The Islamabad airport recently witnessed a very regrettable incident in which a Saudi diplomat was mishandled by our security forces, who obviously crossed their limits.
There may be another side to the story, but the way the incident shaped up and was consequently reported in the media was not appropriate.
Our security officials must bear in mind that they are ambassadors of their country and as such they may create a good or bad name for their country.
Saudi Arabia is Pakistan’s best friend, not only in terms of religion but also on the basis of current world affairs. Saudi Arabia has always assisted Pakistan in times of need. There are countless examples of this in the minds of the people of Pakistan. One such example that comes to my mind is the Kingdom’s help during the 2010 and 2011 floods in Pakistan. The Saudi Ambassador Abdul Aziz Ibrahim Al-Ghadeer spent his Eid in Thatta Sindh, a heavily flooded area.
Also, even if the Saudi diplomat was at fault, the security officials could have utilized the option of arresting him instead of wounding him. By not doing so, our officers have committed a heinous crime and they should be punished.
— Syed Muzammil Hussain, Islamabad
Keep it up Aamir
Apparently, the message that Aamir Khan tried to convey through the latest episode of his hit TV show 'Satyamev Jayate' has been well-received and that is why he is facing the wrath of doctors for highlighting malpractices in the medical profession. An umbrella body of 21 medical associations has asked Khan to apologize. Unethical medical practices, corruption and scandalous revelations by those who have suffered at the hands of doctors was the topic of the talk show's fourth episode. It's true that a profession can't be scandalized due to a few, but the word 'few' has lost its literal meaning because such malpractices are quite widespread.
Should he apologize and surrender? No, I don't think so, otherwise, how can he talk in the coming episodes about corrupt practices among the police, lawyers and judges, irregularities and commercialism in the education sector, deep-rooted corrupt political systems, graft, extortion and profiteering culture?
Khan should be congratulated for highlighting those evil issues that are eating away at society, issues that we wish are limited to intellectual discussions in our drawing rooms, but feel ashamed to discuss in public. Keep it up Aamir!
Masood Khan
Jubail
Fire safety
This refers to the column "Don't get burned! Learn fire safety" (June 8) by Maha Mufti. The article is informative and an eye-opener. The writer narrated the whole incident in a lucid way that reveals her command over the language. Indeed, fire can be devastating. The threat of fire is immense. It is therefore necessary that we know what the major fire hazard areas are and how these can be eliminated so as to prevent fires. We must remember that fire spreads quickly, therefore a speedy attack is essential. The person closest to the fire must inform others about the fire and then assist in controlling it. Portable fire extinguishers can be very useful as a means of first aid in fire fighting. As a precautionary measure, it is always better to take a position between the fire and the exit, so that the person can escape easily. If the fire continues to grow in spite of one's best efforts, and if there are multiple gas cylinders or explosives in the vicinity of fire, one must make a quick escape instead of staying back to fight the fire. There are many types of fire extinguishers, such as, water extinguishers, foam type extinguishers, dry chemical powder fire extinguishers, carbon dioxide fire extinguishers, fire buckets and fire hydrants, etc., all of which can be very useful.
One can never be too careful where fires are concerned, especially at the home. It is therefore essential to have a good fire prevention program, and to ensure that each of the family members are well-acquainted with the knowledge of the possible hazards of fire, and means and remedies to prevent them. Other steps include good housekeeping, which is an extremely important method of preventing fires.
Anees Lokhande
Alkhobar
