Power corrupts

Published

THIS is apropos the report ‘SC terms commercial use of military land shameful’ (Dec 1) which is about chief justice’s remarks in which he has pointedly condemned the tendency to use military land for commercial purposes.

As a law-abiding citizen, I would like to point out that a cinema hall and a wedding hall constructed on Rashid Minhas Road needs to be demolished. The list of such establishments is long, and the chief justice would do a great service to the nation by having unbridled power checked. Lord Acton, a British historian of late 19th century, rightly said: ‘Power tends to corrupt, absolute power corrupts absolutely.’

Name withheld on request
Karachi

FAVOURITISM: The Sindh Education Foundation (SEF) has been discouraging competent, young and energetic people. Whenever they come up with proposals and locations for new schools, they are turned down. The distribution of SEF schools on merit could have provided a source of income to the youngsters, but they stand discouraged. Malpractices are rampant in the schools ‘gifted’ to the ‘favourites’, but there is no complaint redressal mechanism in SEF. The authorities concerned should launch a probe into SEF affairs.

Fayaz Ahmed
Johi

HOLLOW RHETORIC: The Human Rights Day was observed recently on Dec 10. Year after year, we hear zealous assertions from the international community on the importance of human rights, but it keeps mum on violations taking place in occupied Kashmir where people are mercilessly being annihilated by the Indian forces. When will the international community speak up against the brutal aggression and gross violations of human rights in Kashmir?

Mahmood Hussain
Walthamstow, UK

DANGEROUS CABLES: A number of electricity transmission cables are lying on the main Khayaban-i-Shamsheer in the Defence Housing Authority (DHA) in Karachi, causing a threat to life. A few months ago, one of my friends got severely injured by one such cable. The authorities are requested to take action in this regard.

Mir Amar Talpur
Karachi

CONSUMER LOSSES: The meters installed by the Lahore Electricity Supply Company (Lesco) often become unreadable as they are directly exposed to all types of weather. It means losses to the consumers either in having the meters replaced or on account of ‘wrong’ readings. Moreover, the condition of the metering panels is deplorable with meters hanging on a single hinge without appropriate panel doors. The cables are also found hanging without appropriate support. The company needs proper management which can also prevent breakdowns and improve its profitability.

Ejaz B. Durrani
Lahore

Published in Dawn, December 18th, 2021

Opinion

Editorial

Barren reforms
17 Jul, 2026

Barren reforms

PRIME Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s assertion that agriculture and livestock hold the key to Pakistan’s quick...
Dumbing down?
17 Jul, 2026

Dumbing down?

THE awesome power of generative AI has raised concerns in academic and scientific circles about the impact the...
Eyeing the Margallas
17 Jul, 2026

Eyeing the Margallas

AS Pakistan battles a variety of climate crises, state institutions must do all possible to defend critical...
AJK violence
Updated 16 Jul, 2026

AJK violence

Violent confrontations have claimed some 30 lives of both security personnel and protesters since last month.
Deadly lapses
16 Jul, 2026

Deadly lapses

PAKISTAN has investigated too many HIV outbreaks over the past decade to still be surprised by the causes. The ...
Doomed tax initiative
16 Jul, 2026

Doomed tax initiative

THE FBR’s draft simplified tax regime for small shopkeepers is the latest in a long line of attempts to persuade...