Misbah & Younus
Sir,
After the nail-biting last match of the test series with the West Indies and a great victory for Pakistan we said goodbye to the great legends of Pakistani cricket Misbah and Younus Khan. Throughout their careers they achieved many titles for Pakistan and also made Pakistanis proud. On their retirement we would like to thank them. You will be missed.
Ahsan Shehzad,
Karachi.
Intolerance
Sir,
Intolerance is increasing in our society day by day. Everyone keeps jumping to conclusions. This is because we call ourselves Muslims but don’t follow the teachings of Islam. We say something but our actions tell a different story. In particular, crime is prevalent because of intolerance. For example, a man will throw acid at a woman if she refuses his marriage proposal. He wants to prevent her from getting married elsewhere. When people protest they turn violent by setting fire to cars, tyres, shops. There is no tolerance for any issue people have against the government. We also see political parties bashing each other. There is no freedom of speech and thought. There is no tolerance for another person’s viewpoint.
Religious intolerance is has increased. Christian colonies have been attacked. Many minority members have been falsely accused of blasphemy and killed or burnt alive. There is sectarian intolerance as well even though our Holy Prophet (PBUH) taught us not to fight among ourselves. We have built different mosques on the basis of sect. Recently, a fatwa was issued approval light beating of a wife; this is another symptom of intolerance.
We have to remember this lesson in Ramadan.
Harris Khan,
Via email.
Demise of Suzi
Sir,
In Pakistan, zoos are not safe place for animals as they are deprived of their natural environment and healthy food. The sudden death of Suzi, the star attraction of the Lahore zoo, has given rise to many questions about the administration. Very often visitors would bemoan the unhygienic condition, which led to diseases among the animals. Some animals also seem to be malnourished. There is very little monitoring and accountability.
The primary purpose of zoos is to protect animals, initiate breeding of endangered and threatened species in captivity and reintroduce them into the wild. Moreover, they also play a role in teaching people about the importance of conservation.
Haider Ali,
Lahore.
Testing times
Sir,
During the winters K-Electric didn’t do any maintenance and now when the summer is at its worst, with warnings of a heat wave going around Pakistan, the company seems to think that this is the best time to get started on maintenance and repairs of its system. Intermediate students had to sit their annual examinations during this weather and the power breakdowns. How does anyone expect students to study in such heat?
Adeena Batul Siddiqui,
Karachi.
Open questions
Sir,
Dear space scientists and nuclear weapons scientists, I have some doubts; can you please clear them up for me for the sake of science.
- There is research on the solar system. Is there any planet in the solar system where human life can be possible other than earth?
- Is there any spacecraft that can transport billions of human beings onto such a planet? Is there any way to do the same with plants, animals, microorganism to maintain an ecological balance?
- I want to know how the world was not polluted for millions of years but has been polluted in the last 60 years? Is it not because of science?
- Till now medical science has not been able to cure some diseases at the cell level. As you know nuclear radiations is creating problems at the DNA level, means it is transforming disease from generation to generation. Is it possible to cure this at the DNA level?
- If two pounds of uranium from a nuclear weapon continue to react to date, what of the other 2,120 nuclear weapons that were tested throughout the world—are they not creating any radiation?
- Is testing and dropping a nuclear weapon (at the time of war) the same? Both emit radiations and chain reactions. Both harm living things including human beings, directly and indirectly. Isn’t it?
- Is it important to care for the atmosphere up to the mesosphere layer?
- With the help of science is our world is trying to end itself? What stage are we at?
- If war is a solution for peace in the world, then Lord Buddha would be called King Siddhartha and Ashoka the Great would be called Ashoka the Destroy. Is it not true?
