Pakistan-Russia Cordial Relations: More Options, Fewer Choices (Published in Special Friendship Supplement on Pakistan-Russia Relations by The Diplomatic Insight Magazine)

Available at: http://thediplomaticinsight.com/magazine/magazine3/#/14

What does historical UNO vote on Palestine means?

On 30th November 2012, in a historic session of the United Nations held at New York, the General Assembly exactly after 65 years of passing the Partition Plan for Palestine recognized Palestine within the 1967 borders as a non-member state. This was made possible when 138 member states of the United Nations voted in favor of the resolution, whereas 41 abstained and 9 voted against it.
The vote is historic on account of elevating Palestine’s status from “non-member observer entity” to “non-member observer state” and holds significance as for the first time the member states voted against the wishes of Israel and US. Moreover, it came on the heels of an eight-day conflict between Israel and Hamas fighters, where a series of airstrikes and rocket launches threatened regional stability drawing international attention.

But knowing what exactly does the “non-member observer state” means, what was Palestine’s position at UN before this vote, what did it asked for comparative to what it has accomplished will actually help people better understand the significance of this historic vote along with exploring what does the future holds for Palestine and whether or not there is any possibility of change in US and Israeli stance?

By becoming a Non-member observer state at UN General Assembly means Palestine is now free to submit a petition to join as a full member at their discretion. To Palestinians, this vote constitutes an important endorsement of the legitimacy of their claim to statehood, in addition to potentially strengthening their leverage in talks with Israel.

In terms of applicable advantages, it will contribute to Palestinian admission to the International Criminal Court where Palestine will be able to ask the body to investigate acts committed by Israel as potential war crimes. As previously in April this year, the ICC blocked a request to investigate the 2008-2009 Gaza war on its discretion giving the reason that it’s up to other bodies to determine whether the Palestinians is a state. Now as it beholds status of non-member observer state, ICC can look up to Palestinians investigation reports.

Next in line, how Palestine got to this stage is a question of importance? It all started in 2011, when the Palestinian Liberation Organization (holding “permanent observer” status at the U.N. since 1974) launched its initial bid for U.N. membership in response to the failing of the Sep, 2011 deadline set by U.S. President Barack Obama for the successful negotiation for a two-state solution with Israel. But the plan was suspended a month later when it became apparent that the bid is not accepted by 9 of 15 Security Council permanent members.

Conversely, the bid for non-member observer state was launched as unlike a bid for full membership, to get recognized as a UN non-member state only requires winning a majority vote among the 193 members of the General Assembly without the threat of a Security Council veto.

And this time Palestinian strategy worked well for them. Commenting on the Palestinian victory, many analysts believe that Palestine would be seen as being a state in terms of international law and international relations. Whereas some say, the observer state won’t make the difference that is imagined by the advocates of this move. Instead, U.S. Congress might further restrict aid to the Palestinians at a time when the Palestinian Authority is in dire need of that.

The disapproval of Palestinian win became clear when Secretary of State Hillary Clinton called the resolution “unfortunate and counterproductive”. Meanwhile, Israeli prime minister’s office also reacted to the decision stating that, “This is a meaningless decision that will not change anything on the ground. By going to the UN, the Palestinians have violated the agreements with Israel and Israel will act accordingly.”

However apart from this critical reaction Palestinians argue that admission even as a non-member observer state at the UN will strengthen their position in peace talks with Israel on core issues that divide them like the status of Jerusalem, the fate of the settlements, the precise location of borders, the right of return of Palestinian refugees, water rights and security arrangements. The Palestinians present the step as necessary to protect their right to self-determination and a two-state solution.

Though there is a long way ahead for Palestine to achieve what it actually asked for i.e. full membership at UN. But nevertheless, UN acceptance of Palestine even as a non-member observer state would have greater impact as the UN is the overarching world body and a source of authority on international law.

Coming over to what the future hold for Palestine is a question that depends on how well do the Palestinians cooperate with each other and stand firm together to claim and get their recognition as a state.

