The recent killing of MQM MPA Raza Haider made all television channels divert their attention from the worst-ever floods to have hit Pakistan to a minute-by-minute coverage of the murder. With due respect to the deceased and condolences to his family, it was very disturbing to see that the people of the flood-hit northern areas (for whom August 2 and 3 were the worst days) were completely ignored.

It was the media's duty to give coverage to this critical situation. While it is accepted that the killing of the MPA deserved its due coverage too, completely ignoring the flood victims and the expected flood threat in Sindh was shocking.

Also, the electronic media focused more on the 50 people who got killed during the violence in Karachi compared to more than 1,000 lives claimed by the floods in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The electronic media is our prime source of information, but in this case it has not informed us enough about the natural disaster.

RABAIL NAZEER
Karachi

(II)

THIS is with reference to the recent targeted killings in Karachi. Along with all the other carnage, all the big cities of Sindh are closed and business activities have been totally shut down in the economic hub of Pakistan.

It is time we thought seriously about the situation and came up with concrete solutions by identifying the culprits who want to derail our economy. The country is already in a quagmire of natural disasters and floods. As I read in this newspaper, the country has suffered a loss of at least $5-6 billion in the recent floods. Since we have already suffered a huge loss, it is time to rehabilitate the hard-hit areas and provide relief to the suffering masses, not to fight with each other and block economic activities.

It is time for the big political parties and the government to spread the message of tolerance to the masses. If the parties will not think above the politics of opportunism then this will bring about a disaster greater than any natural calamity.

Our country is being referred to as a haven for terrorists, militants and fanatics in the international community. Foreign direct investment is at rock bottom. Industry is in decline. Internationally, Pakistanis are not being hired while domestically, a sense of insecurity among the public has created a dismal economic scenario.

Now the question arises who will bring the necessary reforms? It is the law-enforcement agencies that need to think above political compromises and bring all the involved culprits to book. After that, the trust of the business community will be restored. It is not too late. Let's be serious and make our homeland a safer place for our coming generations.

DR MANSOOR WASSAN
Islamabad

(III)

THE daughter of Syed Raza Haider, an MPA and a victim of targeted killing in a Karachi mosque, was expressing her thoughts during an interview to a TV channel “I asked papa on phone to come and he said that he would be coming after attending the funeral. But he did not come”.

There have been over 50 killings so far after the targeted killing of Mr Haider and his gunman. I have been thinking that countless wives, daughters and sisters would have been making similar calls to their loved ones.

There are shadows of darkness in the city of lights. People are depressed and in a state of fear. Such a situation is taking a heavy psychological toll on the minds of innocent men, women and children. In such a situation how can one lead a satisfactory and peaceful life? Pakistani people are becoming mentally sick and due to this culture of unrest, intolerance and crimes against humanity are increasing day by day.

The culture of looting, corruption, deceit and depriving the rights of the oppressed is at its peak. We have become a demoralised society. Has someone ever thought who is responsible for all this?

Let us think for a while about what we have given to this sacred land of ours. We have not been sincere with our land and ultimately we see that people are killing their countrymen in the name of religion, sect and difference of opinion. When will we be ready to say 'no' to all such evils and say 'yes' to values, at least for the sake of Pakistan?

ANJUM JAMES PAUL
Faisalabad

(IV)

IT seems to an ordinary Pakistani that the targeted killings in Karachi have come to stay until the Day of Judgement.

It has now been more than two decades since targeted killings raised their ugly head. Prior to this Karachi was like a magnet for all the people of this country. What has led to this anarchy is still, it seems, a mystery.

Until now, no real stringent and effective steps have been taken to nip this monstrous evil in the bud, which is damaging the country's overall image and unleashing untold sufferings and miseries upon the affected families. Whenever such violence breaks out, the government issues a stern warning, gives wide-ranging powers to the law-enforcement agencies and pacifies the nation by its ritual claim to 'unmask the real culprits and take them to task'. History reveals that no reports worthwhile are released nor are the criminals involved ever given exemplary punishment.

The government knows that after a couple of days of shutdowns the city will limp back to normalcy. No heads need to roll. Spending a fortune on the law-enforcement agencies and installation of cameras, besides spending on providing vehicles and arms and ammunition to them, appears to be an exercise in futility.

It would be better if all the funds being spent are diverted for some worthwhile infrastructure projects like building schools, hospitals etc.

ABDEALI NAFAR
Karachi

(V)

ON the day of the tragic assassination of Mr Raza Haider, I was coming back from my office with my elder brother. All of a sudden a few vigilantes surrounded our car near Karachi's Teen Hatti and started smashing it.

They did not even touch us. It seemed quite obvious that the target of anger was our ill-fated car. But they were neither angry nor filled with any grief; rather, they seemed to be enjoying the opportunity of smashing our vehicle.

Where was their pain and grief?

MASROOR HASSAN QAZI
Karachi