| March 05, 2008 | Wednesday | Safar 26, 1429 |
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Article 58(2)b’s compatibility
Siege mentality
Increase in ration for jawans
Generation gap
‘Kashmir’ exploited once again
Baby with extra limbs
Bio-fuel alternatives
Bolstering self-confidence
Candidate for PM
Remembering Gen Baig
Pakistan unmoved
Readers are requested to restrict their comments to a maximum of 400 words. We reserve the right to edit letters for reasons of clarity and space. Letters, including those by e-mail, should carry the complete postal address of the sender. The views expressed in these columns do not necessarily reflect the views of the newspaper.—Editor
WITH reference to the news item that ‘young achievers’ in O level examinations were awarded in Lahore, last year also 55 Pakistani school students got ‘top of the world’ positions in O and A level examinations. This is indeed a great achievement on their part and I certainly don’t want to discourage them or belittle their hard-earned position. But I want to clear the picture both for the writer and the public.
Most people in Pakistan are unaware that the General Certificate of Education (GCE) or O level was replaced by the General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) across the UK in 1985. Now 20 plus years later, the number of countries still offering O levels can be counted on your finger-tips. These countries include select schools in Singapore, Brunei, Mauritius, a few Anglophone African countries and, of course, Pakistan.
Now anyone can guess why our students are “world toppers”(because it is a small world).
Another disturbing fact that I want to share is that in a fast and ever changing world, knowledge/education scenarios are changing accordingly as a new educational system was developed and applied in Europe named the International Baccalaureate (IB), which is considered more dynamic and based on skill learning as well as criterion-based assessment.
Tony Blair’s government pledged to establish 200 public schools for IB syllabus (the private schools have it already) and phase out and replace the GCSE and A level systems. IB proved to be a more comprehensive system for critical learning and universities all over the developed world are in great demand for IB certificate holders.
I am at loss to understand as to why we are sticking to a system that is 20 years obsolete in the country of its origin and they are moving to yet another system (GCE to GCSE to IB), while we in Pakistan are throwing our hard-earned money in the wells of so-called elite schools in the false hope that they are/can deliver us the best possible education/system to our future generation.
In reality they are offering us only a 20-year-old obsolete system while the world is moving on to capture new horizons (even India has 31 IB institutions, Pakistan has one).
I request the policymakers and general academicians to take into account the syllabus of private schools while framing the education policy. The syllabus is in as bad shape as the syllabus in our government schools.
SABAHAT AKRAM
Via email
ARTICLE 58(2)b is compatible with an independent judiciary only, otherwise it could be misused. There is an extensive call by lawyers, civil societies and politicians, except the Muslim League (Q), for abjuration of this article, which has rendered it highly polemic.
Many an intellectual strongly contend that the role of politicians were not free of allegations as to gross malfeasance. Corruption, loot and plunder of our national wealth had become the order of the day. This has impeded our national growth. The middle and lower strata of our society have been severally affected due to extreme financial burden. Whereas palaces built in Pakistan and abroad seem to be apparent by those politicians that matter.
I may be permitted to explicate the efficacy of this article. When the president (whoever he may be), after applying his mind judiciously, is satisfied that the government is not being run in accordance with the constitution and there is widespread corruption and plunder of our national wealth and the president’s advice to counter it goes unheeded, he may dismiss the government, send home the ministers and even set the assemblies in abeyance for a transient period.
Meanwhile, it is mandatory for him to refer the matter to the apex court for adjudication. In case the apex court concludes that this article has been misused with malice just to retain the president in power, it will restore the assemblies and the government. The, court may reprimand the president if it deems proper. And if the action of the president is held justified and with good intent, then the court may order a fresh election within a specific period.
This would enable the electorates to be more prudent in casting their votes to eliminate such persons as were held responsible to extirpate our economy.
It is, therefore, felt that the president should not be rendered impotent in office and should be vigilant to step in to salvage the country from a precarious condition.
It is, therefore, imperative that this article should be retained as a subterfuge at least for a decade so that till such time one hopes that our politicians may learn to desist from amassing illegal wealth. This would also block army intervention when this option is available with the president.
SAIFUDDIN E. CONTRACTOR
Karachi
THIS is apropos of Jawed Naqvi’s criticism on the Hindu right wing, both of the homegrown and the diaspora variety (‘Globalisation and the story of an unremitting siege mentality’, March 3). I do not take exception to his attack because the Hindu right has some of the tendencies that he talks about and deserves to be called to account.
I, however, take some exception to his claim that he makes several times in his article that Hindu claims of a great past are imagined, to use his expression ‘conjured up’. Muslims in general have a tendency of minimising the achievements of Hindus and Mr Naqvi is no exception.
The opposite is also true that right wing Hindus have the same tendency of treating everything Muslim with contempt.
