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Strategy of Essay Writing by Aamir Mahar
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Strategy of Essay Writing by Aamir Mahar
PREFACE
The present work is humble attempt to satisfy the needs of students
appearing for Competitive Examinations conducted by Federal Public
Services Commission (FPSC) and other competitive exams. My main
objective in this book has been to give clear, comprehensive, simple and
examination oriented strategy of essay writing. The work is based on my
experiences studied from my different books. The materials are organized to
develop ability to write an essay on any topic extemporely. This book
intends to create awareness among students not to be fooled by essay classes
where only different essay topics are discussed and an impression created
that one of the topic may come in the examination. The evaluation strategy
of Federal Public Services Commission is start from a point where so called
market thinking ends. What is needed is development of real ability to write
on any topic, for which there should be a strategy with practice of
brainstorming and lateral thinking.
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CONTENTS
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CHAPTER-1
Understanding Essay
Meaning of Essay
The word Essay comes from the French essay (an attempt) first
applied in 1580 by Montaigne to his short writing. The chief
implication in the word being “tentative study”.
According to the Chamber Twentieth Century
Dictionary an essay is a trial, an experiment, a writing
composition less elaborate then any treatise.
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CHAPTER- 2
Strategies of Writing Essay
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CHAPTER- 3
Work Proper
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a) Brainstorming
Brainstorming is a technique which helps to elicit many
thoughts and ideas on a given topic. However, instead of
putting whole sentences or phrases to paper, this prewriting
technique involves creating a list. It might contain various
individual thoughts or ideas that make sense in a particular
order, and/or ideas that are linked together by association with
previous ideas. Unlike reewriting, brainstorming works well in
a limited amount of time.
Out of alloted three hours it is worthwhile to spend around 40
minutes for jotting down your ideas before beginning to write.
Putting your ideas on paper will be especially helpful where
your goal is to establish a point of view on a topic and support
your position.
How to brainstorm?
If you are not already being timed, set a timer for at least
30 minutes to bring more and better ideas in rough page
List every word or phrase that comes to mind about your
topic spontaneously.
As with freewriting, do not edit or censor any ideas, and
ignore the rules of spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
When you are finished, look over the list carefully. Cross
out useless information and organize what is left.
Categorize similar items.
Try to interconnect different areas with one another.
Before examination make list about the relevant areas
about which you have to deliberate in the brainstorming
time or areas which have universal applicability. It will
save your time and energy and help you to bring good
and powerful ideas within limited time period.
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b) Concept mapping:
Mapping and webbing are graphic (visual) organizers that
facilitate you to investigate the relationships between a
number of diverse ideas. Concept mapping is a simple
technique best used for exploring topics that are complex. To
make one, draw a circle, and add spokes radiating from it.
Put your central idea or subject in the middle, and add
subtopics or related ideas around it in any order. Or, draw a
box with your subject written in it, and continue adding
boxes, connected to each other by arrows, showing the
development of your idea. Write down any and every
thought you have on your subject. As with other writing
techniques, do not judge yourself during this process.
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Sample Concept:
Creating a web takes more time, but may result in a more
useful product. It works well when exploring a complex subject.
To develop a web, write your topic in a circle. After that write
subtopics in secondary circles, each connected to the center by
a line. From each of the secondary circles, draw smaller bubbles
in which you brainstorm subtopics. Each subtopic is connected
to the corresponding secondary bubble by a line. Both maps
and webs should be revised and reworked a number of times.
When your ideas are on paper in one of these graphic
organizers, it is convenient to see how better to prioritize and
organize them. Use maps and webs as flexible frameworks in
which information may be moved around until it is in the
appropriate place.
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Startling information
This information must be true and verifiable, and it doesn't
need to be totally new to your readers. It could simply be a
pertinent fact that explicitly illustrates the point you wish to
make.If you use a piece of startling information, follow it with a
sentence or two of elaboration.
Anecdote
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Dialogue
An appropriate dialogue does not have to identify the speakers,
but the reader must understand the point you are trying to
convey. Use only two or three exchanges between speakers to
make your point. Follow dialogue with a sentence or two of
elaboration.
When composing beginning, candidates who
inexperienced writers are likely a err at either of two extremes:
doing too little or doing too much in doing too little they slight
the opening jumping too suddenly into the subject and piling
ideas and information in front of the examiner before he or has
time to settle back and see what all this is about.
In doing too much they make the beginning a precise
of the essay and anticipate everything they will cover. The
function of an opening is to introduction an essay, not to be a
miniature version of it. To make it so is to act as the master of
ceremonies at banquet who introduces the main speaker by
anticipating everything he or she is going to say.
The effective beginning stays between those extremes. It
lets the examiner know what to expect, but it leaves them with
something to expect.
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Good Paragraphing:
The sentences of a good paragraph reflect a clear, rational
analysis of the topic.
Examining whether the sentences of a paragraph correspond
with its ideas is a good test of the coherence of the
paragraph. The correspondence need not be as exact
paragraph (and usually will not be). But if you cannot outline
a generally clear relationship, the paragraph is probably
confused and confusing.
Adjust sentences to thought intuitively, without
constantly thinking about when to begin a new sentence.
Those with less experience must remain more conscious of
the problem. Working up paragraph from outlines provides
good practice. But whether it is consciously thought out or
intuitive, a well made paragraph uses sentences to analyse
the subjects.
Having said that, the question that faces us is how do
we go about it? That is to say, how should a: “body
paragraph” be build so that it uses sentences to analyze the
subject. To answer this question, asks yourself another one.
Once you have focused.
On a topic sentence, ask yourself how much
evidence, and what kind of evidence is required to support
the topic sentence. Most commonly, it is sufficient to simply
details in support of your topic sentence.
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Shaping Paragraph:
The basic overall shape of a paragraph is quite simple: topic
sentence plus supporting sentence. The most simple
structured paragraph are those in which every sentence
directly supports the topic sentence.
Writer will want do develop some of the supporting
sentence in a paragraph as if they were mini-topic sentence.
In such a paragraph, some sentence will support to the topic
sentence directly, and other will support it only indirectly.
Are writing to prove a point, you will be surprised
how other you can pour paragraph into one of these two
molds.
But don’t expect every paragraph you write to fit one
of these models exactly. In reality there are hundreds of
possible paragraph shapes. The ones that will work for you
in a particular writing situation will be those which arrange
your material clearly; which illustrate your point logically,
and which accomplish your purpose of communication with
your reader.
The paragraph usually contains information or
argumentation that go well beyond this opening statement.
Finally, on completing the paragraph the reader know how it
fits overall structure of the essay; clarifying the point of a
paragraph is called pointing. These three requirements can
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Linking of Paragraph:
How can these paragraphs be linked together?
In other words, how can they be organized within an essay?
It can be done in two ways, which are often used together.
One is by signposts words, phrases, sentence (occasionally
ever a short paragraph) which tells reader what you have
done, are doing will do next. The other way is by
interparagraph transitions that is words and phrases that tic
the beginning of new paragraph to what precedes it.
Each paragraph is linked to the other by the unity of
idea. However, unification among the paragraph is also to be
achieved structurally. Though transitional words and
phrases.
These words or phrases help to show the progress of
the essay a list of such words and phrases is given here:
Addition of continuation: next, beside, further,
again, moreover, likewise, in addition.
Comparison: Similarly, somewhat similar, in a like
manner likewise.
Contrast: However, but on the contrary, after all,
nevertheless, still, and yet, notwithstanding, at the same
time.
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Inter-paragraph Transition:
Transitions like a paragraph to what has immediately preceded
it. They occur at near the beginning of the new paragraph
because it represents a turn of thought, needing to be liked to
what has gone before. Transition act like rail road switches,
smoothing and easing the transition from one line to another.
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Logical Transitions:
Finally you may link paragraph by words showing logical
relationship: therefore however but consequently, thus and
even so, on the other hand, for instance, nonetheless, and
many, many more.
Logical connection seldom provide the link between
paragraphs actually, they work in conjunction with word
repetition, summaries, and pronouns. In fact, all the various
transitional strategies we have looked at commonly occur in
some combination. But whatever its from, and inter- paragraph
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CHAPTER- 4
Furnishing Essay
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4. Concise writing:
Clear instruction given in question papers of Essay paper of
CSS Exam that ‘ Examiners will pay special attention to the
candidate’s grasp of his material, its relevance to the subject
chosen and to his ability to think constructively and to
present his ideas concisely, logically and effectively.’ It
means you should not write waste words to get good mark in
the examination. There are two important approaches to
more concise writing: eliminating unnecessary words and
phrases, and using the active (as opposed to passive) voice
whenever possible.
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large in size
modern in design
unusual in nature
extreme in degree
strange type
first and foremost
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I think that the Essay paper requires creative writing. So, well-
developed thoughts expressed in lucid language do the trick.
I used to write essay, at least, once a week with a
comprehensive brainstorming on different topics.
Mirza M. Imran
6th Position CSS 2013
Essay Marks: 55
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CHAPTER- 5
Area- wise Essay Topics
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6. Governance:
Democracy: Past, Present, Future & Failure, Suitability
of democracy for Pakistan, Comparison with dictatorial
regimes (Dictatorship vs Democracy), Way Forward
Good Governance: Ideal Model, State of governance
in Pakistan, Suggestions
National Integration: Historical perspective, Current
cleavages on various grounds, Role of pressure groups,
Way towards national integration.
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CHAPTER-6
Essays asked in CSS Examination
Year- wise Analysis From 1971 TO 2016
EDUCATION
2000 Education makes a people easy to lead, but difficult to
drive, easy to govern, but impossible to enslave.
2002 Education ahs for its object the formation of character
2002 Need for serious planning in technical education in
Pakistan.
2005 Reforms in Examination systems
2007 The present system of Education must assume some of
responsibilities of our failure
2009 Co-education , Merits and Demerits
2012 A Critical Analysis of Education Systems in Pakistan
2013 Meaning and purpose of education
2014 There should be colleges and schools just for men/boys
and some just for women/girls
HIGHER EDUCATION
2002 Higher Science Education in the developing countries.
2007 Higher Education as an agent of change
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DISASTER MANAGEMENT
2011 Disaster management and government preparedness.
TERRORISM
2002 International Crisis in Terrorism.
2007 Terrorism as a new threat to the contemporary world
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DEMOCRACY
2009 The Future of Democracy in Pakistan. .
2012 Democracy is a culture rather than a process.
GOOD GOVERNANCE
2000 Good governance and the role of the public servant.
2001 Public office is a public trust.
2016 Crisis of good governance in Pakistan: need for reforms
and institution building.
NATIONAL INTEGRATION
2001 National integration.
2016 The creation of new province in Pakistan: Implications
far an integrated country.
MEDIA
1971 The Art of Feature Films Made in Pakistan
1977 Our Movies and Our National Character
1978 Mass Media and Opinion Formation
1982 Role of Press in the Third World
1995 Press Freedom and Responsibility
1996 The Press and the Nation Rise and Fall Together
2009 Power of Media in the Modern World
2011 Truth Is a Rare Commodity Despite the Freedom
Enjoyed by the Print and Electronic Media
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PAKISTAN
1978 The Nuclear Power Programme in Pakistan
1994 Pakistan's Nuclear Program: Alternative Scenarios
2001 Devolution of power in Pakistan.
2002 World scenario in 21st century and Pakistan's Role in it.
2002 Austerity as a solution of all our economic problems.
2005 Socio-Economic Challenges faced by Pakistan.
2005 Foreign Direct Investment in Pakistan.
2009 The food crisis: problems, challenges and opportunities
for Pakistan.
2009 English as the Medium of Education in Pakistan.
2010 Pakistan is rich in natural resources but very poor in their
management.
2010 Why is there no status of the third gender in Pakistan?
2011 What Are the Hurdles in Our Way to Becoming a Truly
Independent State?
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UNO
2009 The future of UNO, hopes and hurdles
2010 The UNO has failed to measure up the demands of its
charter
2012 The United Nations in the 21st century: Obligations and
Limitations
MOTIVATION (DISCIPLINE)
2008 Time management is a key note of success.
2008 Lack of discipline-a national disaster.
2008 Materialism is the death of spirituality.
2008 Dreams for future rely on the work of today.
2011 without good communication skills, life becomes
impossible in the modern world.
2012 Brains, like hearts, go where they are appreciated.
2013 Let me take care of today, tomorrow shall take care of
itself.
2015 When life throws you lemons make lemonade.
2015 Punctuality is virtue of bored.
2015 Anticipation is often greater than realization.
2016 We have to learn to be our own best friend, because we
fall top easily into the trap of being our own worst enemies.
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Chapter-7
Model Essays
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national issues are all the outcomes of corruption which is root
cause of all evils in the motherland. The poor are sidelined, the rich
are bestowed, the needy are ignored and the affluent are delivered.
However, the story does not end here. The socio-economic situation
is much more dubious and gloomy than as expected.
Lack of accountability is an outcome of nepotism and
favouritism. How can a corrupt person be held accountable by a
corrupt authority? All in all then tire unfortunate system is prone to
the monster of corruption. In such dismal state of affairs, the
question of accountability does not arise. Only lucrative and
emotionally charged speeches and pledges can never come up to the
expectations of the people. Rule of law is the only option that can
pave way for accountability.
Moreover, the crippled and dwindling economy and ever-rising
levels of inflation are the major source of corruption. The more the
prosperous a country, the more the rule of law are followed. But it
is quite unfortunate to mention that Pakistan is a country rated in
the third world where neither the rule of law prevails nor the
economic system is strengthened. The per capitain come is
significantly low that renders the lower strata of society more prone
towards corruption.
Incompetent judiciary in terms of not bringing the
culprits in to the gallows of law and absence of bringing the corrupt
politicians and policy makers to the books is another decisive factor
in today's sorry state of affairs. In the same manner the unnecessary
delay in deciding the cases of corruption is a clear explanation of
the adage: the justice delayed is justice denied.
In much the similar fashion, highly centralized economy, breeds
conflict amongst the poor and the rich. The growing influence of
the privileged class always uses the influential authority to snub the
poor people. In such a grim situation, the victims and the upper
both use their influence at their maximum extent to have maximum
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benefit from the opportunity. Thus the capitalism is in the forefront
in bringing and paving ways for corruption.
Corruption evolves as a result of evasion of ethical and
religious norms. Religion always asks the believers to have a solid
strive in bringing a moderate society. It agrees in favour of
decentralized economy. Regulation of wealth according to rule of
law is the motto of Islam.
All the above mentioned factors have brought Pakistan at number
139th among the most corrupt countries of the world. According to
CPI report, Pakistan has 2.3score out of 10 which shows its position
very weak while on contrary, New Zealand showed 9.4 out of 10 in
the race and toppled the entire scenario. Pakistan on the other hand,
is lagging behind in all spheres of life. This is the outcome of
corruption that Pakistan has lost its identity and failed to establish
its credibility in the whole world.
The discussion on corruption in Pakistan would never
be complete without having a glance on National Reconciliation
Ordinance, a symbol of corruption in Pakistan. It was promulgated
by a military dictator to serve his own vested interests. It freed all
the politicians and civil servants until 1990, who were convicted on
charges of corruption. PPP and PML (N), the big political giants
remained the beneficiaries of this ordinance. Under the provisions
of NRO, the civil servants, politicians and major industrialists were
given a safe passage to escape from all the charges of corruption and
made them free of any sin. NRO, most appropriately can be termed
as the law that legitimized corruption in Pakistan.
Given the dismal state of affairs, as is evident from all
the above-explained short story, there is a stringent need of
implementing religious and ethical values, if the nation wants to get
out of the clutches of monster like corruption. The religious
counseling must be given at all levels so that ethics and values have
a strong hold on the characters and actions of the people.
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Educational reforms based on morality must be given place in the
social system.
Red tapism, nepotism, favouritism must be eradicated by grooming
and nurturing a culture of accountability based on trickle down
effect that runs from top to bottom. Independence of judiciary and
rule of law can only bring in meritocracy so that talented and high
caliber people must be employed at the higher posts.
Another pragmatic solution is to increase the salaries of
the government servants. Financial satisfaction to all and sundry
can bring in a positive change in the society. It forces the workers to
follow the principles of morality and honesty.
Moreover, the laws must be made strict and their implementation
be ensured. Unfortunately, Pakistan is a land of laws which are
never implemented. One thing must be given preference that it is
not the severity of punishment but the certainty of punishment that
matters. Such practices put the things in order and in right
directions. Therefore, strict implementation of laws is the only way
forward. China after the empowerment of communist party, paved
this way for a cause of change.
