Articles and letters may be edited for the purposes of clarity and space. They are published in good faith with a view to enlightening all the stakeholders. However, the contents of these writings may not necessarily match the views of the newspaper.
Boots on table
We have heard about boots on ground, or Nancy Sinatra’s song “These Boots Are Made For Walking”, but it is perhaps for the first time, courtesy ingenuity of this government’s Federal Minister that Boots on Table were displayed on television. Earlier the same Minister attired as a cowboy, with semiautomatic revolvers was seen on the scene when there was a terrorist attack in vicinity of Chinese Embassy in Karachi.
It would be much better if this government tackles menace of poverty, illiteracy, inflation, unemployment, tax evasion, decline in exports etc., with same zeal that they confront their political opponents. The founding fathers of Pakistan, under the dynamic and visionary leadership of Quaid-i-Azam and Allama Iqbal, struggled to create a modern democratic welfare state, whose citizens could enjoy basic human rights and live in safety, with right to dissent and no fear or threats of intimidation. MAJ tasked First Constituent Assembly to finalize the Constitution, on which foundations of modern democratic welfare state could be built. Jinnah’s Pakistan was created for self-rule through elected representatives of the people with no place for any autocratic dictatorship.
It takes planning and concrete steps to improve governance and give relief to people, which seems to be absent here. Merely referring to “Madinah Republic” or “Quaid’s Vision” and ideals which Allama Iqbal stood for and instead resorting to such tactics like putting shining boots on table makes no sense to those, who had high hopes that Imran Khan might deliver. People expect federal ministers to act with responsibility and serve as role models. Enough damage has been done and half country lost by vision-less mediocrity that has held power.
MALIK TARIQ ALI
Lahore
Remembering Wasif Ali Wasif
Born on 15th January 1929 in Khushab, Wasif Ali Wasif was the well known Urdu writer of the 20th Century. He did matriculation from Jhang and graduation from Islamia College Lahore. From college days he started writing for college magazine. He has special flare for English language and started MA English Linguistics. Later he found his own English College in Lahore. Wasif Ali Wasif wrote column in Nawa e Waqt which were widely read and appreciated and awaited. A writer, poet, Mystic and reformer’; he was a unique union of almost all good artistic and noble abilities and qualities. A very simple man in real life, he meditated for long years and turned towards Sufism. He penned masterpieces on life, death, happiness and sorrow.
He was master of aphorism. His book ‘Baat sy Baat’ stands testimony to it. Gradually, he e transformed himself as a modern Sufi. His words crafted with dexterity and delivered with brevity had long-lasting impression on the minds of his audience and readers. In early eighties, he organized weekly meetings which were attended by luminaries like Ashfaq Ahmed, and Hanif Ramey. Mysticism, then became his favourite topic and he spoke on it for hours, His lectures are available on internet.
Wasif Ali Wasif inspired the educated class and induced them to true, simple, easy and actual version of Islam san sectarianism. In the last decade of his life he focused on preaching, connecting people with their Creator. A job he performed with perfection. Till date, his quotes are widely shared on social media. Wasif Ali Wasif left this mortal world for his eternal abode on 18 January 1993.
Today, the World has been reduced to global village, and information of all type is available on internet. It is high time to promote the teachings of Sufis like Wasif for reducing hatred and non-tolerance from our simmering society. In addition to this, instead of teaching Lewis Carroll’s Alice in the wonderland, writings of Sufi saints should be added to the curriculum school going children to teach them basic morals and train them in a way that they may groom as a good human beings.
IFTIKHAR MIRZA
Islamabad
5G (Frequency Spectrum issues)
Most of the spot of spectrum from about 100 MHz to 3 GHz has been allocated and is heavily used. The most common uses are two-way radio, cellular (600 to 2500 MHz), and a few special applications like radar, satellite and TV. Cellular assignments dominate this part of the spectrum very little is left to assign to cellular subscriber expansion. Cellular operators pay billions for these little chunks of electromagnetic space.
Is there a real spectrum shortage? Yes and no. A great deal of spectrum has been licensed to many that want to hold on it for future use or profit. They can’t sell their spectrum holdings directly to others, (Federal Communications Commission) FCC won’t allow it. This faulty policy means that lots of good usable spectrum exists, but no one can get to it without the approval of the FCC, which introduces delays and costs.
