APROPOS Sarah Awan’s ‘Books over bullets’ (July 27) which were echoed in the Oslo Summit on education for development by the youngest Nobel Peace Prize Winner’ Malala.

Citing from her publication she says, “The world is spending $39 billion in eight days on militarism; enough budget for 12 years education for the children of this planet.” Translating annually, it amounts roughly to $1,700 billion, enough for the next 523 years of free education!

Pakistan has allocated 2.1 per cent for education and 11 pc for defence out of its Rs4.60 trillion current budget.

Reversal of the adage “Pen is mightier than the sword” is a growing concern here too. The social media is abuzz with jihadi symbols like Kalashnikovs. Mikhail Kalashnikov and Albert Einstien both regretted the misuse of their creations. But we proudly brandish it rather than a pen as a jihad symbol.

Even though Mr Kalashnikov himself says, “The longer I live, the more this question drills itself into my brain and the more I wonder why the Lord allowed man to have the devilish desires of envy, greed and aggression.”

Abdul Ali

Gilgit

Published in Dawn, July 31st, 2015

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