Letters to the Editor | April 22, 2026

Pakistan’s recent efforts to position itself as a mediator in major international conflicts, such as tensions involving the United States and Iran, may appear commendable to those watching from afar. Diplomacy is important, and dialogue is necessary in a fractured world. However, there is a difficult and often overlooked reality that must be confronted: A nation cannot credibly advocate for peace and justice abroad while failing to uphold those same principles at home.

For decades, religious minorities in Pakistan, such as Christians, Hindus, Sikhs, and Ahmadi Muslims, have faced systemic discrimination and persecution, often codified into law. As someone whose own parents and relatives fled the country to escape such conditions, this issue is not abstract; it is deeply personal. Members of the Ahmadiyya Muslim community, in particular, are legally prohibited from identifying as Muslims, practicing their faith freely, or participating equally in civic life. They are marginalized not only socially, but institutionally — denied the basic rights that form the foundation of any just society.

It is difficult to reconcile Pakistan’s aspirations as a global peacemaker with its ongoing failure to protect the rights and dignity of its own citizens. True leadership begins at home. Before stepping onto the world stage to help resolve complex international disputes, Pakistan must first address the injustices within its own borders.

Peace is not only something to be negotiated between nations, it must also be lived and upheld within them.

Madeel Abdullah, Garnet Valley

In a recent article about the tragic Grays Ferry garage collapse, one city official described the structure as “dangerously unstable.” That same observation could be made about the Trump administration. Sen. Andy Kim’s description of Donald Trump as “unhinged” — that is, disturbed, unstable, irrational, and chaotic — is quite appropriate. Trump must leave office before it is too late. Neither impeachment and conviction nor invoking the 25th Amendment will get the needed support in this Congress. Trump should be encouraged to take the third option: resignation. Following Richard Nixon’s example, he can enjoy his time at Mar-a-Lago using the billions he acquired while in office. Donald, do your family and your country a favor and resign.

Joel Chinitz, Philadelphia

Will Bunch speaks for everyone who’s concerned about the state of our country with his recent column, “The fate of the Earth depends on removing Trump ASAP.” Reasons far more dire than the price of gas demand regime change. One only needs to remember all the bungles over the last 15 months that we would rather forget, such as the threats to Greenland, the denial of climate change, the savaging of the world economy, the unconstitutional war of choice against Iran, and too many others to itemize here, since The Inquirer allows only 200 words in a letter to the editor. What else is going to happen while we sit around waiting for the moribund, dying GOP to introduce a third impeachment? The man’s mental competence is in severe doubt.

The Rev. Robert J. Gregorio, Glassboro

Join the conversation: Send letters to letters@inquirer.com. Limit length to 150 words and include home address and day and evening phone number. Letters run in The Inquirer six days a week on the editorial pages and online.