Rental tenancies: Pakistan has no organised tenancy registration system. Generally, unregistered rental tenancies shelter, feed and nurture criminals. A huge number of rental houses lack basic facilities. Registered rental housing might help in generating revenues, controlling crimes and providing tenants with basic facilities of everyday living. The location of rental tenancies, the number as well as condition of rooms, and the record of tenants in detail should be registered at the nearest police station. Rental tenancies should be taxed and must have affordable rents. The government should regularise and register rental tenancies. Otherwise, such houses might prove strongholds for crimes and criminals.

Prof Fazal Tanha Gharshin
Quetta

LIBRARIES IN HYDERABAD: The dearth of public libraries in Hyderabad negatively impacts the city’s educational landscape. Students, particularly those preparing for competitive examinations, have limited access to quality educational resources. The exorbitant prices of books dampen their enthusiasm for studying. The Sindh Local Government Ordinance 2002 directed the district government to raise funds for the estab- lishment of the Citizens Community Board and libraries to ensure a harmonious environment, but nothing has happened in this regard. There is an urgent need to establish well-equipped libraries.

Rasool Bakhsh Shah
Hyderabad

FOREIGN INVESTMENT: This is with reference to the report ‘Profit outflows jump by 237pc in eight months’ (March 28). While the privatisation of state-owned enterprises is being speeded up, the focus should not be on one-time inflow of dollars. We must thoroughly examine the long-term impact of past foreign investments, comparing initial inflows with subsequent outflows in the form of dividends over the life of the enterprises plus the accumulation of foreign investors’ share in retained profits. The preferred option should be to keep the ownership within the country.

Sarwar Siddiqi
Karachi

Published in Dawn, April 15th, 2024