Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Current Affairs (Volume-III)
Current Affairs (Volume-III)
Page 2
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Algeria’s belated Arab Spring redistributed the country’s oil and gas money, the only
Author: Alvaro Vargas Llosa is a Senior Fellow thing it produces.
with the Independent Institute, Oakland, Calif. At the end of the 1980s, following major riots, the FLN
Published in: Foreign Policy News had in fact experimented with limited pluralism and
Published on: March 25, 2019 freedom of the press. The result, in those hopeful years,
A popular uprising against Algeria’s dictatorship was the emergence of a powerful theocratic organization,
has forced President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, the the Islamic Salvation Front, that won the first round of the
ailing autocrat who has presided over the country elections in 1991. The government then staged a
since 1999, to postpone indefinitely the April self-coup, canceled the elections and put a lid on the
“election” that was supposed to give him a fifth political opening. What ensued was a period of horrific
consecutive term. violence, with the various anti-government groups
warring among themselves while the military battled the
Algeria is the country to which the international armed wing of the Salvation Front and other Islamic
community expected the riots that began in terrorists. Hundreds of thousands of innocent civilians
Tunisia in 2010, which became known as the lost their lives before the military was able to prevail.
“Arab Spring,” to spread quickly and forcefully. Bouteflika, who assumed power in 1999, subsequently
Despite minor attempts to destabilize Bouteflika, tried to ease up a bit, allowing Algeria’s 30 million
that didn’t happen. This gave the dictator and people to speak more freely and play a somewhat larger
former soldier, and the ruling National Liberation role—in theory, if not in fact—in the country’s political
Front (FLN), the wrong idea. They misread the life, replacing brute force as the means to control the
situation as confirmation that their sophisticated traumatized and weary population.
mix of nationalism, socialism and co-option of
Islamist groups had succeeded in pacifying the It’s during this period that Bouteflika and his cronies
public, the dream of every dictatorship. That changed the Algerian constitution, permitting the dictator
could never be the case—unless Algerians to hold onto power beyond the previous two-term limit
were Martians. and continue to govern after a stroke confined him to a
wheelchair and rendered him almost unable to speak.
The same people have run the country for decades, This same man who seldom appears in public and
stifling dissent whenever necessary and allowing spends a good deal of his time seeking medical care in
small doses of free expression and political Switzerland intended to set himself up for a fifth
participation when it was convenient, under a grossly consecutive term in a farcical “election” scheduled
inefficient and corrupt command economy that for April 18, 2019.
But the Algerian people—now numbering more culturally has facilitated the incubation of fanatical
than 41 million— apparently have decided enough Islamism in opposition to the status quo. That has been
is enough, taking to the streets in massive the tragedy of most Arab countries, where liberal
demonstrations that have surprised the world and minorities routinely are frustrated by the ongoing
forced Bouteflika to postpone the electoral power struggle between secular, corrupt military rule
charade. The people of Algeria rebelled in the and totalitarian theocracy.
1980s because they were dissatisfied with No matter how sophisticated the system and weary the
replacing colonial rule with independent population, authoritarian rule eventually engenders a
authoritarianism. It is now decades later and they popular response, as we are seeing in Algeria’s belated
are still dissatisfied. Arab Spring. Whether the enlightened liberal segments
Algeria’s failure to establish a pluralistic system in of the population will prevail or the religious fanatics
which civil society could thrive economically and will take over the protests, prompting the military to
re-establish its draconian rule, remains to be seen.
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The Sino-US trade war – The invisible hand of Smith’s followers has found the
satisfactory answer — sovereign debt. That invention
Why China can’t win it meant: relatively strong central government. Instead
Author: Prof. Anis H. Bajrektarevic. of popular control through the democratic
Published in: Down to Earth checks-and-balances mechanism, such a state should
Published on: March 29, 2019 be rather heavily indebted. Debt — firstly to local
merchants than to foreigners — is a far more
powerful deterrent, as it resides outside the popular
check domain.
With such a mixed blessing, no empire can easily
demonetise its legitimacy, and abandon its
hierarchical but invisible and unconstitutional
controls. This is how a debtor empire was born. A
blessing or totalitarian curse? Let us examine.
