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.
Self-righteousness not a virtue
There is no place in politics for political leaders who claim to be self- righteous, to the exclusion of all others who may differ with them. Pakistan was created through a political process and the democratic culture with tolerance for others is essential for its survival. Every politician in Pakistan must inculcate tolerance for others and agree to disagree, with no recourse to violence.
All institutions of the state must submit to superiority of Constitution. Political parties and their manifestos are made by mortal humans, who cannot claim this to be a battle between right and wrong. Such extremist political agendas are akin to cult leaders, who claim to be perfect and exclude others, who may differ with them. It is as absurd, as claiming prophethood by an individual who visibly has many human weaknesses.
Adolf Hitler was one such populist leader, who came to power through elections and then embarked on eliminating all his opponents. His obsession and claims of superiority of his race and hatred for members of Jewish faith got Germany involved in WWII. He was the perfect example of a personality disorder defined as Narcissism, where an individual is self- obsessed with himself, as being righteous, and others that differ with him as evil or tyrants.
In a democracy, politics is based on collective wisdom, where people agree to disagree, yet sit together in a parliament, to conduct the affairs of state and legislate. Obstinacy is a handicap for any politician, who is unwilling to accept views and opinions of others. It leads to political polarization on a scale that the individual becomes a hurdle.
We witness this addiction of self-righteousness being practiced by Hindu extremists, associated with Shiv Sena, who claim exclusive right over the country. Militant militias patronized and protected by Modi’s BJP are killing Muslims, Christians and Dalits, as if it is their religious obligation. Zionist faction of Jewish faith is another extremist group who claim it, as their biblical right to forcefully occupy land, where Palestinians lived for thousands of years in harmony with members of other faiths.
MALIK TARIQ ALI
Lahore
Barbie under scrutiny
The recent ban on the highly anticipated Barbie movie in Pakistan has sparked an important debate about the need for transparent and accountable regulatory bodies. Artistic expression should thrive, not be stifled. I have already seen negative reviews of this movie in the fandom, including reviews made by YouTubers I like and respect. But I will be honest when I say I think they are getting the movie 100% wrong including our censor board.
Some fans are slamming the film as a misandrist lecture on the evils of the men, another in a long list of male-bashing movies we have seen in the past decade. And yet as an average girl— as an old-fashioned having conservative background person- I got the opposite message. To me, BARBIE isn’t about attacking men, but about attacking the facades that both men and women create so that they can protect themselves from being hurt by others.
The BARBIE film I saw was smart, witty, endearing and laugh-out-loud funny. And shockingly, the movie is deeply philosophical, with meditations on death and mortality that hit deeper because they are examined from the point of view of a plastic doll that has both never been alive and is immortal.
It is the same device used in THE WIZARD OF OZ, where non-human characters — the Scarecrow, the Tin Man, and the Lion — serve as a springboard to explore the human attributes of Intelligence, Emotion and Courage. And it is done much more subversively. Note that I say subversively and NOT “subverting expectations.” This is true artistic subversion which pierces through bullshit and gets to the truth of a situation. There is a line in the movie that says the deepest truth out loud, that we human beings use labels like Girl Power and The Patriarchy so as to hide our own feelings of loneliness. It is a statement that transcends left and right and gets to the core of our true vulnerability in a world that feels out of control. It is a message that is very much needed today, and one that can perhaps heal the perennial “war of the genders” which is ultimately about our own fears of being incomplete and alone.
UNZILA TAHIR HUDA
Karachi
Empower school and management
I am concerned about the poor performance of school management committees (SMCs) in Sindh government primary schools. SMCs are supposed to ensure quality education, proper fund utilization, coordination with the education department and monitoring of attendance. However, many schools have incomplete or outdated SMC members and no proper monitoring mechanism. Many SMCs are non-functional and do not meet regularly.
I implore the authorities to take immediate action to address this issue. The SMCs should be reconstituted and guidance should be provided to new teachers and head teachers to activate and identify qualified SMC members. The SMCs should also be trained and empowered to oversee school affairs and report problems to officials. The SMCs should also be involved in planning, implementing and monitoring school development plans, funds and budget. I also request that an option for adding and removing SMC members should be added in the education app, so that teachers can update the details timely. The names of SMC members should also be displayed on the RSU website for accountability purpose.
I hope this write up will draw attention to improve the role and functioning of SMCs in government primary schools. This will enhance quality education and promote good governance and transparency.
MUMTAZ ALI
Johi, Dadu
Box letter
Protection of the citizens
Pakistan’s human rights laws and regulations just appear aspirational in reading than practically following the rules. Just like the Sindh government’s human rights act, 2011 includes major regulations such as Sindh protection of communal properties of minorities, status of women and others are just there for filling up the papers because they have failed to follow the law and protect the people from abuse. That’s why one cannot help but wonder the province’s human rights policy approved by the provincial cabinet on Wednesday which promises to protect its citizen such as women, children, transgender and other social rights. Everyone knows that these policies are just for the cabinet to approve and there’s no one who can obey the laws and regulations of the country and protect the citizens from being more exploited. All these are happening because government has failed to enforce laws in the state and make it necessary for everyone to follow the laws. It is state’s responsibility to protect all social rights of its citizens rather make them more abused than before.
MARYAM MOHSIN
Dasht
