The Truth About Karachi I think perhaps the reason why many of us read this article with shock and accusations against Time of exaggerating the story is that, perhaps most of us do not know what what is really happening. Having lived in the nicer areas such as Defense or Clifton most of us do not know what is really happening around us in other areas.

I lived in Karachi, or more specifically Defense, for a year before leaving for college and I had no idea any of this was going on in other parts of the city, despite being an avid reader of newspapers. How many of you know that there are places in Karachi where women wear burkas or school access is limited? The fact is that there is a major difference between the haves and the have nots.

As for the claim that if one part of Karachi has something wrong with it, the other parts feel pain, I feel that is completely untrue. Even if people are aware, which is not too common in itself, of the conditions of those in other parts of the city, it is very, very few that act upon it or feel their pain. Also, if people feel that within the city, then why don`t they extend that to the rest of the country. Certainly there is a lot more that the richer people in society could do to help those below.

The fundamental fact remains that there is a certain difference between the rich (please compare urself to the average household salary before discounting urself as one) and the less fortunate in the city. If there was such a high level of caring in the city, then why would there still be people in Karachi who are left hungry at night?


Samir

Generals: A case study (I) In point number three it is mentioned that the salaries of everyone below the rank of colonel should be increased a few fold. I should point out here that a person of mediocre intelligence (as the army is not known for very selective recruting) entering the army after doing his or her Fsc earns more money per month than a person managing to get into the Civil Service after a great deal of competition. In addition many facilities are provided for for army personnel, such as lodging, bills, food, etc as well as many plots of land in posh Defence areas whereas the same is not granted to much more highly qualified (in comparison to the military) civil servants.

I am not against their pay increases, I just feel that priorities should be set straight.

Generals: A case study (I) A time comes for most officers in the military when they are declared incompentent in that which they are trained to do. They are hence forced to retire from the armed services, but yet often they are later on appointed in civilian posts. This can be seen by the fact that retired colonels, brigadiers and generals are serving in all the different ministries. How can it be that when one is declared incompetent to do a job in which one has been trained throughout life, and yet become ompetent to do something in which one has no idea.

Perhaps the Pakistani military officers are just too good for everything except that which they do.