The Soviet Union – much as (the pre-Deng’s) China
itself — was far more of a classic continental military
empire (overtly brutal, rigid, authoritative,
anti-individual, apparent, secretive), while the US
Does our history only appear overheated, but is was more like a financial-trading empire (covertly
essentially calmly predetermined? Is it directional coercive, hierarchical, yet asocial, exploitive,
or conceivable, dialectic and eclectic or cyclical, pervasive and polarising). On opposite sides of the
and therefore cynical? Surely, our history warns. globe and cognition, to each other they remained
Does it also provide for a hope? Hence, what is in enigmatic, mysterious and incalculable. However,
front of us: destiny or future? common for both was a super-appetite for
omnipresence along with the price to pay for it.
One of the biggest (nearly schizophrenic)
dilemmas of liberalism, ever since David Hume Consequently, the Soviets went bankrupt by
and Adam Smith, was an insight into reality — mid-1980s — they cracked under its own weight,
whether the world is essentially Hobbesian or imperially overstretched. So did the Americans — the
Kantian. As postulated, the main task of any ‘white man burden’ had already fractured them in the
liberal state is to enable and maintain wealth of its Vietnam war, with the Nixon shock only officialising
nation, which of course rests upon wealthy it. However, the US imperium managed to survive
individuals inhabiting the particular state. That and to outlive the Soviets. How?
imperative brought about another dilemma: if you The United States, with its financial capital, or an
are wealthy, the state will rob you, but in its outfoxing illusion of it, evolved into a debtor empire
absence, the pauperised masses will mob you. through the Wall Street guaranties. Titanium-made
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In this regard, reconstruction and development Eradicating the cultivation of opium poppy and
will depend on the context created by the peace supporting farmers in their transition towards the
deal and a satisfactory agreement for all parties, cultivation of legal crops is expensive. Many efforts
which is far from easy. All parties have ties to have been done and opium production has decreased,
foreign and neighboring countries. It means that but the results are limited by corruption, widespread
foreign powers and neighboring countries should poverty, and the threats made by criminal gangs,
reassess their agendas and interests in Afghanistan. corrupt officials, or Taliban commanders against
They should also find common interests and a farmers. Taking into account such difficulties, some
joint approach, at least with regard to the experts argue that opium poppy cultivation and opium
reconstruction of the country. It’s the only way to production should be allowed and that farmers could
ensure a sound reconstruction process and legally sell their production to the pharmaceutical
especially access to rural areas, where most of the industry. Such alternative could provide stable
work should be conducted. revenues to a part of Afghan rural populations.
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as the worst attack in 30 years, who is responsible and
Indo-Pak: economy, brought India and Pakistan to the brink of war.
diplomacy gone for a toss
Author: Bilal Hussain
Published in: Foreign Policy News
Published on: March 15, 2019
Notwithstanding the economic priorities, the two
major nuclear powers in South Asia: India and
Pakistan are engaged in an almost war-like
situation. The state of affairs has taken a heavy
toll on these nation’s financial markets, currencies,
soured business sentiments and potentially could
hurt foreign investment.
It was Kashmiri youth who in a suicide attack killed
Following the Indian Air Force (IAF) fighter
at least 40 Indian forces in Kashmir and is considered
aircraft crossed the Line of Control on 26th of
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Trump's Real Foreign Policy room,” as the popular phrase had it, who would
Author: Jacob Heilbrunn restrain Trump himself.
Published in: National Interest During his first two years, Trump took several steps
Published on: February 9, 2019 that appealed to his base—abandoning the Iran
nuclear deal, withdrawing from the Paris climate
accord, imposing trade tariffs and demanding that
NATO allies contribute more financially—but he
did not fundamentally reorient American foreign
policy. In recent months, with his declarations that
he wishes to withdraw American troops from Syria
as well as Afghanistan, Trump has signaled that he
is returning to the precepts that he enunciated in
2016. But as Trump—besieged by the Russia
investigation and stymied on the domestic
front—lashes out against his real and perceived
enemies, there are ample grounds to wonder whether
Now that he has been in office for two years, he can really fulfill his decades-long exhortation for
Donald Trump is moving to assert control over American retrenchment.
foreign affairs. The most prominent members of
his original foreign policy team—Rex Tillerson, There can be no doubting that Trump himself remains
H.R. McMaster, James N. Mattis and Nikki undaunted by the serial controversies that have
Haley—are gone. Their departure has provoked engulfed his administration. Trump, who has never
consternation among those members of the foreign been shy about touting his accomplishments, offered his
policy elite who viewed them as the “adults in the own assessment of his record this past November in an
interview published in the new book by Corey R.