Corruption is social curse that must be ditched. The
lawmakers in the parliament must take stringent efforts and evolve
practicable strategies to eradicate them ush rooming menace. Rule
of law, supremacy of the constitution and independence of judiciary
and off course a free and vibrant media being the fourth pillar of the
state, must be implemented in true letter and spirit. The accused
must be given a cold fist. Time is ripe that drastic measures be taken
to get rid of this tsunami of corruption that undoubtedly has torn
and destructed our very social and economic fabric. Enough of
apathy and negligence, the need of the hour is to join hands on all
fronts by all members and areas of society too uster this curse. If
Pakistan wants to run in the race of socio economic development,
evils like corruption do not fit in the scenario.
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*******
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biodiversity and geodiversity existent in various ecosystems. Some
resources like water and agriculture are essential for survival of
inhabitants while others like energy and minerals are secondary in
nature but essential for economic development. However, efficient
management of these resources is vital to achieve prosperity of
nation. Natural resource management is a discipline with a
particular focus on how management affects the quality of life for
both present and future generations. It is interrelated with the
concept of sustainable development. Pakistan is blessed with huge
quantity of resources but lags in management.
Pakistan is affluent in the natural resources. It has
enormous energy surplus resource potential of both renewable and
nonrenewable, which is greater than that of oil rich countries of
Gulf. Being situated at one of the best geographic and geostrategic
locations on the map of world, Pakistan is affluent in the natural
resources. It has enormous energy surplus resource potential of both
renewable and nonrenewable, which is greater than that of oil rich
countries of Gulf. Among the world's 200 plus countries it has the
second largest salt mines, second largest coal reserves, fifth largest
copper and gold reserves, seventh largest wheat and rice production
capacity. It is the sixth most populous country in the world having
large share of young population. Had these resources been properly
managed, this country would have been one of the richest
economies of world. The detailed account of the natural wealth of
Pakistan shows how such great potential has been untapped due to
mismanagement.
There are plenty of nonrenewable energy resources like
oil, gas and coal in Pakistan. It has more than 436.2 million barrels
of oil, according to CIA World Fact Book, and 31.3 trillion cubic
feet of proven gas reserves. The current oil production is 65,997
barrels per day while gas production is 4 billion cubic feet per day.
Though it is not enough to meet the needs, it can save considerable
outflow of currency. Moreover, there is resource potential of 27
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billion Barrels of Oil and 282 TCF of gas reserves in the country
which has not been explored due to lack of vision and flawed
policies.
Pakistan has world's second largest coal deposits of 185 billion tons.
These are estimated to be equivalent to 618 billion barrels of crude
oil. This is more than twice if we compare it with oil reserves of
Saudi Arabia. If it is converted into oil by gasification, it will
generate 650 barrels of crude oil which at an average market rate of
eighty dollars per barrel, would generate 5.2 trillion dollars. But the
policy making elite of the country has not only been oblivious to the
potential but also indifferent to the slow pace of efforts to harness
this source for energy production and exports. The energy deficit is
badly affecting the industry in country but no any serious initiative
is taken for electricity production from coal. China imports its 65
percent of coal requirements but despite being 'all weather friend',
this giant energy importing economy does not import coal from
Pakistan.
Besides, the geography of Pakistan enriches it with the
renewable energy resources. Wind and Solar energy are other
unused lifelines of Pakistan. 1046 km long coastal line gives
potential of 40000 MW of electricity. The vast lands of Balochistan
can be utilized for solar electricity generation. But unfortunately
these resources have barely been used due to technological
backwardness and lack of innovative policies.
The hydropower potential of the country is also enough to satisfy
the needs of energy. Only 33 percent of around 20,000 MW
generation capacity is produced from this resource which has the
potential of producing 40,000 MW. No concrete steps have been
taken to harness this resource mainly because of political differences
and distrust prevailing in the country.
The lack of vision and policy planning in utilisation of
water resource is also severely affecting agriculture. Despite having
one of the largest irrigation systems of the world, Pakistan is facing
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water scarcity for crops. Storage capacity of water reservoirs is
quickly depleting because of annual sediment inflow and a
substantial quantum of available water is lost in seepage as the
canals have not been cemented. Out of 77 million acres cultivable
area, only 55.5 million acres have been ploughed. The country is
blessed with four seasons and variety of crops but due to lack of
research the productivity remains low.
In addition, being an agricultural country it possesses tremendous
scope of animal husbandry. Pakistan's breeds of cow like Sahiwal
cow are the best breeds of world. Due care to this area can lead to
bulk of exports in dairy products. On other hand, fishing industry
has an important role to play in national economy of Pakistan. The
coast line of 814 km provides ample opportunity to enhance this
industry, but poor performance and poor presentation of our cause
in WTO have put this industry at the verge of destruction.
The minerals are also vital natural resources available in
great quantity. Pakistan has fifth largest copper and gold reserves in
the world. The Riko deq project, copper and gold reservoir, have
been estimated to be worth of 260 billion dollars, which is ten times
the all financial aid received from USA in last sixty year. But
instead of exploiting own resources for economic independence,
country has been dependent on foreign aid. How rich Pakistan is,
and how poor Pakistanis are! There are other partially untapped
resources of rock salts, Gypsum, lime stone, iron, marble, and silica
sand in large quantities. These resources have not been exploited
due to corruption and bottlenecks in political and bureaucratic
culture.
The most important of the natural resources in this globalized world
is human resource. Pakistan is the sixth most populous country in
the world having large share of 'young population' i.e. 63 percent
below age of 25 years, according to United Nations Development
Programme. But the failed policies have caused mounting
unemployment of 15 percent. The resource which could be used to
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enhance the economic activity is left to no use which is adding to
the increase in poverty. The lack of opportunities leading to the
brain drain of talented minds has further worsened the situation.
The above analysis reveals that Pakistan is not poor, but
poorly managed country. The factors which have caused the poor
management of natural resources include political instability,
political indecision making / divergence, lack of vision and
planning, flawed policies, bureaucratic bottlenecks and corruption,
lack of human resource development, worsened law and order
situation. These factors have led not only to the poor management
of natural resources but also to the poor governance of country.
The political instability has been the main cause of such
mayhem. Since the independence, no political group in Pakistan
has been given enough time to be mature. The military interference
in politics and rivalry among political stakeholders are the key
features of brief history of this country. This inconsistency has kept
the exploitation of natural wealth unattended. The divergence of
opinion on construction of water resources has deprived the country
of storing the surplus water for agriculture and electricity
generation. However, this could be overcome by vision and
planning, which is a scarce commodity here. Instead of
controversial big dams several small reservoirs could be constructed,
had a pragmatic approach prevailed among the decision making
machinery.
Coupled with this, the flawed policies of successive
governments have caused tremendous problems despite availability
of adequate resources. The energy sector is a vivid example of such
poor management. The major chunk of the electricity is produced
through thermal generation for which almost 80 percent of oil is
imported. Whereas the second largest treasure of coal in the world
is left unexplored as it contributes only 2 percent of electricity
generation. Countries like US, China and India generate electricity
by almost 60 percent from coal due to its lower cost. This shows
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how other countries take cost of electricity generation into serious
consideration.
However, it would be unfair to put all the burden of
poor resource management on the political factors. The
bureaucratic bottlenecks and corruption have been equally
responsible for this undesirable scenario. Several hydro power
projects, Thar coal project, and oil exploration projects are in
doldrums due to bureaucratic bottlenecks. There is no headway in
solar and wind energy projects planned by Alternative Energy
Development Board. Similarly, corruption has also been extremely
detrimental. The standstill in the Riko deq project is an example of
this case. Pakistan is ranked at 34 in Corruption Perception Index
2010 by Transparency International, which is a discouraging factor
for foreign direct investment.
Pakistan has world's second largest coal deposits of 185 billion tons.
These are estimated to be equivalent to 618 billion barrels of crude
oil. In addition, the worsened law and order situation has caused
severe blow to the economy in general and natural resource
management in particular. The volatile situation in Balochistan is
harmful to the exploitation of resources. The Gawadar port, despite
being located at crucial location, has not been made fully
functional. Other projects of mineral exploration are also affected.
The terrorism in the northern areas has been harmful for the
potential tourism industry. These factors of poor management have
placed Pakistan in an undesirable situation domestically and
internationally. The socio-economic situation remains gloomy as
the GDP growth rate is one of the lowest in South Asia at 2.2
percent, trade deficit is estimated about $16 billion, inflation rate
continues to be in double digits at 15 percent, population below
poverty line is alarmingly around 35 percent, and unemployment is
at 15 percent. Also, it does not enjoy a favorable position among the
comity of nations. It is ranked 123rd out of 139 countries in Global
Competitive Index; it is at 134th among 192 in Human
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development Index by UNDP; and it occupies the critical position
of 12th in Failed States Index 2011 issued by Foreign Policy
Magazine.
The country has been economically dependent on
foreign aid and debt, which has adversely affected her standing in
international community. However, despite Pakistan's crucial role
in west's geostrategic framework and war on terror, the allies end up
donating small amounts of grants which make fractions of what
could be obtained from exploiting own natural resources. The
external debts and liabilities have nearly doubled from $ 37 billion
in year 2000, to $ 59.5 billion in year 2011. Nevertheless, the worst
impact so far is the energy crises in Pakistan. There is serious
shortfall of electricity, gas and oil. Electricity demand exceeds
supply and “load shedding” is a common phenomenon. The
shortfall of electricity reaches at 4000-5000 MW which badly
affected industry, eventually leading to decreased exports and
diminished economic activity.
These adverse implications, of the extremely poor
management of resources, on the economy and society in the
country, warrant a serious approach and comprehensive strategy to
reverse the trend. The pragmatic approach and policy direction can
help the country to be able to rely on its own resources instead of
dependency.
Pakistani leadership must focus on exploration of
natural resources and their scientific management. Properly
managed natural resources can become instrumental in national
income and its growth. Extensive geological survey is required to
discover the resource potential, planning and vision is needed to
explore the proved but untapped resources and effective strategy is
essential to fully exploit the resources under use.
In order to take maximum benefits from natural resources there is
the need of technical education of people involved in resource
exploitation and management. The technical education ensures that
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there is minimum wastage of the resources. Hence, such education
should be made compulsory for the people in concerned areas of
activity.
On the other hand, the politicians, policy makers and all
the stake holders must adopt a rational approach not to politicize
natural resources. It should be prioritized as the vital national
interest and dealt with as such. The controversies on the
management of water and mineral resources must be resolved
pragmatically for best interest of the nation.
Last but not the least, worsened law and order situation in Pakistan,
which has led to the lack of investment, must be checked. The
private firms engaged in resource exploration must be protected by
the state. Ensuring the security, would attract investment in the
respective areas which would subsequently guarantee the inflow of
capital in the national economy and the resource potential could be
fully exploited.
It needs not to be emphasized that Pakistan is not poor
but poor management of its natural resources has made it so. The
enormous natural resources of all kinds like energy, minerals,
agriculture, and human could have made this country a wealthy
economy. Instead, there been bleak picture of economy and
undesirable image outside due to the chronic flaws in vision and
policies. Thus, the daunting challenge of poor management of
natural resources direly needs to be addressed not only to overcome
the perils caused due to it but also to achieve economic self
sufficiency and prosperity of the nation. By surpassing this
challenge, Pakistan is destined to have eminence place in the world
as a stable, growing and prosperous nation.
*******
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NEED FOR GOOD GOVERNANCE IN PAKISTAN
Good governance is a precondition for meeting the
challenge of reducing poverty, promoting sustainable development
and building good governance. Good governance is an
indeterminate term used in development literature to describe how
public institutions conduct public affairs and manage public
resources in order to guarantee the realization of human rights.
Furthermore, Governance describes the process of decision-making
and the process by which decisions are implemented or not
implemented. Good governance can also be termed as the effective
use of power, legislation of policies, transparent accountability,and
development of human resources and supremacy of constitution
with the absolute rule of law.
It is a matter of serious concern that for more than three decades,
the country has remained entangled in the oppressive clutches of
dictatorship. “Good government does not mean autocratic
government. Good government does not mean despotic
government. Good government means, a government that is
responsible to the representative of people.”
(Jinnah, the Quaid of Pakistan.)
Good governance is a continuous process that
determines the fate of nation. It is a fundamental factor that is
inevitable in taking the nation to the zenith of glory in the world
community. Good governance is quite a wider term that
encompasses within itself multiple factors that are considered
inevitable for its proper implementation that includes democracy,
rule of law, constitutional supremacy, accountability and public
participation in decision-making.
Unfortunately, the situation of good governance in
Pakistan is quite gloomy and grim due to weak leadership ever since
independence, incompetent administrative hierarchy and weak
accountability accompanied with poor law and order situation.
Democracy and good governance are interrelated to each other. In
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case there is no democracy, there can be no good governance. It is a
matter of grave misfortune for the entire nation that ever since the
birth of Pakistan,democracy could not flourish here due to frequent
martial laws and unnecessary intervention of military dictators in
the state affairs. It is a matter of serious concern that for more than
three decades, the country has remained entangled in the oppressive
clutches of dictatorship. In 1951, the country's first PM, Liaquat Ali
Khan was assassinated and in 1958, the first military coup was
invoked. In 1971, the country went through the tragic episode of
debacle of East Pakistan and in 1977 again Zia's martial law was
imposed. The span of 1988 to 2000 saw acute political instability
through dissolution of National assembly by another martial law. In
the light of the up given picture of country's political situation, good
governance seems a cry for the moon.
Corruption is another crucial factor that can prove to be
a serious impediment in the way of good governance. Corruption
perception index 2011 by Transparency International ranks
Pakistan at 134th position out of 183 countries which is alarmingly
bad. India's ranking is much better (95th out of 183).
Goodgovernance is a distinct reality when the process of
accountability of the corruption ridden elements is either weak or
missing. National accountability Bureau was formulated in 1999
after military coup by general Musharraf, but the sad fact is that the
said body suffers from corrupt practices and lack of accountability
within itself, making it a laughing stock in the eyes of other national
institutions. Another jerk to the governance was NRO formulated
in Musharraf's era in 2007 to secure his otherwise illegal and
unconstitutional re election as the president. Pakistan today
happens to be the classic example of ingenuities for bribery and
exchange of favors. More than 7000 beneficiaries of this defunct law
had to face reopening of their cases in 2009. This was an open
violation of the principle of good governance.
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Effective and in time implementation of the law is another deciding
factor in the process of good governance. Pakistan unfortunately
has become a classic example of worst law and order situation.
Every other day a substantial number of innocent citizens, who are
just silent spectators, are targeted by the law enforcement agencies.
Flourishing economy is one of the major components of
good governance as both are interrelated in one way or the other. In
Pakistan, economic governance is the victim of political instability.
Pakistan's commission for human rights stated that 208 people
committed suicide in August 2011, predominantly out of economic
crisis.
Good governance is pointed out as one of the largest goals in the
Millennium development goals but in Pakistan nothing is realized
on the ground except paper work. It must be remembered that
economic prosperity and good governance are deeply
interconnected. The alarming figures of crippled economy lead us to
the prompt measures for ensuring good governance in the country.
Political stability and efficient administrative hierarchy are the
vibrant components of good governance. Both political leaders and
beaurocracy go hand in hand for bringing about cult of good
governance through effective implementation of public policies. The
tradition of nepotism, lack of democratic norms and political
recruitments on high government offices must be eliminated in
order to promote transparency, accountability and supremacy of
law at all levels.
Moreover, the government should create an investment-
friendly environment in order to boost up the economy and
industrial activity as raising the standard of living is the key
component of good governance. Law and order situation should be
made conducive and encouraging for the foreign investors so the
FDI may be enhanced for the ultimate benefit of the nation and the
country at large. Most importantly, the government must also try to
bridge the gap between the demand and supply of energy. New
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dams and barrages must be built without putting national and
political stability at stake. Government should have control on the
hoarding mafia, particularly those involved in the hoarding of
eatable commodities. Having strict check on the inflation would
increase the standard of living of the general masses at larger scale.
Furthermore, imparting education and awareness to the common
people is necessary to have good governance as the masses have to
be the part of this process.
Media's role in the advent of true democracy and good governance
is not stressed enough. Media is recognized as the fourth pillar of
the state. Media can prove to a vibrant factor in motivating public
participation in national decision-making processes and can also
create the awareness of rights and duties among the general public.
Media can also bring government authorities under accountability
for their violations of power and bad governance.
