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Madaris bill
The prolonged delay in the passage of the seminary bill rightly infuriated JUI Chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman reveals the fragile balance within the government alliance. It is worth noting that during the 26th Amendment’s passage, the issue was thoroughly discussed and consensus made part of the amendment. It cannot be denied that Maulana hails the power of gatherings and marches comprising thousands of his devoted party workers as witnessed in the past, he enjoys ‘Street power” in real sense.
The government must navigate this delicate issue with caution. Engaging in dialogue and finding an amicable resolution is imperative, not only to avoid destabilisation in Islamabad but also to preserve the integrity of the legislative process. At the heart of the matter is the recurring theme of unresolved issues festering into crises. The seminaries’ integration into mainstream education, while politically contentious, is a critical reform for the nation’s socio-economic stability.
Continued delays in passing and implementing the bill erode trust in the government’s ability to lead decisively on vital reforms. If left unchecked, such crises will only compound, leading to long-term instability that the country can ill afford. Pakistan’s challenges demand a vision that transcends immediate alliances and threats—a vision rooted in securing a stable, equitable future for all its citizens. This bill, and the manner in which it is resolved, will not just test the government’s mettle but also reflect its commitment to lasting reform over fleeting compromises.
QAZI JAMSHED SIDDIQUI
Lahore
New provincial capital
Pakistan by area is world’s 33rd largest country made up of 880,000 sqkms of diverse land, larger than Turkey, Afghanistan and Ukraine each. Major chunk of this land is the Balochistan province which constitutes 347,000 sqkms, 44 percent of the country. This province is naturally gifted in minerals and energy resources such as iron, gold, copper, onyx, marble, chromite, coal and many others. It has an estimated six trillion barrels of fossil fuels, 19 trillion cubic feet of gas reserves and 0.45 billion tons of coal hidden under the soil. Prospectively it can become the richest part of Pakistan fuelling the national economy for decades to come.
Due to sensitive nature of this charismatic land, many foreign countries have developed diverse interests in the region. These interests vary from socio-economic to geo-strategic in nature.
Adversaries of Pakistan cannot afford peace and development in Balochistan hence we have seen foreign funded unrest and terrorism grow here in the past few years. Historically, problems of Balochistan have always been handled through a carrot and stick policy; veritably the results have been transient and short lived. For a permanent settlement of grievances, betterment of peoples’ life through administrative reforms can help in a big way.
One such administrative move can be shifting of provincial capital from Quetta to Awaran in the south. Baloch and Brahvi speakers comprise almost 70 percent of Balochistan and they inhabit central and southern parts of the province. With provincial capital in middle of Baloch areas, miscreants and their sponsors will be side-lined naturally and writ of the government will be extended to farthest corners.
Local populace will feel more confident and trust level between people and government will increase. Similarly development projects and CPEC routes will be better coordinated from the new capital including Gwadar Port.
FARRUKH SHAHAB
Lahore Cantt
Becoming
N Korea 2.0?
Pakistan has experienced devastating internet restrictions since November 25. With fundamental functionality like voice notes and photos restricted, social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp hardly work at all. There are worries that Pakistan is moving towards digital isolation similar to that of North Korea because VPNs have been outlawed and a firewall regime has been implemented.
Every hour of downtime costs more over $1 million, according to the Pakistan Software House Association (P@SHA), which estimates that recent internet interruptions have cost $300 million. The IT industry, which formerly grew at a rate of 30% per year, is currently having difficulties as tech companies consider moving, freelancers deal with shaky connections, and foreign clients reconsider alliances. These obstacles must be eliminated if Pakistan is to compete for a $1 trillion economy and reach its $60 billion IT export goal.
Slow internet has become the new standard, impeding business, education, and overall growth. While the government talks of a “digital economy,” its policies contradict progress. In order to advance, it must encourage candid communication, ensure that social media companies are held responsible through appropriate regulation, and enable people to differentiate between false information and the truth. It’s also crucial to rebuild confidence in independent media.
A firewall system is insufficient for Pakistan to prosper. These limitations are stifling innovation and economic potential in a society rushing towards 5G. Before the country loses its footing on the international scene, it must move quickly to restore dependable internet connectivity.
MOIN AHMED AWAN
Kandhkot, Sindh