But as Ali Wyne observes in this issue, despite the influence beyond its border lagged far behind its
vagaries in its foreign policy, the United States is industrial heft. As Trump navigates what are likely to
the world’s lone superpower; in the 1930s, by be increasingly turbulent foreign policy waters in the
contrast, despite commanding the world’s largest next two years, he will be judged by how he deploys
economy, Washington’s military and diplomatic that influence.
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Future of North Korean Despite the fact, that some were anticipating the
results of the deal quite positive as a step building
nuclear program good relationship between the US and North Korea,
Author: Beenish Altaf likewise others were apprehensive of it.
Published in: Foreign Policy News Paradoxically, the country habitual of military
Published on: January 15, 2019 solutions, is evidently foreseeing a “good feeling”
for North Korea this time; with reference to the
North Korea’s leader, Kim Jong-un, recently
June’s summit.
showed his willingness to have a second summit
meeting with the United States President Trump. The Rodong Sinmun of Pyongyang on the other hand
However he conditioned the offer that he will said that “broad and in-depth opinions would be
only cooperate if the US will remove international exchange to establish a permanent and peaceful
sanctions against his country, otherwise the North regime in the Korean Peninsula and to solve problems
Korea will be left with no choice then to return to that are of common concern, including issues to
the nuclear option. realize the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.”
Formerly relationship of the US and North Korea has
The North Korean leader in his New Year Day’s
remained on the edge and tensed to the extent of
speech said that “he is willing to meet the United
transferring harsh and threatening statements to each
States president at any time for the betterment of
other at the state level. It was followed by several
our international community. However, if the
missile tests from North Korean side, who up till now
United States does not keep its promise in our
conducted six nuclear tests too (the latest of which
international community and misinterprets our
was in September 2017). North Korea offered a
patience and intention and continues with the
frightening and alarming demonstration over the
sanctions, then we have no choice for the sake
precedent months of its capability to deliver warheads,
of our national interest and peace of the Korean
using missiles that could easily strike South Korea,
Peninsula but to come up with new initiatives
Japan and the United States territory. It was actually
and new measures.”
exasperated by the US plan of installing anti-missile
Previously, the same country that was once defence system in the South, which resulted in further
annoyed strongly against a state, cause of its evoked concerns in the North Korean.
nuclear buildup, was impressed from its
Pakistan always condemned North Korean nuclear
diplomatic twist to the extent that it decided to
ambitions because it damages the global objective of
change its decisions favoring it. At that time point
making Korean a nuclear weapons free peninsula.
in time, President Donald Trump reversed its
More precisely, all that Pakistan wants is peace in
decision of military exercises with South Korea by
Korean Peninsula. It was always desired that all the
calling it as “waste of money”. That happened in
countries in the region including North and South
the backdrop of a Summit held-in between the US
Korea, Japan, China and the US, manage the situation
and North Korea on June 12, 2018 in Singapore.
diplomatically with utmost responsibility.
Since the Prime Minister of Singapore Lee Hsien
However, if look with the lens of a victory, several
Loong welcomed the meeting open-heartedly, the
conclusions could be drawn including: a durable
role of the country, was fairly vital in carrying out
peace is anticipated as the best outcome as North
parlays among both the leaders, North Korean
Korea is now trying to develop good ties with South
Kim Jong-un and the US Donald Trump.
Korea. The top leader, Kim met President Moon
Critically it was believed to be the first remarkable Jae-In and discussed areas of mutual interests.
deal in many years among both the countries.