To put in a nut shell, it may be stated that good
governance is an inevitable phenomenon for the smooth working of
any state machinery. Therefore, political stability, rule of law,
constitutional supremacy and public participation in policy making
and implementation must be ensured. The entire nation must think
and act as one nation and collectively contribute for the prosperity
of the country. Time is now ripe to come out of the false and
baseless concepts of provincialism, sectarianism and nepotism.
With all the leadership vacuum and political instability, the nation
can still step ahead to create an environment, where good
governance is not merely a dream
“You will have to be alert, very alert, for the time for
relaxation is not yet there. With faith, disciplined and selfless
devotion to duty, there is nothing worthwhile that you cannot
achieve.” (Jinnah, the Quaid of Pakistan.)
*******
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WOMEN EMPOWERMENT IN PAKISTAN
STATUS OF WOMEN IN ISLAM
RIGHTS OF WOMEN
There is no need to confuse yourrself. I just covered this topic in every
aspect related to women. You can use this material topic wise whatever
examiner asks about women rights/status. You can skip or add any
heading, in accordance with, what examiner wants to know.
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properties. Even prostitutes were admired for their expertise in the
art of music and dance and widows were allowed to remarry. This
trend took a nose-diving turn with the start of the Medieval era
(1500 B.C) and unfortunately resulted in practices like Satti (dying
with the husband at the funeral pyre), Jauhar (wives immolating
themselves when they realized that their husbands were going to die
in enemy hands) and child marriages.
Rome: was a typically male dominated society; so much so that in
the Roman Republic a man could legally kill his wife or daughter if
they questioned his authority. Women were also kept out of
positions of power. They were not allowed to be senators,
governors, lawyers, judges or any of the other official positions
involved in running the Roman Empire. Women were also not
allowed to vote in elections.
Athens: In the 5th century women in ancient Athenian societies
were given no legal rights and were allowed to leave the house only
for short distances with a chaperone. It was a common belief that
women were emotional creatures who were dangerous to
themselves and needed to be taken care of by men. Although
women might own some personal items and have charge of a slave
or two, they could not own property or enter into contracts.
The Pakistani society is one of the different kinds, where
on one side it places women as the centre of attention and life; it
then on the other hand considers them no more than a secondary
citizen. For years the role that a women played as a citizen, a
member of family or a home-maker has been highly undermined
and today it has turned into a tradition to degrade women’s ability.
However, over the years this scenario has changed, and the
awareness of her abilities, her rights and her status has reached
almost all parts of Pakistan. This country was formed on the basis
of Two-Nation Theory, which emphasized Islamic teachings and
values, and is therefore called as Islamic Republic of Pakistan.
Islam gives the best and most balanced code of life, but Pseudo-
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fundamentalists converted the teachings of Islam to read in the best
interests of men and highly unjust towards women. Despite this the
women of Pakistan has come a long way in proving herself. The
lives of Pakistani women have changed during the past thirty years
and they are more powered and emancipated then they were ever
before. More and more women are entering the workforce today as
their predecessors, who made the first time at the workplace and
also made life easier for women, lent them the encouragement to do
so.
The U.N Entity for Gender Equality and Empowerment of Women
defines Empowerment as:
“Empowerment means that people-both women and men can
take control of their lives; set their own agendas, gain skills (or
have their own skills and knowledge recognized) increase self
confidence, solve problems and develop self reliance. It is both a
process and outcome”.
By empowering women it is meant that women should be allowed
to participate fully in economic life across all sectors and
throughout all levels of economic activity. With the tagline of
“Equality means Business” the U.N has put together seven
“Women’s Empowerment Principles” designed to bring about a
gender-equal environment in workplace and business. They include:
• Establishing high level corporate leadership for gender equality
• Treating all women and men fairly at work, respecting and
supporting human rights and non-discrimination
• Ensuring the health, safety and well being of all women and men
workers
• Promoting education, training and professional development for
women
• Implementing enterprise development, supply chain and
marketing practice that empower women
• Promoting equality through community initiatives and advocacy
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• Measuring and publicly reporting on progress to achieve gender
equality
With the passage of time and economic development
women have attained high level of liberty in the developed
countries. Women in said countries are enjoying almost equal rights
in accordance to men. They have acquired such status due to high
literacy rate, better infrastructure, enlightenment and sincerity of the
ruling class.
Unfortunately, man has woefully militated against God’s
commandments in Pakistan. He has brought down women’s social
status to the level of a third rate citizen. Three main factors have
encouraged man to do so.
Firstly, it is the physical strength and a false sense of superiority as
against women’s physical weakness that makes her vulnerable to
oppression. Man has enforced the law of Jungle where the weaker
leads life at the mercy of stronger.
Secondly, it is the so-called religious scholar i.e. the ill-
educated pseudo-scholar who interprets the Holy Quran in the light
of his own gender prejudices against the women folk. Himself being
man he preaches absolute property rights of men over women.
Thirdly, it is the feudalistic, political, economic and
socialistic system of government that has taken charge of national
affairs ever since independence. In the political field, this autocratic
order has denied advent of democracy in the country. In some parts
of the society, she is not allowed to exercise her right to vote.
Restoration of right to vote has not much difference because she is
not free to vote as per the voice of her conscience. In the economic
sphere teeming millions are leading lives of serfdom. Denied
opportunities to improve her economic lot she has been the worst
sufferer. Dependent on man for every bit of her needs she virtually
leads slave’s life. Feudalistic order has kept major part of nation
illiterate but women have been left far behind literacy, knowledge,
awareness and education. In some quarters even education is a
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factor that tends to indulge in sinful activities. It has therefore
preferred to keep them illiterate and pious. In social matters man
has successfully managed to keep her ignorant of her human rights.
He has introduced devilish customs that victimize woman to accord
her the status of domestic animals. The practice of Vani, Swara,
honor killing, marriage of daughters with the Holy Quran,
commitment of gang rape under orders of jirga etc are some of the
examples of man’s inhuman treatment of woman. Target of all
these social evils has always been woman.
Anti-women practices have adversely affected the status
of women in Pakistan. The inequality and depression of women
have negative impacts on society. The implications of anti-women
practices on society are as follows:
Firstly, women are found in an abysmal state in Pakistan.
When father is not a father and brother is not a brother, man has
taken undue advantage of vulnerability of the weaker sex. That is
the mark of his cowardice. When it comes to address women’s
problems, father is not a father but only a “MAN”. He would hand
over his child girl in marriage to an eighty year old man just to get
out of a difficult situation in which circumstances have placed him
by chance.
Secondly, the brutal customs of honor killing (called as
Karo-Kari in Sindh), Watta Satta marriages, marriage with Holy
Quran and denial of inheritance are prevailing in society. A real
brother is not a brother but only a “MAN” who would kill his sister
mercilessly just because in his view, she has disgraced him and his
family. To deny inheritance, the father in collusion with sons,
would marry his daughter to the Holy Quran. To get rid of an
unwanted daughter or to get a daughter in law of his choice, he
would give her away in forcible marriage exchange. This practice is
called as Watta Satta which often ends in miseries and eventual
breakup marriage; on both sides. Husband is not a husband but only
a “MAN” who utters the word of divorce thrice in one breath and
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sends the woman home. Man makes her work like an animal and
beats her up whenever he feels the urge to do so. Domestic violence
in the form of physical thrashing and mental torture with which
woman is treated is considered to be the birth right of man. Man
who is ordained to protect women by the Almighty God as per
teachings of Holy Quran and Sunnah, leaves her exposed to every
kind of threat, fear, misery, misfortune, indignity, uncertainty,
unhappiness that one can imagine in this life.
Thirdly, women have been used as bargaining chips to
resolve disputes in disgraceful customs of Swara and Vani. Swara is
a custom usually practiced in tribal areas, in which woman is used
as a commodity to resolve feud between two clans. Similarly, in
Southern Punjab Vani is a custom practiced in order to settle blood
feuds. Vani could be avoided if the clan of the girl agrees to pay
money called as “Deet”. Otherwise, the young bride may spend her
life paying for the crimes of her male relatives.
Fourthly, women face harassment in society, especially
at their workplaces. The bosses particularly harass them. Trafficking
is a worldwide phenomenon. It is the smuggling of women for the
purpose of prostitution. Many women are abducted or blackmailed
from Pakistan to other parts of the world and intra country also.
I In the Qur'an Allah frequently addresses both the man
and the woman. In one passage Allah reveals:
"For Muslim men and women, for believing men and women,
for devout men and women, for true men and women who are
patient, for men and women who humble themselves, for men
and women who give in charity, for men and women who fast,
for men and women who guard their chastity, and for men and
women who engage much in Allah's praise - For them all has
Allah prepared forgiveness and great reward." (33:35)
The Spiritual Aspect:
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The Qur'an provides clear-cut evidence that woman is completely
equated with man in the sight of God in terms of her rights and
responsibilities.
The Qur'an states: "Every soul will be (held) in pledge for its deeds"
(Qur'an 74:38).
It also states: ...So their Lord accepted their prayers, (saying): I will
not suffer to be lost the work of any of you whether male or female.
You proceed one from another ...(Qur'an 3: 195).
Woman according to the Qur'an is not blamed for Adam's first
mistake.
Both were jointly wrong in their disobedience to God, both
repented, and both were forgiven. (Qur'an 2:36, 7:20 - 24).
In one verse in fact (20:121), Adam specifically, was blamed.
In terms of religious obligations, such as the Daily
Prayers, Fasting, Poor-due, and Pilgrimage, woman is no different
from man. In some cases indeed, woman has certain advantages
over man. For example, the woman is exempted from the daily
prayers and from fasting during her menstrual periods and forty
days after childbirth. If the missed fasting is required, during the
month of Ramadan, (Ramadan is a month of strict fasting and
prayers, one of the Islamic sacraments) she can make up for the
missed days whenever she can. She does not have to make up for
the prayers missed for any of the above reasons. Although women
can and did go into the mosque during the days of the prophet and
thereafter attendance at the Friday congregational prayers is
optional for them while it is compulsory for men (on Friday).
The Social Aspect:
As a child and an adolescent
Despite the social acceptance of female death among some Arabian
tribes, the Qur'an forbade this custom, and considered it a crime like
any other murder.
"And when the female (infant) buried alive - is questioned, for what
crime she was killed." (Qur'an 81:8-9).
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Criticizing the attitudes of such parents who reject their female
children, the Qur'an states: When news is brought to one of them,
of (the Birth of) a female (child), his face darkens and he is filled
with inward grief! With shame does he hide himself from his people
because of the bad news he has had! Shall he retain her on
(sufferance) and contempt, or bury her in the dust? Ah! What an
evil (choice) they decide on? (Qur'an 16: 58-59).
Far from saving the girl's life so that she may later suffer injustice
and inequality, Islam requires kind and just treatment for her.
As a wife: The Qur'an clearly indicates that marriage is sharing
between the two halves of the society, and that its objectives,
besides creating human life, are emotional well being and spiritual
harmony. Its bases are love and mercy.
According to Islamic Law, women cannot be forced to marry
anyone without their consent.
Ibn Abbas (prophet) reported that a girl came to the Messenger of
God, Muhammad (P.), and she reported that her father had forced
her to marry without her consent. The Messenger of
God gave her the choice . . . (between accepting the marriage or
invalidating it). The rules for married life in Islam are clear. Both
have equal rights and claims on one another, except for one
responsibility, that of leadership. This is a matter which is natural in
any collective life and which is consistent with the nature of man.
The Qur'an thus states: "And they (women) have rights
similar to those (of men) over them, and men are a degree above
them." (Qur'an 2:228).
Such degree is Quiwama (maintenance and protection). This refers
to that natural difference between the sexes, which entitles the
weaker sex to protection. It implies no superiority or advantage
before the law. Yet, man's role of leadership in relation to his family
does not mean he is boss over his wife. Islam emphasizes the
importance of taking counsel and mutual agreement in family
decisions. The Qur'an gives us an example:
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"...If they (husband wife) desire to wean the child by mutual
consent and (after) consultation, there is no blame on them..."
(Qur'an 2: 233).
As a mother Islam considered kindness to parents next to the
worship of God. "And we have enjoined upon man (to be good) to
his parents: His mother bears him in weakness upon weakness..."
(Qur'an 31:14)
Also, the Qur'an has a special recommendation for the good
treatment of mothers: "Your Lord has decreed that you worship
none save Him, and that you be kind to your parents . . ." (Qur'an
17:23).
The Economic Aspect: Islam ordered a right of which woman was
ruined both before Islam and after it (even as late as this century),
the right of independent ownership. According to Islamic Law,
woman's right to her money, real estate, or other properties is fully
acknowledged. This right undergoes no change whether she is
single or married. She retains her full rights to buy, sell, mortgage or
lease any or all her properties. It is nowhere suggested in the Law
that a woman is a lesser simply because she is a female. It should
also be taken into consideration that such right applies to her
properties before and after marriage.
With regard to the woman's right to seek
employment it should be stated first that Islam regards her role in
society as a mother and a wife as the most sacred and essential one.
Such a noble and vital role, which largely shapes the future of
nations, cannot be regarded as "doing nothing". However, there is
no decree in Islam that forbids woman from seeking employment
whenever there is a necessity for it, especially in positions which fit
her nature and in which society needs her most. Examples of these
professions are nursing, teaching (especially for children), and
medicine. Also, there is no restriction on benefiting from woman's
talent in any field Man in Islam is fully responsible for the
maintenance of his wife, his children, and in some cases of his
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needy relatives, especially the females. This responsibility is neither
waived nor reduced because of his wife's wealth or because of her
access to any personal income gained from work, rent, profit, or
any other legal means. Women on the other hand are far more
secure financially and are far less burdened with any claims on her
possessions. Her possessions before marriage do not transfer to her
husband and she even keeps her maiden name and she has no
obligation to spend on her family. If she is divorced, she may get
alimony from her ex-husband. An examination of the inheritance
law within the Islamic Law reveals not only justice but also an
abundance of compassion for woman.
The Political Aspect: Any fair investigation of the teachings of
Islam into the history of the Islamic civilization will surely find a
clear evidence of woman'sequality with man in ^political rights^.
This includes the right of election as well as woman's right to
participate in public affairs. Both in the Qur'an and in Islamic
history we find examples of women who participated in serious
discussions and argued even with the Prophet himself. During the
era of Omar, a woman argued with him in the mosque, proved her
point, and caused him to declare in the presence of people: ^A
woman is right and Omar is wrong.^
Mentioned in the Qur'an, it states that women are
ineligible for the position of head of state. It is roughly translated. A
people will not prosper if they let a woman be their leader. Muslims
believe that this limitation, however, has nothing to do with the
dignity of woman or with her rights. It is rather, related to the
natural differences in the biological and psychological make-up of
men and women. According to Islam, the head of the state is no
mere figurehead. He leads people in the prayers, especially on
Fridays and festivities; he is continuously engaged in the process of
decision-making and the well being of his people. In agreement with
the Muslims it is a medical fact that during their monthly periods
and during their pregnancies, women undergo various physiological
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and psychological changes. Muslims believe that such changes may
occur during an emergency situation, thus affecting her decision,
without considering the excessive strain, which is produced.
Even in modern times, and in the most developed
countries, it is rare to find a woman in the position of a head of state
acting as more than a figurehead, a woman commander of the
armed services, or even a equal number of women representatives
in parliaments.
To correct the despicable scenario, the law men sitting in the
Assemblies have off and on enacted various laws to wipe the
rampant social vices and customary practices that distort the fair
image of women.
The passage of Domestic Violence (Prevention and protection), Act
2012 and establishment of Women’ Rights Commission with
financial and administrative powers aimed at promoting social,
social, economic, political and legal rights of women in Pakistan,
who constitute half of its population is laudable. But, our history
bears the testimony that commissions to uplift the status of women
was made and they were not successful because they were not
independent. It has remained a custom to put good laws on paper
but a little effort in history has been made to implement them.
The Prevention of Anti-women Practices (Criminal Law
Amendment) Act 2011 is a milestone to empower and enlighten
women. The struggle of women for emancipation and against
discrimination has a long history throughout the world. Even in
Pakistan, it is the high time to introduce a legal redress to ensure
basic rights of women in society and to protect them against
discriminatory traditions. The aim of this bill is to reduce injustice
against women by discouraging several practices and customs in
vogue in the country which are not only against human dignity, but
also in contrast to Islamic injunctions. It is therefore, necessary that
such inhumane practices and customs are done away forthwith and
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those who are found guilty should be dealt severely by providing
penal and financial liabilities.
