open Democracy News Analysis - science, development & faith - Comments

munib on "Pakistan: the army as the state"

munib — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 15:32:24 +0000

This is the feudal setup of pakistan
http://publicmb.wordpress.com/2009/10/03/pakistan-the-feudal-structure-and-its-components/

hussam esrawi on "“National Geographic”: the world in Arabic"

hussam esrawi — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 17:19:10 +0000

لدي القدرة على إيجاد الماء في باطن الأرض بستخدام العصى إذا كانت الفكرة
جيدة بالنسبة لكم يمكن الاتصال معي عن طريق hu.esrawi@yahoo.com

x_roads on "Pakistan: the army as the state"

x_roads — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 07:49:05 +0000

wel..Ayesha,s inside Military Inc(she perceived would be a magnum ops) and hit the market with a big bang,,but sorry ,,it was a dud. Her mindset was to write against the armed forces, had she some stakes in MILBUS she would have euologised pakistan armed forces for providing employments to other wise unemployed.

we dont see arround the EMERGING MILITARY Fudel class...where is it? I have yet to read or listen from any one giving any inkling of sequestering public land to convert it into housing societies. Its established fact that land is purchased first from the locals and then developed. If she has any doubts ...come over to any of DHA and clear those....please.

Mujahid on "Pakistan’s education gamble"

Mujahid — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 06:48:18 +0000

After 61 years of independence today in 2007, Pakistan lacks in an equitable education system. Educational indicators remain alarming, which include low public spending, low literacy and enrolment levels, high dropout levels, unequal opportunities, poor infrastructure and lack of trainings for professional development of people engaged in education sector. According to ’UNDP: Millennium development goals Pakistan” report Pakistan is not on the right track to achieve it in all levels by 2015, This situation explicitly reflects the state of education in the country. Which may be rooted in the unsuited policies or not having actual implementation.

Education is a basic human right, in Pakistan free elementary education is the state’s responsibility , but unfortunately, it has never been a top national priority. Thus, it did not get serious attention and adequate resources. Today there are 27 million children in the primary school age bracket (five to nine), of whom 13 million are not enrolled. Approximately 50 per cent of enrolled children drop out before completing primary education. A recent report reveals that in Pakistan there is 36.3 percent literacy rate, 51 percent net primary enrolment ratio and 50.3 percent adult literacy.
In parliamentary systems the main stream political parties influence policy making process whether they form the government or happen to sit in opposition. Political parties form a link between the state and society, they are involved in determining the particular shape of the social institutions According to the rules of election commission of Pakistan each party have to issue its electoral manifesto that explains parties’ policy and position on various issues including education and country’s overall stature. As political parties declare their agendas in their manifestoes so it is expected that they will shape their polices according to these agendas So far nine educational policies have been announced by governments. Though the major portions of the policies remained the same, however implementation of the policies varied in nature and spirit depending on the priority of each successive government
In democratic societies, political parties represent people and people' wants and wishes and they form a link between the state and society; hypothetically, by their role, they are involved in determining the particular shape of the social institutions, parties influence policy making process whether they form the government or happen to sit in opposition. Political parties form a link between the state and society; they are involved in determining the particular shape of the social institutions.But unfortunately it is obvious that even parties today, protest against the dictator ship but they them selves practice same thing such contradictions hinder the flourishing of normal democratic culture. Even call for APCs, signing of charters for democracy, and resolutions to resign at different issues, forming alliances and pledges to be one voice are echoed in the politics but these interest seeking peoples in the parties are not committed with the philosophies other than their own interest.

Political parties lack internal debate over policy alternatives. Their priorities and preferences are not an outcome of household debates and discussion. Rather, they are identified with their leaders. Electoral candidates are relatively strong and do not depend on their respective parties for funding. It has been observed that politicians frequently change parties and alliances and even political parties has major role in this lota culture for increasing vote banks and seat. This situation displays the level to which politics in the country have been nude of ideology. It is a general observation that the majority of the literate population doesn’t check manifestoes for their voting choice. Other than the lack of awareness, the strong cause of this behavior, among other reasons may be its publicity. parties are seen to be less interested in their manifestoes or its publicizing -- this fact can be conformed from last election 2002 campaign in which Election manifestos were issued very late- just 10 days before the polling day . political parties promise more and more benefits and privileges to influential person whom they want to nominate on their seat in a way like competing to purchase a got, and these persons frequently change parties like a new car. Generally, it requires a level of political will and commitment that prioritizes education and makes the actual implementation possible that has been lacking in the history of 60 years unfortunately

Based on my Research "policy analysis of major political parties on education in pakistan"
Mujahid Hussain
Social Researcher
EDRC- Sindh Education Foundatin
mujahidavailable@gmail.com

Cole_2233 on "Muslims and multiculturalism: lessons from Canada"

Cole_2233 — Sat, 07 Apr 2007 13:05:30 +0000

At one point I thought I was going to cry - as the writer seemed so upset by the new 'discrimination' against her.

