People Are Talking About

People are talking about —
Sunday, August 02, 2009

— the fact that the younger son of the Punjab chief minister has been permitted to import Siberian tigers in violation of a law that forbids their import and how it has caused resentment in others who want to do the same, but are not allowed. People say it appears that the PML-N is ruling the roost in the province without bothering about what others think, the recent misdemeanours by its legislators and now this breach of law being proof of their attitude.

— the beating up of a member of the police force and journalists by some lawyers and how it shows a lack of discipline and patience from a community that should be setting a good example instead of a bad one. People say the call by the chief justice that the judiciary must set its own house in order should apply to the lawyer’s community as well and all bar associations should strictly enforce a code of behaviour for their members.

— the rumour that another deal is being brokered between the government and someone who is known to have challenged its writ and is described, as a terrorist both inside and out of the country. People say this rumour has agitated many of those who have suffered at the hands of this so called keeper of our conscience and his band of like-minded followers, so if there is no substance in it the concerned persons should refute it strongly.

— the shocking disclosure that the ‘khatib’ of the mosque that was the centre of international attention a few years ago was the brain behind the killing of a foreign geologist and how he motivated a former legislator to carry out his warped plan. People say it is men of this prehistoric mindset who have brought a bad name to the country and our faith and they should be punished in the same manner in which they treated their victims.

— the curious case of a charity organisation ‘ameer’ and how his release surprised many while the withdrawal of a petition against his release by the provincial government is even more of a surprise, causing the rumour mill to churn out hair raising speculations about al-Qaeda connections. People say the fact that the government has not declared it a terrorist organisation despite its being termed one by most of the international community, speaks volumes for the mindset of our political entities.

— the fact that the ruling party is not paying attention to public complaints about why the party flag is still flying on the electricity poles throughout the capital and the manner in which party spokespersons defend their stance. People say the flags were put up on BB’s birth anniversary, but they are now being viewed almost, as an act of defiance and they wonder if any other political party would be allowed to do the same on their leader’s special day.

— the many kinds of flags that are now available in the market as independence day draws near and how the national flag is disfigured with verses; drawings and other strange additions. People say all countries celebrate their national day, but nowhere is the national flag disfigured in this manner and the authorities should take notice of the fact and not allow what can be termed, as desecration of the green and white banner and the public should be educated on this score.

— By: Ishrat Hyatt