The Protection against Harassment of Women at
Workplace, Act 2010 is also an important legislation done to
protect women against harassment at workplaces. The objective of
this Act was to create a safe working environment for women,
which is free from harassment, abuse and intimidation with a view
to fulfilling their right to work with dignity. Harassment is one of
the biggest hurdles faced by the working women preventing others
who want to bring themselves and their families out of poverty.
This Act builds on the principles of equal opportunity to women
and their right to earn livelihood without any fear of discrimination
as stipulated in the constitution. This Act complies with the
government’s commitment to high international labor standards
and empowerment of women. It also adheres to Human Rights
Declaration, the United Nations Convention for Elimination of all
forms of Discrimination against Women and ILO’s Convention 100
and 111 on worker’s rights. It adheres to the principles of Islam and
all other religions which assure women’s dignity. This Act requires
all public and private organizations to adopt an internal code of
conduct and complain/appeals mechanism aimed at establishing a
safe working environment for all working women.
The Prevention of Domestic Violence Act, 2008 was
passed unanimously by the National Assembly, but, the bill lapsed
after the Senate failed to pass it within three months period required
under the constitution. The domestic violence bill seeks to prevent
violence against women and children with a network of protection
committees and protection officers and prompt trials of suspected
abusers. The bill includes protection in public places such as
markets, public transport, streets or parks and more private places
such as workplaces, private gatherings and homes. The Protection
of Women (Criminal Laws Amendments) Act 2006 was enacted to
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provide relief and protection against misuse and abuse of law and to
prevent their exploitation.
The status of women in Islam has been described as purely
given in the Quran and revealed by the Prophet Muhammad
(P.B.U.H). However, the role of women has not only been shaped
by Islamic text but also by the history and culture of the Muslim
world. Moreover, the issue of women in Islam has been viewed as
highly controversial through the centuries. While it is believed that
these revelations on women’s liberation in the Quran made major
improvements in the oppressed status of women in pre-Arab
societies, the deterioration of this status took place soon after the
death of the Prophet (P.B.U.H).
With the growth of the Women’s Liberation Movement in
the West, many feminist writers came to view the practice of
wearing the ‘veil’ as a symbol of women’s oppression and
subservience to men. The hijaab in Islam is given as a way for
women to conceal their attractiveness and appear dignified so that
attention is drawn more to their character than physical beauty.
Islam enjoins modest dress for both men and women, and in a
Muslim society, the men as well as the women typically dress
conservatively. The Qur'an tells them to dress modestly and cover
their hair in all public situations, others insist that their whole body
including hands and face are to be covered, yet others understand
the guidance to mean a more general attitude of modesty both in
dress and attitude. Many Muslim women freely choose to dress
modestly in order to avoid the public scrutiny, judgments, and
social dynamics associated with physical appearance. By dressing in
way that does not draw attention.
Additionally, polygamy is seen as a sign of inequality
amongst men and women. This concept is clarified stating that
polygamy was introduced as a means to protect women and
children who may otherwise be taken advantage of. Moreover,
there are strict conditions placed on men to provide equal time and
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money to all their wives. The rights of divorce are also open to the
wife if she is unfairly treated. The Prophet Muhammad was married
to his first wife, Khadijah, for 25 years, and he did not take other
wives until after her death. His marriages to several widows and
divorcees in later years were primarily contracted for political and
humanitarian reasons, as was expected of a man in his position. His
home life was characterized by love, consideration, kindness and
respect.
Despite all these teachings in Islam it is no secret that
some brutal traditions are still prevalent in many Muslim societies.
In many parts of Pakistan, female infanticide is still on the rise.
Domestic violence against women is almost a norm in many
societies where women don’t come forward to claim their rights.
In the nutshell it can be said that God in his infinite wisdom
created women to play her role in the advancement of human
affairs in her own way, and man was ordained to provide her
protection so that she may perform her assigned duties with
honor and respect. But man has subjected women to all kinds of
exploitations i.e. social, economic and political. She became the
worst victim of gender discrimination. The result is that half of
the population that women constituted is put aside as good for
nothing. The religious prejudices further made her life miserable.
To be in her true self contributing to the advancement of the
society in her assigned manner, she needs to be empowered in
every walk of life. It is a globally accepted fact that when women
have full agency and participation in business, economies are
strengthened, societies become more stable and just,
internationally agreed goals for development, sustainability and
human rights are achieved, the quality of life improves not just for
women, but for men, families and communities, the entire
businesses’ operations and goals are pushed forward to success.
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ARE FOUR PILLARS OF STATE RESPONSIBLE FOR WHAT
AILS PAKISTAN TODAY?
There is a common but technical saying that for a strong
and stable building, make its pillars strong. Same applies for the
pillars of state. There were three pillars of state when media had not
gained currency. With its rise, the result was four pillars namely
Legislature, Executive, Judiciary and Media. Each pillar has a
specific role to play. This role, if played properly, may elevate
country's level of stability and development. Most underdeveloped
and developing countries have been in a dilemma over role of
pillars. In particular, Pakistan had been caught in the cross-hairs of
problems. From the independence of Pakistan to date, state organs
have played a devastating role. These organs, rather than
neutralizing the problems, have intensified them. Moreover, they
kept trying to influence other institutions. Concept of separation of
powers was negated in practice. Since, the concept suggests that
state pillars need to function independently and without compelling
influence from other pillars. This, in benefit, guarantees
accountability. In addition, each state pillar, from legislature to
media, has contributed in greater capacity towards the turmoil in
Pakistan. Impetuous, immature and ineffective role of pillars have
led Pakistan towards disorder and problematic place. By realistic
learning from lessons and truly goal-oriented policies, state will get
its dose of good performance. Good performance is a clear-cut way
to get the country enrolled in the list of first developing and then
developed countries. To put it in other words, good performance is
directly related to true and effective role of state pillars. Thus, role
of state institutions is always the focal point while deciding
development or decline of a country. Hence, in case of Pakistan,
proper good performance by state pillars is the need of the hour.
In a constitutional democracy, state's function begins
with its backbone that is legislature. Legislature is a forum where
legislators deliberate, discuss and pass laws. The role of legislature
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can be well described in words of John Stuart Mill, “In a
representative democracy, the legislature acts as the eyes, ears and
voice of the people.” More importantly, it has to watch and control
the government and not the other way round. The executive is an
authority as well as an essential pillar of a state. Its duty is to
administer laws made by legislature. The executive has a strong
administrative hand over all sectors and departments of
government. The role of executives and legislatures can be
hypothetically depicted to drivers and automobile manufacturers.
Where manufacturers portray legislature and drivers portray
executive. Thus, in parliamentary or presidential system, it has to
administer all departments of the government.
To ensure justice and fundamental rights, there comes
the jurisdiction of judiciary. It is a pillar of state whose job is to
administer justice. In judiciary, judges are employed to make lawful
decisions even if they contradict the government. The judiciary has
the power to review public laws so that they may not violate
country's constitution. Thus, judiciary is an institution who has to
serve immediate justice to people anywhere from lower courts to
apex courts.
The role of media is to impart information about national and
international affairs. Media, apart from informing, plays public
accountability role. That is, it compels other state pillars to keep
away from performing wrong. Media can influence the thinking of
the youth and adults. For instance, it can bring together scattered
people of society. Hence, the clear and effective role by state
institutions is a way towards prosperity, stability and development.
Otherwise, there is a long list of problems faced by countries who
ridicule their basic duty.
The True responsibility of a state pillar is judged by its
effectiveness. Role can be performed in one of two ways:
responsibly or irresponsibly. Realistically, Pakistan has got more of
an irresponsible role by state organs than a responsible one. The
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contribution by legislature lies in its lack to understand dynamics of
major and serious issues. The inefficiency and lack of understanding
by legislature has intensified the problems like corruption and
energy crisis. Thus, the reluctance of legislature to efficiently solve
these problems has put Pakistan in turmoil, weakened the
democracy and invoked martial laws.
The executive's role is critical one if today's Pakistan and
its history are taken into account. The blunder by executive was
assuming itself as an absolute power. This, in result, discarded the
very concept of democracy. Its performance has remained
questionable. The irony is executive at many issues have taken and
is still taking immature steps. These steps while trying to neutralize
one problem intensify other problems. For example, executive tries
to produce more electricity by infusing expensive furnace oil to
power plants. This leads to huge damage to Pakistan's economy.
Thus, the lack of proper administration has deteriorated the
situation in this already disturbed country.
People of Pakistan worry about collective problems on one hand
but are more inclined towards their own individual problems. The
top priority problem for an individual is injustice. This is where
judiciary's role defines itself. The role of Pakistan's judiciary has lost
some dignity. For instance, people often try to avoid filing a case
because of partiality of justice system. The inefficiency of judiciary
has resulted in many pending cases. Moreover, it has resulted in
loss of faith and hope among people. Thus, these outcomes have
driven Pakistan to misfortune and hardship.
Media's biased role is that when it forgets its true duty. For instance,
it plays negative role while portraying negative aspects of Pakistan.
It has even functioned as catalyst in weakening other state organs.
Media has created such a tense environment that life has become a
risky business. Live and repeated airing of violent incidents,
terrorism and inappropriate content have made the situation worse.
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Hence, the pillars of state have, individually and collectively, put
Pakistan in a state of turbulence.
In today's globalised world, almost nothing remains undisclosed.
Similarly, implications of immature and impetuous role of state
pillars are rarely a secret. The adverse effects of devastating role of
state institutions are problems like corruption, weak economy,
illiteracy, energy crisis and terrorism. The first three problems can
be called all-time problems. The reason is they have been issues
from the time of independence to date. 66 years have passed since
Pakistan's independence but still these problems are not neutralized
to ensure stability. Corruption is first major problem which has
spread in most departments of Pakistan. Government's inefficiency
has further intensified the problem. The consequences of this
problem are quite obvious like unemployment, inflation, lack of
completion of development works and injustice. Second problem is
that of weak economy. Despite having a large number of resources,
still Pakistan's economy is declining. This trouble has been
continuing due to lack of utilization of resources. As a result,
problems like inflation, increasing energy crisis and downsizing
surrounded the country. Illiteracy is the third all-time problem.
Lack of literacy has serious repercussions. These are increasing
poverty, bringing human rights cases, and in some cases may even
result in terrorism.
Energy crisis and Terrorism are the problems which
make headlines today. The ineffectual role of pillars is main reason
for continuous increase in these problems. Lack of proper energy
supply to industries and factories has made them less productive.
These results are price hikes and economical instability. While
terrorism, apart from creating terror among the public, has
adversely affected economy and security situation of Pakistan.
Thus, the problems caused by state pillars have serious
repercussions on the country. These effects are traumatic, terrible
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and troubling. Hence, devising a solution for one problem may
result in another problem as a byproduct.
There is no hard and fast rule for a country to learn lessons. But it is
always recommended that lessons should be learned before
situation worsens. Any country's system of government develops
from its historical, political and social conditions. Following blindly
another country's system, without proper modification, rarely
works. The case of Nigeria is of interest here. When it tried to adopt
U.S Presidential System some years ago, it failed. Consequently,
revolts in the form of military coups started. Since then, Nigeria has
had no sustained stability. That is why it is suggested that a country
needs not to adopt but adapt structures and rules such that they fit
their own cultures and circumstances. This, in result, ensures
development.
A true lesson on how state pillars need to work lies in a fable “The
Bundle of Sticks (Aesop for Children 1919)”. A farmer had sons
who kept quarreling among themselves. To teach them a lesson, he
asked them to try to break bundle of sticks and then one stick at a
time. The former they could not accomplish but the latter they did
easily. The farmer then told his sons that if they work together in
harmony, nothing can break them. Otherwise alone, they are as
weak as one stick. To put it succinctly, it has a moral of unity is
strength. Likewise, all institutions of state from legislature to media
need to work in unity and in harmony. Thus, the use of one
institution's influence for personal gains is like that of quarrel.
Hence, this influence needs to be avoided in practice.
Pakistan's history contains many devastating failures and
lapses. For instance, issuance of grandiose manifestoes by political
parties but not implementing them was a failure. A Judiciary needs
to learn from its past that it should not divert from its main
responsibility. Moreover, the extensive involvement of free media
with state institutions is a threat to its impartiality and freedom.
Studying the factors behind failures is beneficial for future decisions.
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In fact, history is not written to tell story of past but to teach aspects
of past. Above all, Quaid-e-Azam's words are worth mentioning
here. He said on 11 August 1947 that the first duty of government
was to maintain law and order and second to control corruption
and bribery. This tells the fact that the founder of Pakistan was
himself conscious of solution to these problems. Hence, learning
from historical failures of Pakistan are essential tools to have
sustained stability in Pakistan.
In Greek myth, Hydra was a monster with nine heads;
each of the head when struck off was replaced by two new ones. To
illustrate, problems like terrorism, corruption and energy crisis are
often invoked by ineffective, inappropriate or immature solutions.
This leads to creating two more problems or intensifying the
existing ones. Thus, there are a lot of lessons, morals, warnings and
examples which need to be learned by state pillars. Hence, learning
lessons and then making effective policies are the key factors for
success.
Whenever there are problems in a country, there are solutions.
Likewise, there are many solutions, recommendations and realistic
viewpoints for the problematic state of Pakistan. Few
recommendations to pillars of state need to be focused here.
First of all, the government needs to create a new
research wing. It may consist of senior impartial analysts with
proper staff and resources. The purpose of this wing should be
providing finalized proper solution to a problem. It may work in
collaboration with think tanks of Pakistan and the world. In
addition, it may welcome any suggestions and strategic solutions
from experienced thinkers and independent analysts around
Pakistan and the world.
Two; Pakistan's legislature needs to revise policy in order
to protect its threatened sovereignty. For instance, a proper law
needs to be passed for stopping Drone strikes which are violation of
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international law and Pakistan's sovereignty. As no law to stop
them has lead to increase in terrorism.
Three; Legislature needs to be the supreme power of the
country in actual. For this, legislature needs to amend constitution
to make parliament supreme, authoritative and independent. But it
should be binding on mutual accountability such that it may not use
power for personal benefits. This in turn would ensure self and
other institutions' accountability.
Four; Legislature needs to make an effective education
policy. In addition, legislature should monitor the progress of the
policy. The reason to emphasize monitoring lies in power of
education. That is, proper education is instrumental in leading
country towards prosperity and stability.
Five; with the consultation of each of the pillars of state,
National Accountability Bureau needs to be reinvented. To
illustrate, the development of a country depends on collective efforts
by all the state pillars and not only legislature and executive.
Sixth; the Supreme Court of Pakistan needs to strengthen
the lower courts. That is, not just apex court but lower courts
should ensure immediate and affordable justice.
Lastly; state pillars need to keep check on the progress
and effectiveness of the policies and laws. This would ensure
accountability, prosperity and development.
To sum up, the pillars of state should be ideally and
practically effective and mature. Proper, sensible, realistic and
authoritative policies need to be devised by legislature. This is turn
may lead Pakistan towards stability. The executive needs to perform
its duties effectively. Judiciary should perform its duty impartially
so that its role should not be questionable. It is judiciary which
ensures peace. Martin Luther King's words echo when peace and
justice are talked. He said that true peace is not the absence of
tension but it is presence of justice. It shows that justice is
mandatory to bring peace. On the other hand, aim of media should
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be to strengthen the weak and vulnerable segments of society. It
should stabilize national institutions and strengthen national socio-
economic, political and administrative structure. More importantly,
the separation of powers concept needs to be followed in proper. It
will guarantee accountability of each of the state pillars. The more
stable and accountable are the state pillars, the better will be
country's condition. Collectively, when lessons are learned,
mistakes are realized, effective policies with maturity are devised
and role is responsibly performed, Pakistan will tend towards
development. Moreover, it would be an example for
underdeveloped and unstable nations. Last but not the least, there is
a need of initiative in the right direction to bring Pakistan on the
path of stability. Very rightly a Chinese Philosopher Lao Tzu said:
“The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step”.
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a bundle of disadvantages as well including disseminating
disinformation, advocating a specific propaganda and prioritizing
commercialism. It helps enrich one's culture as well as risks
invasion by others' cultures. It facilitates socialisation by making the
world a global village yet it isolates individuals from their families
and friends as excessive time is being wasted on social media.
Interestingly, media is a watchdog over the governments, but lacks
accountability within. Nevertheless, the overall role of the free
media in national development cannot be undermined.