Besides, the next summit could be a step-up for
Regarding its agenda, largely denuclearization
international community’s disarmament goal that is
was on the top most priority list in the summit.
the denuclearization of Korean Peninsula, ironically,
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Balochistan & and terrorism and even small skirmishes against
Pakistan are portrayed globally suiting their national
Fifth generation warfare interests. Major banks and other financial institutions
Author: Hashim Nadeem as a government policy fund the production houses
Published in: The Nation to that effect. They have been very successful in
Published on: March 30, 2019 floating their national strategy and plan regarding
Media networks have recently had a policy shift their major issues through their films. When they
towards educating the masses aptly packaged with needed to bring reforms in their educational system,
entertainment. People have hardly known how they came up with a film ‘Three Idiots’ and for health
the drug cartel worked and later uprooted before reforms, the central idea had to do with ‘Munna Bhai
tuning in to one of their favourite seasons on MBBS’. Similarly, when they realized that their
Netflix. In the same way, corporate giants are youth and new generation is straying from their
effectively using all possible mediums national heroes like Gandhi, they made a commercial
in establishing a brand image and awareness film in which Gandhi himself appeared as a character
about a certain technological feat. Apple has describing his philosophy of life and non-violent
grown due to highly effective marketing mix struggle in such an interesting way that the film
and stands out as a niche product. The same ended up as a massive success and popular among the
applies to any government’s plans and target audiences bringing billions of local and foreign
propagation of policies in order to attain mass revenue to the country. Very recently, a dying culture
support. People in United Kingdom still consider of wrestling was projected through a film ‘Dangal’
the 48% to 52% result of the first Brexit and it not only revived the wrestling game in the
referendum due to most of them not actually country but brought billions of dividends home.
knowing the real implications that have Unfortunately, Pakistan and specifically Balochistan
subsequently brought United Kingdom to the is left faraway in adopting this very creative tool
brink of a political turmoil. It was government’s (film) to cope up with the real issues. Resultantly, the
duty to inform and build a public understanding youth is carried away with strong Indian propaganda
of the matter before venturing upon a legally through Bollywood. Our emerging youth, most of
binding referendum result. them, don’t really know that names of our national
heroes but are well aware of Indian celebrities, their
One of prime objectives of Information Dept is to
ongoing affairs and even dates and venues of their
publicize and propagate the policies and future
to-be marriages.
plans of Government through its film section - in
shape of short films, documentaries and feature ISPR has been trying hard in recent times to counter
films. The significance of film making is pretty Indian propaganda influx but they have also not used
much relevant in the modern age of social media, this commercial film technology in coping up with
smart phones and web traffic. The first world has the genuine matters. Nowadays, it is rather difficult to
already employed these tools effectively and attract the masses and youth over lectures, debates
during dipolar state regime, USA succeeded in and visual preaching. They can only be engaged by a
conquering the cold war against USSR through subject of their common interest and Government can
its highly effective propaganda machine via film deliver its motive - policy of reforms in a very mild
medium creating a powerful counter narrative and sugar coated manner to masses and youth in
that was adequately propagated. particular in order to convey and get the message
penetrated in their hearts and minds convincing them
India with a Bollywood powerhouse has strategized
of an informed exposure.
the industry in the same manner. Many national
issues such as health, Education system, Kashmir
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When free speech is truly free Paradoxically, there is an inherent tension between
Author: Sundar Sarukkai (The Hindu) free speech and democracy. If free speech is
understood merely as the freedom to say what one
Freedom is a theme which comes up again and wants, then that is obviously not conducive to
again. It is a term, like truth, that has globally meaningful social behaviour. For example, one can
become extremely important today. But it is not an spread falsehood about another in the name of free
easy concept to understand, especially in a public speech. One can insult, lie, create harm and hatred
political discourse. First of all, there are many through free speech. In these cases, free speech
kinds of freedom: freedom to speak, to write, to should rightfully be called rumour and gossip.
think, to imagine, to live our lives, to eat what we Rumour, gossip, fake news and deliberate lying can
want, and so on. Since this term is invoked so be hidden under the guise of free speech. It is speech
quickly and so easily — witness little children with an ulterior motive. To call these as free speech
saying they want their freedom to have ice cream! is a mistake.
