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.
COVID-19 threatens Pakistan
Both science and our religion Islam warn us about the dangers that a pandemic like COVID-19 poses to human beings.
The State needed to make citizens understand the importance of fearing this pandemic which can cause serious harm and bring death to citizens who do not adopt strict precautionary measures like wearing masks and maintaining distance, apart from washing hands, face and nasal area whenever a person ventures out of his house.
There are authentic Sayings on this where the Prophet (PBUH) has warned us about dangers involved.
Unfortunately, instead of following the advice of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) or doctors and scientists, those at helm tried to follow the likes of Trump and Bolsonaro, with disastrous consequences. Adopting the slogan of “Darna Nahee, Larna Hai’’, was the biggest mistake.
In the USA and other European countries strict quarantine restrictions were enforced on any person coming from abroad and even in interstate border crossings. Our leadership itself was seen not wearing masks in public.
When Zareen came from Iran, instead of quarantine restrictions, they were let off on the intervention of an unelected advisor to the PM.
While the whole of Europe had restricted passenger flights to and from the UK, following the detection of a more potent UK variant, our government gave traffic rights for direct flights from the UK to Lahore and Islamabad. This UK variant has spread all over the country.
Even when India was in the midst of a lethal Indian variant, we allowed Sikh Yatrees to enter through Kartarpur crossing.
It is time the specialists in medicine and such pandemics be given the authority to make decisions, instead of advisors with no knowledge of science. Fines should be imposed on any person not wearing a mask.
GUL ZAMAN
Peshawar
Beware ghost of Zia and Justice Munir
It is our belief as Muslims about the authenticity of what is meant about the famous quote of Hazrat Ali Ibn Talib that “A State can exist without religion, but not without justice”.
While the ghost of Zia haunts this country, where believers and followers of the Holy Prophet (PBUH), each reciting the Kalima, are brainwashed, murdering each other.
Even in the Holy Month of Ramazan, terrorists are indulging in mayhem like recent attack in Quetta.
While it is the sole jurisdiction of Almighty Allah to decide who will go to heaven or hell, there are few who dare to defy this Divine Jurisdiction.
Fatwas are being given inciting Muslims to damage private and public property, creating hurdles for ambulances and Oxygen tankers to pass through, resulting in the death of many innocent human beings.
While all this was happening the State remained absent, choosing not to exercise its authority and protect constitutional rights of citizens.
One only hopes that the ghost of Justice Munir does not haunt corridors of our judiciary, who have taken an oath to protect and uphold sanctity of the Constitution.
Justice Munir must have been subjected to tremendous pressure and threats by the likes of Ayub or Iskandar Mirza, but he was required to withstand these and deliver judgment based on Laws and not the Doctrine of Necessity.
Munir stands condemned in history and so are those who were instrumental in reducing Quaid’s vision of a modern democratic welfare state, into the mess that we are witnessing.
Pakistan has suffered enough and we must ensure that Justice is seen delivered and MAJ’s vision implemented, instead of whims of visionless men blinded by greed and vested interests.
MALIK T ALI
Lahore
Stop water wastage
As we all are aware that water is one of greatest blessings of God Almighty. Unfortunately, it is really painful to say that citizens of Turbat do not bother themselves to save water as they use it in such a horrible manner.
Whenever I go to bazaar, I usually see that water tankers of Municipal Corporation which give water to plants, planted between roads. In this process a great amount of water is being wasted.
They don’t know the real value of water.
If we somehow turn our face and glance over entire Balochistan, we find a number of cities where there is absence of potable water.
For instance, Gwadar is one such city where people don’t get potable water. I humbly request citizens of Turbat to take care of this rising issue and save water.
IMRAN MUJEEB
Panjgoor, Balochistan
Uniformity in education system
The debate currently underway regarding single syllabus throughout Pakistan has brought people taking sides for no reason.
In my opinion the government’s approach requires a little more effort than just dumping the notification and implementing the strategy.
To overhaul the complete educational system requires changing the mindset of the population from scratch.
The impacts and the effects left by the British has not yet faded and the concept of elite and poor is still pretty much embedded in the society with its deep roots and shaking off this master-slave concept completely or even partially requires generations.
Equality in Islam still exists in books and not practically adopted to-date anywhere in the Muslim world.
Idea to bring madaris students into mainstream education system is a progressive approach in building up a nation.
Our brethren deserve to be familiar with new advancements and achievements going around the world and maybe do a comparative study and help in reducing gap created between religion and science.
I am definitely in favour of a uniform direction in Pakistan’s education but with some terms and conditions: Government first of all makes four subjects compulsory for all i.e. English, Mathematics, Science and Geography from Grade 1 to Grade 10.
Islamic Studies for Muslims should be taught till Grade 8 and becomes an optional subject.
A true Muslim base should have been established by the age of 14-15. Rest is up to the person to take up from there.
Every institution should make one vocational subject mandatory for every student.
May it be Cadd, electrician or refrigeration and any skill of choice to be made mandatory from grade 6 onwards and ensure that students learn something technical? Do-it-yourself is a big advantage that we have not yet realised in our country.
OMAR KHALID MALIK
Abu Dhabi, UAE
