CENSUS IN DOLDRUMS: Just days after the commencement of the first-ever digital census, reports from Karachi and other parts of Sindh indicate that the enumerators have not been provided transport, security and remuneration. Besides, they have not been trained properly. Therefore, the target set by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics is not likely to be achieved. Under these circumstances, how will they be able to count every house and person, specifically in areas affected by the floods last year? The provincial government needs to realise its responsibility and facilitate the enumerators so that they may perform their duty properly and completely.

Dr Mehboob Shaikh
Karachi

LEH NULLAH: This is with refe- rence to the report ‘Wasa prepared to start dredging of Leh Nullah’ (March 5). Every year, a huge amount is allocated to clean Leh Nullah. The Water and Sanitation Agency (Wasa) has been requested several times to keep waste bins along the Nullah so that people may throw trash into the bins instead of the Nullah. Regrettably, all those appeals have fallen on deaf ears. This simple measure can save a huge amount on routine dredging, and Leh Nullah would flow with clear and serene water. Consequently, River Soan, which it falls into, would also be clean.

Syed Assad Abbas
Rawalpindi

CONDEMNABLE ACT: Every sane person, regardless of religion, would condemn the Islamophobic acts in the West, like the one committed by Rasmus Paludan. The incident hurt the sentiments of over a billion Muslims across the globe.

Ilyas Jabbar
Karachi

PRESIDENTIAL POWER: As per my understanding of the Constitution, the office of the president of Pakistan is more ceremonial than executive. In fact, it is completely ceremonial like the royalty in England. It would be nice if someone can correct me if my understanding has a flaw.

Talha Sahito
Hyderabad

Published in Dawn, March 13th, 2023

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