The primary need for 5G is additional wireless capacity: It will provide service for more cell phones and other wireless devices. The global demand for wireless devices and services continues to grow, eclipsing the capacity of the first four cellular generations. 5G will add capacity along with enhanced performance in support of emerging applications powered by IOT devices. Its extended frequencies, bandwidths and associated technologies are not meant to replace earlier cellular wireless network generations, like Long Term Evolution (LTE), 3G-4G, but to work alongside them.
DANISH MEHBOOB
Rawalpindi
Homeless people
Karachi has witnessed a record cold weather this season. People avoid going out of their houses unnecessarily. In such a harsh weather there are some people who spend their days and nights under open sky. Meteorological Department has further forecast even colder days and nights in Karachi during the coming days. Record breaking cold weather has been observed across the country as well.
Under such harsh cold weather some families along with their kids and adolescents are compelled to live on footpaths in Karachi and it can be seen that they shiver from cold at dawn. For the sake of humanity, such people should at least be provided temporary camps so that they might remain safe from such cold weather to some extent with necessary warm cloths and blankets.
FAISAL ANSAR
Karachi
Women education for our nation
Do you think education is important for the development of a nation? Education has a key role in the development of a country. We have seen in the history of the world that those nations are in the lines of leading developed nations who have educated their women and men equally. But unfortunately the situation of female education in our country is not as good as it should be. As about half of the population of world is female. The literacy rate of women is only 45%, which shows that the situation is highly alarming for the development of Pakistan.
Islam has its clear concept about education. According to the Holy Quran, “Say: ‘Can those who have knowledge and those who do not be alike?’ So only the wise do receive the admonition.” The Holy Prophet (SAW) said,” Acquisition of knowledge is binding on all Muslims (both men and women without any discrimination).
Announcements are often made but unfortunately not brought to action. Education has only 2% in the total budget of the country. Many organizations and NGOs are also working and arranging seminars and functions all over the country in order to make people aware about the importance of female education in Pakistan. The situation can be improved if every individual plays his/her role with responsibility. Teachers, students, religious leaders and scholars, government and non-governmental organizations can make it better. If you educate a man, you educate a man only; if you educate a woman, you educate the whole generation.”
HAFSA NADEEM
Islamabad
Global warming
Global warming is the unusual rapid increase in Earth’s average surface temperature over the past century primarily due to the greenhouse gases released as people burn fossil fuels. Temperatures are certain to go up further. The entire population will be affected by climate change, especially the children living in poor countries, elderly people, people with infirmities or pre-existing medical conditions and those living in developing countries with weak health infrastructure.
It’s time to take action and work together for our family and country. Take a strategic approach. We must think big and act boldly, but we recognize that progress comes one step at a time. Our focus is on making a difference in public policy and in our lives and our environment, not just making a statement. Build on what works. We’ve won policies, actions and decisions that have resulted in reduced carbon pollution across the country.
We know which policies work, how they can be improved and what it takes to win their approval. As always, we’re also open to new ideas that work even better. Boosting energy efficiency, greening transportation, phasing out fossil fuel electricity, managing forests and agriculture, exploring nuclear, developing and deploying new low-carbon and zero-carbon technologies, ensuring sustainable development, adapting to changes are among some of the recommendations to solves the above mentioned issue.
ATTIQA REHMAN
Islamabad
Annual Exams 2019
On 30th of December 2019, A notification regarding College side Annual Examinations(B.A/B.Sc/B.Com Part I and II) 2019 was issued from the office of Controller of Examinations, Shah Abdul Latif University, which stated that Annual Exams 2019 will commence from 15th of January 2020. But for a few days rumours have begun to circulate on Social Media that Annual Examinations have been postponed and will commence in February, while timetable of the said exams has not been issued yet, nor students have got the Exam slips.
Still no official source has confirmed the delay in exams which has caused anxiety among thousands of students regarding exam dates. Concerned authorities are requested to please look into this matter and clear misconceptions/rumours regarding Annual Exams dates.
TULHA SIKANDER
Larkana
