ILLEGALLY LEGAL: The decision to send undocumented Afghans back to their country has the potential to work positively for Pakistan. I wonder what the authorities will do with those who have already acquired Pakistani CNICs in connivance with someone or the other. There are many Afghans who have already managed to join even government jobs. The decision to expel all foreigners, including Afghans, who are here without documents, may not be productive in case ‘illegally legal’ cases are not included.

Hunzla Kakar
Zhob

ANTI-SMUGGLING ACTION: Smuggling, including that done under the cover of Afghan transit trade, severely impacts the national economy, draining government finances. To combat illegal entry, a 10 per cent processing fee has been imposed on imports that are part of the Afghan-Pakistan Transit Trade Agreement (APTTA). Items meant for Afghanistan used to find their way back into Pakistan, evading taxes. The new imposition, if implemented diligently, is expected to shift this practice, enhancing government revenues. Such a step was long overdue.

Sharatoon Fazal
Hoshab

SHORTAGE OF MEDICINES: The shortage of critical, life-saving medicines, including vaccines and immunoglobulins for cancer treatment, insulin for diabetes management, and several other medicines, is alarming. It is causing serious problems to patients, and has put several lives in danger. The government must ensure availability of all medicines.

Sangeen Ali
Turbat

NO CHANGE: Despite the fact that petrol prices have been slashed considerably, retailers in the market have shown no willingness to bring the prices down. They increase the prices on the very day the petrol prices go up, but when things move the other way, they need some official action to be rational. The authorities concerned must take stern action against such retailers.

Mumraiz Khan
Karachi

Published in Dawn, October 22th, 2023