Though the cheers are roaring in Palestine today, but initially this bid to be a non-member state failed to excite public opinion in the same way as the bid to get UN membership did in 2011. Moreover, the build-up to it has been more low-key partly on the reason that it was only backed by Mr Abbas’s Fatah movement, was agreed with representatives of other groups in the PLO, and was initially criticized by senior figures in Hamas. Not did until recently, after eight-day Israeli military offensive on Gaza, this bid succeeded to get all Palestinian parties and factions onboard.

As far as the chance of change in US and Israel’s stance on the issue is concerned, it is idealistic to say that a 65 year old thinking can convert soon but seeing the global perspective and the way the countries around the world have turned considerate towards Palestine and the way they call on special regional meetings on this issue; do hold the possibility that Israel may come to table of negotiation for resolution of this problem that is deteriorating its image globally.

Whereas for US, siding with Israel is effecting its worldwide representation; being a world global superpower, giving green light to Israel’s attack on Gaza, refusing Palestine’s support calls for immediate ceasefire and now opposing a decision of 193 states on an issue is something that it should take seriously. Everyone studying the situation has an understanding that via this support U.S. is trying to gain leverage with Israel to stop it from dragging into a war with Iran but on Iranian matter also, states have given their thoughts by maintaining diplomatic ties and giving a go ahead to hold a NAM Summit in Iran. Thus, US need to revise its policies and bring them in consensus with stance of majority of the states instead of keeping itself aside from streamline.

Published in:

Frontier Post: http://www.thefrontierpost.com/article/195697/

News Pakistan: http://www.newspakistan.pk/2012/12/03/historical-vote-palestine-means/

Shafaqna: http://shafaqna.com/pakistan/other-services/featured/item/6944-what-does-historical-uno-vote-on-palestine-means.html

Dunya News Blog: http://blogs.dunyanews.tv/?p=6130

AllVoices: http://www.allvoices.com/contributed-news/13552987-what-does-historical-uno-vote-on-palestine-means

Innocence of Muslims Misconstrued

Though watching the movie trailer ‘Innocence of Muslims’ for only 5 minutes was so disturbing that I simply think it’s sheer mistake watching production of a sick mind. From just a few glimpses of the clips from the movie, I got the reason why the agitation on the movie is so harsh.
What America, Israel plus the other Non-Muslim World need to know is that Muhammad (PBUH) is not an ordinary man, He is above every relation and belief on his Prophet Hood is the basic essence of Muslims faith. This is far more critical than calling Muslims as terrorist, occupying their states, attacking their personal beings or imposing multiple sufferings on them.
By now and then, incidents of disgracing dignity of the personality of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and targeting the components of Islam i.e. Burning of Quran happen, which are hard to digest as among all global problems what wrong has the religion of Islam done? If you don’t want to research on what Islam is? who the Prophet (PBUH) was? can’t give respect to them then at least you have no right to misrepresent them too.
Saying Sorry every next day is not enough; why has America or any other state given their citizens the right of misapplying the right of freedom? Does sabotaging the feelings of millions across the world encompasses right of speech for them?
What actually is the need of time is to introduce a law that bars individuals from repeating such things in future. If hundreds of documents can be produced in the name of ensuring peace every year, if heads of states of 180 countries can be gathered almost every month to discuss serious issues that perturb peace, why a conference on this matter cannot be called that hinders the peace of Muslims across the globe time and again?
U.S has to take serious actions against Sam Bacile, Terry Jones and similar individuals who burnt copies of the Holy Quran in Afghanistan and leave no chance unturned to blame Islam. If the religious affiliations are not taken care of by the powerful states of the world, then at least they should give second thought to matter that this kind of wrong act by one or few leads to mass protests and killings.
On Muslim end, the thing which is going wrong is the way the protests are being done. Being violent is not the solution of problem and more basically that isn’t allowed in Islam. Alas! Our understanding of religion also falls short. Getting emotional, violent or abusive is not what we are being taught by our beloved Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). While defending His personality (Prophet PBUH), neither we are allowed nor should we forget His (Prophet PBUH) Guidance provided to us on the matter which is obligatory for us to follow.
Even if Jihad is waged, 7 days ultimatum is said to be provided so that the place of target is evacuated and no women, children or old persons are left behind. Even after Jihad is waged, one is not allowed to destroy property even have to take care of trees, birds and animals living in surrounding. But are these things taken care of during present protests?
Apart from this, what I am not still clear of is the sin done by U.S Ambassador to Libya, who was brutally murdered and made a symbol of lesson for other Non-Muslims? What was his part in the movie? Did he say any word of support in favour of the movie? Then why what should have been done with the accused was done with the innocent?
At first instance, Muslim religious leaders should have responded and should have cleared the course of action to the Ummah. Then the so-called Islamic organizations should have convened an urgent meeting on the issue and should have urged U.S. to stop such incidents in future. They should have charted out present and future strategy addressing that what will be done if such incidents are not halted. They should have exerted pressure on U.S. by cutting off every kind of diplomatic and economic ties so that the matter would not have gone this much worse. Regrettably, they did nothing, that’s why the people started doing what they thought was right to deploy pressure.
We Muslims also need to rethink and formulate right course strategy to deal with such matters in accordance with the teachings of Islam. To sum it up, I strongly Protest Against the Film defaming Prophet Mohammed (SAWW). Let us all join in sending Salutations on the Holy Prophet. However, we should not support any kind of violence because our Beloved prophet taught us to be patient, calm and Peaceful even in times of adversity.