— it is important that we understand its diverse
meanings in our everyday use of this term. The answer to the problem of defining what really
constitutes free speech lies in understanding the
Here I want to understand what one of the most meaning of ‘free’ in free speech. What is really free
important expressions of freedom, free speech, in free speech? The freedom to say what one wants?
could mean. We can’t really say what we want all the time since
Freedom to hold forth? We often tend to think all speech is constrained. We are constrained by
that among the main elements of democracy are language, words, concepts and grammar, and even
the holding of elections and a free media. Both by the physical contours of our mouth. We are
elections and free media are important because constrained by the biological and cognitive structures
they stand, among other things, for the notions of related to thought and its expression through language.
free speech and free expression. Casting a vote Socially, we are not fully free to say what we want.
anonymously, of one’s own free will, is an We cannot make certain utterances in certain places.
example of free expression and is broader than A commentator, commenting on a game of cricket,
just ‘free speech’. Similarly, when the media has cannot suddenly give a lecture on philosophy saying
the freedom to air all kinds of views, it is seen to that he is protected by free speech!
be an example of free speech. But is free speech In addition to constraints, all speech also has a cost.
really the essence of democracy? Is it really so When we utter something, good or bad, there is a price
important for an effective democracy? to pay. Even in personal relations with family and friends,
we cannot say what we want. If we do so — that is, if
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The Seeds of Intolerance A student killed Prof Khalid Hameed, head of the
Author: I.A. Rehman English department at a Bahawalpur college,
Published in: Dawn Newspaper because he thought that a mixed gathering of male
Published on: March 28, 2019 and female students that was planned to welcome
newly enrolled students was un-Islamic. This is a
The wave of intolerance sweeping across Pakistan new excuse for taking the life of a fellow Muslim,
is posing a more serious threat to the country’s and a teacher at that.
most vital interests and the people’s mental Two Ahmadi doctors were abducted and murdered
equilibrium than any other problem, including the and their bodies stuffed inside a canal head. The level
threat of external aggression. Let us take a look at of brutality against Ahmadi doctors even in personal
some recent incidents of intolerance. quarrels has risen considerably. The campaign of
What makes these manifestations of intolerance The murder of Prof Khalid Hameed, the abduction
more ominous than they are generally believed to and killing of the Ahmadi doctors, and the frenzy of
be is that the objects of unmitigated violence are attacks on women activists denote a new high in
women and minority communities that deserve vigilante activity, an assertion of the self-acquired
extra protection in view of their known right by any Muslim to question a fellow Muslim
vulnerability. Besides, the government has not about his performance of religious rituals.
taken due notice of the threats to the lives and C.M. Naeem, who has been a distinguished teacher at
peace of mind of innocent citizens. It has not the Chicago University for over four decades, could
bothered to denounce the foul murders nor has it not believe his ears when for the first time in his long
shown concern at vigilante violence except for career he was queried by two of his students about
the last-mentioned incident, which has propelled missing his prayers. The killer of the Bahawalpur
the prime minister into action against the culprits. teacher and the instigators of violence against the
It would be idle and dangerous to pretend that organisers of the Aurat March are the advanced
the latest surge in intolerance is the work of some models of the Chicago vigilantes.
overexcited individuals or groups whereas it is But from where does the vigilante brigade derive its
rooted in the state’s failure to precisely define sanction to enforce its morality code? For an answer,
the place of belief in politics and governance. one has to go far back in the past to the point when
The problem has confronted successive Pakistan decided to become an Islamic state without
governments and none has attempted a complete working out a mechanism for interpreting Islam and
or long-term remedy. left the various schools of thought free to interpret the
Take the case of the alleged forced conversion of state religion in different ways. Ijtehad was sacrificed
two minor Hindu girls — a horrible crime that is at the altar of traditionalism. Came Gen Zia and
un-Islamic too. One should like to see how far the overruled Allama Iqbal’s 1930 call to defreeze
government will go. The existence of centres in Islamic fiqh that had been frozen for 500 years and to
certain parts of Sindh that specialise in free it of the stamp of Arab imperialism.
abduction-conversion-marriage procedures is no Pakistan is now governed under the Zia constitution
secret. These centres have flourished under the of 1985. The conservative traditionalists are
patronage of feudal politicians who have been determined to defend Zia’s version of state-enforced
courted and pampered by the country’s major belief as the original and real Islam. Further, some
political parties. If the government does not people seem to have joined the hisba force Gen Zia
proceed against these conversion centres, it will had proposed for enforcing moral discipline, a move
be guilty of abetment. that was foiled by the judiciary.
