OLD habits die hard. A great deal of time and effort goes into changing one’s behaviour.

In the 14th century, it was common in Ireland to give away women in exchange for cattle or food items. Satti, a Hindu tradition of cremating a woman along with her deceased husband, was prevalent for centuries until the British Raj put an end to the heinous practice.

Similarly, many practices in Pakistan are grossly against human rights, especially those related to women, and one fails to understand why they still exist.

The government has set up several organisations for different purposes, but there is no authority to eradicate the inhuman practices prevalent in society by changing citizens’ mindsets.

I believe that we need an organisation that has the mandate to cleanse people’s mindsets, as it is perhaps the best way to root out such evil practices.

Such an organisation can seek the help of print, electronic and social media, hold public seminars and sessions with clerics, and organise lectures in high schools and colleges to raise awareness at a mass level and achieve its objective.

Countrywide campaigns may be launched to highlight the disastrous effects of such cruel practices and the need to eradicate them.

‘Honour’ killing should be presented as ‘dishonour’ killing, as Islam allows women to marry a person of their choice. Polio teams should be accorded equal respect, as they work hard to save children from the disease. The practice of vani in Sindh or swara in Pakhtun society, where even minor girls are given away to settle bloody disputes, should be stopped, and so should the obnoxious practice of ‘marriage’ with the Quran.

Similarly, ensuring women get their due share in inheritance is the most effective way to help them financially. Besides, female education should be presented as a religious obligation.

It is high time the government established the proposed body and addressed many of the ills facing our society.

Sayed GB Shah Bokhari
Peshawar

A THREE-LETTER WORD: Whatever has happened on the national political scene over the last few days is unfortunate, to say the least. A handful of politicians fooled around with the fate of millions of people across the country. Does anyone really cared about the Constitution or the country and its people? Apparently, no. They were all driven by what happens to be a three-letter word: ego. The word certainly holds more importance to everyone in power politics. It is the ego that is destroying us.

Warda Saqib
Islamabad

PATRIOTS AND TRAITORS: The country has seen many political crises, but the recent one will long be remembered for dividing the nation into two distinct camps; traitors and patriots. Those who vote for a certain party will of course be dubbed the patriots, while those who vote for any of the other parties will be called the traitors. What a pity.

Shakir Lakhani
Karachi

WATER TANKERS: The movement of heavy vehicles was restricted in Karachi during peak hours, but water tankers were later exempted in order to meet the growing demand of water. Due to negligence of drivers and traffic police, the tankers have now become a threat to the city commuters. According to media reports, in separate incidents, three motorcyclists lost their lives after collision with water tankers. To avoid such tragedies, water tankers should be restricted from plying on the roads during daytime, or an alternative road should be specified for them and other heavy vehicles.

Abrar M. Peshbeen
Karachi

STANDARD OF EDUCATION: The standard of education in Hazara Town, Quetta, has gone down. There are many schools in the area, but none of them provides quality education. The abysmal state of education is hampering students’ growth and potential. Regrettably, no one from the education department bother to inspect the schools in Hazara Town.

The authorities concerned should look into the matter without any delay.

Syed Mujtaba
Quetta

Published in Dawn, April 16th, 2022