http://pakobserver.net/detailnews.asp?id=174501

http://www.newspakistan.pk/2012/09/17/innocence-muslims-misconstrued/

Curse of Child Labour

As the world in21st century celebrated Labour Day yesterday, the question that clings into my mind is whether the development, progress and modernity we have achieved, is of any benefit when the majority minds are still ignorant?
With bundles of tools of awareness present at easy hand, we find ignorant people in every part of this earth. The ignorant remain ignorant because the one who possess awareness remain ignorant of utilizing their capabilities and skills to motivate the people towards the bright side of life and help diminish evil out of society. We, mutually, are responsible for disorders that exist around us.
Speaking with relevance to Labour Day here, the society ill that needs sheer attention is the aggravating curse of child labour. Any work that deprives children of their childhood, their potential, their dignity, and is harmful to their physical and mental development comes into the fold of child labour. Though centuries have rolled by, yet child labour is prevailing in every nook and corner of the globe and we find no significant change in the plight of those children, who hail from poor sections of the society.  Hundreds of children have been born and bred on footpaths. They have hardly any food or clothes; medicine is out of reach for them, shelter from sun and rain is just the shade of a tree, they remain illiterate with no direction in life and automatically get sucked into curse of forced labour.
Overpopulation, illiteracy, poverty, urbanization, orphans, exploitation of work and inadequate laws are some of the basic factors that furthers this menace of enforced child labour. According to UNICEF reports, there are an estimated 250 million children aged 5 to 14 in child labour worldwide which accounts for 22% of the work forcein Asia, 32% in Africa, 17% in Latin America, 1% in US, Canada, Europe and other wealthy nations.
As far as the situation in Pakistan is concerned, according to survey results released by Federal Bureau of Statistics last year; 3.8 million children in the age group of 5-14 years are working in Pakistan out of a total of 40 million children. Out of these 3.8 million children, 2.7 million were claimed to be working in the agricultural sector and 73% of them were boys.
Despite the fact that many states have clearly stated laws for preventing the exploitation of children, yet the practical implementation lags behind, bringing forth substantial outcomes. As a part of global effort, multiple organizations like International Labour Organization (ILO),  ILO’s International Programme on the Elimination of Child Labour (IPEC), UNICEF, Save the Children, End Child Labour, Justice for Children International, Child Labor Coalition, Child Labour Awareness, Children Watch, Free the Children, World Congress against Sexual Exploitation of Children (CSEC) etc. are working with the goal to progressively eliminate child labour through strengthening the capacity of countries to deal with the problem and promoting a worldwide movement to combat child labour. Among the several partners of these organizations includes employers’ and workers’ organizations, international and government agencies, private businesses, community-based organizations, NGOs, the media, parliamentarians, the judiciary, universities, religious groups, children and their families.
But all these efforts are confined to organizing seminars, passing resolutions and drawing action plans for the protection of children that brings no visible change on ground. It is pity that very few material steps have been taken to protect the rights of children.
Attitudes will have to change and loopholes in policies need to be addressed if child labouris to be eradicated. Some essential changes that are the dire need of time includes formulation of proper methods to spread awareness of child protection, we need to foster mind change among parents, who view their kids as source of income and have to make these parents aware of the significance of education that can change the fortune of their future generations. For this policy to work governments must invest more money into the education system on priority basis as many parents do not want to send their children to school, either because they need to pay fees or they view the school system as inadequate.
Furthermore, Governments should also employ counselors that hold regular meetings with concerned parents and make them aware of developments so as to satisfy them.
Strict actions hould also be forged against the employers who hire children and are indulged in exploitation of child labour. Besides, preference of boys over girls is another main reason that child labour continues to thrive in some parts of world. Governments should strengthen ways to empower women and children and a law should also be passed declaring domestic employment hazardous for society as a whole.
There is a necessity to review and redesign the child laws with greater emphasis on accountability and applicability. With regard to enforcement of formulated laws, most labourers and parents are often not mindful about regulations regarding child labour; thus proper methods of educating these people about laws must been forced. Hence, better solutions need to be adopted for eradicating this curse, otherwise it will soon lick the pillars of the world.

