CONGO VIRUS: Recent reports of Congo virus cases in Balochistan should be taken seriously before the virus spreads to other parts of the country. There is a probability of spreading of this virus to Karachi as patients in serious condition are being regularly brought from Balochistan to hospitals in the city. Congo virus is a tick-borne disease and spreads to humans by tick bites or contact with infected cattle blood following the slaughter. Awareness campaigns are essential in this regard.

Malik ul Quddoos
Karachi

HUNGER STRIKE: Iranian Nobel laureate Nargis Mohammadi recently went on a hunger strike in jail to protest against the refusal by the authorities to send her to hospital for treatment. She is being forced to wear hijab to go to hospital. Patients all over the world are treated with sympathy, compassion and kindness irrespective of their views, cast, colour or religion. By displaying such unkind behaviour towards a prisoner, the authorities are actually violating the professional code of conduct.

Khayyam Durrani
Karachi

MISPLACED ARGUMENT: This is with reference to a number of editorials and columns on these pages voicing concern over the government decision to send illegal immigrants back to their home countries. I fail to understand the opposition to the decision. An illegal immigrant is an illegal immigrant. And that is it. All countries take such actions from time to time, and many Pakistanis get deported as well. Nobody sympathises with them, and nobody should. What is the point of making an unne- cessary exception to the general rule?

Hussnain Ali
Karachi

MAINTENANCE ISSUES: I recently went to the Driving Licence Centre in Lahore for the renewal of my licence. While the staff was courteous and competent, and the system was working efficiently, the centre itself was crying out for maintenance. The relevant authorities need to take prompt action in this regard.

Aleem M. Ahmad
Lahore

Published in Dawn, November 19th, 2023