Sanjay Kumar Patnaik,
Odisha, India
sanjaykumarpatnaik05[at]gmail.com
CPEC security
Sir,
While our immediate neighbors are progressing by leaps and bounds, we, on the other hand, are yet not clear about how to deal with the menace of terrorism, extremism and sectarianism. The threat has now grown to an extent that it can not simply be dealt with by issuing two-liner condolence notes or bombarding militant hideouts in the immediate aftermath of every terrorist attack. The level of seriousness of our parliamentarians could be seen from the fact that they have completely failed to come up with some concrete definition of terrorism. We have done little to address genuine concerns of India, Iran and Afghanistan regarding safe havens of our so-called strategic partners that has further fanned the flames of their concerns. We have always preferred the Taliban and other extremist elements vis-a-vis our neighbors which has pushed Iran and Afghanistan into the ambit of India. The growing Saudi influence in Pakistan, in particular, is enough to antagonize our Irani brothers.
China, with a huge amount of money into its pockets, has initiated a ‘One-Belt, One-Road’ project while gathering the world around itself. We are popping the champagne cork for CPEC without giving due attention to our deteriorating security situation. CPEC, itself, is a game changer but with a caveat of better security, political stability, economic harmony and a political solution to Gilgit. Without addressing these hardcore issues, it is highly unlikely that CPEC would be game changer. Rather it would deteriorate our relationship with our all-weather friend. Simply put, deploying 10,000 soldiers cannot serve the interests of both Pakistan and China. The killing of workers in Gwadar should be enough to raise eyebrows in Islamabad.
With these changing regional dynamics, the growing nexus between India, Iran and Afghanistan, Pakistan should, firstly, adopt a policy of zero tolerance towards all extremist groups, which of course is highly unlikely given the facts. Secondly, the government should reach out all political players in order to formulate a policy of economic harmony. And, lastly, it is a dire need to immediately revisit our foreign policy that is weakening with every passing day.
Advocate Zeeshan Ali Tarar,
Lahore.
Our nurses
Sir,
Nurses play a key role in a health care system by unconditionally working on the welfare, safety and recovery of patients. They are the unsung heroes who bring a new life into the world, care unconditionally for the sick and injured and unfortunately watch people whom they nursed lovingly pass away. On International Nurses Day, May 12 let’s acknowledge the hard work, long shift hours and emotional pressure they go through in their daily routine.
Nurses Day was first proposed by Dorothy Sutherland, an official with the US Department of Health, Education and Welfare. International Nurses Day is celebrated to mark the birth anniversary of Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern nursing. In 2017, the theme is “Nursing: A Voice to Lead”.
Sundar Iftikhar,
Karachi.
Bakhtawar & a law
Sir,
The daughter of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, Bakhtawar Bhutto-Zardari has condemned a law unanimously approved by the Senate Standing Committee on Religious Affairs under which a fine for hotel owners violating the Ehtram-e-Ramazan Ordinance, 1981 has been increased from Rs500 to Rs25,000. She wrote in a tweet: “People are going to die from heatstroke and dehydration with this ridiculous law. Not everyone is able [to fast]. This is not Islam.” With due respect, I think she should know that the law as a system helps regulate and ensure that a community shows respect and equality amongst themselves. Religious law is clearly based on religious principles. Examples include the Jewish Halakha and Islamic Sharia—both of which translate as the “path to follow”—while Christian canon also survives in some church communities.
In modern times, the legal systems of many Muslim countries draw upon both civil and common law traditions as well as Islamic law and custom. The constitutions of certain Muslim states, such as Egypt and Afghanistan, recognise Islam as the religion of the state, obliging the legislature to adhere to the Sharia. Saudi Arabia recognises the Holy Quran as its constitution, and is governed on the basis of Islamic law. Iran has also witnessed a reiteration of Islamic law into its legal system. Bakhtawar lives in the UAE where an identical rule prevails. Fasting is not necessary for those who are not able due to heatstroke and dehydration. Travelers, pregnant women, the sick, the very old and very young are exempted from fasting in Islam. The 1973 constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan was drafted by the government of Bakhtawar’s grandfather Zulfikar Ali Bhutto. Many key ideas on the role of Islam in the State were made part of the constitution and Islam is the declared state religion. What would she say about those laws?
Mansoor Ahmed,
Faisalabad.
Education budget
Sir,
Education forms personality. It tells a person how the world works and how (s)he can make it work their own way.