http://www.newspakistan.pk/2012/05/01/curse-child-labour/

http://www.saach.tv/2012/05/03/curse-of-child-labour/

Buried National Interests and their Grave on Trial

With only 15 seconds of punishment, the PM Contempt Case under consideration from last 150 days has not ended. The vague decision announced by Supreme Court of Pakistan has many loopholes, which are not understood by common man of Pakistan for the betterment of whom it’s contended that this decision is taken.
Though the democracy is for the people, by the people and of the people but I am sorry on being part of current democracy that exists. It is democracy that has brought distress to the people, is not answering to any voice raised by the people and mistakenly claims to be appointed by the people.
I am sorry that we nominated Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani for the position of Prime Minister and he used the powers bestowed by people to convert his title from Prime Minister to Crime Minister. To the PhD’s he made a speech and said if I write letter to Swiss Courts as demanded by Supreme Court, it will be an act against article 6 of the constitution i.e. against head of the state and hanged till death is the punishment for violation of that article but if he does not write the article he will be imprisoned for 6 months.
According to the words of popularly elected Prime Minister, he can go against the interests of the people but cannot go against party leadership. He can resist writing letter to get details of alleged illegal money deposited in Swiss Banks that belongs to people of Pakistan, but he cannot resist the trial of BB’s grave. Whose PM is he, country’s or party’s? Which kind of PM is he for whom country can be put at stake but individual cannot? His priority to national interests would have been clarified if he would have opted to go for being hanged rather than hanging and killing democracy to death.
This decision is not only being discussed within the boundaries of Pakistan, rather it has again given the image to the world that democracy is being played at the hands of politicians that erode them with their personal interests.
Coming over to what has been done by the next pillar of state, I am sorry to Supreme Court that I put trust in it and wrongly sacrificed the life of people in Long March, and we perceived the struggle will lead to judiciary that will be dealing with the cases neutrally. But every dream does not come true and justice delayed remains to be justice denied. What we saw after its restoration was that judiciary kept trying to jump into the boots of executive work.
More significantly, as far as the yesterday’s verdict is concerned, it has left the citizens in a confused state and has left them thinking whether it was a punishment or a joke? It has shattered the trust of the people, who are asking isn’t a mistake done by politicians, a mistake? The punishment to politicians lasts for seconds, but the ordinary citizens are being given lifetime punishment for being born in Pakistan? Everything from basic needs to political rights have been taken away. But the motto of THE KING IS DEAD, LONG LIVE THE KING persists.

