Salute the Rising Sun
This is with reference to the cover story titled ‘The Rising Son’ that appeared in your November 2023 edition. As things currently stand in Indian politics, the Indian National Congress (INC) is pushing hard to win elections in four states, including Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, and Mizoram. According to a survey, Congress will likely win in all four states. If this happens, the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance, shortened as ‘INDIA,’ will become more stable and robust. The parties standing on the sidelines and observing or envisioning an alliance will also join the INDIA. It is also possible that the Congress will establish its place in the coalition and Rahul Gandhi will emerge as the main leader again after the Lok Sabha elections.
Dr. Amil. H. Acharya,
Azamgarh, India.
State of Overseas Pakistanis
Some measures need to be taken for the welfare of overseas Pakistanis. If implemented, these measures will be helpful for Pakistan as well. Overseas Pakistanis can be made more active and motivated to strive for the country’s prosperity through responsibility and honor. They can contribute better to trade, export expansion, employment opportunities, and foreign affairs as they are the real ambassadors and representatives whose actions and behavior directly affect others. There are ten seats in the Overseas Parliament, which represent all the regions. Special courts or a bench should be formed to end the illegal occupation of their properties. They should be represented in organizations working overseas. One window operation should be faster to improve investment, and various dispute resolution centers should be established.
Rabia Butt,
Toronto, Canada.
End of Economic Crisis
Pakistan continues to suffer from a large fiscal deficit where government expenditure is higher than revenue, imports and exports are more elevated, and new investment is stagnant. Due to these factors, the foreign exchange reserves are used to pay off previous loans and take new loans on heavy terms. The high rate of inflation has limited the purchasing power of the common man to barely enough to feed his stomach with only two daily breads, which has adversely affected other sectors and made it impossible to obtain the basic needs related to them. According to the federal minister, the government will get 35 billion rupees by taxing the windfall profits of the banks. The anti-corruption program of the IMF has become a ray of hope for which the framework from the Ministry of Law and NAB has come. Apart from all these, the problem that Pakistan has been facing for 76 years is the impact of the regime change on the ongoing development projects. In this respect, it is necessary to keep the planning department above all matters.
Sikandar Ali,
Karachi, Pakistan.
Gaza is Burning
Israel and the US together are killing the people of Palestine. The number of martyred Palestinians has increased to 11,000, and the number of injured has risen to 30,000. It is essential to hold an Islamic summit as soon as possible to counter the threats that Islam and Islamic countries are facing at this time. These anti-people and anti-Islamic forces have mainly targeted Palestine, the brave land of the Arab and Islamic world. These oppressive forces are bombing Palestine day and night. At the moment, Israel and America are responsible for these anti-Islamic movements, and this matter is not hidden from anyone.
Salma Bakhtiyar,
Larkana, Sindh.
9/11 of the Muslim World
A turning point in the history of human civilizational evolution came when the establishment and sustainability of real peace became possible. It was the dissolution of the Soviet Union, which freed the enslaved states of Central Asia from the tyranny of Russian oppression and the entire Eastern Europe from the oppressive grip of the anti-people Warsaw Pact. The fall of the Berlin Wall became a great instructive symbol of this. Gaza has become the 9/11 of the Muslim world and the Middle East. Once again, a paradigm shift is taking place in the land of Palestine.
Murtaza Bilal,
Islamabad, Pakistan.
Need for Policy Changes
Some decades before, Pakistan exported wheat, sugar, and textile products. In marked contrast today, Pakistan is forced to import even essential food items and staples. The international trade deficit has grown unsustainably. In such a situation, it has become necessary to revise the economic policies. By adopting this policy, India advanced industrially while we lagged behind. In this regard, this proposal of former Prime Minister Mian Nawaz Sharif requires serious consideration that money invested in industries should not be asked where it came from. The same policy was followed during his rule, due to which inflation was under control, employment opportunities were available, and the country was in a better position industrially.
Chowhdhury Mushtaq Zafar,
Gujranwala, Pakistan.
Road to Economic Recovery
In the 1960s, Pakistan’s economy was so strong and stable that even some of today’s most developed countries used to borrow from it. Unfortunately, today, Pakistan itself is in debt of thousands of billions of dollars. In this regard, apart from friendly countries, international financial institutions are also casting doubt on the country’s economic prospects. Industrial and business establishments are closing due to difficulties. The value of the rupee against the dollar has become negligible. Inflation has made it impossible for the poor man to survive. The international trade deficit has increased to an unsustainable level. Skilled manpower of the country is moving to foreign countries for employment. The existence of industrial and commercial institutions in the country is in danger. Still, if these institutions are stable and earn profits, the nation will be prosperous, and the burden on the treasury will also be reduced. Incoming governments should take advantage of this policy and apply it to other sectors. However, this does not mean that accountability requirements should be ignored. There should be a uniform policy for all institutions so the country may come out of crisis.
Sultana Ayub,
Lahore, Pakistan.