THIS refers to the news item ‘$45bn real estate deal signed with Abu Dhabi Group’ (Feb 16). It surprises and amazes one that Karachi is to have the tallest building in the world, and that too by a man under trial. This is Pakistan.

Is it not more important to provide education, food, clean drinking water, healthcare, shelter, electricity, etc? The billions of dollars they will spend could build houses, schools and hospitals.

It is more important to eliminate poverty and illiteracy than going for artificial achievements to fool ourselves by saying that this is a progressive country when poverty, along with terrorism, lawlessness,  killings and robberies is threatening our very existence.

Corruption is another plague that blinds one’s eyes and allows such things to happen. It is time we rescued this country from destruction.

S. BABAR     Karachi

Emphasis on education

RICH Muslims are spending millions of dollars on building mosques, luxurious hotels, malls and other monuments, which is a good way to attract tourists and generate revenue, besides earning so-called prestige.

Moreover, unlimited amount of money is also spent on various notorious hobbies of Arab sheikhs. It would be highly fruitful if a number of universities for free higher education for the poor students from Muslim countries are opened with donations from rich Muslims.

These universities would offer scholarships for eligible, competitive and capable students and engage its students in learning activities on an international scale. Students from Muslim countries look forward to European and other Western countries for getting higher education where they face many problems, not only as being immigrants, but also as being Muslims.

If universities of international standard are opened with cooperation of the OIC and other inter-governmental organisations, a number of young Muslim boys and girls would get free higher education and, in turn, serve their countries, bringing up positive changes.

RIDA NOOR     Multan