Voice of the People
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.
Lip-service
to Quaid
Yet another Birth Anniversary of Father of Nation, Quaid-e-Azam MAJ, has passed and other than lip service there was no broadcast of his speeches where he gave the vision for Pakistan to be a modern democratic welfare state. Instead, we have a country hostage to the greed of a few with extremists of all shades and opinions creating chaos. He warned us to avoid exploiting religion in politics, but every ruler has exploited it, with disastrous consequences for the country.
Quaid’s 11 August 1947 address to First Constituent Assembly used to be covered by state and private media, but now there seems to be a deliberate attempt to distort his vision and replace it with the numerous so-called doctrines of usurpers and political midgets.
Since 1954, there is a deliberate attempt by men sans-vision and intellect to do the exact reverse of what MAJ wanted Pakistan to be. Former retired Brig Gulzar while speaking to Pakistan Council in 1969 stated that Quaid while referring to military coups, considered “anything which is underhand, is not honourable, and things, not honourable are un-Islamic”. Ever since, we as a nation have failed to follow the vision laid down by MAJ and other Pioneers of our Freedom Struggle, Pakistan has suffered from one crisis to another, from the 1971 debacle to our present situation where life of citizens are threatened by extremists and fundamentalists with a financial crisis that threatens our existence as a sovereign viable state.
MAJ clearly stated that there is no role in politics for the paid civil and uniformed bureaucracy, while addressing them at Quetta on 14 June 1948, reminding them of the significance of the oath they have taken, yet they have all abused their powers and indulged in political manoeuvring.
MALIK TARIQ ALI
Lahore
Act on conscience’s call
Why is it so that our so-called efficient functionaries of the public sector departments/organizations come to the help of a victim only when the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court or the Prime Minister of the country or a Chief Minister of a province or a private TV Channel of the country takes notice of an ugly misdeed committed by the oppressor against the oppressed? Why is it so that an SHO of a police station unwillingly comes to the rescue of a victim only when he is ordered from high-ups to catch the wrong-doers? Why is it so that a Medical Superintendent of a hospital takes action against the negligent doctor only when the electronic media reports such a case?
Why is it so that the law enforcement agencies and the ruling parties take prompt action in maintaining law and order situation only when the Supreme Court takes Suo Motu notice for the same or media reports the same? Why is it so that our civil administration and other concerned departments take notice of the illegal construction only when the Supreme Court of the country takes notice of the same? We see our politicians to be “extra efficient” only when our media highlights any issue of public importance? Unfortunately, there are scores of such examples where politicians/ officers at the authority take no interest in taking action against those subordinates who are found involved in any misdeed. Action is taken only when strong public pressure is mounted against the wrong-doer.
When our departments and their functionaries would start functioning honestly on the call of their conscience? Hence, there is a greater need that our public functionaries (politicians and government officers/officials) start thinking seriously about providing justice to the aggrieved persons by following the law of the land without really waiting for getting orders for the same either from the superior courts or from their high-ups(politicians and bureaucrats).
ABDUL SAMAD SAMO
Karachi
Deteriorating law and order
Through the columns of your esteemed newspaper, I would like to draw the attention of the concerned authorities responsible for maintaining law and order about the fast deteriorating law and order situation in the city. The inhabitants of this city are going through a phase of panic due to fast deterioration of law and order. Newspapers and Television channels are again and again reporting crime stories like rape, arson, kidnapping, burglary and theft.
The influx of a large number of people from the nearby areas have contributed to this situation as the nearby areas are economically backward. Economic backwardness and unemployment among youths are prompting them to take to the path of crime like theft and burglary as easy means for earning money. While immediately taking hold of the situation, the government should take steps in allocating adequate funds for the development of the adjoining areas of the city. This will bring about a permanent solution to the problem.
MUHAMMAD HAMZA ZAIB
Lahore
Deviant behaviour
These days, the behaviour of students in Pakistan has become quite alarming. They consume drugs, misbehave with their elders, frequently use abusive language and, above all, are involved in impermissible relationships. Many students are involved in using cigarettes, shisha and various other drugs. According to one survey, one out of every ten university and college students is a drug addict. Unfortunately, the number of drug addicts is increasing.
Moreover, it is also observed that many students are becoming aggressive day by day. They misbehave and disrespect their parents, teachers and elders upon minor issues. Even if guardians become a little strict in guiding them for their benefit, they consider it torture and unjust and inevitably misbehave with them. Furthermore, students have normalized using abusive language with their fellows, seniors and juniors. They have lost a sense of morality and respect for everyone.
In my opinion, students’ behaviour is becoming deviant because of many factors. One of them is that parents have failed to inculcate moral values in their children. Busy parents could not give time to their children. As a result, a child spends more time outside the home and falls into bad company, making him behave aberrantly. This careless and irresponsible behaviour would lead to nowhere but disaster. Thus, I want to inform the parents that they should have a check on their children and focus on areas of development of their children.
ALEENA SHAH
Islamabad
