DOCTORS’ STRIKE: Young doctors at three different hospitals in Rawalpindi recently went on a strike, which translated into a life-and-death situation for many a poor patient. The strike was a reaction to administrative action taken against doctors at a hospital in Sahiwal where 11 infants had died. Unfortunately, the reaction by the young doctors in Rawalpindi actually put more lives at risk. Do such doctors not realise the implications of their actions? Do they even care about it?

Suhail Siddiqi
Karachi

RADIO CHANNELS: Radio Pakistan is a state-owned entity that is facing financial crisis owing to lack of income generation and huge pension liabilities. Surprisingly, the organisation is also engaged in lot of wasteful activities. Can any sane person justify the decision of Radio Pakistan Islamabad station to continue transmitting 12 useless channels from its website? In fact, each channel has broadcast staff of at least 15 persons, while some of them do not have even that many listeners. The authorities concerned should take notice of such unjustified expenditure, and discontinue all such radio channels.

Aslam Javaid
Lahore

TRADE RIVALRY: The United States has recently announced an increase in tariffs on imports from Chinese companies, particularly in the sectors of technology and renewable energy. This has escalated trade tensions between the two countries. The US regards free trade violations as a way to counter China’s trade practices. China has been subsidising its local companies which has given it an upper hand and a favourable environment in global competition. The new US trade policy is a manifestation of deeper economic and geopolitical rivalry with China over global influence, technology leadership, and strategic dominance. Both the US and China have framed certain economic measures that they consider necessary for their national security. However, these measures have further complicated the existing trade relations between the US and China.

Faraz Ahmed
Khairpur

Published in Dawn, July 8th, 2024