Recently a TV channel interviewed some MPs (Members of Parliament)belonging to different parties, including Pakistan People Party, Muslim League (Q) And N, and Mutaheda Qaumi Moment. They were asked about the prices of different utilities. The answers were astonishing. They didn't know the prices.

Thursday, 20 April 2006

Reshaping foreign policy
In the post-9/11 era, one has had to see that our relations with other members of the world community have decreased mere to relation for ‘fighting terrorism’. King Abdullah visited Pakistan, the news that we read was “Pakistan, Saudi Arabia vow to fight terror.” Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse arrives in Islamabad. The news item appears on the newspapers’ front pages is “Sri Lanka and Pakistan agree to combat terrorism”.
It was the US that added this term to political dictionary in order to legitimise its aggression on Afghanistan and Iraq. In fact the term existed long before but its present shape is the contribution of the USA. Any thing that is against US interest is terrorism. Or put it another way, any one who becomes a hurdle in US’s imperialist designs is a terrorist and to kill him is a “war against terrorism”, no matter that is a person or a nation including woman and kids.
Pakistan’s very ‘bold’ decision of becoming a frontline state has made us a state to make terrorism the centrepiece of our foreign policy. Thus our relations with other states have been reflecting this thing very clearly. We did this at the cost of burning our home.
Theoretically we are a sovereign state so our ruler should behave like sovereign rulers. Let’s keep this phenomenon of terrorism aside and focus on durable relations stressing on economic, trade, tourism etc that will help prosper the nation facing increasing rate of suicides due to extreme poverty. Let’s make relations with other states that can help create some jobs for the youth, the segment of society that is very rapidly becoming a curse for the society by joining the criminals. The increasing crimes including snatching cell phones are committed by the youth mostly. Let’s make relations that can help keep our own home in order. Let’s ask our rulers to first do it and then vow to fight terrorism.
Naimat Khan,
Karachi.

