Holding up a mirror to reality

Holding up a mirror to reality

I would like to congratulate Mr Yasir Jamshaid for finding the courage to bring the fake degree scandal to public notice (“Meet the whistleblower who busted fake degree scandal”, Gulf News, May 21). As a Pakistani, I believe we need more such people who are willing to look beyond just their needs and when their next salary comes in. Our country has been in a downward spiral for far too long and while every compatriot I meet complains about the deteriorating situation back home, I do not see enough willingness to become the change we want to see. Mr Jamshaid is one of the few who did this. We should understand that whistleblowers go to extreme lengths to reveal information of public interest and benefit. They should be protected by strong laws and every country should introduce protection for whistleblowers if it is serious about its commitment to public welfare. The public can only become aware of what goes on behind the scenes of big conglomerates if honest employees who come to know of any unlawful work can speak out without fear of being persecuted. There are so many cases across the world right now, and in recent history, where whistleblowers have been catalysts of social change for the better. If we do not create strong laws that give them the protection they so badly need, we can’t really blame anyone else when we see corruption and injustice around us.

From Ms Anjum Shaikh

Sharjah

Both sides of the coin

Now everyone wants to be a hero. Why did this whistleblower not speak up before? Now, when everything is clear, he suddenly wants to pretend that he wasn’t involved? Additionally, the company AXACT has published an official response on their website, so international media needs to show that, too.

From Mr Ali

Abu Dhabi

Website comment

Let the authorities decide

International media can, and has in the past, misrepresented facts and urged people to believe something that is not true. Nevertheless, the authorities are investigating this matter, so we should let them decide.

From Mr Mohammad Sohail

Lahore, Pakistan

Website comment

Doesn’t affect the image

I disagree with Mr Sohail’s comment. This is not about the image of Pakistan. One company does not represent the whole nation. This company was busted and it is good that their wrongdoings will now come to a stop. Most of us have heard these stories earlier and now it has surfaced at large.

Saad Khan

Dubai

It is not fake news

This is one of the biggest scams unearthed. International media is not senseless enough to publish something without any proof or evidence and then retract it. A simple question to Mr Sohail is that how is it that the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) in Pakistan found all the links of the website running through the same domain and how is it that they found the papers to make the fake degrees from Axact’s office? This is a serious issue and something big.

From Mr Mustafa

Dubai

Website comment

When will the government act?

The fuel prices in India still remain high, in spite of its cost in international markets having drastically dropped (“Petrol prices are too high”, Gulf News, May 22). Considering all economic liberalisation polices initiated since the early 1990s by then Indian prime minister, Manmohan Singh, almost all commodity items have stayed within the reach of the common man in terms of pricing. However, the one area that has not been influenced by it is the price of fuel and gas, which is controlled by both national and international oil companies. The current government appears to be having trouble reining in the market price for oil in India just as much as it was in the Congress-led government, who had failed to take control of the distributors’ monopolistic practices. No sincere attempt has been made by Narendra Modi’s government and it has sowed the seeds of doubt among the residents that the present administration is giving unlimited power in quoting prices. Since May, 2014, the price of oil has been pushed up at least half a dozen times even though the international market has seen sliding demand for crude oil. The government has failed to give a convincing explanation on the current situation and the lack of transparency as to why the crude prices are still being allowed to be dictated by oil companies. Even if the government has trouble in getting an amendment on the bill being approved in parliament, there is nothing to stop it from issuing an ordinance that prohibits oil companies from increasing prices without reason. The prices in India have been fluctuating in reverse proportion. The price increase could not have come at a worse time in India because the prices for commodities, including vegetables and grains, have been going through the ceiling for many months. The hike in crude oil prices are bound to have a cumulative effect that would impact the cost of living in India. Companies engaged in logistical services are forced to hike their service charges. Besides the manufacturing costs of various sectors, including building materials, textiles and consumables are likely to increase, thus affecting the standard of life of the common people who may find it hard to afford things that are essential to their daily life. It is high time the Modi government did something to alleviate the burden imposed on the people of India by the corporate monopolies in the oil sector.

From Mr V. I. Mohammad Sageer

Dubai

Impacting the economy of many nations

The phenomenon of record low oil prices since mid-2014 has been stated as hitting the economic fabric of many GCC countries, especially on those who rely mostly on oil revenue (“Oman cuts public spending by 20%”, Gulf News, May 20). The impacts are in line with the predictions of economists. Though the future of fossil fuel is not uncertain, its price still hangs in balance. However, a curtailment in public spending on infrastructure projects may impact the economy as a whole in the long run. At the same time striking a balance between current expenditure and widening budget deficit is an uphill task. With major oil consumers, such as US and China, not expecting a robust economy this year, too, oil demand, supply and prices are more likely to remain the same in the current fiscal year. In the absence of consistency or oil price stability at a favourable level, coupled with geopolitical turbulence in the region, the options are very limited.

From Mr Girish R. Edathitta

Dubai

Strive to achieve

Isn’t that how it should be (“Pay hikes to go to top performers in UAE”, Gulf News, May 20)? You work hard, you get rewarded. You shouldn’t get the same bonus or wage increase on the back of an over performer if you’ve under performed. If you don’t achieve your Key Performance Indicators (KPI) and performance measurement, you don’t receive. It’s that simple.

From Ms Sam Clarke

Bridgend, Wales

Facebook comment

Cost of living is high

I think everyone should get a pay rise! Because everything here in the UAE is becoming expensive, especially house rents.

From Mr Zaldy Em Gee

UAE

Facebook comment

Unity in diversity

I wish people had more tolerance (“Bihar’s Muslims donate land for world’s largest Hindu temple”, Gulf News, May 20). Let’s not be insensitive. It’s a great gesture and an amazing example of harmony. India is an awesome example of unity in diversity.

From Mr Ajay Bhatia

Dubai

Facebook comment

Living in harmony

By donating land to the Hindus to build the largest temple in the world, the Muslims of Bihar, India have proved that Islam is a religion of brotherhood. When Hindus hesitated to donate land for such a noble cause, their Muslim brethren came forward not only to give some land at no cost, but also to sell enough land for them at a very reasonable rate, which shows their broadmindedness. If they had not come forward, the temple project was sure to have gotten delayed. This is why India is known as a country of harmony in variety. Indians are realising the ultimate truth that all are created by the same God.

From Mr Sunny Joseph Mala

Kerala, India

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