UZMA Mir obviously considers that it was good for her to have spent "two wonderfully enlightening years" living in Pakistan in her late teens ("Royals shine light on the real Pakistan", The Herald, October 21). She refers to Kate and William, during their recent trip, engaging with the "culture, customs and even, fashions of Pakistan". So far, so good, one might say.
However, during that royal trip I, at the risk of appearing to be on a "sniping bandwagon", do not recall much light being cast upon the position of Pakistan's Christians, of which it was estimated in 2005 that there were 2.5 million, being the target of many attacks in recent years. As a result, many Christians have died and many more have been injured. It has been reported that Christians are afraid to speak openly about their religion in case they are accused of being in breach of Pakistan's controversial blasphemy laws and that Christian children are being given Islamic names to avoid them being subject to abuse at their schools.
It would appear that there is some way to go with regard to religious tolerance in Pakistan.
Ian W Thomson, Lenzie.
Business should stop griping about tax
WHILST I applaud the success enjoyed by Chardon Hotels ("Star hotelier highlights tax burden on sector", Herald Business, October 21) the comment made about paying too much tax by the company does not reflect that it is the customer who pays the VAT and will pay the tourist tax if it city councils decide to implement it, not the hotels. It is common practice in other countries for a tourist tax to be imposed and it does not deter tourists from visiting.
It is high time that businesses stopped complaining about tax burdens and focused on reinvesting profits to grow their business rather than paying out ridiculous salaries to senior managers and large dividends to shareholders. Successful countries are reinvesting in building business rather than taking out profits for short-term personal gain.
Bill Eadie, Giffnock.
Foul play from the fans
IN recent weeks I have noted a considerable increase of obscenities during televised football matches. Certainly match commentators have swiftly offered apology for what is termed "unacceptable language". However, when such apology is offered some four or five times in one match it does have a hollow ring. The programme producer has a duty to ensure the sound is dubbed down whilst the stadium stewards and police identify the offender. Surely if a referee can order off a player for using "foul language" a spectator should be ejected for similar or even more obscene comment. Such idiots are not only an embarrassment to club supporters but also to TV viewers whose monthly premium subscriptions are vital in sustaining our national game.
Allan C Steele, Giffnock.
Cost of a bargain
I WAS sad, but not too surprised, to see that another long established Glasgow shop, Watt Brothers has fallen victim to the unholy trinity of unrealistic rates, shopping malls and the internet ("Shoppers and staff reeling as Watt Brothers goes bust", The Herald, October 19), but to see people queuing for bargains in the closing down sale made me wonder, not for the first time, how many of these people had been regular customers and how many were vultures picking over the bones of the corpse.
Stuart Neville, Clydebank.
Soya concern
SINCE the vast majority of soya bean production in South America goes to making feed for the US cattle industry, the answer to Lesley Mackiggan’s question about how vegetarians and vegans feel about land clearance in the Amazon (Letters, October 21) and elsewhere is “concerned”.
Robin Irvine, Helensburgh.
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