AFGHANISTAN CONUNDRUM: The prime minister has rightly disallowed bases to the US. Once the foreign forces leave, one expects anarchy in Afghanistan, Taliban taking over the country, and mass exodus of civilians to Pakistan. Some very bold steps need to be taken to keep the region safe and peaceful. A UN peacekeeping force should be constituted with forces from Pakistan, China, Russia, US, Iran, European Union and Japan to ensure long-term and sustainable peace.

Iqbal A. Raza Kazi
Karachi

NATO REPORT: The recently released report of the Nato Defence College in Rome clearly states that Pakistan has been trying hard to push the Taliban to make concessions for a political deal. The perception that Pakistan wants total Taliban domination in Afghanistan after the withdrawal of foreign troops has largely been propagated by India to further its own interests. The truth of the matter is that an inclusive interim government is imperative for a peaceful transition in Afghanistan to take place. The recently released Nato report confirms the same.

Akbar Jan Marwat
Islamabad

STUDENT UNIONS: Student unions were banned in Pakistan in 1984 and have not been restored to date. Students across Pakistan face a number of problems, but cannot convey their concerns to the administration effectively in the absence of unions. If these bodies are restored, the students can hold official meetings with the administration through their elected leaders and make their voices heard against any injustice or unfair treatment.

Imam Bux Keerio
Karachi

MISINTERPRETATION: Social media’s negative role is taking the nation in the wrong direction, especially those who are supposedly ‘educated’ but have an evil mindset. Their thinking is far from logic and reality. They always try to find incorrect and misleading interpretations of simple and positive statements made by government functionaries.

S. Zaki Hasan
Karachi

Published in Dawn, July 2nd, 2021