Retirement age

Sir,

Any unfavourable comment on raising retirement age to 60 may be highly displeasing to many, particularly those who are on the brink of retirement, as every one in this materialistic world desires to have more and more, no matter others are dying of hunger, thirst and poverty, raising retirement age is undoubtedly a boon for many but who does not know that multitude to youths with added qualifications and capabilities are just on road and waiting in queues for employment. Their career is in darkness and hopelessness. Any move in this direction would mean gaining political mileage by the Government. Pleasing a numbered majority and displeasing numerous unnumbered youths and depriving them from employment can't be in any way wise. Economic inequalities undermine the very concept of socialism and any measure which widens such gap in the society should be nipped in the bud. Such legislation, for apparent reasons, will give rise to unemployment in the State.

Moreover, lethargic physical conditions a person generally suffers in 50s itself and keeping one engaged upto sixty can't be a wise step. Any rule should be highly justifiable atleast in the situations it is enacted. It is therefore, greatly becoming on the Government to ponder over the issue wisely and judiciously as any law once enacted stays for longer period and can cause serious repercussions in the long run. However, if pensionery aspects are disturbed somewhere, pension rules can be modified accordingly.

Yours etc...
Keshwa Nand Sharma
Salehar (Sunder Bani)

Daughter of East turn silent

I

Sir,

Benazir was the name that her parents Zulfkhar Ali Bhutto and Nusrat gave to their eldest child on the day of June 21, 1953.

Translated into English Benazir means without parallel. She is many ways lived upto the expectations of her parents. But in one way she completely followed her father. Like him she too became Prime Minister of Pakistan not only once but twice. And like his father she too was cut short when more was expected of her. Benazir had now turned more wiser and sober. We remember her shrill and high pitched voice when at the start of militancy she gave inflammatory speeches in favour of demonstrations orchestrated by separatists in the Valley. Her tirade against the then Governor was also not in tune with democratic and political sagacity.

The death of his two brothers, Shanawaz and Murtaza which were alleged to be killed had mellowed her. The rise of militancy in her country and the vice like grip of military on Pakistan had convinced her that Pakistan was near the brink of things were not reversed. She took the final plunge which according to her would save her country from ruin. She struck a deal with Musharraf. She wanted to make a beginning somewhere. Her return of Pakistan was obviously not liked by many groups in Pakistan. But his mother of three children displayed boldness. She wanted a peaceful transition from dictatorship to democracy. But when she landed in Pakistan the terrorists sent a strong signal. Her calvacade was attacked. It left may dead. She escaped. This attack should have warned the authorities. Her security had to be tightened but it did not happen. Perhaps her life was thought to be expendable by the rulers. That proved to be her nemesis. This time the terrorists succeeded. Now she is part of the bloody history of Pakistan.

Her death has made our problems more complicated. She represented a hope. For us an unstable Pakistan is threat to our security. With her passing away a political vacuum has been created in Pakistan. Benazir was a brave politician who fell to terror which we are facing for three decades now. We hope that things turn better in our neighbouring country.

Yours etc...
Vishal Sharma
Canal Road
Talab Tillo Jammu

II

Sir,

The assassination of Benazir Bhutto has shocked everybody. In Pakistan, Benazir personified democratic values and now her removal from the scene seems to make the step towards popular rule a distant, almost unachievable dream. Expert opinion must be divided on how badly US policy to Pakistan has been damaged by the assassination of Benazir Bhutto, a grave tragedy for Pakistani people and a terrible blow to the country’s democratic process. The heart and soul of US policy was to see Pakistan transited smoothly from Pervez Musharraf’s dictatorship to a more representative Government and Bhutto was at the center of the US’s policy for that transition. Now in view of the current scenario the US policy seems to have gone down the drain. This for the time being has eliminated the chances for a transition to a democratic Government. It is too early to tell if the elections would now go ahead on the announced date. But it seems to be essential to US policy that it be postponed as the January 8 elections have become purposeless.

Yours etc...
Prof.P.L.Bakhshi
Jammu