Quite a few issues relating to forced conversion need The members of the private hisba force derive
to be earnestly examined and resolved. The women strength from the interpretation of religion by militant
in our subcontinent have been led to believe that extremists, especially their view that jihad can be
victims of forced marriages won’t be accepted by carried out by individual Muslims, and their complete
their parents/siblings and they must resign themselves reliance on the theory of takfir, which means that a
to their fate. Some of them are afraid of being killed good Muslim has a right and a duty to behead a
if restored to parental custody. The courts usually do person who claims to be a Muslim but does not
not allow the victims to meet their parents/siblings. qualify as such by the former’s standard. Hitherto the
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Pakistan’s Population Threat 60% of the population under the age of 30 and a
Author: Ashar Jawad national median age of 22 coupled with fewer
Published in: Daily Pakistan employment opportunities, population explosion
Published on: March 20, 2019 presents the most serious challenge to the stability
and security of the country. Despite the gravity of
A finite world with finite resources can only support the situation, this issue has hardly figured in the
a finite population. Amidst intense political national discourse.
wrangling and a plethora of national issues, a more
important concern affecting the future of this country Major factors responsible for high population
has almost gone unheeded. The population time growth in Pakistan are high fertility, low
bomb that had long been ticking is now exploding. contraceptive prevalence rate, high unmet need
of family planning, declining mortality due to
Pakistan being one of the high fertility countries with a improved healthcare, custom of early marriages,
large proportion of young adults and children had a male child preference, poverty, illiteracy, patriarchy,
population of 33 million in 1951. Today, the populationreligious constraints, beliefs, customs, traditions
has risen to nearly 210 million making Pakistan the and lack of recreational activities. Add to that the
6th most populous country in the world after China, failure of government to plan and implement
India, United States, Indonesia and Brazil. population control measures. Pakistan had its first
In terms of land, Pakistan is 0.6% of the world area population census after 1998 in 2017 – a gap of
and home to 2.65% of the global population. Every 19 years. Pakistan’s bulging population and its
40th person on the planet is a Pakistani. Population unrestricted rise presents real dangers to political
has soared across the globe since the start of the 19th stability, economy, national security and the state’s
century from 1 billion in 1800 to 7.5 billion in 2018. plans to achieve self- sufficiency is various human
But while the growth rate globally is 1.2%, it is development indicators.
1.90% in Pakistan where on average each family Agriculture is a key contributor to Pakistan’s national
has 3 children. The South Asian country is tipped GDP. With rising population, lands that were used
to become the 4th largest country in terms of for agrarian purposes are now being turned into
population by 2050. villages, towns, suburbs and housing societies. If
With abysmal human development indicators – this trend continues unhindered for long, the country
ranked 150 out of 189 countries by the UNDP, might face severe food shortage in the years to come.
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Return of Imperialism interest was to get as much profit as possible by
Author: Mubarak Ali establishing commercial relations with Asian and
Published in: The News African countries.
Published on: March 18, 2019 In the second stage, the imperialism became
There are different categories of imperialism which political, which led to the conquest and occupation
emerged, according to the need of the time. In the of countries, and used military power to extract
first category was commercial imperialism, whose the resources of the colonies. The base of political
imperialism was to civilise and modernise
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‘Urdu medium’ English, and charge very high fees that are way
Author: Irfan Husain beyond the means of most parents.
Published in: Dawn Newspaper But if you are lucky enough to graduate with a
Published on: March 30, 2019 relatively sound command of spoken English, many
doors are open to you. Intelligence counts for little as
If you eat at one of Karachi’s upscale restaurants, it is assumed that if you can speak English fluently,
chances are that the conversations you overhear you must not just be bright, but from a well-connected
from nearby tables will be in English. family as well. So you start life with a distinct
This is equally true of ice cream parlours and advantage, looking down on those less fortunate
cafés in the high-end Defence and Clifton areas people whose accent identifies them as ‘Urdu medium’.
where kids chatter on with varying degrees of
And if these lesser beings presume to address you
fluency in English. Ditto high-rise corporate
in English, chances are that you will respond in
offices where executives are almost banned from
Urdu, thus putting them in their place. This kind of
speaking in Urdu by an unwritten edict.
linguistic arrogance divides our society in a way not
So what’s going on in Pakistan, a country that
dissimilar to the division in British society. Here,
gained its freedom from British rule 72 years ago?
attendance at expensive private boarding schools like
Why this growing use of the language of our
Eton and Harrow gives you not just the right accent,
erstwhile colonial masters decades after their
but a certain attitude that immediately identifies you
departure? This trend has marginalised our
as the product of an elite school. To pay for this
national and regional languages, and weakened
privilege, parents will mortgage their homes to
creativity.
ensure their kids have an edge.