http://www.statesman.com.pk/letters/letter3.htm

April 27 2006 Thursday

Pakistan’s relations with other states
In the post 9/11 era, one has had to see that our relations with the other members of the world community have decreased mere to relation for fighting “terrorism”. Looking on the news that has been publishing whenever any ruler from any part of this mundane comes to Pakistan, one sees a strange phenomenon that we have never seen before. King Abdullah visited Pakistan, the news that we read was “Pakistan, Saudi Arabia vow to fight terror” Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse arrives in to Islamabad, the news item appears on the newspapers’ front pages is “Sri Lanka and Pakistan agree to combat terrorism” Now on his visit to Pakistan Yemeni president Ali Abdullah Saleh signs “Accord to fight terrorism” with Pakistan. These are three examples- nearly on all arrivals of different rulers and departure of ours for other state one has had to see the news stressing the same thing, “war on terrorism”, about which we are reminded time and again by our master that “US, Pakistan to continue fight against terror” and “Pakistan strong ally in war on terror”. It was USA that added this term to Political Dictionary in order to legitimize its aggression on Afghanistan and Iraq. In fact the term existed long before but its present shape is the contribution of USA. Any thing that is against the US interest is terrorism. Or put it other way, any one who become hurdle in USA imperialist designs and its designs for world hegemony is terrorist and to kill him is a “war against terrorism”, no matter that is a person or a nation including woman and kids. Now every member of the world community has to side with US and its relations with other state must reflect that “terrorism” is the centre piece of policy of that state. But there are states on the world map that have declined being allied of the US. Besides others the rulers of state like Venezuela and Belarus dared to call the Bush a Global terrorist. Some states like India, a state having balanced foreign policy remained impartial. To the states that declines, the image of an independent and sovereign state depends on its foreign relations or foreign policy. And these relations, who are considered important to a country, are subject to change for the sake of the country’s interests only. We Pakistani are told that it was in our prime interest to raise the slogan of Sub Se Pehlay Pakistan. But we saw that ‘Sub Se Pehlay Pakistan’ means ‘Sub se Pehlay US’s Demands’. The government of Pakistan’s website reads “in wake of the September 11 terrorist attacks on the US, Pakistan boldly decided to join the international coalition against the war on terrorism and became a frontline state in this fight” This very bold decision of becoming a frontline state has made us a state to make “terrorism” the centre piece of our foreign policy. Thus our relations with other states have been reflecting this thing very clearly. We did this at the cost of burning our home. The cost we have been paying for this is evident and very high. In the wake of attacks on the President and Prime Minister, their moment has made the life of the masses extremely miserable. A student of Mass Communication died on her way to hospital due to traffic jam on the day president had come to Karachi. The incident that luckily got coverage otherwise there are dozen others that remain un-reported. We were told the decision of joining allied power was taken due to some reason, the foremost of which was Kashmir disputed. But now the just freedom struggle of Kashmiris is called “terrorism”. In spite of all the composite dialogue that have been taking place with India, she is telling us to make trade and other relations with her while keeping the Kashmir issue a side. The Indian Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh on March 24, 2006 offered a treaty of peace, security and friendship to Pakistan but said linking the Kashmir dispute to normalizing ties between the two countries would be a mistake.” The government is insisting that our role has made the image of Pakistan among the world community highly prestigious. Let’s forget the world community, the very nation with which we sided against Muslims states made our resemblance with a Dog with a bone in his mouth that has obey his master’s orders and keep chasing “terrorists”. The results of our blind compliance to the US demands are evident but the point of concern is that we see nothing ahead more than “terrorism”. Practically the aim of our foreign policy and consequently our relations with other states has been for the cause of countering “terrorism” only as if the only duty of a state has remained to fight international “terrorism”. Great Britain, France, and Australia are on “war against terrorism” so if our president and Premier make statements and sign accords regarding “terrorism” with these allied states it is justified if not legitimized. But it is a matter of laughter as it has become a norm to issue such statement with all and sundry. Even it has become mandatory on the part of rulers to brief any one who pays a visit to Pakistani about our efficient role in the “war on terror”. On March 07 2006, our foreign Minister, Khursheed Kasuri briefed his Spanish counterpart Mihuel Angel Moratinos about “Pakistan’s contribution in the ‘War on terror’, without which it (The war) had been lost.” Moratinos then praised Pakistan’s efforts in the “war on terrorism” and said that Spain would continue working with Pakistan to combat the “menace”. Why would be the not assisting us in this task as we have become the “frontline state”. At least theoretically we are a sovereign state so our ruler should behave like a sovereign state. Let’s keep this phenomenon of “terrorism” a side and focus on the durable relations stressing on economic, trade, tourism etc that will help prosper the nation with increasing rate of suicides due to extreme poverty. Let’s make relations with other states that can help create some jobs for the youth, the segment of the society that is very rapidly becoming curse for the society by joining the criminals. The increasing crimes including snatching cell phone are committed by the youth mostly. Let’s make relations that can help keep our own home in order. Let’s ask our rulers to first do it and then woe to fight “terrorism”.
Naimat Khan Karachi naimatku2003@yahoo.com

http://www.thefrontierpost.com/index.php?main=news&tname=letters&nid=258

Monday, April 24, 2006

Monday,
The retriever-whistle

The post 9/11 era, one has had to see that our relations with the other members of the world community have dwindled to such an extent that today we have only ‘relations for fighting war on terrorism’.
Look at the news whenever any ruler of any country comes to Pakistan. One sees a strange phenomenon that we had never seen before. King Abdullah visited Pakistan, the news that we read was “Pakistan, Saudi Arabia vow to fight terror” Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse arrives in to Islamabad, we read “Sri Lanka and Pakistan agree to combat terrorism” Now on his visit to Pakistan Yemeni president Ali Abdullah Saleh has signed an “Accord to fight terrorism” with Pakistan.
These were the three recent examples. But if you go through the news files of the four years since 911, almost everyone who ever came to Pakistan agreed to fight the war on terrorism with us. That is all we have been doing all these years and that is we were told to do even at the ‘payback time’, on George Bush’s visit to the subcontinent; fight the war on terrorism. -NAIMAT KHAN, Karachi, via e-mail, April 15.

http://www.nation.com.pk/daily/april-2006/24/letters5.php

Sunday, October 23, 2005

NSC meeting

Sir: This in reference with your editorial ‘JUI’s good decision to allow Mr Durrani to attend the NSC meeting’ printed on October 14. You have called Maulana Fazlur Rehman’s decision to allow NWFP Chief Minister Akram Durrani to attend the NSC meeting “eminently sensible”.

I do not mean to defend Qazi Hussain Ahmed or criticise the JUI decision but to raise a question you seem to have overlooked. Was it necessary to call a meeting of the NSC, a highly controversial body, at a time of national calamity? Could the decisions it took not have been taken in a meeting chaired by the prime minister? Was it necessary to avail this opportunity to drag an unwilling chief minister to the NSC?

