The land mafia has once again become active in Quetta, and is getting ready to completely grab the Kiazai graveyard located adjacent to the Jabal-i-Noor cave along the Western bypass. This is not the first time the mafia is trying to grab the said graveyard. It has made several attempts since 2019. The situation is alarming as there might soon be a full-scale tribal conflict between the mafia and the Kiazai tribe. The provincial authorities should take notice of the matter immediately.

Abdul Basit Muhammad Hasni
Quetta

LEVYING NEW TAXES: The decision to levy new taxes on real estate will enhance the already heavy burden of taxes on the sector. The addition of new taxes and increasing official rates of immovable property will prove to be disastrous. I suggest that the relevant authorities should consult the housing societies located in various cities so that it may have a clear idea about the current market value before imposing any new taxes on the sector.

Mumraiz Khan
Karachi

ADOPTING AUSTERITY: This is with reference to the editorial ‘No more perks’ (June 6) which suggested a reduction in the perks and privileges of the elite. However, the reduction should be imposed for a minimum two years so that the government may calculate the exact quantum of savings thus generated. I have no doubt that the elite will bear the two-year austerity phase for the sake of national integrity and to minimise chaos on the streets owing to hyperinflation.

Abbas R. Siddiqi
Lahore

IN A SHAMBLES: Democracy in Pakistan has been on the way down owing to extra-political interventions from time to time during the course of history. Constitu-tionally, the country should be ruled by representatives elected by the people, but that has not always been the case. The element of political stability is only talked about among the elite and mostly in whispers. This in itself is an indication of how things stand in the political arena.

Anwar Sayab Khan
Peshawar

Published in Dawn, June 13th, 2022