Published by:

Saach TV: http://www.saach.tv/2012/04/27/buried-national-interests-and-their-grave-on-trial/

Frontier Post: http://www.thefrontierpost.com/article/159128/

News Pakistan: http://www.newspakistan.pk/2012/04/28/buried-national-interests-grave-trial/

Raymond Davis Fiasco/ Freedom and Unfreedom

A CIA contractor Raymond Davis, charged with murdering two Pakistani men, has been freed after the victims’ families pardoned him and accepted financial compensation under the Diyat law. It was not a surprising decision as many knew that the US was continuously urging Pakistani officials to release Davis on the grounds of having immunity from criminal prosecution given to all diplomats through the Vienna Convention.
As always, our political leaders bowed down before the US will. But what is new is the way it has been done, which has raised many questions in the public mind. How can a family that was pushing for justice suddenly decide to accept blood money? If that is the reality, then why did they not appear on the media? Why was the lawyer changed at the eleventh hour? It is understandable that because of security threats, Davis was sent through a secret flight, but why was the media not allowed to be present at the final verdict of the court? Astonishing is the fact that the plane was ready a night before the court’s decision; why and how?
The PML-N has been continuously criticising the PPP for being puppets in the hands of the US government, but then why did it react the same way when this case came to the courts?
What our politicians have failed to predict is the shift that is coming in our society. Gone are the days when people used to agree with their sharp fox tactics, thanks to the media, which has enlightened the minds of people today. Drama time is over.
For a highly mismanaged case, Pakistani authorities must now be ready to bear the brunt of the public reaction to the release of Davis.

Published in:

The News: http://www.thenews.com.pk/TodaysPrintDetail.aspx?ID=36831&Cat=11

Daily Times: http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2011%5C03%5C18%5Cstory_18-3-2011_pg3_7

Catastrophe in Japan

Massive devastation was caused in Japan by an earthquake of 8.9 magnitude leading to ten-metre-high tsunami waves. It was reported to be the seventh-most powerful earthquake that has ever been recorded. The reason for this seismic activity was Japan’s location on the joints of four different earth plates – the Pacific plate and the Philippine plate to the east and the North American and the Eurasian plate to the east. Many meteorologists view this earthquake as a continuation of the 2010 Haiti earthquake (7.0 magnitude), the 2010 Chile earthquake (8.8 magnitude) and the earthquake that hit New Zealand recently which was 6.3 in magnitude.
For now, action is required on humanitarian grounds to help the affected people. At this time of great distress, we need to express solidarity with the Japanese people. My profound sympathies are with those who saw the tough tide of nature and lost their dear ones.

Published in:

The News: http://www.thenews.com.pk/Todays-News-11-35859-Catastrophe-in-Japan

Middle East Doctrine

The Middle East has started to deteriorate and disintegrate. The US, a sinking ship, is searching for ways to manage the turmoil. Although on January 20, 2009, Obama in his inaugural speech said, “To those who cling to power through corruption and deceit and the silencing of dissent, know that you are on the wrong side of history, but that we will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist.”
By pondering and delaying to act against oppressive Arab regimes, the credibility and commitment of the US have come into question. While commenting on Egypt’s recent uprising, Hillary Clinton, the US Secretary of State, during the conflict vowed that “our evaluation is that the Egyptian government is stable and is looking for ways to respond to the genuine needs and interests of the Egyptian people”. Gradually, with increasing chaos, US narratives began to shift, slowly at first but then much more quickly. What we saw at work in Egypt was evidence of a new Clinton propounded Middle East doctrine. She tried to hedge US bets by keeping a foot in almost all camps, maintaining contact with different sectors in society, emphasising ‘stability’ when regime endurance seemed feasible, and then emphasising ‘orderly transition’ when change seemed probable. It was a mixture of realism, opportunism and an aspiration to intervene without being seen to intervene.
What sort of friend to Egyptians has the US been? How trustworthy is its record of sustaining democracy in Egypt? Does Obama believe the US will not be held accountable? The fact remains that history is being written by those who were always on the wrong side of it.