Does this not amount to politicking on an occasion that calls for eschewing it? There is always room for criticizing the MMA for its double standards and paving the way for Musharraf. But did the General resist the temptation to score a point even at the risk of jeopardising the relief effort?
SAMINA DURRANI
Karachi

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/print.asp?page=2005%5C10%5C23%5Cstory_23-10-2005_pg3_8

Thursday, October 27, 2005

Dreading the day

Sir: I am writing with reference to Khurram J Butt’s letter (Dreading the day, October 23). Mr. Butt supports holding musical concerts for raising funds for the shelter less and hapless people of the quake affected areas. However, I believe holding musical concerts to raise funds for the quake victim is inappropriate.

While such practices are the norm in the West they are inappropriate in a country like Pakistan. What works for the non-Muslims doesn’t always work for us. And why do we need a concert, play, funfair etc to raise funds? It is our moral duty as human beings to help those in need. Why should we need entertainment extravaganzas to loosen our purse strings? I am aware that some show-biz celebrities have collected funds for relief and rehabilitation. But who can enjoy song and dance when whole villages have been wiped out and millions face a winter without proper shelter?
SAMINA SHAH DURRANI
Karachi

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2005%5C10%5C27%5Cstory_27-10-2005_pg3_6
December 10, 2005 Saturday Ziqa’ad 7, 1426

NATO troops

ACCORDING to the news report, Nato has asked Pakistan “whether it would like the western alliance’s 1,000-strong contingent to continue earthquake relief beyond the present 90-day mandate” (Nov 30). Pakistan has had so many 90-day mandates in its history but this time, a foreign source has asked for an extension to its 90-day mandate. In the past our generals extended the “90-day mandate” to “an open-ended mandate”. Maybe Nato has decided to learn from our experience.

Many had expressed fears that Nato was seeking to establish a long-term presence in Kashmir. MNA Riaz Pirzada had opposed Nato’s offer to dispatch 1,000 troops to the quake-hit areas, arguing that Pakistan’s army can deal with the situation. Mr Pirzada’s views seem valid. Should we wait for the “mandated period” as usual or force the government not to extend it?

SAMINA SHAH DURRANI
Karachi

http://www.dawn.com/2005/12/10/letted.htm#8

March 14 2006

Isn’t Kashmiri woman, woman

Does not the repression of women in held Kashmir fall under the repression against women or aren’t they women? This was the question that struck my mind when I read out the speakers’ voice for women emancipation in various seminars and walks that were held across Pakistan by different NGOs, and woman associations, on the International Woman’s Day on the 8th of March 2006. The woman in Pakistan, particularly in rural areas is considered as sub-human. Honor killings and the traditions like Wani and Sawara prevailing in our society need to be abolished through community awareness programmes besides promulgation and implementation of just and comprehensive law in this regard. There can be no disregard and dissention and those doing this be lauded for their commendable work but the women in held Kashmir deserve the same support if not more than what is pleaded for the women in Pakistan. Thousands of the rape and molestation cases of women in Kashmir have been reported to this day. Rape is used by the Indian security forces to attack Kashmiri women suspected of sympathizing with “militants.” Hundreds of women have been widowed and hundreds killed in held Kashmir. Day to day violence against women in held Kashmir has become increasingly legitimized. The West that welcomes our Mukhtar Mais with open arms has never raised voice for the Kashmiri women that are raped, maimed and killed by Indian forces. Similarly, any event regarding women on international days or otherwise has never witnessed a voice for Kashmiri women. Especially, those who are champions of friendship with India never dare to credibly plead the case of Kashmiri women. Analyzing and seeing this phenomenon, aren’t those terming NGOs the agents of West are right?
Samina Shah Durrani Karachi

http://www.thefrontierpost.com/index.php?main=news&tname=letters&nid=52

Tuesday, March 14, 2006

Kashmiri women

Sir: Doesn’t the repression of women in Indian-held Kashmir fall under the category of violence against women? Many seminars across Pakistan organised by different NGOs and associations on International women’s day, March 8 discussed the poor condition of women in Pakistan. Honour killings and traditions such as vani and swara still prevail in our society and require community awareness programmes in addition to the promulgation and implementation of comprehensive laws against such practices. Thousands of women are tortured, raped, molested and killed in Kashmir and this phenomenon deserves the same urgency and concern as other instances of violence against women.
SAMINA SHAH DURRANI
Karachi

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2006\03\14\story_14-3-2006_pg3_6

March 18, 2006 Saturday Safar 17, 1427

Sovereignty

PRIME Minister Manmohan Singhs speech to the Indian parliament on March 14 in which he has urged President Musharraf to keep his promise to curb guerillas operating from areas under Islamabads control is in sync with the chorus sung by President Bush and his team.

