In literal darkness

MUCH was said about how the country should enter the 21st century. Nobody quite prepared the nation, however, about the possibility of doing so in almost blanket darkness; literally. As things stand today in only the eighth year of the new century, blessed are those hours when power supply remains uninterrupted. From domestic consumers to industries and business houses, no one is left unaffected. Though it is a countrywide phenomenon, Karachi is bearing the brunt of this man-made crisis which is quite unfortunate for a city that contributes around two-thirds of the federal revenue. What happened on March 6 when the Pakistan Electric Power Company (Pepco) abruptly cut off supply to the city is apparently not a thing of the past; such days may again come to haunt the city which has been put on notice by Pepco till the end of the month when the KESC has to pay at least Rs3bn of the disputed outstanding balance of over Rs37bn. This naturally bodes ill for all concerned.

The shortfall in Karachi right now is to the tune of 400 megawatts despite 100MW additional short-term supply from Pepco and the revival of certain units at the Bin Qasim plant. This is when the demand stands at around 2,000MW. With the seasonal rise in mercury round the corner, the demand is only going to rise and is expected to cross the 2,500MW mark. To put it mildly, the summer months are bound to be taxing. Even worse is the fact that there is no hope. It is as bleak as it gets. With 25 per cent shortfall at the national scale, this is time for the nation to pay for years of neglect and lack of planning of power generation. With water sources drying up, the gas reserves going down, and world oil prices jumping to ever new highs, the bankrupt energy infrastructure is clearly on the verge of collapse. The man-made chaos deplorable and saddening in equal measure for the country is merely sitting pretty on considerable coal reserves and has done little to explore other alternative sources — solar panels and molasses-based power generation, for instance — to decrease its dependence on conventional energy.

Though it will take three to five years to bear fruit, we need to start working in that direction without delay. To somehow sustain ourselves during the intervening period, conservation and lifestyle modifications appear to be our best bet. But even here, the initiative must come from the top. Profusely-lit state symbols like the presidency, the prime minister’s house, the National Assembly, etc. need to cut down on ostentatious power consumption to encourage others to follow suit. Daytime streetlights and public illuminations on days of national and religious significance will also have to go. The time to begin is now.

Parliamentary culture

AS the nation waits for the post-poll democratic process to get into full swing and the new government to assume office, the parliamentary culture that is emerging is interesting to observe. For one, the absence of acrimony and vitriolic exchanges between the politicians on different sides of the political fence is a welcome development. The PML-Q, that ruled the roost for five years as the king’s party, appears to be reconciled to its loss of power. It has been an inglorious fall for a party that had provided Gen Musharraf the political underpinning he needed to sustain the façade of Pakistan being a democracy. Many PML-Q stalwarts even failed to win their seats. The party’s parliamentary strength saw a massive slide from 118 in the last Assembly to a measly 51 in the present House. If the party’s poor showing at the polls — the pre-election rigging notwithstanding — has brought home the reality of the party’s unpopularity and the voters’ yearning for change, one hopes that the MNAs who are now sitting on the opposition benches will maintain their moderate political stance in the coming months as well. They have promised to play a constructive role as the opposition. If the PML-Q’s good intentions are indeed translated into action, the party would make a major contribution to the country’s constitutional process. The fact is that in Pakistan the tradition has been for parties that have failed to win elections to perceive their role as being one of literally ‘opposing’ the government — that is obstructing its working rather than contributing to meaningful debate.

One hopes that the current trends indicate a change in this puerile culture of yore. One also hopes that some statements — not very promising — issued by PML-Q leaders do not symbolise the normal pattern. For instance, a former federal minister Shaikh Rashid Ahmad’s observation that the new government would not last even three months could hardly have been something designed to promote a working relationship between the two sides in the National Assembly. There have also been other negative vibes emanating from the Assembly, though they have caused no damage so far. The JUI-F’s failure to show up in time to vote for the Speaker leaves a bad taste in the mouth especially when this party has been included in the ruling coalition as a gesture of goodwill and not because its support is indispensable. Did their absence reflect its members’ reservations about voting for a woman? If our parliamentarians are really in the process of writing a new chapter in Pakistan’s history, to use the words of Speaker Fehmida Mirza, they will have to learn the norms and rules of parliamentary behaviour and actually observe them.

