CRACKDOWN: The word on the street is that the recent clampdown on smuggling of petrol and dollars across the border was initiated after the International Monetary Fund (IMF) pushed for it. While the word on the street should remain there, on the street, one does wonder why the authorities had to wait this long for launching the crackdown which was always within our means. The media had always been highlighting the menace, and independent economists had been warning for some time of serious consequences. Were the authorities not aware of the scourge?

Shaista Anwar Kirmani
Karachi

REASON TO HOPE: With the swearing in of a new chief justice, Pakistan has a chance to start afresh. The Supreme Court is faced today with serious issues. There is an unprecedented number of pending cases, and in-house divisions have jeopardised the institution’s capacity to deliver justice. The people have a reason to hope for a change, that internal fissures will be healed, and that the highest court in the land will demonstrate an earnestness that matches the nation’s expectations.

Khalid Mahmood
Karachi

LEGACY OF BACKLOG: This is with reference to the article ‘Justice under siege: The year of Umar Ata Bandial’ (Dawn.Com, Sept 17), which, at best, was an attempt at whitewashing. Another article, ‘Justice unconscious’ (Sept 16), was a bit closer to reality, I guess. Part of the former chief justice’s legacy is the backlog of 55,000 cases and a judicial system ranked 130th among 138 around the world.

Amjed Jaaved
Rawalpindi

PERIODIC ACTIVITY: Plantation in Karachi’s Sea View area seems to be a periodic activity at best, bearing no fruit. Perhaps, the recelevent authorities should consider consulting a botanist who may guide them. Or, else, palm trees will continue to disappear.

Jawwad Qamar
Karachi

Published in Dawn, October 1st, 2023