· Education being made a joke
· Education policies – a mockery of the whole system
· Reduction in examination centers and the experimental paper (the MOCK exam)
· Cheating at a high
· Mending the error
· Appointment solely on the basis of political affiliations
· The most important step needed to be taken in this regard
· Joint effort for the future.

Jokes are a good thing, atleast they are not bad. They make you smile, laugh, cheer you up, let you forget your agonies for a while. Buf if a serious entity like education is played with like a joke, the matter is not laughable.

Pakistan is enriched with loads of untapped talent. How unfortunate then when we always find jokers of elite ranks making a mess out of education policies, mocking the whole system, thus making the future and progress of Pakistan sterile.

Board of matriculation examination Karachi introduced a new and unique feature for the first time in Board's history, an experimental (Mock) exam. This followed the decision by the board the board to reduce examination centers thus allowing for two students taking papers to sit side by side at the same bench. We are all very well aware of the vice known as cheating during board examinations. The latest step of reducing the number of examination centers would have only acted as a catalyst, triggering the hundred-fold increase in the cheating process. What’s more, an additional five marks were to be awarded to the students for merely appearing in the experiment as guinea-pigs.

The paper was taken on 24th of March, 2011 and as presumed, broke many records of cheating. As reported by several students, the whole process was a fiasco, where students were at ease copying, pasting right in front of the examiners, without any problems.

After receiving reports of the massive failure of this policy, the authorities tried to remedy it. The first thing done was the ouster of the board chairman. New chairman was appointed, who is also serving as chairman of BIEK and the first order given was to once again increase the number of examination centers by 100.

The blunder was called off, but thing is, what lesson was learnt, if any. The puppets that are appointed at senior positions within education ministry even though they have no viable record of improving the education system will no doubt, be kept on appointing on the basis of political affiliation. And the future of our country will keep on going down the drain at the hands of these “democratic” forces “elected” by the strength of “vote”.

If we want to survive in this world, we need to secure our future. And for that we need to get REALLY serious about our education system and the policies that are made should reflect that. Please do NOT appoint people at key posts in the education system atleast, only because they are an uncle, aunt, nephew, niece etc of this or that power figure either in a political party or in the government. Only appoint people of great character, vision, and integrity, hence making sure of an ever-progressing Pakistan via a vigilant future generation. As the great Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah once said to the students:”You are the architects of the future”.

Let us all join hands then and start working towards that goal – building a better younger generation with best of education possible, for a better future. Once we do that, rest assured, “THE FUTURE IS OURS”.

By Faisal Malik. 

 

WELFARE STATE AND AN ISLAMIC WELFARE STATE

 

A state that cares for the basic needs of its citizens and enables them to live a peaceful life is called a welfare state. According to Encyclopedia - Britannica, a welfare state is a concept of government in which the state plays a key role in the protection and promotion of the economic and social well-being of its citizens. It is based on the principles of equality of opportunity, equitable distribution of wealth, and public responsibility for those unable to avail themselves of the minimal provisions for a good life.



The concept of Welfare state is not new. Islam presented the concept of welfare state some fourteen hundred years ago which was fully practiced during the period of Righteous Caliphs (Khilafat-e-Rashida 632-661 A.D). The concept of Islamic Welfare state includes:

• Sovereignty in Islam, belongs to Almighty Allah. The state protects the life, property and honour of its individuals. Justice is for all without any discrimination. All are equal before law. The superiority among the individuals is based on Taqwa (fear of Allah).
• 
  
   It is necessary for the one who has the affairs of the Islamic Welfare State in his hands to adhere to the basic tenets of Islam. He should be a God-fearing Muslim and act as a trustee only.

• The head of an Islamic Welfare state is the SERVANT OF THE PEOPLE. He always think s about the welfare of its people. He lives a simple life like an ordinary man. 

• The Islamic Welfare state is always accountable to its people. The ruler is not beyond question or criticism. Such a state develops a prosperous society, free of exploitation. It provides equal opportunities of progress to all the individuals. It provides all basic facilities to the individuals including the non-Muslims.

In a nutshell, the concept of an Islamic Welfare state is that it maintains "Musaawaat" i.e., Equality, at all levels.

Consider now the present form of governments not only in Pakistan but elsewhere too. We see rebellions in some Arab countries today. We have started seeing demonstrations against Western governemtns by their own people as well. What could be the cause of that? The only reason I can think of, the governments today have stopped providing for their people and have started thinking about the well being of a very few elite.