Media is free when it can provide information without
any kind of censorship. However, complete freedom does require
freedom of right to seek, receive and impart information and ideas.
Constitution of Pakistan and the universally-accepted principles
guarantee everyone the right to freedom of opinion and expression.
In Pakistan, media has long faced the censorship. However, an
appreciable level of freedom has been achieved recently. Pakistani
media is hugely influenced by various state and non-state actors.
Military regimes in Pakistan had a special interest in controlling the
media. The first step in this direction was taken by a military ruler
who promulgated the Press and Publication Ordinance (PPO) in
1960. The law empowered the authorities to confiscate newspapers,
clamp down on newspaper providers, and arrest journalists. Even
civil governments were no less eager to influence and control
media. It was not until 2002 that media faced a decisive
development when new laws broke the state's monopoly on
electronic media. TV broadcasting and FM radio licenses were
issued to private media outlets. These new laws opened up a new
arena for free media with less regulations and limited censorship.
Owing to its advantages, the free media brings, can be
rightly termed as a blessing. Firstly; it educates and informs masses.
It easily disseminates important information across the globe.
Access to uncensored information helps educate the masses
regarding important societal issues. In Pakistan, media, especially
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TV channels, have effectively used freedom of expression to educate
people on essential elements of society and citizenship. Programmes
broadcast on these channels educate people on social, cultural and
political issues and create civic sense and responsibility among the
masses. TV plays films and documentaries are good examples in
this context.
Secondly; free media stirs a rise in awareness level. This
raised level improves ability to make decisions rationally. Compare
Pakistan's current generation with their predecessors and you see
that when media faced huge censorship and was not 'free', people
knew a little about the societal issues. Previous generations lived
with low awareness owing to inaccessibility to information and,
hence, vulnerable to manipulation. The current state of affairs
harbingers a bright future as the masses have great knowledge about
the issues faced by the country. The role of media in restoration and
independence of judiciary needs not be overemphasised.
Thirdly; free media shapes public opinion. Internet, TV
and radio channels, and newspapers are effective tools to serve the
national interests if geared in the right direction. After Mumbai
attacks, Pakistani media broadcast and printed reports and
documentaries on the country's defence and military strength in a
bid to boost the peoples' morale against anticipated Indian threat of
attack on Pakistan. Numerous articles were published to prove that
Pakistan had nothing to do with the Mumbai attacks. This helped
appease the international concerns. Peoples of Pakistan and India
regard Kashmir as an integral part of their respective countries.
Media can play its role to soften the stance to reach an agreeable
solution.
Last but not least; media promotes and strengthens and
champions democracy. Precisely, democracy is the best system in
which both people and media get freedom of speech. Media helps
democracy thrive by arousing the citizens' interest in country's
politics. Recent developments show a gradual but promising shift in
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Pakistan's political system towards true democracy. Where media
played an important role in the ouster of the military ruler Pervez
Musharraf, it also highlighted flaws and lacunae in governance
during previous democratic regime. This caused the annihilation of
'coalition partners' of that regime in May 2013 elections.
Elsewhere, the United States and India are good
examples where media due to its freedom has played and is playing
significant role in strengthening the democratic norms.
The unprecedented freedom of media has, as well, harmed the
society. First of all; there are some instances where media outlets
spread disinformation and created confusion among the masses.
The 'informing people' function of media is not complete until it
guarantees true and unbiased information. Absence of a
consolidated accountability system has let certain elements in media
to exploit feelings of the audiences just to get some 'rating'.
Nevertheless, this disinformation damages significant elements of
society. For example, some segments in Pakistani media often
resorted to create false impression about the government, even they
started predicting its departure. These rumours forced the investors
keep at bay which harmed the country's economy.
Second; freedom without responsibility leads to creation
of sensationalism. Media is a powerful opinion-maker and if not
dealt carefully, it could be negatively used to form opinions which
favour certain organizations or groups. Pakistan is combating the
monster of terrorism but the uncensored and live telecast of the
scenes of bomb blasts and of the bleeding people has caused severe
psychological impacts on the people of Pakistan. Most areas of
Pakistan are, undoubtedly, peaceful but these repeated telecasts
create a negative perception of the country which causes decline in
foreign investment and damages the tourism industry.
This has inadvertently helped the cause of the terrorists.
Third; the absolute freedom, like absolute power, leads to
corruption. Unbridled freedom of expression has led media
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organisations to interfere in state matters. In countries where legal
system is weak but media is free, media often gets involved in
corrupt practices. Lack of strict vigilance and regulation allows
journalists to negatively use the media power to extort rather than
inform.
Last but not least; huge profits in the media sector have
given rise to commercialisation. Media outlets nowadays work only
for more and more profits. Influence of wealthy entrepreneurs has
made media drift away from its real objective of informing,
educating and supporting public. Regardless of what is good for
masses, media covers content and issues which increases their
ratings — a tool to grab huge profits. Certain issues are self-
censored only because they would damage the profits of media
outlets. Newspapers, for example, often censor or skip reports
relating to wrongdoings of the government institutions as doing so
may result in cuts on their public advertisements.
Today, when the world has become a global village, free
media enriches and spreads a nation's culture around the world, yet,
simultaneously, the channels also allow invasion of other cultures.
For instance, today's free Pakistani media is able to reach out
Pakistani diaspora across the globe. This has helped introduce and
spread Pakistani culture in the world. Nevertheless, it has
influenced natives' culture with the foreign ones. Television
programmes these days are replete with Indian and Turkish plays,
soaps and shows. Western influence, though to some extent, is also
obvious. Resultantly, our new generation is hugely influenced by
Justin Bieber, Amir Khan and other celebrities but not our native
heroes like Aziz Bhatti Shaheed, Rashid Minhas Shaheed, and
other valiant sons of the soil.
Expansion of media is also responsible for providing the
people with up-to-date communication facilities. Internet has
revolutionized the way people socialise and interact. Friends,
relatives and even unknown people are able to interact irrespective
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of territorial distances. Facebook, Skype and other social media
help people socialise in modern ways. However, the very same
media have become a cause of social isolation as well. This has
created generation gaps as well, as social-media-obsessed
youngsters stay at a distance from their elders.
Moreover; free media is a watchdog over the government
and state institutions. Media keeps a vigilant eye on their doings
and wrongdoings. Every good is praised, and every wrong is
criticised. Never in Pakistan was corruption exposed to such an
extent. After the enactment of liberal laws, new corruption scandals
are exposed every day. But this freedom has also exposed the state
to new dangers. There is no proper framework for accountability in
the media sector itself. Hardly has any government taken an action
against a corrupt journalist or a media organisation. Nor has media
its own strict accountability mechanism. This indicates the
vulnerability of free media to become a carefree giant, if not
properly regulated.
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has been damaging not only the economy, political stability, social
sector and social fabric of the country but also national security and
integrity. The country's image abroad and its foreign relations are
severely affected, as well. Moreover, the risk of being termed as a
failed state was born out of the implications of no other problem but
terrorism. Nevertheless, the increasing realization and resolve of the
political, civil and military leadership to combat this threat with
iron hands harbingers a strong action to eradicate terrorism.
However, this problem will not go away easily given the isolated
responses from state institutions. A comprehensive and integrated
counter-extremism and counter-terrorism strategy is need of the
hour. The emerging clarity among institutions and political
consensus among major stakeholders is a positive sign in this
regard.
The origin of terrorism in Pakistan can be traced back to two
important events that brought obscurantism, intolerance and
resultantly terrorism in Pakistan. Before 1980s, religion has never
been a controversial issue in Pakistan. The sectarian militants
emerged in Pakistan after the 1979 Iran Revolution which
transformed the nature and magnitude of sectarian violence in
Pakistan. There are three goals to terrorism. First, to show that
government cannot protect you. Second, to create reaction and
hence more terrorism. Third, to glamorize such acts.For these
activity, there must be a signiicant target such as the twin towers of
U.S.A.
Besides, Soviet occupation of Afghanistan was the most critical
event leading to the spread of militancy. A fundamental change that
altered the very character of society in Pakistan occurred after the
outbreak of Soviet-Afghan war. However, the real damage was
exposed only after the Soviet withdrawal from Afghanistan, when
there emerged weaponization and violence in Pakistan. Lately, in
the wake of US attack on Afghanistan, and Pakistan's entry into
War on Terror as an ally, the extremism and terrorism soared.
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With its multifarious nature, the magnitude of terrorism has
become greater. Ethnic, sectarian; nationalist, separatist; and jihadi
terrorism are some forms of it.
Ethnicity has been haunting Pakistan since its emergence
as an independent state. This was the ethnicity factor that led to
dismemberment of the country in 1971. Arson, bombings, assaults,
vandalism and even murder have been some aspects of this
nuisance. Separatist terrorism is another threat to Pakistan. The
Balochistan province has been facing the intermittent guerilla wars.
The tribal militants, allegedly patronized by foreign powers
especially India, carry out heinous acts of terrorism and even resort
to target killings to advance their separatist agenda.
The so-called jihad is another form of terrorism that is
most widespread nowadays. This type of terrorism emerged with
Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in the late 1970s. After the Soviet
withdrawal, this armed struggle transformed into a sort of civil war,
and later Afghanistan became a breeding ground for terrorists.
Furthermore, after 9/11 attacks, when Pakistan entered in war
against terrorism, some of these sham Jihadi groups turned their
guns against Pakistan.
This violent phenomenon has become complex in nature
due to multitude of the causes. The situation in Pakistan is more
complicated due to its underdevelopment, strategic location, diverse
cultures and religious orientation of society. The first and foremost
cause is widespread illiteracy in Pakistan. Pakistan ranks 113th
among the 120 nations in the literacy rate index. Since, people lack
the knowledge of the true teachings of Islam; they are easily carried
away by the emotional and sentimental speeches of religious
fanatics.
Secondly; injustice or lack of justice is also one of the core
causes of terrorism. People are suffering from many social injustices
including, but not limited to, unequal resource distribution,
restricted access to quality education, the elite's hegemony in
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political system, lack of basic health facilities, and non-availability
of necessary commodities to major portion of the population. There
is plethora of examples in history when deprived and marginalized
people rebelled and even resorted to violence to gain their rights. In
Pakistan, the underprivileged and depressed class is prone to be
exploited by the terrorists.
Thirdly; poverty is also a major cause of terrorism.
According to a study conducted by the Sustainable Development
Policy Institute, every third Pakistani is living below the poverty
line i.e. 58.7 million out of 180 million are living in abject poverty.
A survey conducted by Benazir Income Support Program (BISP)
revealed that around 45.7% population of Pakistan is poor. These
people, caught in the vicious cycle of poverty, join terrorists for
monetary benefits.
Fourthly; derailing of democracy by military dictators also
contributed to the spread of terrorism in Pakistan. History of the
country manifests that these were the decisions of military rulers
that put Pakistan in this quandary. It was Zia's decision to involve
Pakistan in war against Soviets in Afghanistan. Again, it was Gen
Pervez Musharraf's decision to become a frontline US-ally in war
against terrorism.
Fifthly; the ever-growing religious intolerance in Pakistan
also fosters terrorism. In recent past, more than 100 Shiites were
killed in Quetta in one attack. In addition, many Sunni/Shia
processions were attacked and churches were set ablaze.
Sixthly; Pakistan's participation in Afghan War has also
plagued the country with terrorism. Pakistan still ails from the
disease it acquired during Soviet-Afghan war. Now, those militias
have become so unbridled that they even challenge the writ of the
government in various parts of the country.
Seventhly; the crippling economy also gives rise to
terrorism. The faltering economy has increased inflation, poverty
and unemployment. Almost 50% of the Pakistani workforce is
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unemployed, reveals the survey released by the Pakistan Economy
Watch (PEW). Miseries compel people to find additional sources of
income and the terrorists lure these marginalized people. Thus,
economic frailty makes recruitment for terrorists easier.
Terrorism is the biggest threat to a viable state. The first
and foremost threat, it poses, is to democratic system of the
country. Pakistan has had only a wobbling democracy. Proper
democratic transition is taking place for the first time in the
country's history. However, the elections were marred by terrorist
attacks on election campaigns. If the environment of insecurity
prevails, democracy would never flourish and people will lose trust
in the democratic process. Terrorism also threatens the sovereignty
of Pakistan. The presence of terrorists invites drone attacks which is
a serious challenge to the country's sovereignty. One of the major
reasons behind the crippled economy of Pakistan is terrorism. The
terrorist activities in Pakistan have led to flight of capital and
investors. The investors are reluctant to invest here due to law and
order situation. The estimated losses are around $70bn. Moreover,
tourism industry of Pakistan is also in a dying state. Furthermore,
the threat of terrorism also compels the government to divert
resources to security spending.
Terrorism also hampers the prospects of good
governance. The government finds itself hapless to improve the law
and order situation in the country. The schools are bombed and
demolished which deprives people of the light of knowledge. The
proponents of education are attacked; the case of Malala Yousafzai
is an example in this regard.
Terrorism thwarts the progress of the country as well.
Pakistan couldn't make any progress in the last decade rather all the
economic and human development indices show a considerable fall.
Pakistan ranks 145th on the Human Development Index. The
country has spent more than $20 billion on war against terror and is
compelled to increase its defence budget. Resultantly, the spending
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on the social development has seen new lows. Hence, terrorism
causes underdevelopment which leads to increase in miseries of the
masses. Terrorism endangers the national security as well. A
fleeting look at the current situation reveals that the country is
suffering from worst security crisis. Terrorists carried out,
successfully, attacks even on most secure and strategically
important places. The attacks on GHQ, Mehran Naval Base and
Kamra Air Base are testimony to this fact. The magnitude of losses
can be gleaned from the fact that only one Saab-2000 aircraft fitted
with an Airborne Early Warning & Control System (AWACS)
destroyed at Kamra was worth $250 million.
Terrorism, lastly, is a great threat to national integrity. It is
threatening the very roots and fabric of the society. Pakistanis are
being divided into small sub-nations fighting to assert their existence
and separate identity. Despite the above-mentioned facts, Pakistan
has all the capacity and potential to eradicate terrorism. All it
requires is a comprehensive and coordinated strategy.
First of all, religious leaders and scholars can play a vital
role in this regard. They should use speeches and writings to preach
the message of peace.
Two; the civil society also needs to come forward and
play its role in sorting out the problems face by the nation.
Moreover, a huge campaign is required to defeat the ideologies of
terrorists. This campaign or mass movement can be used very
effectively with collaborative efforts.
Three; uniform system of education can play a viable role
in eradicating terrorism. The curriculum should be free of all the
biases, religious bigotry and fanaticism. It shall include religious
and modern education in equal proportions. The minds of younger
generation need to be washed of all the rigidness; then only peace
will prevail in society.
Four; media can be the most effective tool in eliminating
terrorism. Media can be used to educate people and bring them on
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board about challenges faced by the country. Soft corner for
militancy in the general public can only be eradicated by well-
organized media effort.
Five; peace in Afghanistan is one of the prerequisites for curbing
terrorism in Pakistan. Presence of Nato and Allied Forces in
Afghanistan is a major cause of instability in the region.
Sixth; an effective strategy to counter militant and
extremist groups hinges in the capability to gain timely and accurate
intelligence. The local intelligence needs to be strengthened in terms
of organization, equipment, training and coordination. The
intelligence agencies should be made completely free of political
interference.
Seventh; a coherent strategy on using force as last resort
should be evolved. The foreigners cannot live among the locals
unless they are sufficiently motivated to support these militants. The
local tribesmen should be taken into confidence and must be
encouraged to stand up against the foreign elements.
Eighth; economic and social disparity leads to increase in
recruitment of terrorists. Economic recovery should be given the top
priority, especially in the underdeveloped areas. Comprehensive
plans to ensure revival of industry to generate economic activity and
jobs should be devised.
Lastly, there is, undoubtedly, a need for providing speedy
and affordable justice to poor masses. As 'Justice delayed is justice
denied', the people feel themselves alienated from society. The
performance of lower judiciary has resulted in loss of trust of
general public in courts and thus the Taliban-type speedy justice
system attracts public support in certain areas. Therefore, justice
system should be reviewed to ensure that people get speedy and
affordable justice. Moreover, the prosecution needs to be made
effective in order to curtail the large acquittal ratio of terrorists.