Some days ago the President Hamid Karzai levelled similar allegations. Given the obedient nature that we have been showing since 9/11, the day is not far when other states will tell us what to do. Should we wait for that day to come or should we show some self-respect by asking them to stop accusing Pakistan?

SAMINA SHAH
Karachi

http://www.dawn.com/2006/03/18/letted.htm#12

Saturday, March 18, 2006

Sovereignty

Sir: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s speech to the Indian parliament on March 14, 2006 in which he urged President Pervez Musharraf to “keep his promise to curb guerrillas operating from areas under Islamabad’s control” is in sync with President George W Bush’s views on Pakistani’s role in the war on terror. Dr Shireen M Mazari, the director general of the institute of strategic studies, rightly points out that “Post-9/11, one has had to witness a strange decline of national self-confidence, despite our innate national strengths, to a level where we are now being subjected to all manner of abuse, by all and sundry.”

A few days ago, Afghan President Hamid Karzai also levelled allegations against us. Given our post 9/11 complaisance it isn’t surprising that other states can tell us what to do and still get away with it. Should we keep on taking this or should we finally ask such states to stop accusing Pakistan?
SAMINA SHAH
Karachi

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2006\03\18\story_18-3-2006_pg3_8

March 26 2006 Sunday 25 Safar , 1427 A.H

Uncle Sam’s tool for world hegemony; its mainstream Media
The New York Time’s editorial on March 22, 2006 reminds us that there is a nation, Americans, who is supposed to tell the remaining world that right means what this super nation thinks is right. The editorial has lamented Aleksandr Lukashenko, the president of Belarus’s re-election calling it “A Dictator’s Re-election”. It reads “As anybody who observed politics in the old Soviet Union knows, sending voters to the polls does not guarantee a real election. Democracy is about choice, not marching off to reaffirm the status quo.” For a long time, the United States has styled itself as “the champion of Democracy” and has been using “Democracy” to camouflage its hegemony, and “humanity” to push its tyranny. It encroaches upon other countries’ sovereignty. It did it in Iraq and now is making the same excuse to push its agenda by voicing for democracy in Arab world. The mainstream media especially New York Times and Washington Post has been a tool for persuading its agenda for intervening sovereign states. Why didn’t they criticize the elections in the countries having dictators in place but that were obeying their orders? Does a nation with the very George W. Bush as its head of state, who’s Florida’s elections have not been become a talk of past, has the right to criticize the independent states? Writing this editorial, New York Time should have remembered US president’s deceit in Florida that led to Bush’s first electoral victory. Civil rights activists had said Vice-President Al Gore could have won Florida - and therefore the election - if black people had not been deterred from casting their ballots there. Why is it proving the Iraq’s so-called elections very successful? Why is it not reporting the fueling of millions of dolor in others countries to their compliances to win the elections? If it was a free and impartial media, which it should have been but unfortunately not, must had penned an editorial on the election of Mayor of Kabul Hamid Karzi’s elections.
Samina Shah Durrani Karachi sweetsam888@hotmail.com

http://www.thefrontierpost.com/index.php?main=news&tname=letters&nid=104

March 27, 2006 Monday Safar 26, 1427

Tolerance
The Afghan man, Abdul Rahman, who converted from Islam to Christianity had been working for a Christian aid organisation in Peshawar. Was the purpose of this Christian aid organisation to undertake rehabilitation in the war-torn Afghanistan or act as a missionary to convert Muslims to Christianity? This case reveals that most of the Christian charitable organisations working in Muslim countries are brainwashing young Muslims. These organisations that pose as aiding the needy must be watched carefully.

SAMINA SHAH DURRANI
Karachi

http://www.dawn.com/2006/03/27/letted.htm#7

Monday March 27, 2006-- Safar 26, 1427 A.H.

Uncle Sam’s tool for world hegemony

The New York Time’s editorial on March 22, 2006 reminds us that there is a nation, the Americans, which is supposed to tell the remaining world that right means what this super nation thinks is right. The editorial has lamented Aleksandr Lukashenko, the president of Belarus’s re-election calling it "A dictator’s re-election". It reads "As anybody who observed politics in the old Soviet Union knows, sending voters to the polls does not guarantee a real election. Democracy is about choice, not marching off to reaffirm the status quo."