When speaking to friends, we unconsciously
Despite the clear advantages fluency in English
switch from Urdu to English and back when we
endows, there is much confusion and hypocrisy
don’t find the right word in one language. And let
surrounding its teaching and use. Our policymakers
me confess that I am very much part of this
and public representatives extol the use of Urdu and
syndrome. I recall that years ago, we were fined
pay lip service to its propagation. But guess where
four annas (or 25 paisa) at St Patrick’s, my
their children are educated? Even our senior clerics
missionary school, for speaking in Urdu to our
have been known to send their kids to America for
friends during the break. There is widespread
higher education, forgetting the anti-America slogans
recognition that English is the language of power.
they chant so fervently. Admission to schools like
The other day, while picking up some sourdough Lahore’s Aitchison College and Karachi’s Grammar
bread off Karachi’s Zamzama Road, I was School is like gold dust. There are scores of
accosted by a young boy of around 10, asking me applicants for each place, and tiny five-year olds are
to buy a children’s book. This was hardly unusual. examined for suitability, though what such a young
What was unusual, however, was his insistence in child is expected to know is beyond me. But just to
speaking to me in good English, although he was make sure his or her parents are the ‘right’ sort, they
clearly from a working-class family, and thus are summoned for an interview as well.
unlikely to be educated in a private school.
Once admitted, the child’s path in life is more or less
Clearly, there is a widespread recognition that
charted. Graduation is often followed by a university
English is the language of power. Among the
in America; then comes a job in a sound corporation
children of well-to-do parents, ‘Urdu medium’ is
— preferably a multinational — or daddy’s company;
almost an insult. Kids understand early on that
marriage to somebody with a similar background is
Urdu is the language you use to order servants in,
next; and then comes the struggle to ensure admission
while English is used by their parents to
for the children in an elite school.
communicate to friends and family.
But in the midst of this programmed life cycle
Poorer parents also get this message, and sacrifice
of a tiny elite is the huge loss we suffer due to the
much of their meagre resources to pay for their
exclusion of many gifted children born without the
children to study in so-called ‘English-medium’
privileges our elites take for granted. These
schools. However, there are only a handful of
marginalised individuals remain stuck in the
institutions that impart instruction in correct
grooves etched by our adherence to English.
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Daily reminders coming into the world. It is a plain truth that no one
Author: Amin Valliani can achieve his/her goals unless they remember them.
Published in: Dawn Newspaper The ensuing struggle rests on the constant
Published on: March 22, 2019 remembrance of the exact goal.
Human life is at the centre of all Islamic teachings. To obviate this human weakness, every religion has
It is said that Allah created human being in His prescribed certain rites and ceremonies for its
own image, awarded him life and made him His adherents to perform in order to make them
khalifa — vicegerent. He is made superior among constantly aware of their goal. These are not an end
all creatures and supervisor over the land, waters in itself but means to an end. It is for this very reason
and skies (17:70). that Islam stresses on the importance of matters of
practice and the significance of ritualistic acts. These
While on earth, he was promised that whenever are often repetitive in nature because they are our
guidance comes and whoever follows it, there reminders.
shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve (2:38). Thus,
he is required to adhere to and comply with the For instance, the daily ritualistic prayers are
holy guidance in letter and in spirit. But very few considered significant because they are the most
people remember the divine promise while most powerful reminder of our submission towards our
of us are forgetful. Omnipotent Master. Similarly, Islam’s utmost
emphasis on reflecting upon natural signs carries
Forgetfulness is a part of human nature. We are multidimensional significance.
called ‘insaan’ — an Arabic word derived from
verb ‘nasiya’ which literally means to forget. Moreover, nature has devised its own system of
This indicates the human tendency to forget. It is reminding every individual on a regular basis. It
evident through Quran which says “… Indeed manifests signs and signals around every individual’s
We made a covenant with Adam before, but he life to remind him or her to be careful and conscious.
forgot. ...” (20:115). For example, in every society, we observe diseases,
death and distress. These are natural signs for every
In daily life, we experience forgetfulness. individual to be careful and understand the inherent
Sometimes we forget names/appointments or petty message of every occurrence. In short, each sign
items. We often forget what we listen to, read, indicates that life on earth is but a short passage in
watch, think and encounter directly or indirectly in eternity; it is a testing ground and everyone has to
life. Many of us do not even remember what we reap what they sow.
