This is related to the last month’s cover story on the peace agreement known as the Abraham Accords signed between Bahrain, Israel, the UAE and the USA at the White House in Washington. The cover story is titled as ‘Peace By Piece’ highlighting the Arab-Israel conflict that dates back to the 60s and how, after decades, the Arab nations are showing solidarity to stand with the deal, forgetting the atrocities the Palestinians are facing at the hands of the Israelis.

Ravi Kumar,
Dubai, UAE.

This is regarding the Special Editorial Feature highlighting the developments the World Bank and IMF have made in South Asia. The feature is titled ‘World Bank – IMF Annual Meetings 2020’. The special feature contains informative and interesting articles discussing the current Covid-19 pandemic and how World Bank and IMF have provided support for sustainable development in South Asia. Though Pakistan is one of the largest recipients of aid from the World Bank which emphasises more on poverty alleviation but it plays no role in CPEC which is considered to be a journey towards economic regionalization in the globalized world. The feature also highlights why regional cooperation in South Asia is so important.

Tooba Haque,
Karachi, Pakistan.

I have been reading your magazine for years and am very happy to see the new website and your efforts to get on social media. Thanks to Almighty Allah you are still printing the magazine while others have stopped. But I have a suggestion for the social media audience of youngsters. Please find some funny content also about the news as many people read about that on the internet. I feel people will enjoy it more and this will increase your scope on social media.

Haroon Khan,
Islamabad, Pakistan.

It’s not safe for people to travel on highways in Pakistan at any time of the day or night. What are these highways for? Only for travel in convoys and with enough security around? Or for air force jets to land on when needed? Was it the same when Sher Shah Suri made the GT Road centuries ago? The South Koreans too must be regretting why they made modern highways in Pakistan. The Pakistani Highway Police are said to be doing a good job. Are they too scared of the rapists?

Jennifer Morelos,
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

India’s Chief of Defence Staff Bipin Rawat has said that a military option to deal with transgressions by the Chinese forces in Ladakh is possible. The Indian PM has assured that neither have the Chinese forces intruded nor has any post been taken. India and China are committed to not using arms at LAC but the story is otherwise.

Meanwhile, India is spending heavily on military purchases. It has earmarked a meagre $25 billion for coronavirus relief measures but its military spend has made a dent in the Indian economy which is collapsing anyway. This will ratchet up Pakistan’s military spending as well as both countries have reduced their welfare expenditure.

Amjed Jaaved,
Rawalpindi, Pakistan.

You had carried some time back an article on the state of chaos in Pakistan. This country may have attained nationhood seven decades back but it still remains a tribal society. The areas that make up Pakistan today were most backward even in British colonial times.

India is a more reformed society. Pakistan has a few urban centres but the rest is agrarian. Pakistan’s only saving grace is its armed forces and its nuclear programme. It was a military ruler who developed the major dams while there is regression in every walk of life otherwise.

Anwar Mahmood,
Sahiwal, Pakistan.