There is no denying the fact that Pakistan is facing great
threat of terrorism. It's a country which is plagued with
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multifarious terrorism caused by several intricate problems. It
poses threat to essential ingredients of the state, from democracy
to national security and integrity of the country. However,
combating terrorism is not an insurmountable task for this
resilient nation. The enormity of the challenge has led to the
momentum that is underway with regard to building of consensus
on the policy to combat terrorism. This would lead to a
conclusive strategy to eliminate this menace. The policy
accompanied with political resolve is bound to win this war and
achieve the stability and prosperity in the country.
*******
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If we peep into pages of history, we find great warriors,
strong discoverers and outstanding inventors. For warriors warships
were worship, for discoverers discoveries were dedication and for
inventors inventions were ardor. Those who faced and used
difficulties optimistically they became history makers. Thomas
Edison and Isaac Newton are one of thousands.
Thomas Edison was a newspaper seller and he was afraid of
dark. He wanted to invent a bulb for his night phobia and for world.
He tried almost one thousand times to invent a light bulb but he
remained unsuccessful. He did not give up and surrender; his all
tries were unsuccessful except one. Each try gave him strength and
eager unto success. His labor bore fruit; his struggle made him
succeeded and took him towards peaks. When he was asked about
his failures, he replied "I didn't fail 1,000 times. I found 1,000 ways
how not to create a light bulb" Indeed, Thomas Edison got sweet
uses of adversity and got success.
Isaac Newton a great scientist was from a poor family. He
was a posthumous child. He was clever and intelligent since his
childhood but was not engrossed in school life and his mother used
to say that he will grow to be a farmer. He faced many difficulties in
his school life. When he had stepped in university, he dedicated his
being for Mathematics and science. He had burnt candles of nights
and changed the world of science and technology. His laws gave a
new soul to mechanics, physics and astrology. Almost three
centuries are passed but Isaac Newton is known all over the world.
Indeed, it was his passion and ardor against hardships which raised
him like a sun and enlightened entire world.
According to a verse of Holy Quraan which says life is an
examination. Allah examines human-kinds through various ways.
He sends difficulties and hurdles in his follower's life and he
observes how his follower passes these hurdles. He looks that does
his follower complains or surrenders his will. He who crosses life
with faith, optimism and smashes each adversity like a thrasher he
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gets his goal. And, so are the Countries which face difficulties and
utilize their sweet uses they are developed.
Half century ago China was not a developed country, they
were home of mishaps and adversities. Their peoples had been
idles in nature but a single revolutionary personality Mao Tse-tung
stood firm like rock, commanded a long-march and brought a pace
in China. He started new world of dedication and labour. Every
person of china worked hard from dawn to dusk, they burnt candles
of night and moved heavens into earth with everlasting passion and
spirited enthusiasm. Now, China has become most powerful
country of world. Indeed, they learnt a lot of difficulties.
There is a proverb” Prosperity makes friends; adversity tries
them.” Undoubtedly, life is a season of gala and rainy days.
Sometimes black clouds hover over and sometimes white clouds
take wing over. Friends walk hand to hand when there is
prosperous segment but when rainy days appear then they run away
and hide. In misfortune and mishap one can know and experience
who true friend of him is. As Hazrat Ali R.A says "Don't observe
him who shelters you in mishaps but him who leaves you."
Adversities make one mature and experienced. He who has
perceived and faced immense troubles in life he is most experienced
man. He knows how to get one from deep and dark ditch as he is
well-known. There are many ingredients of experience in life and
adversity is most essential of them. Through afflictions, person does
not only be aware but he becomes well known. A person who has
seen difficulties and felt mysterious darkness, sympathetic feelings
are born within him.
A person who has observed difficulties in his life, he
possesses affectionateness in his heart for others. He tries to work
for those who are in miseries of life. He feels their sorrows and
soulful sighs on account of only he can feel pain that has been with
that phase of life. Adversities bestows candle to him and he kindles
others candles. This is the way adversities teach at every curve of
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life. There are many people who are afraid of difficulties and they
try to hide themselves.
One should not hide and run away from difficulties. Man
should be passionate and enthusiastic. Difficulties are part of life
which are to be faced but not avoided. If difficulty is avoided, next
time it comes stronger than before. Fear is a sign of coward and for
this Tipu Sultan beautifully says. “One day's life of a lion is
preferable to hundred years' of a jackal”
I conclude with quotation of Winston Churchill: "A
pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees
the opportunity in every difficulty."
Undoubtedly, difficulties teach us that things which none can teach
in this world. They make us aware, experienced, passionate, strong
and humanitarian. Life is a process of learning and one learns a lot
from hardships.
*******
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decided that the tides of media cannot be reversed, however, they
may be altered in nature and composition.
The status of freedom of press in Pakistan, ever since independence
has remained semi independent, despite adequate safeguards and
provisions promised by the constitution.
“There shall be freedom of press. It shall however, be subjected
to any reasonable restrictions imposed by the law, in the interest of
glory of Islam, of the integrity, security and defense of Pakistan or
any part of it, friendly relations with foreign states, public order,
decency and morality or in relation to contempt of court or
commission or incitement to an offence.” (Article 19 of the
constitution, 1973)
Freedom of press literally means the freedom of expression i.e.
speech, writing and thinking .it also ensures the liberty to think and
act without any restrictions and pressures.
A free press and electronic media is an essential attribute of
democratic polity as both work hand and glove with each other. If
democracy is the government of the people, media is the voice of
the people. But it is a matter of grave misfortune for Pakistan that
due to one factor or the other, ever since independence, media
could not breathe independently and one of the factor that could be
held responsible for this sorry state of affairs is the obstructed and
failed democratic form of government. The fundamental ingredient
making democracy possible is the flow of information. Media is the
only force that can ensure the flow of information. If restricted,
hindered or obstructed in any way, masses remain ignorant,
ignorant of their rights, their duties to the state, their needs and the
role that they can play for the betterment of the society, they live in
and the country on the whole.
Media’s role in imparting education to the masses cannot be
stressed enough. Online lectures and speeches of the professors,
scholars and intellectuals of the profound universities are playing a
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significant role in imparting formal and technical education to the
masses. Media’s role in creating awareness among the masses
regarding the political, social and economic scenario cannot be
overemphasized. Due to the mushroom growth of TV channels and
news papers, people today are more aware and educated about the
surroundings and the steps taken by the government. This is
promoting public participation in the decision making of the state
machinery. the skilled and bold personalities of the anchor persons
raises people’s voice analysis, government’s actions and gets the
expert opinion. Media has also played a significant role in bringing
the world at the door step, produces and introduces different life
styles in the world, changes moods and behavior, bold topics
through dramas and talk shows, new households styles, guides the
youth for new opportunities and creates civic sense.
Religiously media helps in providing ethnic information by
the competent scholars, solutions of queries of public problems,
highlights religious events and promotes sectarian harmony. In the
historical perspective, one can safely state that , unfortunately
democracy could not flourish here in the right sense of the world.
Consequently, Pakistan has not been able to evolve a full fledged
free news media. Moreover, as the political process itself has
remained stunted, therefore, its logical undergrowth is that media in
Pakistan too has not received the nourishment needed for its full
flowering. However, the electronic media assumed a new birth
since 2001 after the autocratic regime of president Musharraf as it
promulgated PEMRA. the authority has been made responsible for
facilitating and regulating the establishment and operations of the
broadcast media and distribution services in Pakistan . The mandate
of the PEMRA is to ensure accountability and transparency by
optimizing the free flow of information. This law is on the face to
the article 19 of the constitution, which guarantees freedom of
speech, expression and press..
Despite frequent martial laws, other factors that stand
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responsible for the poor growth of independent press could be
illiteracy, poverty, unawareness, attitude of indifference towards the
political decisions, lack of interest in state affairs, political instability
and political pressures and problems.
Illiteracy has proved to be major obstacles in the improper growth
of press and electronic media. Due to lack of education, people
have been rendered unaware regarding their rights, duties and off
course responsibilities to the state. This dilemma of illiteracy gave
birth to poverty and consequently, the poor masses that could not
afford two meals in a day, could never realize the importance of
news papers and freedom of press. This sorry state of affairs has
created an attitude of indifference on the part of the common
masses. Consequently, the apathy shown by the government and
the people gave birth to an orthodox and stereotyped thinking and
nationalist approach.
There are certain ethics and do’s and don’ts ‘of media channels and
press to shape the discipline of journalism so that they seek truth,
convey information, ideas and opinions with transparency and
accuracy. These ethics suggest the media personals to report and
interpret honestly, striking for accuracy, fairness and disclosure of
all essential facts and urge the fair correction of errors.
21st century has turned out to be a century of media war, as
it has turned out to be the most lethal weapon of the contemporary
age. Drastic, cultural, political and social changes can now be seen
as a result of revolutions brought about by media. Media is bursting
forth like a meteor and breaking new frontiers. In this age of cosmic
revolution and technology and means of communication, those
archaic barriers blocking any people’s access to independent source
of information and are dismantling rapidly to the utter discomfort of
the obscurantist still intent on keeping them intact. This is an era of
satellite television, internet connectivity and mobile telephones. US
cution categorically forbids that: “Congress shall make no law
abridging the freedom of speech or of press.
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DISASTER MANAGEMENT IN PAKISTAN
Pakistan is one of the most disaster prone countries in the world.
Generally divided into natural and man-made, all disasters are
managed by a systematic process of disaster management that aims
at minimising the damage and restoration of people to their normal
state. Pakistan is well familiar with disasters which have caused a
heavy toll in terms of men and material.
However, due to its inadequate preparedness to
manage disasters, it has failed to effectively cope with them.
Though, after earthquake-2005, a systematic effort was geared up to
develop a viable structure of disaster management evolving into
establishment of NDMA, it has yet to achieve the required
standards. The heavy floods of 2010 exposed its unpreparedness
and frail management resulting in unprecedented proportion of
losses and damages. Since, the magnitude of implications is too
heavy to bear; the efficient disaster management comes, on the
priority, second to none of other needs. Therefore, it is necessary to
formulate an organised disaster management system to cope with
disasters that may break out in future.
Disaster is defined as "a catastrophic event that brings
about great damage, destruction and devastation to life and
property." The damage caused by disasters varies depending upon
geographical location, climate severity and above all, the types of
disasters. Disasters have been classified into two categories - natural
disasters and man-made disasters. Cyclones, tsunami, floods,
droughts, earthquakes and volcanoes are a few examples of natural
disasters; and wars and nuclear accidents fall in the category of the
man-made disasters. All these calamities and catastrophes incur
heavy toll on man and his habitat. However, the disasters can be
mitigated and losses can be minimised with efficient preparedness
and management.
Disaster management is the mechanism of
coordinating and utilising available resources to deal emergencies
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effectively, thereby saving lives, avoiding injuries and minimising
losses. This also deals with strategic and organisational
management processes used to protect vital assets from hazard risks
in such emergencies. As mentioned earlier, disaster management is
a systematic process, consisting ostensibly of four main phases:
response, recovery, relief and rehabilitation. However, it remains
incomplete without mitigation and preparedness, which are
basically pre-disaster management phases. All these phases are
crucially important in managing disasters.
Mitigation, the very first phase of disaster
management, is a sustained action that reduces both short-term and
long-term risks to people and property from the hazards and their
effects. It involves activities like scientific hazard analysis,
vulnerability analysis, risk assessment, avoiding construction in
high risk zones, launching awareness campaigns, training and
capacity building of responders and managers, etc. Mitigation,
therefore, is a persistence effort to lessen the impact that disasters
may incur.
Preparedness, the second phase of disaster
management, is defined by Global Development Research Center
as "a set of steps that enhance the ability of communities and
government to respond to a disaster." The steps included in this
phase are the maintenance of resource inventory, stockpiling,
logistic planning, evacuation planning, communication planning,
and needs assessment. The key to effective disaster management is
readiness to provide a rapid emergency response. It entails everyone
to be prepared to respond to extreme situations. Response, the next
phase of disaster management, includes the action of responding to
an emergency. It aims to provide immediate emergency support to a
community to maintain health, safety and morale until a permanent
solution can be put in place. The steps involved in response phase
are situation analysis, crisis maps, information communication,
evacuation and shelters, dispatching of resources and early damage
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assessment. Besides, trained and equipped personnel are required to
deal with an emerging crisis.
Recovery, finally, is the process of returning to normal.
Recovery phase may be short-term as well as long-term, and it
begins after the disaster commences. Reco-very phase is overlapped
by reconstruction, rehabilitation; spatial planning, infrastructure
building, housing, livelihood, social security, transport, clean
drinking water, communication and agriculture.
Previously, Pakistan has fallen victim to disasters many a time. The
earthquake-2005, Hunza landslides and Floods 2010 are some of
the incidents. The available data suggests that Pakistan suffered
heavily at the hands of these disasters owing to the lack of efficient
disaster management.
Recently, the spate of floods that began late in July of
2010 dealt a serious blow to Pakistan. The floods with such a
magnitude had never been witnessed in the history of Pakistan.
Torrential monsoon rains in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Sindh,
Balochistan and Punjab were primarily responsible for the floods.
The heavy rains also affected Indus river basin. Almost one/fifth of
Pakistan submerged in water. Moreover, almost 20 million people
were directly affected by the destruction of property, livelihood and
infrastructure. And the death toll rose to about 2,000 people. Had
there been no institute to deal with this natural calamity, the
damage caused by floods would have been much more.
However, despite establishment of National Disaster
Management Authority (NDMA) the response was too slow to
meet the magnitude of challenge. The purpose behind its
establishment was to change national response to emergency
situations from reactionary model to an active mitigation,
preparedness, response and recovery model. NDMA is the
executive arm of the National Disaster Management Commission
(NDMC) headed by Prime Minister. Also, NDMA supervises
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Provincial Disaster Management Authorities (PDMA) and District
Disaster Management Authorities (DDMA).
The National Disaster Management Authority has
been assigned the task of coordinating the disaster risk management
at the national level, implementing disaster risk management
strategies, mapping the hazards, developing guidelines, ensuring the
establishment of disaster management authorities and Emergency
Operation Centres (EOCs) at provincial, district and municipal
levels, providing technical assistance to concerned departments,
organising training to personnel, serving as a lead agency for NGOs
and international cooperation, coordinating with the federal
government through National Emergency Operation Centre
(NEOC) and requiring any government department or agency to
make available needed resources and personnel.
Despite establishment of this organisation assigned
with apparently multifarious tasks, disasters in Pakistan are hardly
managed effectively. Its preparedness and response during recent
floods were found inadequate. “For 10 days, the flooding was only
in this province. But we didn't hear from the NDMA and nor did
we see any NDMA official. No one even contacted us,” said
Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Information Minister Iftikhar Hussain.
Disaster management, particularly preparedness in
Pakistan has largely remained unsatisfactory. The underlying
factors responsible for its inefficiency, besides insufficient resources,
are lack of proactive approach and transparency. Moreover, this
agency has yet to prove its credibility, strategy and efficiency of
infrastructure which lie at the very heart of these critical situations.
Another factor that hampers the smooth functioning of disaster
management process is duplication of efforts which arise due to the
lack of integration between various agencies and organisations
involved in the process. Consequently, these multiple factors render
management process weak and, therefore, people bear the brunt on
their shoulders.
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Weaker disaster management, nevertheless, accounts
for the damages caused by floods uptill now; as International
Monetary Fund (IMF) puts it, "Floods which have devastated
Pakistan will present a massive economic and political challenge to
its government and people." Apart from economic and social losses,
looming food crisis, ravaged infrastructure, multiple health related
problems and increased chances of proliferation of extremism are
but a few adverse impacts of weak disaster management. Speaking
of the food crisis, almost 17 million acres of agricultural land
submerged under water. According to Daily Finance, "A major
concern was that the farmers would be unable to meet the fall
deadline for planting new seeds in 2010 which implied a loss of
food production in 2011 and potential long-term food shortages."
Additionally, seven lac acres cotton crops, two lac acres sugarcane,
two lac acres rice, five lac tonnes of stocked wheat, three lac acres
of animal fodder and stores of grain were lost besides two lac
livestock.
In addition to food crisis, outbreak of various
diseases further aggravates the situations. Scores of people have
been affected by the fatal diseases like gastroenteritis and diarrhea
due to the non-availability of clean drinking water and proper
sanitation facilities. Also, the eruption of cholera and multiple skin
diseases along with malaria has added to their suffering. Apart from
these diseases, there is a sheer dearth of maternity care for
thousands of pregnant women. Thus, these victims need medical
attention on war footings to save invaluable human lives. The
authorities were not prepared to deal with such situation. Even
though, the floods were moving gradually ahead, they could not
take precautionary measures in the prone areas.
There has been a huge loss to infrastructure.