However, I would aver as far as religion, philosophy, history and science are concerned. Mr Naqvi belongs to an intellectual minority that appears to believe that the Hindu past greatness is imagined. As far as I am concerned, I would prefer to call it the Indian past, because I count Ghalib, the Sufi mystics, Iqbal, Kabir and of course Mahavira, the Buddha and Nanak in that past because culture in a country, especially a country of several beliefs as India, is a composite created by the push and pull of a people that belonged to many schools of thought. India fortunately has belonged to a past of many beliefs even within Hinduism.
If Mr Naqvi wishes to know about the ‘conjured’ past, he should read such writers as Will Durant, Mark Twain, Vincent Smith and Al Basham amongst many others or read about Indian mathematicians, from Panini and Aryabhatta in ancient India down to Ramanujan in the 20th century. Or philosophers like Sankara (8th century) and Ramanuja (11th century). Or great kings like Chandragupta Maurya, Ashoka, Raja Chola and Akbar.
In spite of the Hindu right wing, India still has freedom of expression and all right thinking Indians, Hindu, Muslim or otherwise should fight to keep it so.
In that, India is unique in the subcontinent and should guard that freedom with great care.
GIRDHAR GOPAL
United States
BESIDES many other steps that Gen Ashfaq Parvaiz Kayani has taken after assuming the charge as Chief of Army Staff, which the nation has welcomed, his recent decision to increase ration for military jawans is being widely appreciated by the low-ranking personnel, in particular, and the people across the country, in general.
There is a 15 per cent increase in the ration and a marginal increase in other allowances such as uniform, extra duties, better accommodation and facilities for children, which is part of the Rs10 billion package announced recently by the commander-in-chief for improving the quality of life of soldiers.
The decision would help in dispelling the impression that the military officers had been entitled to better facilities than the soldiers. This would also help improve the living conditions, health and education of the children and families of non-commissioned officers and jawans.
The soldiers really deserved it. They are rendering enormous services and sacrifices for the country and for the safety of the people. We need to realise the fact that these soldiers are a source of comfort, help and care for us. They have done so much for us in the past and continue to do so.
We owe them love, care, respect and appreciation for their deeds because this is the maximum that they desire in return for their services. It is the responsibility of the nation to acknowledge the services of the soldiers and give them their share of appreciation in order to boost their morale and to convey the feelings of love and respect.
My hats are off for Gen Kayani for this decision. Keep it up, General.
SUBEDAR (r) BULAND KHAN
Peshawar
THIS is in response to Ayesha Khalid Khan’s letter (Feb 29) on the significance of Valentine ’s Day. I am saddened to read her narrow approach to the controversial issue of cultural confusion in our younger generation. I agree that we must strive to continue and uphold our traditions and cultures but to simply blame it on our generation is rather sickening.
Before antagonising our generation, I think the writer should know that it was her generation that brought all these problems to our country. Which generation is to be blamed for lack of political, economic and educational development in this country? Not us.
Yes I strongly believe that Valentine’s Day is a complete waste of precious time and money but for her to say “lead them to something constructive” is purely ignorant. This generation is striving for quality education and the development of this country, and is also is making trips to the UN for debates, visiting hospitals, and educating ourselves in the best way possible. This generation is also breaking older records of highest marks in any examination.
I also want to point out that she should learn that ‘crap’ is a slang and rude term, before she starts ‘preaching’ about something or the other to enlighten our generation.
The writer should refrain from blaming us, the youth, for all the problems in this country. It’s not our fault. We have to resort to such useless days like Valentine’s Day to give us a little break from the problems that her generation created in this country.
SAADULLAH AWAN
Karachi
EVEN a name ‘Kashmir’ provides a perfect recipe for cheap popularity. While the Kashmir issue has been sent to the black hole, I am referring to the recent release of an Indian prisoner, ‘Kashmir Singh’, by the federal minister for human rights, Ansar Burni.
Indeed the release of any such prisoner, in all probabilities, whose rights have been violated for years, should be applauded. Nonetheless, it is unfortunate to see that a person none other than the caretaker federal minister for human rights is using the release for self-projection and gaining cheap popularity.
By following the news, it is so obvious that the federal minister has created a hype of this event, addressing press conferences and giving his account of the release of Kashmir Singh. All of his narrations about the release starts with ‘I’ and continues patting his own back.
Protection or fulfilment of rights of anyone, including a long-sentenced prisoner, should have been one of the routine acts or efforts of the ministry for human rights. For Mr Burni, who is a well-known human rights activist, it would have been appropriate that instead of exploiting one single release, he uses the media to inform the public of actions taken by his ministry in institutionalising protection of human rights in various government institutions.
I do not expect a caretaker federal minister to show the magic and ‘fix’ the daunting issue of human rights violations in various government departments in three months. However, it is yet fair to expect from the minister to educate the public on the key initiatives he has taken during his tenure, rather than ‘using’ the release of one prisoner for raising his height.
JAHANGIR DURRANI
Islamabad
I WAS delighted to read about the release of Kashmir Singh from the Lahore Central Jail. It would have been an ordeal for a person and his family who spent his valuable 35 years in jail.
