Let’s Move Forward
This is with reference to the cover story that appeared in the January 2025 edition of Monthly SouthAsia. A significant breakthrough was recently made in the meeting between Pakistan Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif and Chief Advisor of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, Professor Dr. Muhammad Younis, in Cairo during the D-8 Summit. The two leaders agreed to strengthen bilateral relations further and expand bilateral cooperation in all areas of mutual interest. Bangladesh has done away with the requirement of 100% physical inspection of goods coming from Pakistan, special security desks at the airport to screen Pakistani passengers and additional visa clearance. There is a need to make joint efforts to explore new avenues of bilateral cooperation, especially trade, people-to-people contacts, cultural exchanges, and economic cooperation, and trade in chemicals, cement clinkers, surgical instruments, leather products, and the IT sector. Let’s move forward.
Shakeel Ahmed,
Dhaka, Bangladesh.
Viral Infections on the Rise
Lately, coronavirus, influenza, and respiratory tract infections have started spreading across the country, and citizens have suffered from colds, coughs, and fever in large numbers. According to Professor Saeed Khan, an infectious disease expert at Dow Hospital, 25 to 30 percent of patients test positive for coronavirus, and 10 to 12 percent are confirmed to have influenza H1 or N1. 200 patients with viral infections come to civil hospitals every day. 150 to 200 patients of viral infection are coming to Jinnah Hospital every day. On the other hand, the facility for coronavirus tests is not available in government hospitals. Medical experts also instruct people to get the influenza vaccine every year. During winter, people must take precautions, wear masks, and keep themselves covered to avoid viral infections and other diseases.
Rajab Gul,
Karachi, Pakistan.
Significance of Life Insurance
The worldwide system of life insurance helps to support the survivors in the event of the sudden death of the head of the family. This system is most useful in poor countries like ours, where there is no provision for children after death. Unfortunately, most insurance companies deceive their customers of their money. Los Angeles is currently experiencing the worst fires in history, and their intensity is so high that these statistics change every moment. However, not many details have yet been revealed about the damages being paid by the insurance companies to their clients. Still, one hopes the people suffering at the hands of devastating fires will soon be recompensated through their insurance claims.
Abdul Hameed,
Toronto, Canada.
Relief to the Common Man
Pakistan is one of those countries in the world where people in important positions tell the public that we are part of a system that is constantly and mercilessly robbing them. People in high positions make such confessions or disclosures without fear of accountability because they are confident that no one can corrupt them. It is a sad fact that every government claims to give relief to the people, but in practice, no measures benefit the people. If the political leadership and the ruling circles are serious about the stability of democracy and democratic institutions, they should immediately take concrete steps to relieve the common man.
Maria Khan,
Gujranwala, Pakistan.
Insufficient Tax Collections
Tax collection is the backbone of state affairs. Government leaders sometimes make announcements of convenience and transparency in the tax system, but these matters are largely limited to mere statements. Governments keep coming and going and leave after criticizing their policies but do not improve the situation. There are talks and announcements about increasing revenue, but there is no focus on practical measures and correcting the system to increase taxpayer confidence. There is also the interference of self-imposed policies that must be removed seriously and rigorously. The limitation is that the positive suggestions of the IMF and World Bank are not considered in some cases. The process can be eliminated. Introduced facilities in tax collection will not only increase the confidence of the taxpayers but will also make it possible to achieve the set targets of tax collection.
Arbab Ali,
Lahore, Pakistan.
Pakistan-UAE Friendship
Pakistan’s relations with Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have always been very important. After passing through a major economic crisis with the support of these friendly countries, Pakistan is now in the process of recovery. At this time, the center of our hopes is the Arab region, where the importance of the United Arab Emirates is prominent. Countries, especially the United Arab Emirates, have opened the doors to investment. They are being offered to come in critical sectors like agriculture, mining, energy, and infrastructure, in which the Emirati President has also shown interest. It is welcome that Arab friends have always responded positively to Pakistan. Undoubtedly, the United Arab Emirates has often helped Pakistan in difficult situations. The mutual relations between Pakistan and the Emirates are strong and stable, and the UAE is one of the countries that come to the rescue in the most challenging times.
Noor Wali Khan,
Dubai, UAE.
Time to Restart
Despite the tragedy of East Pakistan in 1971, Pakistan has always tried to establish fraternal and friendly relations with Bangladesh. Apart from the Sheikh Mujib family, whatever government came to Dhaka wanted to improve relations with Pakistan. In the 80s, the reign of Zia-ul-Haq in Pakistan and Zia-ur-Rehman in Bangladesh was a sign of good relations between the two countries. Later, General Irshad and Khaleda Zia’s government also maintained good relations with Pakistan. Both countries have a successful experience of maintaining relations on the basis of equality by forgetting the tragedy of 1971 and accepting each other as independent countries. Of late, the meeting between Pakistan Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif and Bangladesh’s Chief Advisor Dr. Younis is a good start; it needs to be transformed into agreements beyond wishes and aspirations. Emphasis was placed on the need to take advantage of the vast possibilities for promotion. The Prime Minister also thanked Dr. Muhammad Younis for Bangladesh’s initiatives in relation to Pakistan. Talking to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Chief Advisor of Bangladesh, Dr. Mohammad Younis, showed his personal desire to move forward. Both countries should start the process of comprehensive negotiations, find ways of mutual cooperation, and start implementing them.
Jameela Shahab Uddin,
Chittagong, Bangladesh.
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