For a long time, the United States has styled itself as "the champion of democracy" and has been using ‘democracy’ to camouflage its hegemony, and ‘humanity’ to push its tyranny. It encroaches upon other countries’ sovereignty. It did it in Iraq and now is making the same excuse to push its agenda by asking for democracy in the Arab world. The mainstream media, especially New York Times and Washington Post, has been a tool to propagate its agenda to intervene in matters of sovereign states.

The big brother and its mainstream media should be asked why these champions of democracy and sacredness of vote had been supporting dictators like Zia ul Haq, and now his successor r General Musharraf. Why didn’t they criticise the elections in the countries with dictators who were obeying US orders? Does a nation where the Florida’s elections were so controversial have the right to criticise independent states?

While writing this editorial, the New York Time should have remembered the US president’s deceit in Florida that led to Bush’s first electoral victory. Civil rights activists claimed that Vice-president Al Gore could have won Florida and therefore the election if the African Americans had not been deterred from casting their ballots.

Samina Shah Durrani

http://jang.com.pk/thenews/

March 27 2006 Monday 26 Safar , 1427 A.H.

A matter of faith

The death penalty for an Afghan for converting from Islam to Christianity is equally a source of concern for Mr. Bush to whom it was “deeply troubling” and also for the Muslims across the glob for which it is a matter of faith. The tragedy is the same but the causes of resentment are different. New York Times (March 23, 2006) calls it to “disrespect basic human rights” it reads “in fact, the case is more than deeply troubling; it’s barbaric” The Afghan man, Abdul Rahman, had been working for a Christian aid organization in Peshawar. New York Times which has termed it a ground for Afghanistan return to stoning women to death for adultery, should also tell whether the Christian aid organization is an aid agency whose work is to do rehabilitation in the war-torn Afghanistan or a missionary that has to convert Muslims into Christianity? It is the stark revelation of the fact that most of the organizations working in Muslim countries are brainwashing young minds to covert to Christianity. These organizations that posed to add the needy must be watched carefully.
Samina Shah Durrani Karachi

http://www.thefrontierpost.com/index.php?main=news&tname=letters&nid=108

2006/03/26
Clandestine missionaries
Samina Shah Durrani

The death penalty for an afghan for converting from Islam to Christianity is equally a source of concern for Mr. Bush to whom it was “deeply troubling” and also for the Muslims across the glob for which it is a matter of faith. The tragedy is the same but the causes of resentment are different. New York Times (March 23, 2006) calls it as “disrespect of basic human rights” it reads “in fact, the case is more than deeply troubling; it’s barbaric” The Afghan, Abdul Rahman, had been working for a Christian aid organization in Peshawar. New York Times should also tell whether the Christian aid organization is an aid agency whose work is to do rehabilitation in the war torn Afghanistan or it is a missionary that has to convert Muslims into Christianity? It is the stark revelation of the fact that most of the organizations working in Muslim countries are brainwashing young minds to covert into Christianity. These organizations that posed to add the needy must be watched carefully.—Karachi

http://pakobserver.net/200603/26/voiceofpeople.asp

March 4, 2006

Dictators all

The New York Time’s editorial on March 22, 2006 reminds us that there is only one nation on the face of the earth with the right to tell us all about what is right and what is wrong; the Americans. The editorial has lamented Aleksandr Lukashenko of Belarus’s re-election calling it “A dictator’s re-election”. It reads “As anybody who observed politics in the old Soviet Union knows, sending voters to the polls does not guarantee a real election. Democracy is about choice, not marching off to reaffirm the status quo”. For a long time now, United States has styled itself as “the champion of democracy” and has been using it to camouflage its hegemony over the world. It encroaches upon other countries’ sovereignty and The New York Times and Washington post have been a tool for pushing its agenda for intervening in sovereign states.
The American mainstream media should be asked why these champions of “democracy” have been supporting dictators? Why didn’t they criticize the elections in the countries having pro-America dictators? Were the Iraq’s so-called elections, with an occupation force at the helm, fair? Was Hamid Karzi’s election under the aegis of the American military in Afghanistan and under Pakistani military in the refugee camps of Pakistan, free? -SAMINA SHAH DURRANI, Karachi, via e-mail, March 24.