Many similar cases might be languishing in Indian and Pakistani jails for a long time. Isn’t it time for both the governments to discuss this further and agree on exchanging these victims of state policy?
I would like to thank Pakistan and President Musharraf on releasing Kashmir Singh on humanitarian grounds.
RAVI KHANAVILLY
United States
MARCH 3 was the happiest day for Kashmir Singh as he was freed after three decades of imprisonment. These three decades in jail were no doubt blackest days of his life, but now the day has changed his life completely. He will now be able to spend his life freely with his family and friends.
I must congratulate President Musharraf and Ansar Burni for such a nice gesture. We Pakistanis can proudly say that we are concerned about human rights. Now it’s the Indian government’s turn. They should also release innocent people who were apprehended in their jails for years for no reason.
SAHAR SATTAR
Lahore
THIS has reference to the news item, ‘Baby with extra limbs in NICH’ (Feb 28). A chilling feeling went through my spine when I read that Mr Ashiq’s neighbours, instead of helping him out, suggested that the poor baby should be given to circus people so that they could use her as a ‘freak object’.
How brutal and insensitive this thought is? How could any sane human give such pathetic advice? I also despise those circus people who haunted him to snatch the baby from the father. How greed can blind people is beyond me.There is no doubt that a poor construction worker with eight children must be struggling to make both ends meet and give all his children a decent lifestyle but he may not stoop to such greed despite high inflation and rising living expenses.
As NICH doctors are prepared to treat her, I pray for this child’s well-being and complete recovery so that she can live a normal life.
ANAS A. KHAN
Canada
YOUR editorial, ‘In search of a bio-fuel’ (March 3), does not mention the significant detriments of using bio-fuels. Bio-fuels use the same crops — wheat, palm oil and others — that form staple food groups for most of the developing world.
According to experts in the United Nations and elsewhere, the explosion of demand for bio-fuels is drastically increasing food prices and causing food shortages. Pakistan is all too familiar with shortages in wheat, which brought protesting people to the streets last year.
The poorest people, particularly in the developing world, will continue to be hardest hit by unaffordable crop prices. Meanwhile, the biggest buyers of bio-fuels, the US and Europe, will hardly notice.
Eco-friendly alternatives that rely on grass and agricultural waste, such as cellulosic ethanol, are a more sustainable and more just option than using bio-fuels that make it even more difficult for the poorest among us to put food on the table.
HARIS AQEEL
California, USA
WITH respect to Mr Taha’s letter, ‘American interference’ (Feb 28), I would like to remind you the following couplet of Allama Iqbal.
Khudi ko kar buland itna ke har taqdeer se pehle
Khuda bande se ye poche bata teri raza kia hai
Till we reach that level of Khudi (self-confidence), America will continue to interfere in the affairs of Pakistan. Khudi cannot be determined only from the president.
My daughter’s teacher in Pakistan had all bad things to say about America till the day she received her green card and moved to the US.
IQBAL RAFAT KHAN
Canada
SINCE the death of Benazir Bhutto, there seems to be a lack of unity within the ranks of Pakistan People’s Party, which has failed to field a candidate for the post of prime ministership even after two weeks of wrangling amongst its top leadership since the general election.
Perhaps Asif Zardari should consider the name of Sherry Rehman for the top post and put an end to all speculations and procrastinations.
She would not only be a suitable replacement for Benazir Bhutto as yet another female prime minister but her nomination could also cool down the internal power struggle between various provincial camps within the party.
In the form of a liberal, progressive and an articulate politician without the baggage of ‘waderashahi’, she should be able to provide fresh direction to the embattled and increasingly anxious nation of Pakistan.
DR SHAAZ MAHBOOB
London
IT was more than shock, grief and anger that I felt at the death of Lt-Gen Mushtaq Baig, surgeon-general, in a suicide attack recently. I had known him for more than 15 years. In addition to being a highly competent eye specialist, he was an extremely humble, friendly and caring person, treating everyone with a big smile on his face.
He had great respect for my father, who was a senior Army officer when Gen Mushtaq was a colonel. However, the respect, care and humility that he showed towards my father after his retirement and when he developed a long-term eye disease was humbling for all of us. He was someone whose humility increased as he grew through the ranks, ultimately becoming the highest-ranking officer in his service. He was one of the most respected and appreciated officers of the Pakistan Army.
His death is a personal loss to many people who had come to respect and admire him for his professional and personal qualities. Although he will be missed, he will always be with us as a role model for those in his profession and for others who rise to higher ranks and positions. May God bless his soul and of those other innocents who perished with him.
ATHER IMRAN NAWAZ
Rawalpindi
NOT a peep of condemnation from the Pakistan government over the merciless killing of unarmed Palestinians by the fascist Israeli state. Pakistan, under President Musharraf, has sunk to its lowest ebb both morally and ethically. Western nations endlessly teach us the wisdom of liberalism, yet turn a blind eye to their blue-eyed boy, Israel.
ALI MUJTABA
Islamabad
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