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Karachi: Shakir Lakhani February 17, 2012
In the write-up 'The Swiss letter has to be, has to be, has to be written' (Feb 11) Ahmad Noorani writes, "The fact Aitzaz knows is that the Swiss investigation magistrate had convicted President Zardari on October 29, 2007, and President Zardari's appeal against his conviction was also rejected by the Swiss Court of Appeals on the basis of strong evidence on March 19, 2008".
If Zardari had been convicted, why was he allowed to run for president in the first place? Why didn't anyone raise this issue at that time? I'm sure on this basis alone he can be removed from his present post.
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Rawalpindi: Tariq Ali Khan February 17, 2012
News that the Pakistan Army has started court martial proceedings against a brigadier and four other officers over suspected ties to a banned extremist group, Hizbut Tahrir, that has called for ousting the US-backed government, is good as well as disturbing.
It proves the US claims that there are extremist elements in our armed forces and secret agencies who have been supporting militant groups by giving them prior information of military actions against them and getting other secret missions failed. The US and NATO forces have been blaming Pakistan for having a soft corner for these militants and helping them carry on their anti-NATO guerrilla warfare in Afghanistan.
Although the banned extremist outfit claims to be against the use of force, its hate material can instigate a militant mindset in its followers. The Pakistan Army should let this matter be publicised so as to discourage other such elements present in its ranks.
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Rawalpindi: Ahmed Abdul Satir February 17, 2012
Recently, Prime Minister Gilani inaugurated a housing scheme, in the suburbs of Islamabad, for government officials of grade 20 and above. Speaking at the occasion, the prime minister did not forget to mention his government's resolve to provide shelter to the poor of the country. I want to remind the prime minister of the housing schemes started by his government about four years ago when the PPP took over the government.
Many people applied for those schemes and have since then regularly paid instalments. But there has been no progress on the schemes and millions of rupees paid by the applicants are still lying in the coffers of the government. The prime minister is requested to order the ministry of housing to execute the former schemes as soon as possible.
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Lahore: Akhtar Nawaz February 17, 2012
Fourteen hundred years ago our beloved Holy Prophet (PBUH) laid the foundations of a religion that preached tolerance, affection towards others and eliminated distinction on the basis of caste, colour or creed. Sixty-five years ago our founder Quaid-e-Azam addressed the first Constituent Assembly of Pakistan and enlightened them with his vision of a prosperous Pakistan. One of his visions was the creation of a state where the minorities could enjoy their religious freedom under the protection of the state apparatus.
Yet, here we stand, a country that is struck by religious strife and intolerance towards others' faith. The mistreating of Ahmedis is 'official' and by this I mean that our very own constitution stripped them of their fundamental rights. The recent banning of Shezan drinks (owned by Ahmedis) from the court complexes by the Lahore Bar Association only reflects a small faction of the hatred that we as a society have developed over the years against the followers of other faiths. You can expect such insanity from an illiterate person but here we are talking about one of the most educated classes in the country, i.e. the legal fraternity.
Pakistan is on the brink of accepting modernity and is still fighting its war for a secular state. The media has the power and capability to shape mass perception and create awareness among the people. The Pakistani media should condemn this grievous act and help in the realisation of Quaid's vision, a country that was destined to be a role model for other states.
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Turbat: Zumrod Imdad Bolani February 17, 2012
I am a resident of Turbat. Unfortunately, in Turbat just a few libraries are available and they have very few books. Readers go to libraries but they are unable to get any new books. People face problems to go to a library because libraries have been constructed very far from the cities. Moreover, librarians remain absent from these libraries so the people have to wait outside for a long time till the libraries are opened.
I request the government to monitor all libraries in Turbat. The government should order the concerned authorities to take note of this and also to provide more books in these libraries.
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