http://nation.com.pk/daily/april-2006/4/letters7.php

Thursday, April 6, 2006

All and sundry

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's speech to the Indian parliament on March 14, 2006 in which he has urged President Musharraf to "keep his promise to curb guerillas operating from areas under Islamabad's control" is in synch with the chorus sung by the "war on terrorism" leader Bush and his team.
Director general of the Institute of Strategic Studies, Dr. Shireen M. Mazari's has rightly assessed it in these words "Post-9/11, one has had to witness a strange decline of national self-confidence to a level where we are now being subjected to all manner of abuse, by all and sundry".
A few days ago, the US installed President of the Kabul municipality, Hamid Karzi, leveled allegations against Pakistan. Given the total obedience that we have been showing since 9/11, the day is not far when rulers of places like Timbuktu will tell us what we should do or not do. -SAMINA SHAH, Karachi, via e-mail, March 15.

http://nation.com.pk/daily/april-2006/6/letters4.php

April 07 2006 Friday 08 Rabi' al-awwal (Rabi' I), 1427 A.H

Clashes in FATA
following the clash between two rivals in FATA on March 28, 2006 that left many women widowed and children orphaned and some women and children being hostage, editorials were penned and stern actions were urged by nearly all English dailies of Pakistan. I have not forgotten that yet when I came across (today 4th April 2006) the wall chalking, the wall of our metropolitan, Karachi which is more than 1700 kilometer away from Sur Dand, was wearing. The chalking reads “The blasphemer, Mufti Munir Shakir, (one of the rival clerics) must be hanged”. It is really shocking. The editorials have also rightly asked for bringing the tribal areas into the national mainstream. But the chalking on the walls of Karachi shows that some one or says hidden powers are involved in this game. Or the whole country needs to be brought into mainstream. One wonders why the police didn’t apprehend a single person from Karachi in connection of spreading this hatred. Did not the police come across a single person among many who were writing on walls on MA Jinnah and other major roads of Karachi? The authorities must take stern action against those involved; otherwise we should wait for Karachi to become Khyber Agency and Gunpowder ready waiting to be ignited.
Samina Shah Durrani Karachi sweetsam888@hotmail.com

http://www.thefrontierpost.com/index.php?main=news&tname=letters&nid=160

April 09 2006 Sunday

Globalize education
Dr. Syed Jaffar Ahmed in his paper “The notion of rights: Education under globalization in Pakistan” (printed in Education under Globalization: the case of Pakistan, book published by Action Aid Pakistan) has cited the findings of study undertaken by international Labor Organization, in reference to the contents of Human right in the syllabi. One of the finding is “since reference to ‘rights’ were not incorporated in a planned or comprehensive manner, one does not find the concept being developed over various levels to study. To cite an example, in the books of social studies meant for class VI, published by Sindh and the Punjab Text book boards, one finds a somewhat detailed reference to rights and duties of the citizen. But in the book of social studied for the next class, published by the same boards, there were only four sentences about the rights of the citizens. In the book of social studies for class VIII published by Punjab Board, there was a passing reference to human rights at two places in the passage on the United Nations. The book for the same class published by sindh textbook board does not mention human rights at all.” Finding of different studies, see lack of willingness for awaking masses regarding human rights. It is partially true, but the issue is more complicated. If we assess the books of Islamiat in reference to disseminating the comprehended message of religion, one finds exactly the same problem. Thus the problems arises due to lack of trained and real educationist who could design the books where each issue where it is human rights, right of woman, right of labor or religion can be put the way to yield the needed results.
Samina Shah Durrani Karachi

http://www.thefrontierpost.com/index.php?main=news&tname=letters&nid=172

Rabi-ul-Awwal 07, 1427 AH, Thursday, April 06, 2006

Provocative wall-chalking

Samina Shah Durrani

Following the clash between two rivals in FATA on March 28,2006 that left many women widowed and children orphaned editorials were penned and stern action was urged by nearly all English dailies of Pakistan. I have not forgotten that yet when I came across (today 4th April 2006) wall chalking, on our metropolitan, Karachi which is more than 1700 kilometer away from Sur Dand, read “The blasphemer, Mufti Munir Shakir, (one of the rival clerics) must be hanged”. It is really shocking. The editorials have rightly asked for bringing the tribal areas into the national mainstream. One wonders why the police didn’t apprehend a single person from Karachi in connection of spreading this hatred. Did not the police come across a single person among many who were writing on walls on MA Jinnah and other major roads of Karachi? The authorities must take stern action against those involved; otherwise we should wait for Karachi to become Khyber Agency.—Karachi

http://pakobserver.net/200604/06/voiceofpeople.asp

Friday, April 14, 2006

Human rights

Sir: According to a scholar, there is no defined reference to “human rights” in our syllabi and these aren’t incorporated in a planned or comprehensive manner within our textbooks. Consequently, one cannot expect that the concept of basic rights can be understood clearly, much less respected by the majority of our students. To cite an example, one social studies textbook for sixth grade, published by the Sindh and Punjab textbook boards, has a somewhat detailed reference to the rights and duties of the citizen. However, in the social studies textbook for seventh grade, published by the same boards, there are only four sentences about the rights of citizens. Further, in the social studies textbook for eighth grade, published by the Punjab board, there is a passing reference to human rights in two places within a passage on the United Nations. The book for the same grade published by the Sindh board does not mention human rights at all.

