Hassles for hajj pilgrims are a regular phenomenon. Previously, it was botched flight schedules. And now it has come to light that additional fees on repeat pilgrims have been imposed! This has left around 40,000 pilgrims in the lurch.

Looking at the picture one can see that the bus has no brake lights or tail lights and doesn't even display a registration number. How could the hajj agency deploy such a dilapidated bus to transport the hajj pilgrims to the airport?

Not only will new providers have to pay this charge, but the existing 590 operators too will have to make a one-time deposit. The zonal fees for ISPs (urban area clusters) are proposed to go up 30 times from Tk 50,000 to Tk 15 lakh!

Continued executive control over the judiciary is bound to give scope for miscarriage of justice, which is why separation of power is so imperative, and such were our hopes when we heard the law minister say that progress had been made to that end.

Two things strike us as we think of the development: first, how could such a large number of potentially dangerous people secure bail even though there are legal safeguards in place to prevent the likelihood of an absconsion or repetition of a crime.

We must thank the finance minister for acknowledging the reality that it is the powerful that indulge in corruption, something that is known to all but acknowledged by few.

We are waiting for the day when the actions of the ruling party appendages make the news for the right, rather than the wrong reasons as is frequently the case nowadays.

It is absurd that a master's exam centre at a college in Gazipur was shifted without prior notice to let the local branch of Awami League hold a public meeting in the college premises. How would the college administration have ensured that none of the examinees had been left uninformed about the change beforehand?

Pakistan is going through a crucial phase in its politics, and we hope the political transition will follow the democratic norms and that democracy will not be subverted, despite the situation created by Sharif's departure, by any extraneous influence.

The flaw was systemic starting from the appointing process to the reward structure to their frequent change. It seems the purpose was seldom to get justice but to reward supporters. The result was the defeat in crucial cases especially where the government was to gain either financially or in terms of property.

The continuation of this situation means existing laws for criminals with health issues, especially those related to hospital treatment, need a revision. While we acknowledge the rights to basic amenities of the convicts and those under trial, nothing gives them the right to escape punishment and cause danger to the society again.

Heavy rains combined with traffic congestion brought the capital to a grinding halt on Wednesday as city dwellers went through untold sufferings to reach their destination wading through knee- to waist-deep water.

We are happy to hear young Pakistanis, who represent the new generation in Pakistan, take up the cause of letting their people know ...

The prime minister has asked the deputy commissioners to take a stand against corruption. We welcome this instruction being timely and appropriate.

It has been seven years since a decision was taken to introduce a uniform admission test system for public universities.

Reportedly, Thursday's student demonstration and the consequent mishaps could have been prevented had the authorities been more involved with the student's welfare.

A statement, issued recently by a United Nations Special rapporteur, reconfirms once again the gross human rights violations in Myanmar.

It is disturbing to know that of the examinees who scored GPA 5 around 74 percent are from Dhaka. This points to the huge gap in the quality of education between Dhaka and the rest of the country.

It is reassuring that Bangladesh has conveyed its position to the Malaysian government and we hope that steps will be taken to stop harassment of genuine Bangladeshi workers and tourists at the earliest.

Accidents can and do happen. But to try to cover it up is not the answer. On the contrary a thorough and objective inquiry as to what actually happened can help prevent such accidents or take to task those that violated the standing orders.