Similarly, if a nation is educated then it can rise and make its way in the world. Today we see rising nations have a literacy rate of over 85% but in the Global South the scores are roughly 60%. Nations that grew aware of the importance of education have invested in it since the 15th Century and now we see them leading the world. On the other hand there are nations who once were a symbol of power (the Romans, Persians and Mongols) but now they don’t even exist.
The constitution of Pakistan states that, “Every child will be provided free education.” But the state has only invested a teaspoon of the its budget in education. Currently Pakistan’s education system lags behind in every field possible. Corruption has always been a major setback for Pakistan but the cruel reality is that the education system is to blame for it.
Our local board of examination system is broken. Teachers are not paid enough and are untrained. How can a person build a bright future for someone else’s child when (s)he is not able to give one to their own children?
Just compare the Higher Education Commission budget with the defence budget.
The education system needs to be redesigned according to the modern world where children are provided a wide canvas. Just look at the textbooks children are reading today they are the same ones their parents had. This country is also haunted by the private school system; people are forced to send their children to private schools which cost them a fortune. They do this just because they want a future for their children.
Mustafa Ahmed,
Via email.
Cricket legends
Sir,
So cricket bids adieu to the two of its most obedient and dutiful sons. But for Pakistan cricket they were more than just cricketers. They were the servants, pioneers, ambassadors and dignitaries of a beautiful game whose passions runs deep in our blood. For almost a decade or so they carried the burden of hope of millions of people. After the departure of Inzi and Yousuf, when the cricket of our land grew imperiled, they both became the helmsmen of what seemed to be a sinking ship then.
Tough Misbah helped Pakistan reach the number one spot at the ICC test rating but one has to admit that in the accomplishment of this feat Misbah had the continuous support of Younis, and without Younis this would have not have been achieved. Back in 2010, when the spot fixing scandal loomed over Pakistani cricket and almost took away three of our major players, it was Misbah who came forward and steered it out of the crisis. Misbah started his career at an age when most athletes usually retire and that will remain a big accomplishment of his career. And the way he handled his career with a calm and composed demeanor actually made me his fan.
He was a true gentleman of the gentlemen’s game. Misbah made his international debut against new Zealand way back in 2001 but he came onto the scene when he got selected for the Pakistan squad for the 2007 T20 World Cup and almost single handedly won the final game for Pakistan. And after that there was no looking back for Misbah. After that he became a permanent member of the playing eleven and booked his spot in the middle order. For years he played the role of an anchor in the middle order which back in good old days Inzi and Yousaf used to play.
He was quite a shy and reserved person off the field. What makes me admires him more is that despite being ignored for several years while at the same time making a pile of runs in domestic cricket, he never lost hope and kept knocking on the door of selectors with his performance. And we all know how well he responded once he had the chance. He didn’t let himself get involved in any sort of dirty politics or backstabbing and remained a humble man like he was during his pre-selection years.
Younis Khan is a man of versatile talents. He was always a treat to watch, just like his batting. In all those years I grew up watching him, I can almost say that this man didn’t change even a single bit. A smiley face with straight hair is how I will remember him forever. It’s difficult or maybe impossible to describe what Younis has achieved for Pakistan in a sprawling career of 17 years. He scored almost 10,000 plus in test and 7,000 plus in ODIs.
In all these 17 years he remained a permanent member of the batting side, first helping Inzi and Yousuf in sorting out our batting collapses and then with Misbah. Since we were always having issues with our openers, almost every Pakistani can relate this: whenever our openers depart early, which was an often sight in Pakistani cricket, we all use to say, “Koi nai yaar abhi Younis Misbah hain na.” And now I am really sad as I won’t be able to say this line anymore.
Although I am sure that there is no lack of talent in Pakistan, the departure of these two greats really makes me feel worried and baffles me about the future of our cricket. Seeing them walk off the field for the last time makes me feel happy and sad at the same time. But I want to wish both of them well for their post-cricketing days and I hope that they will continue of serve our cricket in many different ways.
Ahmad Ch.
Via email.