| 22 March 2004 | Monday | 30 Muharram 1425 |
Falling standards of law education
Wastage of public money
College students' appeal
Ending tax exemptions
Cambridge University exam papers
Increase in salaries
Security measures
ATM service
Karachi's development problems
Operation in Wana
To send a letter to the Editor
Click here
In our milieu, women are treated as possessions/ commodities. Violent crimes against them occur all over the country. These are commoner in the rural areas as compared to urban areas where the literacy rate is high. Still reports of abuse of women there appear frequently. It is women in the rural areas who are subjected to much repression.
The most gruesome aspect of violence against women is the killing in the name of honour. In the rural areas, women are not given their proper status and rights which have been accorded to them by Islam. Women cannot even marry of their own choice. This sorry state of affairs reflects poorly on the moral fabric of society.
The number of cases of physical and sexual abuse of women reported across the country during 2003 was around 6,000 - up to 979 were raped, 1,261 killed in Karo-kari and about 1,500 subjected to harassment at work.
The correct proportion of such crimes cannot be ascertained since many cases go unreported and only a few victims mange to reach the media. Even when a case is registered, criminals go scot-free as the law-enforcement agencies leniently deal with them. They are both very powerful and corrupt.
The Gender Development Index ranks Pakistan at 120 out of 144 countries. It is behind many Muslim states - Indonesia, Malaysia, Jordan, Turkey and Egypt. Socio-economic and political indicators show that women in Pakistan are discriminated against.
Besides, they face social customs and cultural taboos that keep them from meaningful economic activity. They are thus placed at a disadvantage and are much behind men in education, health and other walks of life.
Feudal values may be their worst enemy as rural women in particular are exposed to honour killings and Karo-kari. Much has yet to be done for women's emancipation from oppression.
The education authorities should either prove their worth or let others who are competent and qualified take over. The well-being of women is as vital as any other issue.
Topmost importance has to be given to the women's right to education which can enable them to gain some control over the size of their families and also help them understand how their fundamental and legal rights apply and how they can ensure their protection. Educated women can transform a society and a country in many advantageous ways.
In this context, it is imperative that the class -based system of education should be immediately done away with. Good governance can only come with education and knowledge.
Efforts should be concentrated on education of the highest quality and on achieving 100 per cent literacy within the shortest possible time. More spending on education would make the majority become literate which can prove to be helpful in making technical and scientific progress and putting the country on the right track.
The Hudood ordinances are a most discriminatory law practised against women. It is imperative that the guilty are arrested within 24 hours. A good beginning might be for the government to announce that SHOs will be held responsible in case arrest and prosecution are not effected within a predetermined period. In the event of failure to meet the deadline, those responsible should at least be transferred forthwith or suspended.
S.A. KHOKHAR
Lahore
Falling standards of law education
One feels sorry to speak about the falling standard of law studies in our country. Punjab University recently announced the result of the LLB Part II annual examination, 2004. It is deplorable that the majority of the students could not get through the examination. What makes it even worse is the fact that only 18 students were good enough to secure the first division.
Despite having so many resources in terms of funds and human capital, the Punjab University Law College could not obtain even the third position in the country. If the picture of post-graduate studies is so heart- rending, what will be the plight of primary and secondary education? As a law student I request the relevant authorities to look into the following reasons for the steep decline in law education:
1. The examination system for legal studies is outdated. Students consult third-rate guides and get through material to pass examinations, even without knowing the ABC of law. A study would reveal that those who have passed the examinations are weak in their understanding of legal concepts. Reforms should be introduced to check this trend.
2. The examinations of LLB Part I & II were held on August 11 and 12, 2003, respectively. But it took a full six months for Punjab University to announce the results. It is horrifying that this institution is not able to prepare the results in due time. Other universities take 70 days to announce results.
3. The paper pattern set by the Punjab University's examination department is not comparable to the standard of even countries like Zambia and Togo. The authorities should improve the standard of question papers. Objective questions should be included to analyse the potential and talent of candidates rather than giving credit to memory.
4. The majority of teachers in private law colleges are practising lawyers who usually face an acute shortage of time. Since they are not trained in teaching law subjects, one wonders how they can do justice to their teaching duties.
5. The fee structure of private law colleges is forbidding. The university high-ups are reluctant to check this trend. Doors are being shut on those who belong to low-income families.
6. An eight-month-long period for the teaching of law is too short. The course involves study of 13 and 18 books in Part I and II, respectively. It is almost impossible even for extraordinary students to study so many books in such a short time. Girls belonging to the rural areas are usually shy and reserved. For them it is almost impossible to enhance their knowledge by asking questions. Lecturers, instead of finding ways of addressing the problem, ridicule female students in the class. This has the effect of hurting their self-respect and confidence. Hence, this should not be accepted. It should be directed to the administration of private law colleges to submit before the university a code of ethics which should be observed by their teachers.
