Letters to the editor: A very useful interview

A very useful interview
We are impressed with the exclusive interview “Wastage major cause for soaring food prices” (May 19). Al-Kuwaiz’s expert analysis is excellent. Food is a very important item all over the globe and prices are mainly guided by the world market. Some are guided by the seasonal availability and others due to unavoidable factors.
Except for a few, most of the local importers are very fair in their pricing, but they are helpless when it comes to the middlemen, who directly deal with the consumers. I would like to point out a setback the importers in Riyadh experienced in the dry port due to a switch over to a new set of contractors. The operation came to a total standstill and containers with canned food items in the thousands were left in the sun for long. We thank God now that things have started to move in the right direction again. We appreciate the efforts of the concerned authorities.
With the holy month of Ramadan less than two months away, Al-Kuwaiz’s interview is timely and should serve as an excellent guide to all. While agreeing with him that the private sector must take the lead, I believe, the related institutions should also assist it to stabilize the price of food items in whatever way possible. In the meantime, Al-Kuwaiz deserves commendation.

— S.H. Moulana, Riyadh

Pakistan’s downward spiral
Pakistan is considering to reopen its Afghan border to NATO troop supplies. As the US descends into an ever-deepening crisis, the much-touted Pakistan story also seems to be nearing its end. The failure of the Pakistani government to provide for its people has allowed it to ask for bailouts. While banking bailouts are understandable as they affect a particular industry or sector, bailouts for the entire economy are more controversial.
Developments in recent weeks are a creation of the circumstances that have made Pakistan such an unhappy place for its people. Battered and abused by its allies and friends and plundered by its elites, the country has once again managed to end up with the lowest of the low at the very top. The nation’s sovereignty and dignity is signed away to foreign masters all in the name of democracy and making a nation.
Despite being born at the same time as India, Pakistan seems to be regressing while India becomes an increasingly influential player in global politics. This is all because of the drastic changes that the current government has taken with regard to decision-making in foreign policy matters as well as dealing with the war against terrorism.
Let’s hope that a good sense prevails. Otherwise, the coming times are not very bright — Pakistan does not understand the seriousness of events.

— Israraul Haque, Jeddah

Banning Shah Rukh a good move
Shah Rukh Khan’s five year-entry ban into the Wankhede Stadium is a welcome move. He is always involved in controversies and brawls; he is trying to be over-smart. It seems that he was not only under the influence of alcohol but also under the influence of superiority complex, wealth and power. The action against him by Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) was justified and has taught him a good lesson for insulting and misbehaving with the security personnel and the MCA officials. He should be careful in future and should learn to respect the law of the land as nobody is above the law.
It is amazing that the West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has expressed sympathy with the violent actor. Banerjee should not support such people and her appeal to lift the ban on Khan is not justified. By making such irresponsible and unnecessary statements she will also lose her credibility, as she has, in fact, nothing to do with the issue.

— Zakaria Sultan, Riyadh