In Canada, in the UK, in Canada, in the.......... In Canada - the Canadians have never been bombed. In Britain, Spain and the US, their citizens were bombed or attacked not for a cause that was unrelated to that country, such as the "Armenian anti-Turkish operatives in the 1980s", they were bombed, to say - listen to Islam, as one day Islam should rule the world [Of course, with a sprinkle of the injustice de jour thrown in].

But isn't this in fact the same thing that moderate Muslims think - just without the violence - we hope. Our problem is that on the whole we don't know who is a moderate/ non-violent Muslim and who is not, before a violent and horrific act is carried out on a large amount of people.

I think that the Canadians are right to be cautious. Why should they promote your religion - with government money? Surely, while in Canada, you should have noticed a Hindu population there. Why not have Hindu speakers, who are descendants of those, from when time was first recorded (they do have the oldest religion in the world), go around and speak to the Hindu youth and prehaps the Muslim youth about conducting oneself peacefully in a multicultural society?

I am sure you would agree - as someone who is open to other cultures, to let the peaceful example of the Hindu Guru, steer the Muslim youth away from violent radicalism. As we have had little or no trouble from the Hindu youths, who are of or about the same colour as the Muslim youths. If this multicultural exchange is given the go ahead, however, it is unlikely that there will be any of the "We Are The Real Victim" speeches given there.

Most young people have some sort of ambition - but cutting off the Prime Minister's head, in a televised display of terror � now that's new!

No, no, no � you can't take over the world, no matter how nicely you put it !!

Misanthrope on "Muslims and multiculturalism: lessons from Canada"

Misanthrope — Mon, 12 Mar 2007 17:05:38 +0000

Interesting comparisons. I think the British model is fundamentally flawed as British policy has turned 180 degrees since the 7th July attacks in London. An inconsistent policy alongside a clearly islamophobic media machine exacerbates an already dire situation. Policy makers need to remember Muslims are humans and citizens just like the rest of the electorate and Muslim's do not need 'special' treatment that is actually a facade for increasing wholesale suspicion and discrimination of a whole community!

afarrugia on "Muslims and multiculturalism: lessons from Canada"

afarrugia — Sun, 11 Mar 2007 18:34:32 +0000

I live in Malta, but I went to Canada for 3 years to study. One of the things that struck me early on was the lack of anti-foreigner rhetoric that Ehsan Masood noted too.

Of course, my experience is that of a white male living in a university community, so I can't say what life is like for people of colour, or especially for First Nation people.

www.AlastairFarrugia.net

Daniel20 on "Muslims and multiculturalism: lessons from Canada"

Daniel20 — Thu, 08 Mar 2007 11:45:29 +0000

I enjoyed this article. Your assessment of the Canadian approach to so-called representative bodies seems correct. Hopefully Canada will keep refraining from endorsing such bodies since, if we take the complexity of any religious group seriously, there can be no definite representative.

http://dwalrus.blogspot.com

hoos on "“National Geographic”: the world in Arabic"

hoos — Fri, 23 Feb 2007 00:55:10 +0000

Lets all hope the morons at Local Geographic remember the mark the Persian Gulf accurately and without reference to any other made up names.

http://www.persiangulfonline.org/abusers/acknowledgement.htm

http://www.payvand.com/news/04/nov/1224.html

JAMES SCOTT on "The world's thirst"

JAMES SCOTT — Fri, 16 Feb 2007 18:48:53 +0000

This is an important and profoundly disturbing expression of the misplaced and dysfunctional values of the predominent Western ideology, based on economic growth, consumerism and expoitation of human and natural resources. It demonstrates how this ideology is the main driver of behaviour causing both unsustainable climate change and all the other threats to survival. It provides strong support for the New Movement for Survival which Save our World has originated on a new web-site: www.m-4-s.net

vkm on "Urdu’s last stand"

vkm — Wed, 10 Jan 2007 23:44:15 +0000

The fundamental truth underlying all statements about the English language in the subcontinent is that it has continued to be the de facto language of rule. It is the mother tongue of the ruling classes. The need for English education is so that the middle classes can gain entry to the ruling elite.

The question that faced education planners Sri Lanka in the mid-1970s (the last occasion in which education reform was contemplated in a serious manner) was how English was to be taught to the children without having sufficient teachers proficient in the language. Efforts were made to teach English using the mother tongue, which were bitterly opposed by vested interests, particularly the text-book publishers.