8. There is an acute scarcity of case laws in the syllabi of LLB Part I & II. The current syllabi are inadequate in this respect, resulting in difficulties for law graduates. Case laws should be made a part of the syllabi.
The objective of the examination system should be to examine the talent of students. Clarity of concepts should be accorded due consideration and the practice of memorizing without understanding discouraged.
SHAHBAZ HAIDER
Lahore
Wastage of public money
There is a clear instruction that every executive spending government money should ensure a judicious use of public funds and materials in his jurisdiction, but very rarely are this and other such instructions followed. The following is an example where government money was spoiled owing to carelessness and dishonesty on the part of the executive concerned:
In a government-owned school building in Malir (FS Area), three different junior schools are functioning. In the premises, three RCC water tanks (presumably one for each school) were recently built side by side, costing about Rs600,000.
Only within two to three days after the construction, the fitted taps were stolen. Subsequently, an electric motor with a pump was also stolen. Now the RCC tanks are being dismantled and the iron rods are being removed.
This situation shows neglect on the part of the officers concerned, including those of the directorate of education, who visited the site and saw themselves what was being done there. The relevant factors are as under:
i) Why three tanks were built when only one tank would have been enough.
ii) All wooden tables and chairs, including RCC benches, have been damaged and now the RCC water tanks are being damaged.
iii) Neither teachers nor the inspector of schools who visited the site several times have taken care to protect the government property from being ruined.
A situation like the above is visible, more or less, in every project and amounts are being wasted every day. This happens because of the prevalent dishonesty among executives and due to the absence of supervision by the chief executives and the ministers concerned. They should take notice of this situation in their respective departments and save the government money from being plundered.
PRO BONO PUBLICO
Karachi
College students' appeal
We, the students of the four-year BBA course of the College of Business Management, Karachi, have been trying for the past two years for our transfer to the BBA (Hons) course. For this we cleared the written test five times in a row but were each time held up by the interviewers' panel.
When we confront the admission authorities with the fact that we have cleared the test so many times and in certain cases our grading points (GP) are quite comparable to those who have been given admission, they console us that our case will be considered favourably. But nothing has been done so far in this regard.
When we were taking our first entrance test, the admission department explained the admission policy as the one that would always give preference to the college students over newcomers.
We, with our parents, met the college president once and on his advice took BBA (Hons) courses with his categorical promise that he would later transfer us to the BBA (Hons) three-year programme. But now he is not willing to see us despite repeated requests.
Instead, we have been asked to meet the director administration who every time we meet him assures us that if we clear the upcoming entrance test once again, he will exempt us from the interview.
Meanwhile, the college management is forcing us to switch over to the BCS programme, which has all new courses. It would result in wastage of our time and money.
Through these columns we request the college management to transfer us to the BBA (Hons) programme as promised by the president and save our careers.
AFFECTED STUDENTS
Karachi
Ending tax exemptions
According to the CBR chairman, the government will withdraw all tax exemptions available to individuals and various sectors ("All tax exemptions to go", Dawn,, March 12). This step will cause more miseries to the poor of the country.
During his last job at the petroleum ministry, the prices of petroleum products skyrocketed. How much has the common man benefited from his scheme of the fortnightly revision (mostly upwards) in the prices of petrol, diesel and kerosene? How much foreign investment has come to Pakistan? How many jobless have got employment? What are the overall economic benefits the country has got?
With all-round high prices, his declaration to withdraw all exemptions can only increase the misery the common people, most of whom live below the poverty line and the rest just make both ends meet.
MOHAMMAD YUSUF
Karachi
Cambridge University exam papers
I often notice mistakes in the examination papers of O level Urdu. For example, the following mistakes were made in the Cambridge International Examination papers 1 & 2, May/June-2003:
In part 1 (directed writing) of paper 1 (composition and translation), the paper-setter gave an advertisement for an essay-writing competition. The students are asked to write an essay on the topic "How can we develop youngster's interest in Urdu newspapers".
There are three mistakes in this advertisement. One, there is no mark of interrogation in the second last line where an interrogative sentence is given. Two, there is no information for writers what they should do after writing the essay, whether they have to send it by post, by hand, by fax or by email, as well as where it is to be sent.
Three, as there is no face- to-face competition, the last line of the advertisement, i.e. "Last date of competition 9 November", would be like "Last date of accepting the essays is 9 November".
Again, in part 1 of paper 2 (language usage, summary and comprehension), 1B sentence transformation (iii), an Urdu sentence is given as "Sakht Thandi Ki Wajah Say Khalid Bimaar Ho Gya". Using the Urdu word "Thandi" is wrong. The correct word must be "Sardi". One may use the word "Thand" but never the word "Thandi".
In part 2 (summary) of the same paper, the students are given a task to read the given passage and answer the given questions. In the passage the second sentence, which starts from the first line, is as follows:
"Yeh Aik Aisa Zehreela Nasha Aawar Bad Aadat Hay Keh Jo Is Say Munsalik Hay Wo Maashray Par Boj Banta Jaa Raha Hay".