The powers that be handpick a puppet that presents "democratic" face to the world, but in fact, is working for the benefit of just a few, instead of working FOR THE PEOPLE.

The voting process has in itself become a farce everywhere. At some places, gun rules the vote, at others, some other form of bogus votes, or fraud. People get manipulated at election time. And its not just the illiterate or people with less education, like in Pakistani villages, but also in the urban areas where literacy rate is much higher than the rural.

If we want to move towards peace and prosperity, as mankind, a single people, we need to look to ways that make our countries a Welfare state, and not just any Welfare state, but right on the footsteps of an Islamic Welfare state, especially in the countries that take pride (or not) in being a Muslim state. If we do this, then perhaps, PERHAPS, we see the world peaceful once again, and prosper, as many of us sitting at homes dream of.


Some excertps were taken from the course book of 9th class Pakistan Studies.  Rest was written by Faisal Malik.

A gift from God!.....................By Faisal Malik

Its 23rd March, 2011. The day I was thinking about writing something about the ever worsening situation, both politically, as well as economically, of this pak land, Allah has bestowed upon us. Instead, I found myself watching the entire length of the quarter-final game, Pakistan cricket team played in Bangladesh, against the West Indies.



It’s been a long time, longer than I can remember, when I actually watched a 50 over game in its entirety. There were some obvious reasons behind the fact and some not so obvious, of why I turned my back to the game I loved playing at a younger age. Having said that, it was a certain feeling of inner happiness that made me sit in front of my desktop and watch the game. THIS time, the reason was obvious, and if anyone still doesn’t know, Pakistan won the game with ease, and as a certain well-known cricket website mentioned, “stormed” into the semis. Allah is great, and He holds the power to take us on top of anything if He wants to. All thanks to Him, and all praise be to Him.



I won’t go into the details of the game, instead I’d suggest some things for the Pakistani captain as well as the management to think about before they step into the semi-final. As opposed to the friendly conditions (the crowd) in our previous games (played in Sri Lanka and Bangladesh), the semi-final takes us to Mohali, India, where we are either going to play against defending champions Australia, or the host nation, India. Either way, it’s not going to be a walk in the park. And the team should prepare itself for the onslaught not only ON the field, but also OFF the field.



Wahab Riaz has got his entire life ahead of him to play in the Pakistani team. He should be make it only to the bench in the upcoming game. Shoaib is playing his last few games. He is a natural choice not only for a better farewell chance, but also for the experience he carries with him. Please, whatever issues the management has with Shaoib, let him play. I guarantee, he won’t let you guys down.



The opening spinner option has worked, so far. Afridi should start with his wicket taking spinner, as that is what the opening bowlers do. And that opening spinner is, Afridi himself. He is the leading wicket taker in the tournament so far. He has the ability to take that new ball and use it to his full advantage. Don’t use the lesser options, go for the kill, trust in your abilities, and demolish the top order alongwith Umar Gull. God knows the speedstar can do with a better partner at the other end,(no pun intended at either Hafeez or Abdul Rehman).



Use Shoaib sparingly. Don’t blow up the guy in one go. Only three overs at a time. Think how Australia used Glenn McGrath.

These are just a few things they should do. Apart from these, don’t listen to anything the media says about you guys, (it will be negative for the most part………..considering the comments I have heard from Ian Chappel or Pat Symcox, these guys just can’t digest Pakistan routing the opposition, not to forget Mr. Lorgat who’d be tearing his hair out with frustration.)

Buck up now, don’t let us down. Go for the kill. God knows you guys need it, Pakistan needs it, and we, the nation need it.



God bless, and good luck.

How many Davis-type agents are in Pakistan? ...... By Ansar Abbasi

The Pakistani authorities are trying to figure out the exact number and locations of other Raymond Davis type CIA and Blackwater agents whose main focus, it is feared, is Pakistan’s nuclear programme.

The cold blooded killings in Lahore by Davis has alarmed the Pakistani security agencies, which, according to sources, have started collecting details of all the likes of Raymond Davis, their local moles and their activities in Pakistan.

However, as indicated by the former foreign minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi that the issue of the Raymond Davis has been mishandled, the sources said that there are certain elements within the government who are found to be too supportive of Washington than Pakistan.