Published in:

Daily Times: http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2011%5C02%5C24%5Cstory_24-2-2011_pg3_7

Global Price Hike

According to a UN report, world food prices have hit the highest level on record in January. It is said to be the highest level the index has reached since 1990. Though this price hike has affected many countries, the report depicts Somalia and Uganda as some of the hardest hit countries. The ongoing unrest in Ivory Coast, which is a key transport hub, has critically increased. A serious price rise also engulfed Asia, where a surge in prices occurred due to crop failure. The problem is set to worsen after a massive snowstorm in the US, floods in Australia and rising unrest in the Middle Eastern countries.
What needs to be done is that the governments must avoid repeating the mistakes of the past. In reaction to the spiralling prices, they should resist the banning of exports and hoarding of food. Big companies should adjust to higher raw material costs. Rising food prices have been cited among the driving forces behind the recent popular revolts in North Africa, including the uprising in Egypt and ousting of Tunisia’s long-time President Ali. Thus, we need a better plan of action.

Published in:

Daily Times: http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2011%5C02%5C10%5Cstory_10-2-2011_pg3_7

A wave of revolution — III

Canvassing the tide of change in Egypt, Syrians are asking what these uprisings may mean for them. The news of unrest in Cairo has brought a flutter of exhilaration to Syria, which is founded on principles that are similar to Egypt’s. Like Egypt, Syria has been ruled for decades by a sole party and a security service that maintains its throttlehold on its citizens. Both countries, in an effort to curb unemployment, were struggling to reform economies subdued for generations by central control.
Nevertheless, could the domino effect that spread from the streets of Tunis to Cairo soon hit Damascus? Probably yes. That is why smelling a rat before time, the Syrian government has blocked thousands of websites deemed opposed to state interests and has also banned Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and other social networks.
Though the Syrian authorities have denied accusations of curtailing these services, the fact remains that they are afraid of a burgeoning middle class all across Damascus. The Saudis will need to build a whole village for Arab presidents once they run out of US-protected villas. But what if Saudi monarchs face the same challenge? After all, Syria and Egypt are not far from Saudi Arabia. If Abdullah bin Abdulaziz al-Saud, Bashar-ul-Assad and Hosni Mubarak go in the same way as Ben Ali then the US will also have to revise its flawed policy of verbally pronouncing the ideal of democracy while practically backing monarchs and despotic rulers just for the sake of oil.

Published in:

Daily Times: http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2011%5C02%5C05%5Cstory_5-2-2011_pg3_7

Obama’s monologue

In his first annual State of the Union Address after the Democratic Party lost its majority in Congress, President Obama pledged that his nation would invest in green energy, stop subsidising obsolete energy sources, break the dependence on oil and biofuels, would lay more emphasis on innovation. The basic thrust of his speech was on jobs and the economy. He proposed a five-year freeze in non-security discretionary spending, which he said will reduce the deficit by more than $400 billion over the next decade. Furthermore, briefing Americans on foreign policy; he reaffirmed the decision to start bringing home US troops from Afghanistan in July, praised the Tunisian people on their achievement, and discussed developments related to Iraq and Iran.
From what he said in his speech, Obama seem to realise the fact that although the US remains the most powerful country on earth, it is underperforming as a nation, and that China and India have shown great resurgence, on the other hand. Indeed, the two countries have successfully developed the quality of their intellectual capital. Therefore, one of the key words in Obama’s speech was “reinvent.” The important points missing in his speech were that no single policy proposal was cited. His remarks on US foreign policy appeared to have been made without conviction. He failed to comment on the current situation in Cairo, for example. It was almost as if what he was saying was all part of his re-election campaign, even though the elections are nearly two years away. Thus, the public reaction to what he said was mixed. In other words, his speech lacked what can be described as actual content.

