Back In Life!

(By Kashif Sarmad)

Like the evolution of human beings, our lives are also fall with in the evolutionary progression . We always be taught from our slip-ups and occasionally even compensate for those blunders. I don't know how whether tursting someone is error or seldom trusting is a gaffe. It is time and the person to whom you must trust authenticate the accuracy of your judgement regarding to trust.

I trusted so many people in my life and very small amount of are there who are at a standstill by my side in spite of all my bungles. Your blunders don't make you whimsical with that relationship but it can be in ones moral fiber to go reckless in relationships.

Right now, I am the victim of tough schedule. I am busy man who earns handsome money. I got everything. Wait a minute! Do I actually have everything? Why am I not convinced when I say that "I got everything"? I should make a clean breast that, I haven't got everything so far.

It is not the wealth, authority or position which makes you gratify with the life. Though, these things are important to pronounce you the important entity in your social sphere but it is not obligatory that this tiny portion of achievement makes your life booming.

One of my associates whispered to me that do not dribble away your time running behind ideal situation and strive to fiddle with the rules of society. Somehow, I see eye to eye with my friend's approach for the reason that my pal never erudite to swim against the shores of adversity. The taxing situation makes you the legend, if you accept it. I on no account gave up on ghastly time or situation.

When I have learned, is people will never understand your state of affairs and capabilities. they always be there in their shoes and suggest you to set the course of life as they presume. At this point they should wear your shoes and then can propose anything they want.

I sense here that this generation is money cognizant. All they want is status, money and position. No one cares about love life. I am sure that money, position and status does not exists forever. We human are social animal. Emotions are the only utensils which makes us human instead of animal. Without emotions you can describe any human an animal whose objective is to clutch the food no matter what.

I would suggest you to glimpse in your home. You might have a father, mother, sister, brother, wife, son, girl friend and friends are waiting for you. Just walk to them to embrace and say "I love you!" then weigh up that you get more contenment in earning money or by this giving and getting there three supernatural words by your beloved ones. I am back in life and giving you hand to come on board of love.

Think about it!

Mortal Monsoon

(By-Kashif Sarmad)

The dark black clouds were hovering in the sky of Hyderabad (Semi city of Sind, Pakistan) and after few minutes the downpour started as it was predictable. People were standing on their rooftops; welcomed the rain with applause and dancing. Children were playing with the rain water; guys were having amusement with their friends while ladies were making tea with Pakoras (The Traditional Indian Food Item) to add more spice in the fun.

All was good to see until I saw another side of the coin. In the suburb of the city so many deprived people were trying to save themselves and their families from heavy rainfall. They covered their half distorted cottages with shopping bags and were highly worried about accumulated water which besieged their so called homes. The administration always drains the filthy rain water to that ground to facilitate people living in city. Due to that, those hundreds of homeless people worried not only for their next day meal but also fearing to face water born diseases. They usually cook food on woods but during rains they don’t have option to cook food either.

During heavy rain I went out and suddenly my car broke at the same boulevard where hundreds of underprivileged people were setting-up their cottages. Till my car gets repaired by mechanic, I went to converse with one of the individual who owned one of the cottages in slum. Due to my portico he considered that I am government individual. That needy person and his spouse started to cry roughly. Their baby was attacked by fever since three days and they had no money to show-up to doctor. I helped them as much as I could but there were so much left to be done.

What I saw was, cottages were poorly trapped by drainage and sewerage water and their family became paralyzed. The people who were living there was the location which is not fit for human being.

As a result of ferret-out this desperate and ferocious side of the weather and poor governance; I was wondering to whom to blame?

Middle class and educated people always hoist their fingers to the government in order to liberate themselves from answerability. No one wants to own the problems and no one is disposed to convey change!

Do I have to censure government; it always neglected people living below poverty line? Or should I scorn people who go out side with their families for recreation and disregard their poor country mates?

The regime and its establishment are cramped by presenting statistical information a propos to the people living below poverty line but irony is the least has been done for socially divorced people. Is that all the government ought to do for people?

The society builds up when its natives endeavor to facilitate each other devoid of the peculiarity of cast, color, creed, religion, social status and ethnicity.

One common theme for societies in general is that they serve to aid individuals in a time of crisis. Traditionally, when an individual requires aid, for example at birth, death, sickness, or disaster, members of that society will rally others to render aid, in some form—symbolic, linguistic, physical, mental, emotional, financial, medical, or religious. Many societies will distribute largess, at the behest of some individual or some larger group of people. This type of generosity can be seen in all known cultures; typically, prestige accrues to the generous individual or group. Conversely, members of a society may also shun or scapegoat members of the society who violate its norms. Mechanisms such as gift-giving and scapegoating, which may be seen in various types of human groupings, tend to be institutionalized within a society. Social evolution as a phenomenon carries with itself certain elements that could be detrimental to the population it serves.

If people help other needy fellow being as much as they can; this society will get developed massively. Every people will have stable life with dignity and equality.

The government of Pakistan with the help of people should announce home building scheme for homeless people. In this way the government will provide shelter to millions of people who are living below human standard life in slums.

Most of the people’s self concerned priorities have replaced humanity. It is a need of the time to replace materilistic needs with morale. We shouldn’t forget to transport help to those who deserve it and make this world a place where selfishness subsided by love.

Have a nice monsoon!