Sources believe that the number of Davis like CIA and Blackwater agents is high and may be around one hundred. However, there is no exact number available with the authorities. It was General Musharraf who, after 9/11 for perpetuating his dictatorial rule, opened the country’s gates for American agents at the cost of Pakistan’s own security.

In 2009, three Americans along with a Pakistani had tried to trespass into the restricted area of Kahuta but the official security agency deployed at the check post got alerted and intercepted them when they crossed the check post. The Pakistani accompanying these Americans was a retired assistant director of the FIA, who while introducing himself as an FIA officer had managed to free the Americans and returned.

Through this trespassing, according to an official report, the Americans had tried to check the security arrangements for the Kahuta Research Laboratories, one of the leading nuclear sites of Pakistan. “This one incident had a vital role in moving out DynCorp men from the Sihala Police College facility where they were allowed to train the police officials but were found in spying on the country’s nuclear facility,” a source said.

DynCorp, which is a Blackwater like private security agency that works for American CIA outside the United States, was also allowed to operate in sensitive areas, including the Sihala Police College by Musharraf but was pampered by the Interior Ministry of the present government.

Despite alarming intelligence reports about the DynCorp’s activities under the cover of Anti-Terrorism Assistance Programme (ATAP), the Interior Ministry, vide its letter number 1/41/2003-Police dated 29 June 2009, had granted an NoC for import of explosive material by the office of ATAP at the Sihala Police College.

“The NoC was issued without security clearance from intelligence agencies under the US pressure,” a security agency report submitted to the government said, adding that prior to approaching the Interior Ministry, the US Embassy in Islamabad had approached the Ministry of Industries to issue the NoC but the Industries Ministry’s authorities decided that it would be issued subject to the clearance by the ISI and IB.

“The IB sought some clarifications about quantity and type of explosives and detail of courses. Resultantly administration of Police College Sihala requested the Americans running the ATAP camp to provide the required details. However, instead of providing the details, Mr Robert A Clark and Mr Bob of ATAP Camp contacted the US Embassy, which used its influence and managed to get the NoC while bypassing the rules.”

In a similar fashion and following the request of the US Embassy as already reported by The News, the Interior Ministry had issued prohibited bore licenses to DynCorp’s local partner Inter-Risk which, after the media reported the matter, had become a major controversy but no one in the Interior Ministry was touched.

Even now some key elements in the Interior Ministry are said to be favouring Washington in Davis case. The same elements, it is said, are using their influence on the families of the deceased, killed by Davis, to accept dollars from Americans to ensure early release of the American killer.

The role of the Pakistani Embassy in the US is also under scrutiny after the reported issuance of about 400 visas to US citizens in the first two days of the implementation of the controversial visa policy under which the embassy was empowered to issue visas to US officials upto one year without referring the cases to Pakistan.

Link to original article. 

 

UNITED BALOCHISTAN EMIRATES WAS THE BRAINCHILD OF R.A.W

By Saifullah Khalid

Translated by Faisal Malik

The president of Pakistan AsifAli Zardari has said that a plan called “UNITED EMIRATES BALOCHISTAN”  has been stopped and sources say that this was largely due to the effort of military and intelligence agencies. But still the whole operation has not been snuffed out. What was this United Emirates Balochistan plan?? Who was involved in it and how  was it stopped? Sources claim that the whole operation was the brainchild of Indian intelligence agency R.A.W. At one point Iran and Afghanistan were also a part of it later joined by Israel, U.S and the German intelligence. Iran separated itself from this plan first and it tried to discourage Baloch separatists working in Irani Baloch territory and last nail in the coffin proved to be Karzai government’s order to the separatists to get out of Afghanistan. But even now India and Israel are working in this regard vigorously and hence the still continuing wave of terrorism in Balochistan.

India started infiltrating in Balochistan region in 2005. R.A.W planned to make Greater Balochistan by uniting Pakistani, Irani Balochistan with some Afghan territory, so Pakistan could not make use of the mineral wealth of Balochistan. For this purpose India invested in the seaport of Chabahar, Iran, while the Indian consulate of Zahidan, Iran played its part in training and providing facilities to the Baloch separatists. Iran had reservations of Pakistan using the Gwadar port and the Pakistani plans of making use of its oil reserves, but later after the inclusion of U.S and Israel in the whole operation and after the details of this op surfaced, it stepped back. Iran now understood that B.L.A in Pakistan and J’and’Allah in Iran were used to divide these two countries’ territory. Iran after separating from the op took great measures in cracking down the J’and’Allah terrorists and many were arrested. Even though Iran separated itself from the operation, it didn’t stop the Indian consulate in Zahidan from working in this regard.

