We need to beware of bogus financial schemes

Readers air their views on Pakistan, dashcams and money scams

Dashcam footage can help drivers get out of sticky situations, readers say. Yuri Kadobnov / AFP

I receive many cold calls asking me to invest in supposedly lucrative schemes, but I never consider them (UAE investors caught up in Bitcoin and Bar Works financial scams, August 2). These persistent calls are a cause for vigilance. The people making them are after money. They are dirty scammers.

Fernadia Kearns, Dubai

Scamsters target the vulnerable. There is no way everyone can escape their trap. People come here from different parts of the world to make money. As long as that is going to be the sole objective, people are going to fall victim to such scams. That said, it’s not just greed, but necessity that drives many people to invest in what ultimately are revealed as bogus schemes. Once they come here, they suddenly realise that what they never thought achievable is indeed within reach. The problems start there.

The only way to escape is to do your research about a company before investing in it. But then, that’s not everyone’s cup of tea.

Aziz Albaloushi, Dubai

Scars of war will be felt long after ISIL is gone

This refers to the opinion article, ISIL has been defeated in Iraq and Syria but without a political safety net to fall back on (July 31).

When a conflict breaks out, it takes generations to end its aftermath. Even though the battle for Mosul is formally over, there are hidden dangers and the new generation will pay for them for the rest of their lives. The remnants of military conflict are the cause of several safety and environmental issues, and the younger generation may be the first victims. Indeed, the displaced across the country will face the consequences long after the battle is over. The challenge for them is to rebuild their lives from scratch.

Ramachandran Nair, Oman

Pakistan needs major political reform

Rashmee Roshan Lall's opinion article, Why the dismissal of prime minister Nawaz Sharif failed to generate shock and outrage (August 2), is a perfect analysis of Pakistan's predicament. Democracy could never take root properly in Pakistan because of the expansive role of the military.

It’s a pity that Nawaz Sahrif was not given a chance to defend himself in court and that he was the only target when several others have been implicated in the Panama Leak.

No democratic institution can function smoothly if such things are allowed to happen. Pakistan needs major political reform. The question is, where and how to start the process.

Name withheld by request