According to Ball State University Center estimate, around 3916
km highway and about 5646 km railway track has been damaged.
Their repair costs are expected to be at least $158 million and $131
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million, respectively. On the other hand, public damage accounting
to almost $1 billion resulted in response to floods. The sorry state of
affairs was revealed when authorities were unable to rather
incapable of restoring the cut off routes and breaches in river banks.
Resultantly, country received a serious economic jolt. In this regard,
International Labour Organisation (ILO) said that almost 5.3
million people became jobless. Therefore, "productive and labour
intensive job creation programmes are urgently needed to lift
millions of people out of poverty that has been aggravated by flood
damage." Furthermore GDP would decline from overall 4 per cent
to -2 to -5 per cent. Crop losses have stubborn impact on textile
industry: the largest manufacturing industry of Pakistan.
Besides, the implications include growth in militancy
and crime. 'As soon as Pakistan Army diverted from fighting
militant insurgents in the north-west to help in relief efforts, Taliban
militants were given a reprieve to regroup', observed the Associated
Press. Over and above, the jobless, desperate and dejected
youngsters from the affected areas are an easy prey to militant
recruitment and criminal activities. It may aggravate the security
situation given the inefficiency of the government to address the
problems of the victims.
If observed politically, public may perceive the
government inefficient thus giving rise to an episode of political
unrest. Not only people, the outside donors have also become
skeptic. More than that, migration of internally displaced people
(IDP) to urban areas incited urban sectarian discord which further
hindered the process of management of disaster. In the light of
above facts, it is evident that Pakistan is in dire need of an organised
disaster management programme to face the emergency situations
and their implications. So far, disorganised and ad hoc methods had
been in practice in disaster management system. It is because of this
that the country suffered more. Therefore, it is incumbent upon the
Government of Pakistan to strengthen its policies of disaster
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management. In other words, disaster management should be
amongst the top priorities of government. NDMA can be
strengthened by proper allocation of funds, research, equipment,
training and maintenance of transparency. In this regard, effective
communication between concerned agencies and with people is a
must. Embankment of rivers, disaster proof housing and
infrastructure, early warnings, rapid evacuation, nomination of
danger zones prior to disaster, establishment of rescue centres and
creating public awareness about disasters and safety techniques with
their inclusion in curriculum will surely pay dividends.
Disasters often come without early warnings, recent
floods in Pakistan, however, took a gradual course. But lack of
sound disaster management and unpreparedness policies and their
implementation has resulted in grave damages to Pakistan in all the
previous disasters. Therefore, the onus lies upon the Government of
Pakistan to revisit its policies and strengthen institutions to not only
tackle such situations but making them to our best use. It is high
time that the government as well as every citizen of Pakistan plays
its own respective role to bring about a positive change.
*******
POPULATION EXPLOSION
Dancing around the fire is not the solution to any problem. One
should try to see beneath the surface in order to grasp an idea about
the basic issue. Despite a steam of strong words and Family
Planning Programmed introduced by the governments of many
countries of the world, population is still increasing at an alarming
especially in the third world countries.
Pakistan is also facing the dragon of over population.
This problem has given rise to multidimensional problems in our
country. At present we are scarce in resources and it has become
difficult for the government to meet the rapidly growing needs of
the huge population with its scarce resources. The growth rate of
Pakistan is very high and is among the highest in the world. Since
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partition in 1947, the population of Pakistan has become more than
tripled. Every year almost four million people are added to already
over burdened economy. This yearly increase in our population is
equal to the total populations of any countries. This rapidly growing
population has really created an obstacle in the way of our
economic progress. The massively increasing population has almost
outstripped the resources in production, in facilities and in job
opportunities.
It is estimated that if the present growth rate prevails,
then the population of Pakistan will be double by the year 2020.
This is, in fact, an alarming situation; Even today at the population
of 140million it has become difficult for us to provide basic
necessities of life to the majority of the population. A great number
of people have no access to the health services. The safe drinking
water is also not available at many places, many people do not have
the sanitation facilities, a lot of children are not provided the
primary education and illiteracy rate is very high among the adults.
According to a report issued by United Nations about four million
people are living below the poverty line.
The genesis of the situation reflects some obvious
reasons. A major reason is the tradition of having joint family
system. This system puts less burden of bringing up of children on
the parents. As the parents have minimum expenditure so they tend
to produce more children. Another important factor is that majority
of the population of our country lives in the rural areas. In these
regions agriculture is the only profession and in agricultural
processes, children are considered very helpful for the parents. This
factor encourages the parents to have more children.
Then there is the question of male child in our society.
The male baby is welcomed more warmly rather than a baby girl.
This creates a desire for having a male baby at least; This factor acts
an incentive for more and more children till suitable number of
male babies is achieved.
In addition to these the early age marriages in the rural
areas, prove potential large size family makers. It has been observed
that such marriages produce at least seven children.Then it comes
to the Islamic laws. According to these the widows are allowed to
marry again and thus continue to act as procreation agents. Along
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with this the polygamy is also allowed and is practiced in Islam.
This gives rise to an obvious result of multiple issues.
The Islamic viewpoint of the people is also one of the
major causes for the over population. It is a matter of faith with the
Muslims that Almighty God provides the needs of every child and
the parents are having no obligation in this regard. The Muslims are
staunch believer in fate and so they do not follow family planning
programmes. These programmers are considered against the spirit
of Islam. At many places most of the elders in the rural areas
categorize it as an instrument of vagrancy and waywardness. They
are of the view that such programmes give rise to immorality
among the young boys and girls.
Another reason can be considered is the hot and pleasant climatic
conditions of Pakistan. The environment of our country helps the
early maturity of boys and girls and they become capable of raising
a family at an early stage. Along with this the recreational facilities
are almost non-existent. Conjugal recreation is the only alternative
for married people. The rapidly growing population is having a lot
of adverse effects on our country. All over the country poverty as
increased and people do not have the basic necessities of life.
There is a shortfall in educational institutions and class
rooms are over crowded. It has become very difficult to get the child
admitted I government schools. Due to this fact high fee charging
intuition spring up. These intuitions implement their own syllabus
which is completely different from the course of government
schools. This creates a clear distinction between the students of
government and private schools. This also gives rise to tow
educational systems working simultaneously in the county.
Due to high growth rate of population the health care
facilities have become inadequate. Child and maturity centers are
also lacking. The standards of food have been fallen and due to this
the number of patients has increased.
Another problem which results from over population is
that ever increasing population creates housing and settlement
problems. It becomes very difficult for the individual and the society
to overcome them.The great number of people is responsible for
making the parks and gardens ugly spots. The reactions facilities are
decreasing in this way. The unemployment increase. It becomes
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very difficult for the employer to provide social fringe benefits to the
employees. These employees are often deprived off from their rights
like pensions, medical facilities children’s education etc.
The high growth rate of population makes our society a
consumption oriented society. This is because more natural
resources are to be consumed for more people. These resources
once used, cannot be renewed. So we have to import these terms at
the cost of foreign exchange which increases our import bill thus
widens the gap between imports and exports.
The increase in population means an increase in the
crime rate. When the people do not get the jobs, when they do not
get the proper facilities, they get frustrated and become revengeful
against the society. Due to this factor the crime rate increases. The
rise in crimes makes an atmosphere of fear. The people are
oscillating between uncertainty and fear.
Dens traffic on roads cause a lot of accidents in which
many precious lives are being lost. Due to high growth rate of
population the unlawful settlements are formed. These type of
settlements give rise to many problems. As no health facilities are
available the are, so many disease are caused.
In late 1990’s the government of Pakistan started two
programmes to control the over population. These were names as
primary health care and population planning. These were
implemented through the Ministry of Health and Ministry of
Population Welfare respectively. These are planned to proveddoor
to door services especially in the rural areas. Many lady workers
have been given jobs for this purpose. These women have been
provided sufficient trainings. The aim of these programmes is to
create awareness about the family planning programmes. For this
purpose about ten thousands persons have already been inducted by
population welfare departments.
As the dragon of over population is digesting our
already scarce resources at a massive speed. So our government
should go for the remedial measures. In this regard the following
suggestions may prove very fruitful and result oriented.
Late age marriages should be encouraged and the early
age marriages should be condemned very seriously. This will
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become very useful because the early age marriages usually give rise
to large families.
The services of ulemas should be utilized in order to
convince the people that family planning programmes are not
contrary to the Islamic values. In rural areas the people are highly
under influence of the religious leaders so their words spoken in the
favor of family planning may yield the desire results.
As the girls today are to become mothers in future so
the high literacy rate in females may become very important. An
educated female will be aware of the consequences of over
population. In this regard the sex-education should be provided to
all the graduates so that the problem of over population can be
countered in a comprehensive manner. Conferences another
programmes to creates awareness in the general public should be
held at all levels. These programmes will become very helpful in
explaining the adverse effects of over population to the people. This
might make the brain wash of the people. The electronic media
should also be utilized. The advertisements through television
might convey the message very easily. Along with this non-
government organizations should do some activities which may
become helpful in conveying the message to the general public.
A day should be celebrated at National level with the
name of National Population Day. This should be done on the
pattern of the “World Population Day” which is being celebrated
on the 11th of July each year. These types of activities play an
important role in creating awareness about the subject matter.
So, conclude in this way that the dragon of population
has become a serious threat for the prosperity of our country. Now
the time has come that if we want to make Pakistan a State where
integrity, solidarity and prosperity will be all around, then we
should not leave any stone unturned in reducing the population
growth rate. This reduction in population will lead the country
towards a stage where it will be able to provide all basic necessities
of life to everyone.
*******
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Chapter-8
Outlines
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1. Introduction
2. Brief history of nuclear weapons
3. Perils of nuclear weapons
4. Need to eliminate nuclear weapons
5. Global zero initiative
6. Is this goal achievable? Yes:
a. Historical support
b. Political will
c. Strong public support
d. New leadership
7. How to achieve it? Procedure/Strategy:
a. Ratification of NPT/CTBT
b. Reduction by the US and Russia
c. Elimination by all nuclear states
d. Follow up: control mechanism
8. Creation of International Nuclear Fuel-Bank
9. Advantages of nuclear zero
10. Conclusion
*******
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Conclusion
*******
*******
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*******
1. Introduction
2. Advent of Urbanization; need for it
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*******
CORRUPTION IN PAKISTAN
Introduction
Definition of corruption
(a) Types of Corruption
(b) Various forms of corruption
(c) Incidence of corruption
Scenario of corruption in Pakistan
(a) Transparency International ranking
(b) Transparency International Pakistan report
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GLOBAL WARMING
1. Introduction
2. What is global warming?
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*******
1. Introduction
2. What is energy crisis?
3. Share of energy resources in energy supply
a) Non-renewable
b) Renewable
4. World consumption distribution
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*******
1. Introduction
2. Disaster: definition and types
3. Disaster management
4. Phases of disaster management;
a. Mitigation
b. Preparedness
c. Response
d. Recovery
5. History of disasters in Pakistan
6. Disaster in the wake of recent floods
7. Structure of disaster management in Pakistan
8. Role of National Disaster Management Authority
(NDMA)
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*******
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*******
EDUCATION IN PAKISTAN
PROBLEMS AND ITS SOLUTIONS
INTRODUCTION
Education the basic need
Object of Education
Importance of Education
Background of Pakistan’s Educational System
Educational System in Pakistan
Key Performance Indicators for Education Systems
PROBLEMS OF EDUCATION IN PAKISTAN
1. Medium of Education:
2. Disparity of System at Provincial Level:
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3. Gender Discrimination:
4. Lack of Technical Education::
5. Low allocation of funds:
6. Inefficient Teachers:
7. Poverty:
8. Corruption:
9. Social imbalance:
10. Mismanagement of System:
11. Infrastructure Problems:
12. Private school system:
13. Lack of educational policies:
14. Increase in population:
15. Lack of attention of the authorities:
16. Lack of uniform educational system:
17. Medium of Instruction:
18. Education as a business:
19. Delay in renewal of policies and syllabus
20. Political Interference:
SUGGESTED SOLUTIONS FOR EDUCATIONAL
SYSTEM:
1. English should be medium of Instruction:
2. Talented and qualified Staff
3. Fulfill the lack of teachers
4. Primary education should be made compulsory
5. Increase in teachers incentives
6. Translation of foreign research to local language
7. Check on distinctive education
8. Scholarships and financial support to students
9. Special Financial packages
10. Betterment of education policies and teachers workshop
11. Infused Technical Education
12. Promotion of primary education
CONCLUSION
*******
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1. Introduction
• Need of oil and gas
• Concept of regionalism
• Importance for Muslim countries
Background
• Breakdown of the Soviet Union
• Caspian region
2. Monopoly of the OPEC
3. US's interests in the Region
• Oil dependency
• Countering influence of China
• Application for SCO membership
4. Chinese Interests
• Enormous need for oil
• Xinjiang under the threat of terrorism
5. Pakistan's Interests
• Need of oil and gas
• Pakistan's dire need of SCO membership
• Turkmenistan- Afghanistan- Pakistan- India gas pipeline
6. Conclusion
*******
1. Introduction
2. Internal Threats to Pakistan
• Political Instability
• Weak Judiciary
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• Feudalism
• Provincialism
• Extremism, Terrorism and Target Killings
• Energy Crisis
• Water Shortage
• Poverty
• Unemployment
• Illiteracy
• Corruption
• Overpopulation
3. External Threats to Pakistan
• India
• Afghanistan
• US
• Globalization
4. Critical Analysis
5. Suggestions
6. Conclusion
*******
TERRORISM IN PAKISTAN
1. Introduction
2. History of Terrorism in Pakistan: An Overview
3. Pakistan Faces Various Forms of Terrorism
a. Ethnic / Sectarian
b. Nationalist / Separatist
c. Jihadi / Islamist
4. Causes of Terrorism in Pakistan
a. Augmenting Illiteracy
b. Increasing Social Injustice
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c. Swelling Poverty
d. Derailing Democracy
e. Heightening Religious Intolerance
f. Unending Afghan War
g. Crippling Economy
5. Is Terrorism a Great Threat to Pakistan: YES
a. To democracy
b. To sovereignty
c. To economy
d. To governance
e. To progress
f. To national security
g. To national integrity
6. Recommendations:
a. Using the Influence of Religious Leaders
b. Utilizing Civil Society
c. Employing Media Effectively
d. Revamping Education System
e. Achieving Peace in Afghanistan
f. Ensuring Competent Intelligence
g. Dealing Effectively with Militants
h. Economic Recovery & Poverty Alleviation
i. Ensuring Speedy & Affordable Justice
7. Conclusion
*******
Introduction
a. What is Sectarianism?
b. What is meant by Extremism?
c. What do we mean by Peace of Pakistan?
History of Sectarianism and Extremism in Pakistan
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Internal Factors
a. Constitutional amendment 1974
b. Zia’s Islamization Policy and conflicts between sunni and
shia based Sharia laws
c. Formation of religious parties: Lashkar-e-Jhangvi, Sipah
sahaba, Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan etc
d. The contents of teaching syllabus in schools
e. Fanatic behavior of orthodox Ulema
External Factors
a. Islamic revolution in Iran
b. Funding by Saudi Arabia and Iran
c. Soviet union , USA and Afghanistan
How Sectarianism and Radicalism have overpowered
Pakistan?
Politico-religious differences
a. Conflicts between Non-Muslims and Muslims
b. Sunni-Shia Conflicts
c. Conflicts between Sub Branches of Sunni i.e. Bralevi,
Deoband Etc
Role of Taliban and Al-Qaeda (Main Actors)
Role of Madrassahs
Illiteracy
Poverty
Unemployment
Extremism is becoming social behavior
Are these the real threats to Peace of Pakistan?