On the other hand Mossad stared helping Baloch separatists and lured them that a free Balochistan will be a unification of different states including Qallat and Lasbela, just like 1947. That is how Khan of Qallat was called outside the country and he started living in self-imposed exile.

Government of Pakistan got its first proof of Indian involvement in this plan in July 2008, when several arrests were made in Hangu operation. During interrogation, these people told about the Indian agency’s involvement in terrorism based on sectarian violence as well as involvement in Balochistan. Several B.L.A arrested members also accepted in front of the courts that India trained them in Rajasthan and Afghanistan. Some were also taken to South Africa and Tel Aviv. Paksitani authorities presented all these facts to the Indian prime minister in Sharm El’Sheikh.

A seminar was held a while ago by the Indian Institute of Defence Studies and Analysis. Dr. Wahid Baloch, president Baloch society North America, Naseer Mengal, Dr. Jumma Khan and Khan of Qallat attended it. Later, another seminar was held on Balochistan Issue in which former secretary R.A.W Vikram Sood, Gen. (R) V.P. Malik and some top reporters were present alongwith the above mentioned Baloch personnel. There was a poisonous outburst in this seminar against I.S.I and Pakistan.  The said Baloch leaders requested economic aid as well as help on moral grounds and at the media level, and a former R.A.W officer B. Raman was appointed as the head of media strategies on Balochistan.

Post seminar, these Baloch separatists met with India’s vice foreign secretary who assured them of complete support. According to Naseer Mengal, they were assured that twelve to thirteen European countries will readily accept Free Balochistan. Each Baloch separatist was given 25 thousand U.S dollars at the end of the seminar.

On 21 November, 2009, American Friends of Balochistan arranged a Balochistan International Conference in National Press Club, Washington. The sad thing is, Pakistan’s consulate was also a part of this conference. The attendees included Director of American Center for International Policy S. Harrison, Andrew, Wendy Johnson, Hir byar Mari, Mehran Baloch, Ahmed Masti Khan, Naseer Mengal, and Professor Neil Baluch among others, and took part in Pakistan bashing. It is said that the conference was a collaborated effort of R.A.W and Israel and had the quiet support of the U.S.A. It was the same year of 2009 when Triple Eye Agency started training the Baloch separatists. Another conference was held with the help of R.A.W in February 2010, in Bangkok, Thailand where the division of Pakistan was planned. This conference was sponsored by a Jewish Think tank of the U.S.

Considering all these events, Pakistani authorities raised the issue with Afghan president Hamid Karzai and he promised that Afghan soil will not be allowed to use against Pakistan. On a similar track, Pak army started educational and vocational plans in Balochistan to defuse the influence of the separatists from the natives, and the policy is reaping its rewards now.

Across the border info shows that the Indian terrorist network although not entirely erased, but its effect is somewhat waning, as Hir byar Mari and Brahamdagh Bugti had to find refuge in London and Switzerland respectively. Sources say, federal government showed great lack of interest in this regard and as a result the support for terrorists could not be completely wiped out. If the Aghaz-e-Huqooq Balochistan project had become fully functional in its entirety, then there could have been a clear decline in the separatists’ support locally, but the federal government did not concentrate on the said project whole heartedly.

The original link could be found here.

Punjab fears Davis may be killed — even by CIA By Ansar Abbasi

Apprehensions about a possible attempt on the life of Raymond Davis, including even by Americans themselves, have compelled the authorities in Lahore to boost his security and keep him at some distance from the US officials as well.

Fearing that the high profile prisoner may be killed, extraordinary security measures have been undertaken. These measures include limiting physical contact of Davis with even US officials and diplomats.

According to official sources, a directive has been issued to strictly check the food provided to the American killer. “A food committee has been constituted, which would ensure that he is not provided poisoned food in the jail,” a source said.

The source disclosed that the jail authorities had also been directed not to allow Davis any food from outside, including one sent by the US Consulate. “Even chocolates, brought by the US officials, would not be provided to Davis,” the source said, adding that surveillance cameras had also been installed zeroing in on Davis in the Kot Lakhpat Jail.

“We were asked to remove the surveillance cameras, installed to constantly monitor Davis, but we declined to do so because it is critical for his security,” the source said, explaining, “We can’t take any risk, we can’t rule out any possibility, we can’t afford to be lenient in any manner.”

