SCO - Window of Opportunity
Regarding the Cover Story ‘NATO of the East’ that appeared in the October 2024 issue of SouthAsia Magazine, the 23rd Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Islamabad opened up a window of opportunity for Pakistan and the SCO member countries to act together to address their pressing concerns. The CPEC (China-Pakistan Economic Corridor) is now in its second phase, which shows that the region’s big stakeholders can transcend the geographic barriers if they are ready to support and cooperate by focusing more on developing roads and revamping transport infrastructure. At the same time, measures must be taken to expand the international north-south transport corridor.
Dr. Naseem Ali Baig,
Karachi, Pakistan.
Pakistan-Bangladesh Relations
This is in reference to Muhammad Arslan Qadeer’s article ‘Changing Perspectives,’ which appeared in the October 2024 issue of SouthAsia Magazine. Thanks to the author for crafting this masterpiece, which expresses the peaceful desire of many people in both countries. The author’s insightful exploration of reconciliation between Pakistan and Bangladesh is timely and visionary. Emphasizing historical ties and shared interests offers a practical path forward for both nations. As diverse populations on both sides yearn for peace, mutual cooperation can unlock significant benefits, from economic growth to regional stability. By encouraging fresh dialogue and a renewed partnership, the author rightfully advocates for a future where understanding and collaboration prevail, marking a new chapter in the relations of these two important South Asian countries.
Dr Fouad Aslam Khokhar,
Lahore, Pakistan
User Rights and Online Privacy
It has been observed that most online websites and news portals do not value users’ privacy in order to make the most of their data aimed at creating the best user experience. Online companies and stakeholders tend to collect and process user data, such as IP addresses, to improve their website experience, make logging in more accessible, and show the most relevant advertisements to users. Given that online users have a right to object to such processing, online companies must ensure that the processing of users’ data is based on legitimate interest, as storing and accessing information on any device can lead to adverse consequences for users.
Aliya Mumtaz,
Washington D.C. United States
Punjab, Power, and Plunder
This is about the article ‘Punjab, Power, and Plunder’ by M Ali Hamza, which appeared in the October 2024 issue of SouthAsia Magazine. On a personal note, when I moved to Punjab from Karachi years before, I faced a unique situation: The people of Punjab exerted their utmost efforts to convince me that Punjab was far better than Karachi, the city with the lowest development and infrastructure. It can be said that in Punjab, an inferiority complex keeps swelling up inside and resurfaces when they intermingle with the people of the other provinces. I believe as Pakistanis, we must not go in this fight and love and support all cities and provinces, but from the partition of the Indian sub-continent, it is unfortunate that only one province has all the privileges and priorities. I hope our new generation will lead their lives in a better way.
Sansa,
Online.
King’s Visit to Australia
Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, the King of Bhutan, completed his eight-day visit to Australia in October. The welcome reception he received fits Bhutan’s image as an ideal destination for international tourists, with Gross National Happiness as its most adorable benchmark to determine its people’s well-being. Having transitioned to democracy in 2008, Bhutan has yet to go a long way to prove its democratic credentials. The King’s visit to Australia was not an official state visit as it was primarily aimed at addressing the concerns related to the Bhutanese diaspora. This reveals a bitter truth that the country’s high unemployment rate and prevailing poverty have pushed many young populations to move to Australia and many other countries in search of better living opportunities. In this regard, the King’s visit to Australia was a significant move that was taken to make sure that Bhutan continues to minimize brain drain and have strong ties with its population living abroad.
S. V. Jigme Lhaden,
Paro, Bhutan
Remembering Javed Ansari
Through your publication, I want to say something about the late Javed Ansari, the former editor of SouthAsia Magazine, who died in November 2022 in Karachi. More than a journalist par excellence, Javed was a man of principles when seen through the prism of his role in preserving the language›s integrity, its error-free usage, and the correctness of the written word. As an editor, he worked as a saviour of lingual standards and never compromised on the quality of the draft to be made public in print form. Having a naturally reserved personality, Javed Ansari was a man of few words. He was never seen clubbing or partying for the sake of making contact with the upper crust, a rare feat that cannot be found in today’s journalists. He believed in fostering young talent and did his best to maintain journalistic standards by transferring similar attributes to the new crop of journalists. Rest in peace, Javed Ansari. May your spirit rest in eternal tranquility. Amen!
F. Usmani,
Karachi, Pakistan