Overall, numerous studies show a lack of awareness about human rights in our society. The problem stems from the lack of trained educationalists and teachers in our schools. I urge the government to implement a law requiring that all schools, public or private, should have trained professionals running them. Perhaps our state can also provide opportunities such as scholarships and fellowships for those who run our schools.
SAMINA SHAH DURRANI
Karachi

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2006\04\14\story_14-4-2006_pg3_7

April 15, 2006 Saturday

Double standards

THIS is apropos of the article “Teaching the Bible in Georgia’s public schools” by Brenda Goodman (April 9) which describes how the Georgia Senate has passed a bill which provides money to high schools that offer elective classes in the Bible and sets specific guidelines for those classes.

Since the sponsors of the bill have got it approved from Georgia’s legislature, the governor’s signature will turn it into law. Legislators in other US states such as Alabama and Missouri are considering similar measures.

The interesting and most important aspect of the story is what the sponsor of the bill says. Tommie Williams, the Georgia Senate majority leader, is reported as saying that “Kids are illiterate of the Bible, they don’t understand the text is and how it affects government or history. If we’re teaching a kid what the Good Samaritan law was about, they wouldn’t know.”

What double standards. The very nation that links religious topics in the textbooks of Muslim countries with terrorism wants to teach religion to its own children.

Since September 11, 2001 the West has shown much concern about the alleged radicalising influence of schools and madressahs in Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia and other Muslim countries.

Governments in the Muslim world have been faithful in fulfilling Uncle Sam’s demands in this regard.

In spite of the full corporation of General Pervez Musharraf and the government, the US is not ready to completely rely on them.

The US Congress introduced a bill (HR 4818), according to which aid of up to two million dollars will be extended by the US for ‘reforms’ in Pakistan’s education sector.

Meanwhile, at home US legislators are spending large sum of money on putting religion into textbooks.

They want to make their future generations aware of their history from a religious perspective and at the same time as they want to deprive our young people of religious education.

We must no doubt revise our local school curricula as required. But we should not toe the American line; we should modernise our curricula in a way that will make our youth aware of our great religion and our history.

SAMINA SHAH DURRANI
Karachi

http://www.dawn.com/2006/04/15/letted.htm#2

April 16 2006 Monday

Uncle Sam’s double standards

According to New York Times (Teaching the Bible in Georgia’s Public Schools By BRENDA GOODMAN March 29, 2006) the Georgia Senate has passed a bill providing money to high schools that offer elective classes in the Bible, and setting specific guidelines for those classes. Since the sponsors of the bill have got it approved from Georgia’s House of Representatives, the Governor’s sign on it will turn it into law. Legislators in other US states, Alabama and Missouri are considering similar measures. The interesting and most important aspect of the story is the sponsor of bill’s views. Tommie Williams, the Georgia Senate majority leader and sponsor of the bill is reported as saying that “Kids are illiterate of the Bible, they don’t understand the text and how it affects government or history. If we’re teaching a kid what the Good Samaritan law was about, they wouldn’t know.” What a double standard. The very nation that is linking Islamic religious topics in the text books in Muslim countries with terrorism in order to take out the last Islamic reference from books, wants their own kids familiar with their religious belief and its reference to history. Apparently, Since September 11, 2001, the west has shown concern about the allegedly radicalizing influence of schools and madrasas in Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia and other Muslim countries. The governments in Islamic World have remained steadfast and are pressing hard for fulfilling Uncle Sam’s demands in this regards. In spite the full corporation from General Pervez Musharraf and the Ministers of education, the USA was not ready to completely rely on them. The US congress even introduced a Bill (HR 4818), according to which two million dollars aid being extended by the USA for ‘reforms’ in education sector, would be subject to use by Pakistan for implementing of educational reforms of January 2002. The establishment of Agha Khan Board could also happen only after an agreement with US AID. The pledges made at the occasion of signing agreement between the parties have been reported in our media. President Push in his television interview stated in unequivocal terms that a change is being introduces on his advice in the Pakistan curricula with the US assistance. The US’s call of reforms in the Muslims world is also linked with its hegemonious designs in Muslim world. Immediately following the occupation of Iraq, the US had introduced on April 10,2004, its pre-arranged text books in the Iraqi Schools. The very US which seeks changes in the curricula in Muslims world by taking out the last reference to religion,( the chapters regarding the way of Prayer, that has no link Jihad were even taken out), is introducing Bible in her schools. US is spending large sum of money but on putting religion into text books at home and on taking out it in the Islamic world. Indeed they want to make their future generation aware of their history from religious perspective and want ours being deprived. What’s the aim? Very unambiguous, very clear! But the question is what should we do? If we need and in fact we need to revise our curricula we should revise it. But we should not toe the US lines. We should modernise the way that our curricula make our youth aware of our great religion Islam and our history.
Samina Shah Durrani Karachi sweetsam888@hotmail.com