have eaten a week before. The positive side of
forgetfulness is that it ‘lessens’ our mind enabling Though these signs are reminders, they also open new
it to remember what is most essential. It also avenues for further progress and development. They
allows us to be oblivious of the bitter memories of propel humans to think and discover divine secrets,
the past and move forward. Every religion unfold puzzles. They also make humans strong and
prescribes rites to help its adherents be aware. courageous in adversity, humble in success with a
sense of realisation that success or failure is not only
Similarly, nations forget their past enemies with due to human efforts.
whom they have fought wars over years in order
to build a strong future. The example of the But most people do not heed the natural signs and
Second World War can be cited in which many reminders. They are beset by their worldly problems
nations fought against each other but now they with a tendency to be hypnotised by the temporal and
are friendly. to forget the eternal. They just want to improve the
mundane aspects of life by getting good food, good
But the negative side of forgetfulness makes people clothing, good housing and improving their social
ignore their origin and specially the purpose of status. Sometimes they drift away from the right path
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Pakistan: The impact of urbanisation on society
Author: Muhammad Zafar Khan Safdar Published in The Nation on October 22, 2018.
Pakistan is one of the fastest urbanising countries local citizens and the business community have taken
in South Asia and the share of urban population matters in their own hands and created productive
has risen from 17% in 1951 to 37% in 2010 and to infrastructure and connectivity without the
39.7% in 2017 with annual rate of urban change at involvement of the government. Karachi saw some
2.77%. Projections show that in next 10 to 15 semblance of better governance when it had its own
years half of the population will be living in urban City District Government structure in place between
areas. Population growth and net migration are the 2002-2008. Since 2008, Karachi has suffered from
major forces behind urban growth. About one-fifth benign neglect as the institutional structure of
of the annual rise in urban population can be the City District Government and Town Councils was
attributed to net migration. Large cities with abolished without any alternative system. Land, water,
population of one million and above had a share in transport mafias and criminal gangs have assumed
the total population of 50% in 1998 which by now ascendency to the larger detriment of the citizens of
have risen to at least 66% or more. Urban areas Karachi. Negative externalities have turned Karachi
contribute 80% of GDP, which accounts for 60% into a highly polarized, deeply contested and an
of the employed labour force of the country. almost unliveable metropolis.
Urban poverty rate is almost one half of that the Peshawar, Quetta, Faisalabad, Rawalpindi have
rural poverty rate. Per capita income levels and witnessed some mixed outcomes at different time
growth rates have also been relatively higher in periods but overall do not present a wholesome
the urban areas. picture. Gujranwala, Hyderabad and Sukkur are
With mix positive outcomes, public policy towards typically the worst examples of unplanned urban
urbanisation in Pakistan is like sporadic spurts of sprawl. Multan has made some modest progress in
enlightened political leaders who assume power but infrastructure development over the last 10 years. All
lack foundational stability or consistent planning and these indicators and estimations pose a very alarming
execution. A cursory look at the large urban situation for the country where the business sector is
conglomerates in Pakistan does not provide a small, jobs scarcity is high and economic
satisfactory picture. Master plans are prepared with opportunities are little. Urbanisation has both positive
great effort and at considerable costs only to be and negative sides but the analysis has shown as if the
breached in their practical applications or execution. negativities of urbanisation are not addressed, it will
Around 35 to 50 percent of the urban population still result in far more dangerous implications that
live in Katchi Abadis. In Karachi, there are 500 such overcome all its positive tendencies. By 2025,
informal settlements, with more than 300 in Lahore. Lahore’s population, currently about 11.12 million,
Islamabad has been spared the agony because the will reach to 12.13 million. Karachi’s will be 17.12
master plan formulated 55 years ago is still the main million where it is 14.91 million today. Strikingly,
guiding instrument and the deviations are far and “What these numbers show”, according to renowned
few. Lahore has benefitted by the personal interest economist Shahid Javed Burki, “is that Pakistan is at
taken in its growth by successive Chief Ministers the threshold of a major demographic transition”. It is
over last 10 years. Sialkot is atypical because the also a fact that in Pakistan, the urban development