Additionally, it has also been decided to avoid physical contact between Davis and US officials, who visit him as part of consular access facility allowed to him. His visitors would now be allowed to interact with him from across a glass wall, as it happens in the West and the US.

The authorities seriously apprehend that anyone, including US intelligence agencies, might try to kill the man, who despite being a technical assistant has the kind of importance that President Obama had to seek his early release and influential Senator John Kerry rushed to Pakistan and met all the important figures here to take him back to the United States as soon as possible.

Officials here wonder as to what was so special about Raymond Davis that Washington has simply panicked after his arrest. It is said that his activities, his actions, his extraordinary marksmanship, his possessions, including sophisticated weapon, ammunition, GPS, etc, and his physical build-up, show he is not what he claims to be. “Why the United States is so desperate to get him released immediately,” the source asked.

US Embassy Spokesperson Courtney Beale, when asked about the growing apprehensions of Pakistani authorities about the security of Davis and that even suspicions centred around US intelligence agencies, said, “This is ridiculous, and a mere conspiracy theory.

“The US would never ever want any of its diplomats to be killed,” she said, adding that those apprehending such an act from the United States, do not need to fear this. Already, the Punjab government has deployed multiple security cordons, including that of Rangers, at the Kot Lakhpat Jail to pre-empt a possible Hollywood-style sting operation by the US forces to get Raymond Davis released.

The Punjab authorities were apprehending that in sheer frustration, the Americans could conduct a sting operation. Thus they had taken all security measures. The security of Davis has been increased while keeping in mind all possibilities, including an assault on him, a terrorist attack and even a strike by the US commandos to get him forcibly released or killed.

Punjab fears Davis may be killed — even by CIA.............By Ansar Abbasi

Apprehensions about a possible attempt on the life of Raymond Davis, including even by Americans themselves, have compelled the authorities in Lahore to boost his security and keep him at some distance from the US officials as well.

Fearing that the high profile prisoner may be killed, extraordinary security measures have been undertaken. These measures include limiting physical contact of Davis with even US officials and diplomats.

According to official sources, a directive has been issued to strictly check the food provided to the American killer. “A food committee has been constituted, which would ensure that he is not provided poisoned food in the jail,” a source said.

The source disclosed that the jail authorities had also been directed not to allow Davis any food from outside, including one sent by the US Consulate. “Even chocolates, brought by the US officials, would not be provided to Davis,” the source said, adding that surveillance cameras had also been installed zeroing in on Davis in the Kot Lakhpat Jail.

“We were asked to remove the surveillance cameras, installed to constantly monitor Davis, but we declined to do so because it is critical for his security,” the source said, explaining, “We can’t take any risk, we can’t rule out any possibility, we can’t afford to be lenient in any manner.”

Additionally, it has also been decided to avoid physical contact between Davis and US officials, who visit him as part of consular access facility allowed to him. His visitors would now be allowed to interact with him from across a glass wall, as it happens in the West and the US.

The authorities seriously apprehend that anyone, including US intelligence agencies, might try to kill the man, who despite being a technical assistant has the kind of importance that President Obama had to seek his early release and influential Senator John Kerry rushed to Pakistan and met all the important figures here to take him back to the United States as soon as possible.

Officials here wonder as to what was so special about Raymond Davis that Washington has simply panicked after his arrest. It is said that his activities, his actions, his extraordinary marksmanship, his possessions, including sophisticated weapon, ammunition, GPS, etc, and his physical build-up, show he is not what he claims to be. “Why the United States is so desperate to get him released immediately,” the source asked.

US Embassy Spokesperson Courtney Beale, when asked about the growing apprehensions of Pakistani authorities about the security of Davis and that even suspicions centred around US intelligence agencies, said, “This is ridiculous, and a mere conspiracy theory.

“The US would never ever want any of its diplomats to be killed,” she said, adding that those apprehending such an act from the United States, do not need to fear this. Already, the Punjab government has deployed multiple security cordons, including that of Rangers, at the Kot Lakhpat Jail to pre-empt a possible Hollywood-style sting operation by the US forces to get Raymond Davis released.

The Punjab authorities were apprehending that in sheer frustration, the Americans could conduct a sting operation. Thus they had taken all security measures. The security of Davis has been increased while keeping in mind all possibilities, including an assault on him, a terrorist attack and even a strike by the US commandos to get him forcibly released or killed.