http://www.thefrontierpost.com/index.php?main=news&tname=letters&nid=205

Thursday, April 20, 2006

Protesting

Sir: The owner of a restaurant who fired 10 of his workers for attending an immigration rally in the US was recently quoted as saying, “I have no problem with the demonstration, but this is a business. Couldn’t they have protested in the morning before work? Couldn’t they have protested in their hearts?” (New York Times, April 15).

This is typical of the psyche of other Americans and businessmen such as the owner; they care only about that which matters to them with complete disregard for the workers who attended the rally to whom, along with many others, the immigrations laws can make a huge difference. I have one question to ask the owner of the restaurant and others like him: couldn’t he continue to earn his money by counting the time off of those who attended the rally among the few days of paid leave that most employees are allowed in a year?
SAMINA SHAH DURRANI
Karachi

http://dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2006\04\20\story_20-4-2006_pg3_6

Friday, April 21, 2006, Rabi-ul-Awal 22, 1427 A.H.

Capitalizing on immigration

The New York Times (April 15) has quoted the owner of a restaurant, who had fired 10 workers found guilty of attending an immigration rally as saying, "I have no problem with the demonstration, but this is a business. Couldn't they have protested in the morning before work? Couldn't they have protested in their hearts?"

A capitalist like the owner of the restaurant shows concern over things that harm him only. The immigration laws can affect the workers who attended the rally and not the owner, which is why they were out there protesting. I have one question to ask the owner of the restaurant and others like him. Couldn't he just have allowed his employees to take some days off as earned leave?

Samina Shah Durrani

Karachi

http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=3051

April 26 2006 Wednesday

Punjab University book fair

This is in reference with the letter “Punjab University book fair” by Muhammad Abd al-Hameed (Frontier Post April 25, 2006) Mr. Muhammad has confessed that the event being held by Jamiat for 20 years was of great importance to student community. But he still wants that “The University authorities should take the arrangements in their own hands and hold the fair in a better way.” The better way to him is “to waive the stall charges on the condition that the booksellers offer still higher discounts” and the extension of duration and holding book Fair twice a week. Though Book Fair has become symbolized with PU, Jamiat organizes the event across Pakistan very usefully. Being blamed for igniting violence on the campuses and disrupting the studies if these student organizations get involve in healthy activities, so why are they stopping from holding useful events like book Fairs. The attitude of PU administration shows that they are intended to get the organization out of University for their won self interests and Violence is an excuse to get them out for paving ways for the dictatorial administration on campuses and persuading the Dictators agenda. The student convention is a recent example. If PU administration wants to hold the event it should organize it in addition letting IJT to hold the traditional Book Fair.
Samina Shah Durrani Karachi sweetsam888@hotmail.com

http://www.thefrontierpost.com/index.php?main=news&tname=letters&nid=251

Monday, April 24, 2006

Do it while you can

The New York Times on Saturday, April 15, 2006 has quoted the owner of a restaurant, who had fired 10 workers for attending an immigration rally as saying “I have no problem with the demonstration, but this is a business. Couldn’t they have protested in the morning before work? Couldn’t they have protested in their hearts?” For a capitalist like the owner of this restaurant, the only thing that matters is the running of his business.
To the workers who attended the rally, the cause that affected not only them but millions of other fellow workers, mattered more. Each did what they thought was right. I have one question to ask from the restaurant-owner and others like him. Couldn’t he grant a leave to the employees on this day? -SAMINA SHAH DURRANI, Karachi, via e-mail, April 15.

http://www.nation.com.pk/daily/april-2006/24/letters6.php