LAWS AGAINST Blasphemy – Newspaper – DAWN.COM

LAWS AGAINST Blasphemy: The recent controversy on social media platforms surrounding a cleric’s statements and subsequent apology highlights the blatant hypocrisy and injustice that has been plaguing society for several years now. The blasphemy laws in their current form are open to manipulation, allowing both clerics and influential individuals to wield them as active weapons against vulnerable individuals or segments of society. The law offers little protection and the suspect’s excuses and explanations fall on deaf ears. This affects confidence in the legal system. To restore balance and justice, we must reform blasphemy laws to prevent abuse and ensure equal application. Pakistan’s future depends on its ability to address this critical issue.

Syed Ali Abass Shah
Karachi

MONEY MAKING MAFIA: The Medical and Dental Colleges Admission Test (MDCAT) is nothing but an opportunity for the tuition mafia to make serious money in the name of test preparation, charging the aspiring students exorbitant fees that can add up up to Rs50,000 per session. Against this backdrop, the total burden on the parents is Rs100,000, including commuting expenses. The government must come forward and resolve the relevant issues in the education sector to save thousands of families every year from unnecessary financial burden and misery. This can only be possible by regulating such educational centers.

Muhammad Jaffer
Lahore

COMMONWEALTH FALL: This is in reference to the report “King Charles invites Prime Minister to C’wealth summit” (September 19). The Commonwealth is an extension of the former British Empire. Like the puppets the British placed around the countries they once robbed and ruled, Britain now hides behind the facade of the Commonwealth to advance its interests. It is high time for Pakistan to consider leaving the Commonwealth and freeing itself from the shackles of the British Empire.

Angabeen Ahmad
Karachi

Published in Dawn, October 6, 2024