Power of word play

THE vast world of the Internet and the galaxy of new television channels are just two of the many reasons that bibliophiles are going the way of the dodo — extinction. However, our arid intellectual environment that offers little to feed the mind remains the primary culprit. Unfortunately, the life-changing powers of a book have remained unsung for long as TV remotes and computer ‘mice’ became sorry replacements for good old paperbacks. But the winds of change may have begun to blow our way as educational institutions and NGOs are making concerted efforts with book fairs, seminars, book launches and signing ceremonies to revive the written word and, in turn, many minds. Karachi University’s three-day book fair was one example which attracted significant interest as it hosted close to 6,000 visitors on the first day. One factor that helped was the variety promoted by a number of publishers who set up stalls there.

A book fair’s key function should be of book marketing which translates into more writers, publishers and sellers. These events can also attract foreign publishers and writers to open new vistas of opportunity for their local counterparts. Our country witnessed a dark time when numerous renowned bookstores brought their shutters down for lack of profit. And more fabric and furniture shops took their place. A re-run of such a tragedy must be prevented and the renaissance we see today should take firm root. It is important that libraries be promoted to provide vital support to the publishing industry. Even the ‘four anna’ lending libraries can be revived to bridge major hurdles of access and costs to make books affordable for all. Book fairs will, however, remain the essential element of book marketing because they reach out to the buyer and provide him easy access to a book.

Prophet Muhammad’s unique glory

WITH the advent of Muhammad (peace be upon him) the long line of prophets came to an end as proclaimed in the Holy Quran: “Muhammad is not the father of any of your men, but (he is) the Messenger of Allah, and the Seal of the Prophets …” (33: 40). A seal always indicates the end; hence it cannot even be conceived that any more prophet would ever come.

It is also very significant that the Message of Allah, that commenced with the very first Prophet Adam (peace be upon him) and continued through various Messengers, came to an end – completed and finalised – with him in the form of the Holy Quran, the last and eternal Divine Revelation.

The Holy Quran confirms the previous Divine revelations: “And this is a Book which We have sent down, bringing blessings, and confirming (the revelations) which came before it ...” (6: 92). It is the single and the only Divine Book, embracing complete code of life, for the whole mankind for their guidance till the Day of Resurrection.

The Holy Prophet (pbuh) and the Holy Quran seem to be like a combination of the nimbus and the aureola, the glory of Prophet Muhammad is fully glorified in the glorious Quran.

Allah in the Quran has called Himself Rabbil alamin, “….The Cherisher and Sustainer of the worlds;” (1:1) and has exalted Prophet Muhammad by calling him Rahmatal lil alamin, “…(as a) Mercy for all creatures.” (21:107).

The Holy Prophet has been conferred the honour that his name appears at several places in the Quran in the context of obeying him, for instance in verse 132 of surah 3: “And obey Allah and His Messenger; that you may obtain mercy.” As a reward for obeying Allah and His Messenger, they will be admitted in the Paradise: “….those who obey Allah and His Messenger will be admitted to Gardens with rivers flowing beneath, to abide therein (for ever) and that will be the Supreme achievement.” (4:13).

In case of defying Allah and His Messenger and transgress His limits will be admitted to a Fire, to abide therein: and they shall have a humiliating punishment.” Al-Quran surah 4 verse 14.

The name of the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) as ‘Muhammad’ appears in the Holy Quran at five places, one as the caption of surah 47 and the rest at these places: 3: 144, 33: 40, 47: 02 and 48: 29; further as ‘Ahmad’ only once at 61: 6.

He, at a number of places, has been addressed in various ways such as: ‘O Prophet’ on several occasions, only in surah Ahzab at verses 1, 28, 45, 50, and 59. Likewise he has been referred as ‘His servant’ at 25: 1, ‘servant of Allah’ at 72: 19, ‘Our servant’ at 2: 23, ‘Our Messenger’ at 64: 12 and directly as at 39: 41 “Verily We have revealed the Book to thee….” He has also been mentioned in these words: “Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah….” At 48: 29.

He has been mentioned as unlettered in surah 7 at verse 157 “Those who follow the Messenger, the unlettered Prophet, whom they find mentioned in their own (Scriptures),….” And again in the same surah at verse 158 “….So believe in Allah and His Messenger, the unlettered Prophet, who believes in Allah and His Words: follow him that you may be guided.”

In the words of Abdullah Yusuf Ali, “He was not versed in human learning; yet he was full of the highest wisdom, and had a most wonderful knowledge of the previous Scriptures. This was a proof of his inspiration.

It was a miracle of the highest kind, a “sign which every one could test then, and every one can test now.”