Here the words "Aik Aisa Zehreela Nasha Aawar Bad Aadat" have three mistakes. First, instead of writing "Aisa" the paper-setter would have written "Aisi" as, according to the Urdu language, the word "Aadat" is feminine. Second, the word "Aadat" means "habit" and the word "Nasha Aawar" means intoxicant. According to the Urdu language, "Aadat" cannot be "Nasha Aawar". Third, if these mistakes are rectified, even then this phrase is not correct.
In the very next line, a part of a sentence is: "Os Ki Shakhsyiat-o-Kirdaar Nigaari Toot-ti Chali Jaati Hay".
The word "Kirdaar Nigaari" means "skill of writing character sketch" and the word "Kirdaar" means "character". The paper-setter should have used "Kirdaar" instead of using "Kirdaar Nigaari".
In the second last line of second paragraph, a sentence reads: "Jis Ka Aaghaaz Khushi, Tafreeh Aur Dil-Behlaaway Say Shuroo Ho Kar Anjaam Majboori Maa-uoosi Aur Khud Kushi Ban Jata Hay".
The word "Aaghaaz" means "beginning" and the word "Shuroo" means "to start". The use of these two words in this sentence are not correct. The correct sentence should be either "Jis Ka Aaghaaz Khushi, Tafreeh Aur Dil-Behlaawa Aur Anjaam Majboori Maa-uoosi Aur Khud Kushi Hota Hay" or "Jo Khushi, Tafreeh Aur Dil-Behlaaway Say Shuroo Ho Kar Majboori Maa-uoosi Aur Khud Kushi Par Khatm Hota Hay".
There are several minor other mistakes. In view of the above facts, it looks that the paper-setter does not belong to an Urdu-speaking background but has studied Urdu as a subject. The University of Cambridge should take care while appointing an Urdu paper-setter. The paper-setter must be from Urdu-speaking background and trained.
QAZI AKHTAR JAMAL
Karachi
Increase in salaries
It is astounding to read in a local daily that the prime minister and his ministers have been given a 15 per cent raise - the second in 18 months. At both the federal and provincial levels, the ministers are well off. Besides their salaries, they have other sources of income.
Thus, such quick increases in their salaries, allowances and perks at this juncture when the country is faced with so many serious problems appear unjustified.
On the other hand, pensioners were allowed only a 15 per cent increase in July 2003 and some of the retirees have not got the benefit yet. This increase in pensions looks very paltry when no other facilities are available to pensioners.
The spiralling prices and the rising cost of utility bills and health care have made life miserable for them. So, they immediately need another increase in their pensions.
Alternatively, these senior citizens should be given a monetary cushion in the form of medical facilities as allowed to the in-service employees. Concessions may also be given if any pensioner or senior citizen wants to travel within the country or outside.
M. SHAFIQUE AHMED
Karachi
Security measures
Since a explosives-laden stationary van was impounded outside the US consulate in Karachi a week ago, the police have been disallowing public transport, motorcycles and heavy vehicles from using Abdullah Haroon Road. On both sides of the road, they have set up roadblocks and allow a few vehicles to pass.
One wonders who comes up with these notions of security. What will stop a potential bomber from using a private vehicle? This whole exercise causes traffic jams that can be avoided.
SHAHZAD ALI
Karachi
ATM service
I have been a regular MCB ATM user since this facility was introduced. Nowadays I am facing difficulties in transferring funds from one branch to another.
In this connection I have approached the relevant staff of the bank a number of times but in vain. I also talked to the bank's general manager, Hyderabad, but it seems that he too is not in a position to solve my problem.
I request the high-ups of the bank to help me get my fund transferred.
NAZIR GHAFFAR
Hyderabad
Karachi's development problems
In the absence of a master plan for Karachi, one wonders what coordination exists in the various mega-development projects that are being undertaken. The city needs to expand, but one does not see much being done to develop residential areas or satellite towns.
In fact, one of the major problems in terms of travelling from the city centre to some of its more viable areas for alternative development like Port Qasim is the series of bottlenecks one faces in getting there.
The Landhi crossing is one such site which is expected to get worse before it gets any better as an overhead bridge is planned for that intersection. Better planning and some wisdom from our city planners would go a long way in giving the city some aspace to expand.
ARSHAD MUKHTAR
Karachi
Operation in Wana
The operation in Wana is being carried out at the behest of America, and the people of that area are being alienated from Pakistan.
This is a great conspiracy against an Islamic state which has atomic power. So, Pakistan should not come under American pressure. Mr Colin Powell should be convinced that there is neither any Al Qaeda activity nor the Taliban factor in this country.
Pakistan should also demand the F-16 planes or the return of the money paid for them. If we are further pressured by America, our existence will become very difficult and we may become another Iraq or Afghanistan.
AHMAD NOUMAN
Lahore
You can also send letters to the Editor
Just send your message to the following address:
Make sure you include your full name, postal address, e-mail address, and in the case of Pakistan your day-time telephone number.