in whose name it runs the affairs of the state. Upholding people’s will should be their guiding principle, not the projection of their messianic missions.

Amatuz Zahra Rizvi
Islamabad

AN ARCHIVE OF MARTYRS: Several countries have online comprehensive records of their valiant heroes and martyrs. I tried to search a similar Pakistani database, but found none. At best, official websites contain brief descriptions of a handful along with a few recurrent paintings of the recipients of the Nishan-i-Haider alone. The relevant quarters should maintain an online archive or website citing the detailed services of our martyrs whose gallantry will inspire the young.

Muhammad Nasir Hussain
Bhakkar

Published in Dawn, September 25th, 2021