PUNJAB JUDICIAL OFFICERS

ACADEMY
(A Project of Al-Bahria CSS Institute)
DAWN Editorials: 12 October 2023, Thursday
Last call?
POLICY confusion, economic disarray, social upheaval, media clampdown and political
persecution have cast a suffocating pall on Pakistan. Amidst this feeling of desolation, a call for
forgiveness and cooperation is a reminder that the way out is much simpler than what it has
seemed to be. What President Arif Alvi has said echoes what many politically astute minds
believe is the only way for Pakistan to realistically turn the corner: the state must provide an
outlet to the public`s suppressed will with an election that is free of controversy and fair to all
parties. For a change, it should let the system work in the way it was originally intended to. The
country`s economic condition presents an unprecedented existential challenge for Pakistan. No
government can realistically expect to survive the difficulties that lie ahead if it comes to power
on a stolen mandate. To break free of the past, we must break the mould.

Though the print and electronic media have not been allowed to dwell too long on the topic, the
public knows well that it is being ruled by a regime whose priorities and policies are completely
at odds with the aspirations of the majority. The latter`s discontent has been made worse by the
state-sanctioned use of coercive tactics to restore `stability`, which have yet to yield any tangible
dividends for the ordinary citizen. Those who favour this style of `political management` must
realise that repression has never worked in the past and is unlikely to do so this time. In present
conditions, holding an election whose fairness is widely doubted will further fracture the
sociopolitical order. This will not only imperil Pakistan`s standing in a rapidly changing world,
but the continuing instability is likely to set its economy back by decades. And, by the time the
extent of the damage that has been wrought under the present regime is acknowledged, the
country will have slumped lower in human development rankings.

The past cannot be undone, but the path we take forward is entirely up to our political, judicial,
military and civil society leadership. The leaders of the different parties must sit together or be
persuaded to if they are not amenable to agree to some ground rules for the upcoming election.
In negotiating these rules, the parties can create the `level playing field` that each of them has
been seeking separately. Meanwhile, the state ought to consider diverting its energies away from
the less than-effective policies it has been pursuing and allocate them, instead, towards ensuring
that the political parties have an equal incentive for participating in the talks. This seems like the
only `positive role` it can play at this point. Realistically, and given present conditions, this
seems to be the most reasonable path forward.

Sr.# Word Part of Speech Meaning in Urdu Synonyms

01 Disarray Noun ‫بیت‬

‫ےبرت ی‬ Confusion, disorder
02 Upheaval Noun ‫چلہ‬
‫ی‬ Disturbance, turmoil
03 Clampdown Noun ‫دابدےنیاکلمع‬ Crackdown, suppression
04 Astute Adjective ‫وہایشر‬ Shrewd, incisive
05 Unprecedented Adjective ‫ل‬
‫ےباثم ی‬ Unparalleled, unique

06 Discontent Noun ‫ن‬

‫دعماانیمط ی‬ Dissatisfaction
07 Coercive Adjective ‫تس‬
‫زربد ی‬ Forced, intimidating

08 Imperil Verb ‫رطخہ‬ Endanger, jeopardize

09 Slumped Verb ‫یگ‬
‫رگ ی‬ Collapsed, drooping, fell
10 Amenable Adjective ‫ایتر‬
‫ی‬ Agreeable, willing

Arranged by: Prof Naveed Sabri

21 Babar Block, New Garden Town, Near Barkat Market Lahore
0333-4438610 0300-4469650 0300-1905555 042-35911609
 PUNJAB JUDICIAL OFFICERS
ACADEMY
(A Project of Al-Bahria CSS Institute)

DAWN Editorials: 12 October 2023, Thursday

Yogi`s outburst
Revanchist geography is a central plank of the Sangh Parivar`s ideology, as devotees of
Hindutva dream of recreating `Akhand Bharat`, a mythical, massive landmass covering all of
South Asia and beyond. It is one thing for rabid ideologues to support such irresponsible notions.

But quite another when elected high officials in India talk of recreating this imagined
geographical entity. India`s neighbours, then, have good reason to be concerned. In this regard,
UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath`s recent remarks about `taking back Sindhu` are shocking,
coming as they do from the elected leader of India`s most populous state. The Yogi, a rabid Hindu
priest, is not known for his tolerance towards Muslims, and has made numerous racist remarks
targeted at them. Speaking at a Sindhi convention in Lucknow, he first gloated over the
demolition of the Babri Masjid, and then crowed that if Ram Janmabhoomi could be reclaimed
after five centuries, `Sindhu can also be brought back`. This attack on Pakistan`s territorial
integrity is unacceptable, especially from a politician who could one day become prime minister
of India. As the Foreign Office noted, the Yogi`s views `reflect a perverse view of history`.

