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.
Good governance
The increase in violence, corruption, injustice and exploitation of institutions causes individuals to question if they will ever experience good governance in Pakistan and if it is a pipedream to have a system based on transparent, responsible, efficient and accountable government that flourishes justice and the rule of law; and where people’s opinions are valued equally. Is there anything we have learned during the last 75 years? These questions are difficult to address in the context of Pakistan.
It was the time when the downtrodden decided to break free from their servitude to their rulers. As a result, the world experienced multiple revolutions, including the American and French, and glorious revolutions (Magna Carta). These revolutions attempted to create a system of governance that would rule for the good of humanity. The system in which justice, accountability, transparency and integrity reign supreme, this system was termed “Democracy” by them.
Under the protection of democracy, they are protected against an imperialistic strategy. However, even after adopting a democratic approach, some countries like Pakistan were unable to preserve the fundamentals of sound state governance. By looking at Pakistan’s 2020 Human Development Index position, where it comes in at 154 out of 189 nations, one may get an idea of its status. Let’s analyze Pakistan in terms of good governance.
KISSA ZAHRA ZAIDI
Karachi
Prerequisite for the development
The current state of Pakistan is facing insurmountable challenges that are deteriorating the conditions of common people. There is no denying the fact that Pakistan has been facing manifold crisis of utmost severity since its inception.
Politically, Pakistan has never been stable, thus, have been intervened by military take-overs. Socially, it has been facing ample of challenges like unemployment, poverty, soaring inflation, rampant corruption and so forth. Economically, the state has been constantly dependent on the foreign loans. Hence, it would be quite amiss to conceive Pakistan on the right track in the near future. There is a need of some realistic measures from the state actors to ameliorate the melancholic conditions of the country.
Taking about the lack of political consensus, it is a gigantic hindrance in the way of achieving the pinnacle of development and prosperity of the country. Since its birth on the world map, Pakistan has been lacking political stability. Military take-overs are explicit testimonies that dearth of political unity led to the military intervention in the democratic country. Recently, The Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif called “All Party Conference” to mitigate and pacify brewing circumstances of the country. However, opposition party, PTI, didn’t show any willingness over the move and rebuffed the offer. It is a clear sign that country is going through political upheaval that is contributing significantly to the downfall of social order.
NASRULLAH KHADIM
Kandhkot, Sindh
Wheels go round and round
The invention of the wheel around 3500 BCE in Mesopotamia is considered one of the most important and revolutionary contrivances in the history of mankind as it have substantially contributed in global development. Unfortunately in Pakistan, the ‘wheels’ have caused much regression, instead of progress. The growing trend of demanding or accepting bribes and “attaching wheels to files” showcase our deteriorating moral values. Islamic teachings are clear about bribery being a deplorable and disgraceful act. It is baffling that such malfeasance prevails in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. People are afraid to stand for their just claims as unjust impositions become righteous.
Officers often misuse their authority and benefit from the plebeian’s misery. It’s only a matter of money when right becomes wrong and wrong becomes right.
The common man cannot access the death certificate of his loved ones without greasing the wheels. The worst part is that higher the position, exorbitant is the rate. It does make you question whether our education system is to blame, where we inculcate it in our children that wealth equals success but don’t emphasize on ethics and morals.
Corruption and bribery are the parasites of a society that hinder its growth and development. As the Islamic Republic of Pakistan ranks as the 40th most corrupt country in the world, we must halt our steps and assess ourselves. The betterment of Pakistan is linked to the rule of law.
ARFAE IMTISAAL
Lahore
Indecent essay
A post went viral on social media in which an essay is shown and the content of the essay is indecent that a brother and sister travelling in France involved in incest as they stayed in a cabin near the beach.
It is shown that it is a quiz paper of COMSAT University, Islamabad but date is not mentioned in the quiz paper. This needs to be ascertained whether it is a quiz paper of COMSAT University or not, and if it is, then it should be taken very seriously and the examiner as well as university management must be dealt accordingly that why and how such content was become part of the quiz paper as it is no way relates to our cultural and Islamic values. In fact, it does not relate to any country’s cultural and religious values.
After giving this situation of brother and sister’s travelling alone and staying in a cabin near the beach and their incest involvement, the examiner took the opinion from the pupils whether their act was right or wrong supported with reasons after including examples from their personal knowledge.
It can be assumed with positivity that majority of pupils would have answered against their act and termed their action absolutely inappropriate, indecent and against cultural and Islamic values and they would have not given any such example from their knowledge at least in our country but such topics must not be made part of any question paper and quiz as such topics could aggravate negative feelings among students.
FAISAL ANSAR
Karachi
Reading panacea
Reading is a highly good habit that one should have in one’s life as reading is very crucial to develop productivity and communication skill in oneself and it has many benefits such as reducing stress, making mentally active, enhancing vocabulary and knowledge and, in particular, developing communication skill. One can have all of these privileges by keeping a good reading practice and one of its great benefits is that through reading books one is able to listen to the people who no longer exist but by reading their books one is able to get ideas, lessons and alternatives that can be applicable to one’s own life. Reading books not only helps one in enhancing vocabulary and knowledge but it also develops a way of expressing things that is writing. It is recommended to read at least for 15 to 30 minutes a day as it will help one reduce stress and keep one mentally receptive. As a result, reading is the ultimate solution to all problems whether it is worldly or spiritual. Everyone should read extensively, since it will give one a helping hand in dealing with problems that one has either frustration or lack of confidence, for the reason reading is a single panacea for all challenges.
TAHIR JAMALI
Nawabshah
