Letters To The Editor

Unnecessary double packaging

Manufacturers design products to reduce losses by extending shelf life through preservation and excessive packaging usually offers not real benefit beyond a momentary pleasure of consumption on the go. Manufacturers need to analyse the amount of packaging and quality by being mindful of what the results are after consuming goods – this is the best ways to scrutinise our purchase options. One layered packaging is favourable to three layered packaging, as it results in less waste; recycled packaging is favourable to single use disposable packaging, because some of the resources can be reused; reusable packaging is favourable to recyclable packaging, because it reduces the impact on the environment of the resources used in the recycling processes (which are far from ideal at this point in time); and zero packaging is ideal and frankly the need of our time. The government needs to regulate and keep a check on manufacturers and urge them to take gradual steps in making changes, aiming to take better informed and more responsible waste reduction decisions.

Mrs Haider,
Karachi

Abayas cannot deter harassment

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa passed a bill last week, necessitating the schoolgirls to wear chaddars, abayas or gowns as per a new announcement made by KP Advisor on Education Ziaullah Khan Bangush. According to him, he came across a lot of harassment cases which prompted them to take such a decision. They took this step to prevent female students from “unethical incidents” and to assure concerns from the parents’ minds regarding their children’s safety. Fortunately, this idea was scrapped by the CM of KPK before it could’ve been implemented. He withdrew this dress code after public outburst. It is essential for all of us to acknowledge that “covering up” would never discourage a harasser from harassing or an abuser from abusing. Nothing provokes harassment other than the malicious intentions of the harasser. In my opinion, this was a great step towards deferring oppression against women.

Aliya Razzaq,
Peshawar

Suicide or murder?

Nimrita Kumari, a student of the Bibi Aseefa Dental College, was found dead, the university administration claims she has allegedly committed suicide by hanging herself from the ceiling fan in her room in the university's hostel but the deceased’s family refuse to accept that the girl could have committed suicide. They believe she was murdered as she never showed any signs of being suicidal and believe that even the post-mortem report has been forged which states Nimrita committed suicide. The brother of the deceased confirms that her sister had marks on her body showing signs of assault. The police is undergoing an investigation and nothing has been confirmed by the police either. Higher authorities need to get on this and make sure that the evidence is not trampled with and if this was indeed not a suicide, then the culprits are served justice.

Aamir Ahmed,
Karachi

Adverse conditions of Islamabad Zoo

Islamabad Zoo, an 82-acre zoo in the Islamabad Capital Territory, is keeping animals in detrimental conditions. The animals are living in closures that are congested which are far different from their natural habitat. Some of them die due to the extreme weather conditions. This is why the Islamabad Wildlife Management Board (IWMB) has filed a petition against the management of the zoo. The Islamabad High Court has finally taken this case into notice and ordered the zoo management to improve the standard of the zoo to meet international levels. IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah remarked that the court will not spare the authority if anything happens to the animals at the zoo. It is a plea of the citizens, that the legal system upholds their promise.

Saira Khan,
Islamabad