How Peace is destroyed by Extremism and radicalism?
a. Extremism is the Root of all Evils in Society
b. Lack of Tolerance Among Citizens
c. Social Unrest
d. Killing of Innocent People
e. Socio-Economic Crisis
f. Fears of Civil War
g. Fear of Country Division on Sectarian Basis
h. National Disintegration
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*******
Introduction
a) Power of media in 21st century
b) Most powerful weapon of the contemporary world
c) Media...backbone of tremendous social, political and
cultural changes
d) Freedom of expression...a basic human right
e) Interrelationship between media and democracy
f) Thesis statement leading to conclusion
Constitutional provisions and guarantees
a) Article 19 of the constitution of Islamic Republic of
Pakistan 1973
Constituents of freedom of press
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*******
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*******
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*******
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Chapter-9
ESSAY PAPER CHECKING TECHNIQUE OF THE FPSC
EXAMINER
I look at the outline first and foremost. There are three possible
types of outlines:
1) Relevant, to the point
2) Twisted, convoluted and confusing
3) Incomprehensible due to poor English
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Chapter-10
Appendix
(Common Quotations)
Education
To penetrate and dissipate these clouds of darkness, the general mind
must be strengthened by education. (Thomas Jefferson)
Education is what remains after one has forgotten what one has learned
in school. (Albert Einstein)
Purity of personal life is the one indispensable condition for building up
a sound education. (Nelson Mandela)
We have an obligation and a responsibility to be investing in our
students and our schools. We must make sure that people who have the
grades, the desire and the will, but not the money, can still get the best
education possible. (Barack Obama)
The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to
think critically. Intelligence plus character - that is the goal of true
education. (George Washington)
Education without values, as useful as it is, seems rather to make man a
cleverer devil. (C. S. Lewis)
Genius without education is like silver in the mine.
(Benjamin Franklin)
Education is an admirable thing, but it is well to remember from time to
time that nothing that is worth knowing can be taught. (Oscar Wilde)
In large states public education will always be mediocre, for the same
reason that in large kitchens the cooking is usually bad. (Eleanor
Roosevelt)
Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those
who prepare for it today. (Aristotle)
The goal of education is the advancement of knowledge and the
dissemination of truth. (John F. Kennedy)
Our progress as a nation can be no swifter than our progress in
education. The human mind is our fundamental resource. (John F.
Kennedy)
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Education comes from within; you get it by struggle and effort and
thought. (John Dewey)
Music is the movement of sound to reach the soul for the education of its
virtue. (Plato)
Education is the ability to listen to almost anything without losing your
temper or your self-confidence. (Robert Frost)
Give a girl an education and introduce her properly into the world, and
ten to one but she has the means of settling well, without further expense
to anybody. (Nancy Pelosi)
Natural ability without education has more often raised a man to glory
and virtue than education without natural ability. (Epictetus)
The education of a man is never completed until he dies. (Robert E.
Lee)
The most valuable of all education is the ability to make yourself do the
thing you have to do, when it has to be done, whether you like it or not.
(Aldous Huxley)
Education must provide the opportunities for self-fulfillment; it can at
best provide a rich and challenging environment for the individual to
explore, in his own way. (Noam Chomsky)
There is no need to education. It is not that you read a book, pass an
examination, and finish with education. The whole of life, from the
moment you are born to the moment you die, is a process of learning.
(Rabindranath Tagore)
An unschooled man who knows how to meditate upon the Lord has
learned far more than the man with the highest education who does not
know how to meditate. (Charles Stanley)
I respect faith, but doubt is what gives you an education. (Wilson
Mizner)
No one can get an education, for of necessity education is a continuing
process. (Louis L'Amour)
Establishing lasting peace is the work of education; all politics can do is
keep us out of war. (Maria Montessori)
We discovered that education is not something which the teacher does,
but that it is a natural process which develops spontaneously in the
human being. (Maria Montessori)
We cannot create observers by saying 'observe,' but by giving them the
power and the means for this observation and these means are procured
through education of the senses. (Maria Montessori)
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The paradox of education is precisely this - that as one begins to become
conscious one begins to examine the society in which he is being
educated. (James A. Baldwin)
Education is indoctrination if you're white - subjugation if you're black.
(James A. Baldwin)
The main part of intellectual education is not the acquisition of facts but
learning how to make facts live. (Oliver Wendell Holmes)
Men are born ignorant, not stupid. They are made stupid by education.
(Bertrand Russell)
Education is the cheap defense of nations. (Edmund Burke)
The aim of a college education is to teach you to know a good man
when you see one. (William James)
Education is not preparation for life; education is life itself. (John
Dewey)
Globalisation
Globalisation has made us more vulnerable. It creates a world without
borders, and makes us painfully aware of the limitations of our present
instruments, and of politics, to meet its challenges. (Anna Lindh)
Globalisation makes it clear that social responsibility is required not only
of governments, but of companies and individuals. All sources must
interact in order to reach the MDGs. (Anna Lindh)
Globalisation will make our societies more creative and prosperous, but
also more vulnerable. (Lord Robertson)
One of the fundamental questions of today's world is undoubtedly the
question of equitable globalisation. (Janez Drnovsek)
Globalization and free trade do spur economic growth, and they lead to
lower prices on many goods. (Robert Reich)
Globalization, as defined by rich people like us, is a very nice thing...
you are talking about the Internet, you are talking about cell phones, you
are talking about computers. This doesn't affect two-thirds of the people
of the world. (Jimmy Carter)
If it is, in reality, capitalism that is the motor force behind the destructive
forms of globalization, then it must be in their capacity to neutralize or
transform this particular mode of exploitation that one can best test these
various forms of resistance to the West. (Fredric Jameson)
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In its current form, globalization cannot be sustained. Democratic
societies will not support it. Authoritarian leaders will fear to impose it.
(John J. Sweeney)
Nationalism
Born in iniquity and conceived in sin, the spirit of nationalism has never
ceased to bend human institutions to the service of dissension and
distress. (Thorstein Veblen)
Every major question in history is a religious question. It has more effect
in molding life than nationalism or a common language. (Hilaire
Belloc)
I do not believe that the values which the Western democracies consider
essential to civilization can survive in a world rent by the international
anarchy of nationalism and the economic anarchy of competitive
enterprise. (Arthur Henderson)
I have been thinking about the notion of perfect love as being without
fear, and what that means for us in a world that's becoming increasingly
xenophobic, tortured by fundamentalism and nationalism. (Bell Hooks)
If there is any fixed star in our constitutional constellation, it is that no
official, high or petty, can prescribe what shall be orthodox in politics,
nationalism, religion, or other matters of opinion, or force citizens to
confess by word or act.
(Robert Jackson)
Nations whose nationalism is destroyed are subject to ruin. (Muammar
al-Gaddafi)
Culture
We should have a State in which we could live and breathe as free men
and which we could develop according to our own lights and culture and
where principles of Islamic social justice could find free play.
(Muhammad Ali Jinnah)
No occupation is so delightful to me as the culture of the earth, and no
culture comparable to that of the garden. (Thomas Jefferson)
If art is to nourish the roots of our culture, society must set the artist free
to follow his vision wherever it takes him. (John F. Kennedy)
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The tendency to aggression is an innate, independent, instinctual
disposition in man... it constitutes the powerful obstacle to culture.
(Sigmund Freud)
Debate and divergence of views can only enrich our history and culture.
(Ibrahim Babangida)
The system of domination is founded on depriving nations of their true
identity. It seeks to deprive nations of their culture, identity, self
confidence and in this way dominate them. (Mahmoud Ahmadinejad)
Culture is to know the best that has been said and thought in the world.
(Matthew Arnold)
Culture is the arts elevated to a set of beliefs. (Tom Wolfe)
Women are the victims of this patriarchal culture, but they are also its
carriers. Let us keep in mind that every oppressive man was raised in the
confines of his mother's home. (Shirin Ebadi)
The idea of the sacred is quite simply one of the most conservative
notions in any culture, because it seeks to turn other ideas - uncertainty,
progress, change - into crimes. -(Salman Rushdie)
Culture is a way of coping with the world by defining it in detail.
(Malcolm Bradbury)
Technology
Civilization advances by extending the number of important operations
which we can perform without thinking of them. (Alfred North
Whitehead)
Do you realize if it weren't for Edison we'd be watching TV by
candlelight? (Al Boliska)
Everybody gets so much information all day long that they lose their
common sense. (Gertrude Stein)
For a successful technology, reality must take precedence over public
relations, for Nature cannot be fooled. (Richard P. Feynman)
Humanity is acquiring all the right technology for all the wrong reasons.
(R. Buckminster Fuller)
I am sorry to say that there is too much point to the wisecrack that life is
extinct on other planets because their scientists were more advanced
than ours. (John F. Kennedy)
It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has exceeded our
humanity. (Albert Einstein)
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It is only when they go wrong that machines remind you how powerful
they are. (Clive James)
It is questionable if all the mechanical inventions yet made have
lightened the day's toil of any human being. (John Stuart Mill)
Men have become the tools of their tools. (Henry David Thoreau)
Technological progress has merely provided us with more efficient
means for going backwards. (Aldous Huxley)
Technology is a gift of God. After the gift of life it is perhaps the greatest
of God's gifts. It is the mother of civilizations, of arts and of sciences.
(Freeman Dyson)
The machine does not isolate man from the great problems of nature but
plunges him more deeply into them. (Antoine de Saint-Exupery)
The march of science and technology does not imply growing
intellectual complexity in the lives of most people. It often means the
opposite. (Thomas Sowell)
The most important and urgent problems of the technology of today are
no longer the satisfactions of the primary needs or of archetypal wishes,
but the reparation of the evils and damages by the technology of
yesterday. (Dennis Gabor)
The real problem is not whether machines think but whether men do.
(B. F. Skinner)
Terrorism
Democracy is necessary to peace and to undermining the forces of
terrorism. (Benazir Bhutto)
When we think of the major threats to our national security, the first to
come to mind are nuclear proliferation, rogue states and global
terrorism. But another kind of threat lurks beyond our shores, one from
nature, not humans - an avian flu pandemic. (Barack Obama)
This was not an act of terrorism, but it was an act of war. (George W.
Bush)
Everybody's worried about stopping terrorism. Well, there's a really easy
way: stop participating in it. (Noam Chomsky)
Terrorism is the tactic of demanding the impossible, and demanding it at
gunpoint. (Christopher Hitchens)
In India we only read about death, sickness, terrorism, crime. (Abdul
Kalam)
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When a person is humiliated, when his rights are being violated, and he
does not have the proper education, naturally he gravitates toward
terrorism. (Shirin Ebadi)
While there's been much progress on terrorism, there's still much work to
do and it is very important that the countries work together in order to
address this threat together. -Gloria (Macapagal Arroyo)
The uncertainty of the danger belongs to the essence of terrorism.
(Jurgen Habermas)
One might have thought the world would stop ascribing moral
equivalence between acts of terrorism and acts of punishing terrorism. It
has not happened that way. (Theodore Bikel)
Fighting a war on terrorism is like fighting against crime. We can never
hope to eradicate crime, so we shouldn't bother fighting it. Craig Bruce
Today, we talk a lot about terrorism, but we rarely talk about state
terrorism. (Bianca Jagger)
The original PATRIOT Act greatly increased our nation's ability to
share intelligence information, made better use of technology, and
provided terrorism investigators tools that have long been available in
cases involving illegal drugs and organized crime. (Michael K. Simpson)
Much has been accomplished during the last year in the campaign
against terrorism. This struggle will require vigilance, perseverance and
sacrifice for many years to come. (Paul Cellucci)
Terrorism can never be accepted. We must fight it together, with
methods that do not compromise our respect for the rule of law and
human rights, or are used as an excuse for others to do so. (Anna Lindh)
Terrorism is a psychological warfare. Terrorists try to manipulate us and
change our behavior by creating fear, uncertainty, and division in
society. (Patrick J. Kennedy)
The war against terrorism is a war against those who engage in torture.
(Ed Markey)
Corruption
The duty of youth is to challenge corruption. (Kurt Cobian)
corruption is like a ball of snow, once it is set a rolling it must increase.
(Charles Caleb Colton)
In a state where corruption abounds laws must be very numerous.
(Tacitus)
corruption of the best things gives rise to the worst. (David Hume)
corruption, the infallible symptom of constitutional liberty.
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(Edward Gibbon)
corruption is authority plus monopoly minus transparency. (Unknown)
Power tends to corrupt, absolute power corrupts absolutely. (Lord
Acton)
I see corruption as a mortal enemy of young democracies. (Tsakhiagin
Elbegdroy)
Health
Without health life is not life; it is only a state of langour and suffering -
an image of death. -Buddha
Our greatest happiness does not depend on the condition of life in which
chance has placed us, but is always the result of a good conscience, good
health, occupation, and freedom in all just pursuits. Thomas Jefferson
The only way to keep your health is to eat what you don't want, drink
what you don't like, and do what you'd rather not. -Mark Twain
The first wealth is health. -Ralph Waldo Emerson
The health of the eye seems to demand a horizon. We are never tired, so
long as we can see far enough. -Ralph Waldo Emerson
Attention to health is life greatest hindrance. -Plato
When wealth is lost, nothing is lost; when health is lost, something is
lost; when character is lost, all is lost. -Billy Graham
The best activities for your health are pumping and humping. Arnold
Schwarzenegger
If you can be well without health, you may be happy without virtue.
Edmund Burke
You cannot have maternal health without reproductive health. And
reproductive health includes contraception and family planning and
access to legal, safe abortion. -Hillary Clinton
The greatest of follies is to sacrifice health for any other kind of
happiness. Arthur Schopenhauer
A wise man should consider that health is the greatest of human
blessings, and learn how by his own thought to derive benefit from his
illnesses. Hippocrates
The preservation of health is a duty. Few seem conscious that there is
such a thing as physical morality. -Herbert Spencer
The health of the people is really the foundation upon which all their
happiness and all their powers as a state depend. -Benjamin Disraeli
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He who has health, has hope; and he who has hope, has everything.
Thomas Carlyle
Health is the soul that animates all the enjoyments of life, which fade
and are tasteless without it. -Lucius Annaeus Seneca
Poverty
It is a poverty to decide that a child must die so that you may live as you
wish. Mother Teresa
Being unwanted, unloved, uncared for, forgotten by everybody, I think
that is a much greater hunger, a much greater poverty than the person
who has nothing to eat. -Mother Teresa
The most terrible poverty is loneliness and the feeling of being unloved.
Mother Teresa
Our life of poverty is as necessary as the work itself. Only in heaven will
we see how much we owe to the poor for helping us to love God better
because of them. Wars of nations are fought to change maps. But wars
of poverty are fought to map change. -Muhammad Ali
In poverty and other misfortunes of life, true friends are a sure refuge.
The young they keep out of mischief; to the old they are a comfort and
aid in their weakness, and those in the prime of life they incite to noble
deeds. Aristotle
Poverty is the mother of crime. -Marcus Aurelius
You can't get rid of poverty by giving people money. -P. J. O'Rourke
Anyone who has ever struggled with poverty knows how extremely
expensive it is to be poor. -James A. Baldwin Affluence creates
poverty. -Marshall McLuhan
The real tragedy of the poor is the poverty of their aspirations. Adam
Smith
Poverty makes you sad as well as wise. -Bertolt Brecht
Poverty makes you wise but it's a curse. -Bertolt Brecht
There's only one thing money won't buy, and that is poverty. -Joe E.
Lewis
Women
The minute you alter your perception of yourself and your future, both
you and your future begin to change.
(Marilee Zdenek)
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The way in which we think of ourselves has everything to do with how
our world sees us and how we see ourselves successfully acknowledged
by the world. (Arlene Rankin)
What is the appropriate behavior for a man or a woman in the midst of
this world, where each person is clinging to his piece of debris? What's
the proper salutation between people as they pass each other in this
flood? (Buddha)
Behind all their personal vanity, women themselves always have an
impersonal contempt for woman. (Friedrich Nietzsche)
A woman is like a tea bag - you can't tell how strong she is until you put
her in hot water. (Eleanor Roosevelt)
In nine cases out of ten, a woman had better show more affection than
she feels. (Aristotle)
A mother takes twenty years to make a man of her boy, and another
woman makes a fool of him in twenty minutes. -(Robert Frost)
A diplomat is a man who always remembers a woman's birthday but
never remembers her age. (Robert Frost)
How wrong it is for a woman to expect the man to build the world she
wants, rather than to create it herself. (Anais Nin)
The great question that has never been answered, and which I have not
yet been able to answer, despite my thirty years of research into the
feminine soul, is "What does a woman want?" (Sigmund Freud)
If a woman can only succeed by emulating men, I think it is a great loss
and not a success. The aim is not only for a woman to succeed, but to
keep her womanhood and let her womanhood influence society.
(Suzanne Brogger)
Women have to harness their power - it's absolutely true. It's just
learning not to take the first no. And if you can't go straight ahead, you
go around the corner. (Cher)
A woman is the full circle. Within her is the power to create, nurture and
transform. (Diane Mariechild)
The test for whether or not you can hold a job should not be the
arrangement of your chromosomes. (Bella Abzug)
Women's empowerment is intertwined with respect for human rights.
(Mahnaz Afkhami)
THE END.
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