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.
The rise of cyber crime
The Internet is a revolutionary invention of the modern era, which expands the world over electronic connection of human beings. However, like every invention, the use of the Internet for the right or wrong purposes is in the sole discretion of mankind. With this facility where a person can be aware of the current state of affairs, and a student can benefit from books available in any of the world’s libraries. But there is no shortage of bad people who use this revolutionary invention for their evil purposes. Just like the rest of the world cyber crimes are increasing rapidly in Pakistan too.
These include stealing your identity, disclose your sensitive information, commit theft, fraud, online harassment, creating fake IDs, uploading child pornography videos, hacking and distribute information about your children and use it for nefarious purposes. Surveys show that women are the principal victims of cyber crimes. 90 complaints are from women and 72% of them are not aware of cyber laws. In our country, mostly such crimes go unreported because a number of good women avoid exposing their agony.
The Pakistan Electronic Crimes Prevention Act 2016 was an appropriate move by the government to curb cyber crimes. However, the Act has been termed as a draconian law by critics who say that it curtails rights to freedom of speech that is enshrined in the Constitution of Pakistan. According to a report from Federal Investigating Agency (FIA), cyber crime has increased sharply in Pakistan during the last three years. In last year, 27214 complaints have gone through the verification process, while 6762 inquiries are going on. During this period, 575 cases were registered, but only 43 were convicted. As according to these figures, the need to improve the efficiency of cyber crime prevention centres is clear. Pakistan definitely needs to take effective steps to protect its people from local and alien cyber hackers.
AYESHA TALIB
Islamabad
Money making monopolies
Money making monopolies are powerful forces that buy Government representatives through bribe to create a situation where they can make unnecessary high profits. The recent example of flour crisis created in a country that is considered world’s 7th largest wheat producer shows the power of these monopolies. An insider in the KP flour industry told me that such shortages are created for a few months every year by stopping wheat from Punjab, hiding stocks behind newly made walls and creating a sensation in media about flour shortage.
PTI has been able to stop the wheat mafia in the past but the recent shortage just shows how relentless they are. Similar shortages in gas supply created in winters to help LPG Mafia make more money. While the stoppage of CNG industry to increase fuel consumption are other examples. Karachi is also facing a water Mafia.
Other examples are Sugar industry that is stopping import of cheap sugar. 20 pharmaceutical companies getting higher retail prices than 700 local companies while DRAP looks the other way. Automobile industry paying taxes on imported parts on its weight rather than actual value basis. Transformer industry charging fixed higher price for transformers sold to Government and stopping import of cheap transformers.
These are all examples where through technicalities and deceit the monopolies fleece the Government and the people of Pakistan. To overcome these systematic criminals tougher punishments should be enforced and CCP should be improved to actively find such business monopolies. CCP should also have mechanism to receive complaints from public while also a media wing that would expose and increase awareness about the mechanism used by the criminals in creating monopolies to everyone. Even the media can run weekly programs on discussing monopolies in different sectors.
SHAHRYAR KHAN BASEER
Peshawar
Deteriorating education system
Education is said to be the backbone of any nation. With intimate prospect, education is the food of soul and mind that comprises knowledge, integrity, skills, self discipline and more. Let us bother not much, give a tight glance on our own country, Pakistan. Despite having practical consequences of gloomy educational system sufferings from the day one since independence, it had yet not come out of quandary, obstacles and different angles of uncertainty. All political parties, when “Elections” are around the corner, make hollow promises concerning with education.
It is unquestionable; Pakistan is still encountering the basic needs, foundational components of education like portable water, proper chairs and furniture, efficient infrastructure, playing grounds, science laboratories etc. But the most pertinent need of the hour is the uniform education. This probably is the most crucial factor we have neglected. No doubt, uninformed education system is the cause of today’s devastated condition of education sector at broader means. However, the current ruling party PTI has shown some sparks of hopes in like manner; Federal Minister for Education and Professional Training, Shafqat Mahmood earlier proclaimed that a uniform curriculum will be introduced by March 2020 and will come into force from April throughout country.
The sole aim for this program is to induce all the governmental, public private schools and Madrassahs (seminaries) on one platform. Apart from, Madrassahs are the actual priority of this take thus to lead and unite them together. There are around 30,000 Madrassahs in Pakistan that are managed by Wafaqul Madaris. Since students of these Madrassahs are imparted only religious education, they are unable to appear in examinations held by Boards of Education.
ASIF MURAD UMRANI
Karachi
Degree vs job market
I have often found the youth of today struggling to find a job. Either they can’t differentiate themselves from the mob or they lack the skill required for doing a job. Mostly, it’s the skill set and that too is the fault of the education institutions. What is being taught is not being asked for in the professional arena.
The world today is focused on digital skills; social media has become the place to be on for entertainment, conversation, news, information sharing or gathering etc. Everyone wants to be a part of this including brands, businesses, politicians, celebrities etc. And the educational institutions are not catering to this demand. But all is not lost, there are platforms imparting short courses on digital skills free of cost, such as Digiskills.pk, where courses are specially designed to cater to the future of work. I strongly believe that such trainings can help young graduates distinguish themselves and find jobs.
KANWAL ASHRAF
Islamabad