Letters — Saudia baggage rules

Saudia baggage rules

This is with reference to the new Saudi Arabian Airlines (Saudia) baggage rule, which will take effect on Sept. 1, 2012. The management of Saudia should have a thorough and careful review on the new baggage rule. If the new rule (32 kg or less) will be implemented, will it mean that all blue cardholders of Al-Fursan will no longer be able to avail the extra baggage facility? As I understand, many Saudia travelers applied for Al-Fursan membership to avail an extra baggage allowance during their travel and other good benefits offered by Saudia.
It is a fact that female travelers are weaker than male travelers. I cannot imagine a woman carrying one piece of bag weighing 32 kilograms. I guess even the airport porters will have difficulties carrying the said baggage and this might cause an accident. If the new baggage rule starts on Sept. 1, I also don’t understand why Saudia cannot accept two pieces of baggage weighing 16 kg each, which is more convenient to travelers instead of paying SR 350 for another bag. Carrying a piece of bag weighing 32 kg is not convenient and can cause much burden, especially to female travelers. We, travelers, are therefore hoping that Saudia will reconsider its baggage policy. — R.C.V., Riyadh


Chemicals in food
These days it is difficult to get fresh fruits and vegetables from the market. Some corrupt businessmen are used to applying different forms of chemicals to fruits and vegetables to make them more appealing, and to prolong their stability. They are using substances, such as, formalin, carbonide, hormones, etc and changing the color, taste and size of food artificially and thus, putting our health in danger. We are consuming these essential foods and exposing ourselves to cancer, kidney failures, allergic reactions and food poisoning. They are practicing such illegal activities to get more profit without considering the health of the people who are consuming the food. We are spending lots of money on food and in return we are getting all sorts of poison. We should take necessary steps to prevent such inhuman practices.
I request the Saudi Food Authority to not only check the production and expiry dates of the food items but also to monitor the use of chemicals in food and to ensure punishment for those responsible for doing so. Otherwise, we will have to wait for a catastrophe in our national health sector. — Ahmed Habib Manzur, by e-mail


Pakistan verdict
The recent verdict of Pakistan’s Supreme Court in the contempt of court case is enough to open the eyes of the ruling class in Pakistan. The detailed verdict clearly stated that the contempt of court act recently passed by the national assembly is designed to save the new prime minister from possible contempt of court. It now seems true that the gulf is widening between Pakistan’s ruling class and its judiciary, which is very unfortunate. Amid severe corruption and the failure of the parliament and the political parties, the Supreme Court is the only hope of the people of Pakistan. The brave decisions of the Supreme Court and the Chief Justice of Pakistan against privatization of Pakistan Steel, Swiss Bank corruption cases, NRO, rental power plants corruption, and case of missing persons were highly appreciated by the masses. It was the first time in the country’s history that the Supreme Court summoned several top officials of Pakistan’s powerful secret agencies in several cases.
The government is now using the parliament to minimize the role of the judiciary, which is very shameful in the democratic culture. After long years of dictatorship, judiciary is still passing through a critical stage. The reality is that in democratic culture, no one is above the law. High ranks and positions do not give the license to anyone to do anything above the law. Former US President Bill Clinton, French President Francisco Mitra and Former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi were all summoned several times in courts after legal charges.
Unfortunately, due to a lack of interest and a lack of coordination between the judiciary and the ruling class, corruption is becoming a part and parcel of the country’s daily life. Most corruption stories are coming from government camps and ordinary people are paying the high price. Due to corruption and political interference, all major public institutions, such as, the Pakistan Railways, Pakistan International Airlines and government banks are having their last breaths. The country is passing though the worst stage in history and instead of solving problems, all major political parties are jostling for power. — Khawaja Umer Farooq, Jeddah