Published in:

The News: http://old.thenews.com.pk/28-01-2011/ethenews/e-28060.htm

Stop bulldozing public interests/ Lavish lodges

Today, when the social, economic, political and religious sufferings of the people can be heard from every crevice of the state and when public frustration is mounting, our leaders, instead of realising their duties, are regrettably adding fuel to the fire. The announcement of the construction of new parliamentary lodges in Islamabad, costing Rs 3 billion, and statements from the finance minister proclaiming the limitedness of resources that is forcing policy makers to slash the development budget, allocated for the greater good of the public, seem to oppose each other.
The masses are confused. If our economy can afford 50 protocol cars for politicians, if it can afford to construct a lavish underground tunnel for parliamentarians and if it can afford high cost foreign tours then why is it unable to afford development projects in sectors that pertain to the common man like health, education, railways and energy resources? Why can the money not be used to control poverty, unemployment, target killings, enhanced ransom and extortion cases? Why does the government fail to save the flood victims from dying in the freezing cold? Why can the economy not be utilised properly to impart righteous knowledge of Islam to our populace, in order to curb the menace of extremism? Why can we as a nation not use our resources to find our own feet instead of begging for foreign aid?
The time has passed when people used to be oblivious to ground realities. Now the nation possesses a critical eye on every decision that our leaders make. Our leaders should learn from what happened in Tunisia and what is going on in Egypt and why all this has happened. They should stop enhancing personal assets and bulldozing the public interest before they are forced to face the same destiny as the leaders of Tunisia.

Published in:

The News: http://www.thenews.com.pk/Todays-News-11-27460-Lavish-lodges

Daily Times: http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2011%5C01%5C28%5Cstory_28-1-2011_pg3_7

Pak Tribune: http://www.paktribune.com/news/print.php?id=235776

Tides of Change

Massive demonstrations in the Egyptian capital have been calling for an end to Hosni Mubarak’s three-decade rule. The protests are perceived as an upshot of unrest prevailing in Tunisia. In Egypt, Algeria, Jordan and several other Arab countries, protesters are asking for autocratic governments to be held accountable for high unemployment, soaring prices and political repression.
The recent protests have led many to question the double standards of the western world, especially the US, which despite their claims to be the champions of democracy, supported many of these governments.

Published in:

The News: http://www.thenews.com.pk/Todays-News-11-28319-Tides-of-change

Shared Responsibility

Rigorous thinking in order to reach out to explanations for what have led us to live in the present terrible conditions made me ponder why we treat a shared responsibility as one man's burden. What I mean by this is what is known by many though we tend to be ignorant to the reality, but closing our eyes does not hide the actual facts.
Ours is a society where students struggle more on acquisition of grades by running after the teachers than on attaining the grades by enlarging their knowledge through hard work and honing their inherent skills; where even the people at lower ranks come daily to their job, accomplish hardly 1/4th of their duty but want to be paid for time leisurely spent sitting late hours; where officers put the actual work files pending for the next day and their biggest pastime is found to be Facebook, according to a recent report published by the Times of India.
There are many more things that need to be highlighted but the basic purpose of pointing out these examples is to get answers for queries that need to be answered by each Pakistani. What gives us the right to criticise the government when we ourselves contribute not even a single moment or thought to doing something for Pakistan? Whether you are a student, teacher, administrator, bureaucrat, politician or sweeper, if you reside in this country then you have some duties and responsibilities towards it but have you ever accomplished a single one of those? It is easy to put the burden on or point fingers and blame a single person bearing an authoritative position, but we need to look at ourselves first.
Developed countries have not achieved glory with the mere efforts of their leaders. Only the masses have the capacity to mould their future. It is time that we should rise up and say 'enough is enough' and hold the flag of 'we need change' in our hands.

Published in:

Pak Tribune: http://www.paktribune.com/news/print.php?id=233694

Daily Times: http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2010%5C11%5C22%5Cstory_22-11-2010_pg3_7