It is a common perception that teachings of Islam are exclusively meant for Muslims, whereas the message of Islam, in fact, is universal for the whole human race as in unequivocal words pronounced in the Holy Quran: “….And We have sent thee (Muhammad) as a Messenger to (instruct) mankind, and enough is Allah for a witness.” (4: 49)

As Messenger of Allah, and the last one, it was incumbent on him to disseminate the Message of Allah, which he did in letter and spirit; not only that but he acted upon it fully. Since his prime responsibility was to preach, so he has been ordained in surah Muddaththir verses 1, “O you wrapped up (in a mantle)!” and 2, “Arise and deliver warning!”

The epithet of warner has also been mentioned in 33:45, “O Prophet! Truly We have sent you as a Witness … and a Warner.”

He was not sent only as a warner but also as a bearer of glad tidings as mentioned in the same verse, as well as in verse 47 of the same surah, “Then give glad tidings to the Believers, that they shall have from Allah a very great Bounty.” The Bounty may be ‘the light of Islam’ for which he seems to have been symbolised as a lamp: “…And as a Lamp spreading Light.” (33:46)

He was assigned to narrate the Message of Allah to the Believers: “Allah did confer a great favour on the Believers when He sent among them a Messenger from among themselves, rehearsing unto them the Signs of Allah, sanctifying them, and instructing them in Scripture and Wisdom, before that, they had been in manifest error.” (3:164)

The hallmarks of his prophethood have emphatically been declared in the Holy Quran thus: “Your Companion is neither astray nor being misled,” and “Nor does he say of (his own) desire.” (53:2&3)

The Holy Prophet has been blessed in these words: “…. This day have I perfected your religion for you, completed My favour upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion….” (5:3)

As for the disregard to the Holy Prophet Allah has warned in these words: “Those who annoy Allah and His Messenger – Allah has cursed them in this world and in the Hereafter, and has prepared for them a humiliating Punishment.” (33:57)

As regards the reverence to the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) the Holy Quran speaks out thus: “Allah and His Angels send blessings to the Prophet: O you that believe! Send you blessings to him, and salute him with all respect.

OTHER VOICES - Pushto Press

Iran’s Afghan policy

Shahadat, Kabul

REGRETTABLY, the Iranian government’s long-standing policy on Afghanistan is neither in consonance with the expectations of the Afghan people nor does it befit an Islamic country. After the withdrawal of Soviet forces from Afghanistan and before the US intervention, the Iranian government’s interference in Afghanistan had reached a point where the Iranians started constructing airports in Bamiyan without caring to take any formal permission for the purpose.

The Iranians can now guess who is taking maximum advantage of those airports — the US forces or the Islamic Republic?

Not only did the Iranians fail to come to the rescue of their neighbours … when US forces started pounding Afghanistan with cluster bombs, they even made a deal with the US to fight the Afghans. The Iranian intervention in Afghanistan in the present era has intensified to such an extent that even the Afghan parliament has started raising its voice these moves.

A member of the Afghan People’s Jirga, Najeebullah Kabuli, recently submitted a document to officials [showing] that Tehran’s interference has taken an ugly shape, and that the Iranians are operating in different parts of Kabul. The Iranians have yet to refute these statements…

This development proves the point that Iran’s stand on the crucial issues facing Afghanistan runs contrary to the Afghan people’s aspirations and negates the principles of an Islamic republic.

The people of Afghanistan expect that if Iran is unable to help them, it should at least desist from doing something that completely goes against the interests of the Afghan people. We expect maturity and honesty from the government of Iran while dealing with the crucial issues confronting Afghanistan. — (March 16)

Who burns Afghan schools?

Hewad, Peshawar

BURNING schools means gouging out the eyes of a people and cutting off their limbs and hands because burning schools means imposing ignorance and killing knowledge. The question arises as to who is blinding the Afghans and who is imposing ignorance on them? Surely it cannot be the Afghans themselves.

The last week saw two schools torched in Kandahar. The fires … [destroyed] hundreds of religious books….

Such tragic incidents have been repeated several times in Afghanistan. Whatever you may call a school or a college, it always remains a centre of learning.

Those who do not respect their centres of learning always lag behind in the comity of nations, and they cannot help their own people or promise a bright future to their coming generations. Those who are not aware of the value of learning cannot escape the dark clouds of ignorance.

The Afghans badly need knowledge and new learning in the present time. The burning of schools needs to be stopped immediately because knowledge and learning are not usually a party to any conflict.

Schools do not belong to any sect. Nobody should try to keep the Afghans in darkness because efforts to keep them in the dark are not going to succeed any more…. The Afghan people may be well advised to unite against those who want to keep them in darkness and ignorance.

The Afghans must not let their schools and colleges burn. The government of Afghanistan and the international community need to pay heed to incidents in which schools are torched and take measures to put the Afghans on the path of knowledge and research. — (March 16)

— Selected and translated by Khadim Hussain