One may well ask why stop at `Sindhu`? After all, in the minds of Hindutva zealots, Akhand
Bharat stretches from the snowy peaks of the Pamirs in Afghanistan, to the muddy banks of the
Irrawaddy in Myanmar. The proponents of this scheme will have to erase many an international
border to achieve their fabled dreamland. But on a more serious note, the Akhand Bharat stunt is
not limited to one or two Sangh leaders. In fact, when the new building of the Indian parliament
was inaugurated earlier this year, much controversy was raised over a map displayed in the
building which showed parts of Pakistan, Nepal and Bangladesh as Indian territory. All three
states sought explanations from New Delhi. The BJP will be looking to shore up its Hindu
nationalist credentials by trotting out canards like Akhand Bharat in time for next year`s
elections. But questioning the territorial integrity of South Asia`s independent states is a bad
election ploy that will only add to toxic regional relations, especially between Pakistan and India.
Instead of Akhand Bharat, South Asians deserve a region free from hate, violence and poverty,
where prosperity and development are available to all in the spirit of equality.

Sr.# Word Part of Speech Meaning in Urdu Synonyms

01 Revanchist Adjective ‫قتنم‬

‫ایسیسوطررپ ی‬ Retaliatory, vengeful
02 Devotees Noun ‫نم‬
‫دیقعت ی‬ Followers, supporters

03 Gloated Verb ‫نھکی‬

‫ڑبےوشقایوخاشہےسد ی‬ Revealed, gloried
04 Demolition Noun ‫ابتیہ‬ Destruction, devastation

05 Perverse Adjective ‫حیحصراےتسےساٹہوہا‬،‫رمگاہ‬ Obstinate, stubborn

06 Zealots Noun ‫نسپ‬
‫دشتد ی‬،‫بصعتم‬ Extremists, fanatics
07 Proponents Noun ‫م‬
‫اح ی‬ Advocates, supporters
08 Credentials Noun ‫اانسد‬ Authorizations, permits

09 Trotting Verb ‫یکلہدو یڑ‬ Running, hurrying

10 Canards Noun ‫ن‬
‫نمڑھگتاہک ی‬ Myths, rumors

Arranged by: Prof Naveed Sabri

21 Babar Block, New Garden Town, Near Barkat Market Lahore
0333-4438610 0300-4469650 0300-1905555 042-35911609
 PUNJAB JUDICIAL OFFICERS
ACADEMY
(A Project of Al-Bahria CSS Institute)

DAWN Editorials: 12 October 2023, Thursday

An inspiring victory
TWO down in pursuit of a formidable target, Pakistan needed a hero. Enter Abdullah
Shafique. In his World Cup debut and fifth One-day International, the 23-year-old
showed a maturity beyond his years to present a record victory to his side. Ably
supported by the more experienced Mohammad Rizwan, Abdullah displayed finesse and
force, proving there is hope for Pakistan beyond Fakhar Zaman, whose struggles paved
the way for Abdullah to feature in the game. Rizwan, who like Abdullah also cracked a
century, played through cramps and finished things off as Pakistan completed the
highest-ever chase in a World Cup match, reaching their target of 345 with 10 balls to
spare and eclipsing Ireland`s 328 against England in the 2011 edition of the tournament.
The duo ensured Pakistan didn`t suffer their usual meltdown in the face of a stiff target,
especially with captain and batting mainstay Babar Azam falling early. They showed the
grit and resilience sometimes found wanting in the side. Considering Pakistan`s previous
highest World Cup chase was 264 against New Zealand in 1992, this was momentous. Not
only will it inspire belief, as the team continued with their winning streak after beating
the Netherlands, it will give Pakistan momentum ahead of the game against India on
Saturday.

But there are some concerns that the team should address most notably in bowling and
fielding. Pace spearhead Shaheen Shah Afridi needs to rediscover his lost verve, as does
Haris Rauf. Dropped catches cost Pakistan against the Lankans Kusal Mendis was
dropped twice during his whirlwind century. Sadeera Sawarawickrama also hit a ton. The
game was the first at a World Cup to feature four centuries. Thankfully for Pakistan, the
centuries that mattered in the end came from their players. However, they need to cut
down on the chances they`re affording their opponents, otherwise teams like India, who
have never been beaten by Pakistan in an ODI World Cup, will make them pay.

Sr.# Word Part of Speech Meaning in Urdu Synonyms

01 Formidable Adjective ‫زربدتس‬ Difficult, arduous
02 Eclipsing Verb ‫یسکیکتیثیحوکاےنپآےگامدننرکان‬ Concealing, obscuring

03 Meltdown Noun ‫الگپؤ‬ Collapse, breakdown

04 Mainstay Adjective ‫اینبدیاہسرہ‬ Backbone, spine, pillar
05 Grit Noun ‫ت‬
‫وق ی‬،‫رجات‬،‫لمحت‬ Courage, bravery
06 Resilience Noun ‫کچل‬ Flexibility, elasticity
07 Spearhead Adjective ‫رہاول‬ Forefront, leader
08 Verve Noun ‫ش‬
‫وج ی‬ Vitality, energy, vigor

09 Whirlwind Adjective ‫وطافن‬ Rapid, brief, swift

10 Opponents Noun ‫اخمنیفل‬ Adversaries, rivals

Arranged by: Prof Naveed Sabri

21 Babar Block, New Garden Town, Near Barkat Market Lahore
0333-4438610 0300-4469650 0300-1905555 042-35911609