AWAITING PASSPORT: My wife had applied for the renewal of her passport (Token No: 10171049694) on March 20 this year. The delivery date mentioned on the receipt was April 16. Four months later, she has still not received her pa- ssport. She was to accompany me on a trip abroad in mid-August, which is now an impossibility. Several visits to the passport office and the head office in Islamabad have failed to bring us any closer to knowing what is going on.

The relevant authorities should look into the issue and expedite the process.

Syed Ghazanfar Abbas
Islamabad

CRIMINAL SILENCE: While Muslims at large were wondering when, if at all, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) would break its silence on the genocide being committed in Gaza, the Zionist Israel assassinated the leader of Hamas. There has been no change in the status of OIC’s silence. It is high time the OIC rose to the occasion.

Abdul Haq Bozdar
Ratodero

UNFAIR QUOTA: In Bangladesh, there is a job quota reserved for the children as well as grandchildren of those who participated in the country’s ‘freedom struggle’. Similarly, in the Sindh province of Pakistan, the job quota has been res- erved for the ‘sons of the soil’ who got their independence without even having to migrate to the country. Quite a contrast, one would say.

Khayyam Durrani
Karachi

A MODEST SALARY: How is a man who is earning the designated minimum wages supposed to meet his cumbersome monthly needs? Even basic food items, like, say, lentils and rice, are so expensive that they are all but out of the reach of many people across the country. And, then, what about the exorbitant electricity bills? Should one pay the electricity bill or feed the family? It is a rather tough call to make. Finally, when will the exploitation of the common man stop? Will anyone answer?

Taha Ahmed
Karachi

Published in Dawn, August 10th, 2024