LACK OF QUORUM: Lack of quorum continues to mar the proceedings of both national and provincial assemblies.

A recent Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly session lasted just 15 minutes due to that very reason. Similar was the scene in the National Assembly where the house was adjourned within minutes and without taking up the day’s agenda. In the British House of Commons, all it takes for the proceedings to proceed is the presence of two MPs; one each from the government side and the opposition, with the speaker in the chair. There is apparently no harm in doing that in Pakistan, too.

Fawad Hashmey
Lahore

NATIONAL INTERESTS: The prime minister recently came live on air for taking questions from the public. It is good to talk with the public about ongoing issues, interacting with them and solving their problems immediately. But it will be better for a prime minister to be the voice of the nation, not a party head. In his recent interaction, the prime minister criticised the opposition leaders, but did not talk about the terrorist attacks that have seen spike in recent times. National interests should be a top priority in such interactions.

Hatim
Khairpur

LIVING ONCE: I have many a people wondering what may have prompted the prime minister to take calls from the public after such a long gap. Speculations apart, I think it will do all some good to remember that one only lives once, but if one does it right, once is enough.

Malik ul Quddoos
Karachi

SAUDI FLAG: While it is good to see Saudi Arabia move ahead on its way to modernisation, there is one thing which is hurting the sentiments of Muslims across the world. The Saudi flag with kalma on it should not be waved during concerts with performers in skimpy attires. If not, the Saudi leaders should consider changing the flag instead.

Affan Shah
Toronto, Canada

Published in Dawn, January 27th, 2022