THIS refers to Prof Jetha Nand Rahi’s letter ‘Thank you, my dear Pakistan’ (Oct 27) detailing his extraordinary struggle through adversity and subsequent rise as a distinguished educationist. Education is a birthright of every individual as inscribed in Article 26 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and a fundamental constitutional responsibility of the state.

It underpins human development by opening and expanding opportunities. The founding fathers envisaged Pakistan to be a modern welfare state with equal opportunities for all. In his speech of Aug 11, 1947, while articulating a pluralistic society, the Quaid resonated the ideals of Sir Syed Ahmad Khan who strived all his life to pull Muslims out of darkness into the mainstream world through modern education.

The fact that Fayaz Ahmad provided Rs200 a month for two years to the learned professor to enable him to pursue his studies that in due course facilitated his selection speaks of a ‘selfless and a true’ friend -- a rare example in today’s society increasingly driven by personal interests. Alongside, it also symbolises the state’s total failure in upholding its obligation of investing in future generations.

One wonders how many schools backed by devoted and professional teachers delivering a quality curriculum have since been established in Mirpurkhas district. But according to Unesco’s Education for All Global Monitoring Report 2012, Pakistan is said to have a total of 5.1 million children out of school, making it the nation with second highest out-of-school children in the world.

Having a naval background, I have had the personal privilege of witnessing scores of colleagues from Cadet College Petaro rise in ranks to position of prominence in the Pakistan Navy over the past 38 or so years. Many of them must have been students of Prof Jetha. There is no denying that the institution has provided a steady stream of fine talent to serve the country in varying capacities. It has also included national heroes and Asian Games gold medallists like Munir Sadiq who did Pakistan proud on more than one occasion.

Unfortunately, however, the likes of Captain Shukruddin, Prof Tariq and Mr Fayaz only live in books in modern-day Pakistan.

Accordingly, while there may be thousands of young Jethas yearning to seek education against all odds, there are fewer Fayaz Ahmads, but more Fazalullahs forever scheming to destroy schools and target brave Malalas and also wreak death and destruction sometimes in the name of Islam and sometimes for the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) as the world witnessed in horror on the streets of Karachi on Sept 21.

MUHAMMAD AZAM KHAN Lahore