At that time, 14% of the population knew English, as compared to 80% who knew Sinhala and 28% who knew Tamil. These proportions have not changed drastically, but English is spoken of as a 'link language'. I believe that Sri Lanka has the highest level of English usage in the subcontinent. So how can a policy that failed here succeed in the other South Asian countries?

financepk on "Urdu’s last stand"

financepk — Wed, 10 Jan 2007 13:08:01 +0000

Ehsan Masood. You seem to me to be as misquided about the ground realities as Mr. Javed Qazi is when making the education policy. Thought I would like to refute every justification you have provided for the new policy, I think it would be better to quote from an excellent artice by Zubeida Mustafa in Daily Dawn at http://dawn.com/2007/01/10/index.htm

===

Take Nadia�s case. She attends a private school (charging a monthly fee of Rs300) near her home in a low income locality of Karachi. With her mother�s help she has learnt to read and write Urdu fluently. I talked to her about the moon and the stars and explained the concepts of tens and units � in Urdu. She understood what I told her perfectly since this is a language she is familiar with. That night she even went out in the courtyard to explore the celestial bodies.

Nadia reads her English book fluently, but without understanding a word of what she reads. Like all children she has a phenomenal memory. If the federal education minister�s new language policy is put into effect, Nadia will be denied the excitement of discovering the mysteries of the skies for she will not understand what she reads or is told by her teacher. Mathematics will become a lot of mumbo jumbo for her. But Lt Gen (retired) Javed Ashraf Qazi wants children like Nadia to be taught the natural sciences and mathematics in English. Since her mother does not know English there will be no one to help her tide over the language difficulties as is done by the mothers of thousands of children in the elite English medium schools.

It is shocking that our education planners fail to understand this simple piece of logic. They counter the demand for the mother tongue being the medium of instruction in the early years of schooling with the argument that English is the international language of the day and if we want to progress we will have to teach in English. There is no denying the importance of English. But why confuse the issue? A child can be taught in the mother tongue, especially in the formative period of his life, and he can also be taught English as a subject. In fact if this approach is adopted, English can also be taught well.

At an age when a child is grappling concurrently with knowledge, information, literacy skills and numeracy skills, is it wise to burden him with all this in a language he does not even understand? Wouldn�t it be better to let him acquire knowledge in the language he has been hearing and speaking ever since he was born?

===

There is an earlier article at

http://dawn.com/2006/12/20/op.htm#2

I suggest you read it. You are entitled to your opinions but using half baked to ideas to justify them is not a good idea.

dpavett on "British Muslims: ends and beginnings"

dpavett — Tue, 31 Oct 2006 21:25:40 +0000

What is missing from this article is any sense of providing evidence for the views stated. It is now easy on the centre-left to speak of the Government's hostile approach to minorities, of a rising tide of Islamophobia, of the Minister's using the race card etc., etc. Audiences who want to hear this sort of thing nod their heads in approval. However, what is actually going on in such exchanges doesn't amount to much more than a mutual massaging of prejudices. What is missing is any sense that there might be a plausible alternative view and that therefore a case must be made in terms of hard evidence.

Thus in this article Eshan Masood speaks of the Government creating the impression that Britain has a "Muslim problem". What does this mean? Does he want to suggest that the Muslim community is without significant problems? If it doesn't mean that then are ministers allowed to talk about those problems? If they are then it is difficult to know how they would have to do so without writers like EM accusing them of creating the impression that Britain has a "Muslim problem". This is not an accusation that has any real substance.

When EM tries to give some subtance to this wooly accusations he has to resort to the political analysis provided by the Daily Mail!

The whole thing is capped by the defence of the MCB. They have done all that they can says EM. They have produced leaflets on civic responsibility and had regular meetings with the police. Is that it? What have they done about extremist preaching in Mosques? Why do they give credence to obscurantist clerics who support female circumcision and killing gays (Al Quaradawi) but remain almost silent when modernising clerics visit the UK (e.g. Dr Mustafa Ceric)? I have written 5 or 6 times to the MCB to ask what advice they would give a young Muslim who asked them about that racist forgery the Protocols of the Elders of Zion (widely circulated in the Muslim world). I have never had an answer or even an acknowledgment. Why would that be?

No, I am afraid that this article is strong on sounding off but weak on real analysis. I don't think the excuses offered for the MCB will bear a lot of examination.

salmanrahman on "British Muslims: ends and beginnings"

salmanrahman — Tue, 31 Oct 2006 20:10:38 +0000

The attack upon Muslims has also occurred at a time that the catastrophic foreign policy has been highlighted by increasing casualty figures and an upsurge in violence in both afghanistan and Iraq. It is not surprising that an atttempt was made to deflect public anger away from government and towards Muslims.

For me, a striking aspect of the veil debate was that people were talking as if Muslims had just arrived of the banana boat as apposed to a mature minority. For me, this reflects where the problem truly lies!

salmanrahman on "British Muslims: ends and beginnings"

salmanrahman — Tue, 31 Oct 2006 20:08:53 +0000

The attack upon Muslims has also occurred at a time that the catastrophic foreign policy has been highlighted by increasing casulaty figures and an upsurge in violence in both afghanistan and Iraq. It is not surprising that an atttempt was made to deflect public anger away from government and towards Muslims.

For me, a striking aspect of the veil debate was that pople were talking as if Muslims had just arrived of the banana boat as apposed to a mature minority. For me, this reflects where the problem truly lies!