Drugs Addiction - Poisioning To Humanity

(By-Kashif Sarmad)

On 26th June the world was observing a day to say “No” to drugs. In that day, the government, Law enforcement agencies, NGO’s and International community observed that day by education people, how bad the drugs are. Hundreds of workshops, seminars and public gathering would be held all around the globe to sentient people of the tribulations of drugs. White color people would stride in the five star hotels and would have talked about drugs addict in statistical aspect. They would have condemned Drug addiction and would have gone back home after high-class refreshments.

Is that all!? The governments and civil society are getting huge aids from donors in order to bring improvement by getting purge of not only drugs from society but also to help drug addicted people in quitting drugs. Awfully, zilch optimistic has come out so far. The government and private organizations just pay lip service to this concern by conducting phony colloquium and workshops that never brought progress so far but even degenerate the situation.

According to survey report about 5-6 million people are drug addicted in Pakistan and about 1 million are residing in Karachi only. These numbers are increasing by leaps and bounds. Mostly, people become fatalities of drugs due to economic and social problems which can be addressed by government easily and effectively.

The same survey reveals that more then 5000 Kilogram drugs smuggled to Karachi only every year. Besides seminar and workshop law enforcement agencies should play judicious and result oriented role to bring drugs smugglers to justice. Whereas, if they won’t so seminars at other hand that could be justified and endurable.

As far as the United Nations and NGO’s are concerned they only hold seminars and workshops in luxurious motels for just face saving and do nothing practicable to eliminate these evil acts of few people who are providing catastrophe to not only society but to humanity as well.

The role of government is just to pass ordinances and budgets for health and for armed forces. But the question of implementation has always become mystery. Nothing constructive has been done to stop smuggling of the drugs and facilitation of drugs addicted people.

The reason of increasing number of drug addicted people is purely an economic and social imbalance in the society. The economic and social inequality makes most of the people deviant from society. Mostly, due to economic stress people cannot face the privation of life and get themselves into quagmire of drug world.

Government should play decisive role to establish special hospitals to treat and facilitate drug addicted people on large scale. Besides that, Law enforcement agencies must work with responsible aptitude and to curb drug smuggling and also hunt down drug smugglers.

Government, NGO’s and people from every walk of life should start joint venture to aware people on gross root level and also plan strategy to facilitate people who are victims of drugs. This joint venture should also work on to ferret out solutions of societal imbalance and economic stress for lower class.

Whatever should be done it has to be done before it’s too late for many lives and families.

Girls For Sale!

(By-Kashif Sarmad)

In today’s world where civil society is so strong, where media is so powerful and where every civilized society is talking about the development of human being; unfortunately and shockingly there in same world the tradition of selling girls is at its culmination.

In some rural areas of Pakistan girl is considered as a product. The relatives of girl put price tag on her and sell it to buyer like in auction. In most of the cases close parent, like mother and father are reported to be involved in that sell and service of their own daughter. The buyer and seller make an agreement in which they bound the girl’s parent that after selling their daughter they will socially divorce her. Due to that, buyer can do anything they want with sold girl and no-one will be there to protect victim girl.

People of these sort breaching the human values with the power of money and absence of law in those areas. Non-Government organizations which getting billion or rupees of fund to help these sorts of victims couldn’t have done impressive to help them out.

There are approximately 40,000 registered NGO’s in Pakistan. The roughly 170 million population consists more then forty thousand NGO’s. It means there is one NGO for four thousand people. In that way no one should be in any problem for long.

Coming to the point straight away, the news broke out that two girls were sold-out by their uncle in Hala (Sindh-Pakistan). Somehow, they escaped to Hyderabad and protested before press club Hyderabad. Sadly, no one paid heed to their plea. Then, those victims appeared before Judge, after waiting for hours judge ordered police to lodge case against culprits and arrest them. But Judge’s order has gone in vein and nothing fruitful happened. Besides that PPP’s led government and their representative didn’t move a inch to help those girls in anyway.

According to those victims they are being floating here and there in Hyderabad, Pakistan since June 20, 2008 but no one helped then so far. They are deadly disappointed with the government because of its silence and ineligibility to deal with the situation.

Hala is the city of Makhdoom Amin Fahim (Senior and veteran politician). He should have resolved the issue of victims besides his grievances with PPP to not let him to become Prime Minister. It is professional, social, moral and religious responsibility to help those girls without any condition.

Government of Pakistan should work seriously resolve day-to-day matters with immediate effect. Pakistan Peoples Party always talks about the protection of common people whether it’s political, social, economic or moral. They shouldn’t talk now but they should do it because they are in government. “The power rests with people” this slogan of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto must be activated as soon as possible.

NGO’s should work in gross root level instead of working with high-ups of government. All NGO’s should establish relief centers in everywhere to facilitate all kind of victims immediately.


Government should give target to all NGO’s for three months for result-oriented welfare of people. Otherwise, government should terminate their registration and seize their funds with immediate effect.

Yes We Can!

(By-Kashif Sarmad)

The blood-spattered episode is about to terminate which was on track by George.W Bush in his two term governments.

Barrak Obama’s slogan “Yes We Can” brought him on the glare of publicity and led him to triumph in presidential elections in USA. Now he is to be the President of United States of America.

People all around the world thought of revolutionize and tranquility that he (Obama) could transport to this world. His sense of commitment and apprehension for world peace made him well-liked and victorious as well. The peace loving countries and people took sigh of relief because of his influx.

His sudden glide to George Bush’s corridor of war hysteria not only shoddily shocked world’s political analysts but also his own supporters who discarded Bush’s policy of spreading war all over the world, whether it was directly or indirectly.

“Our prime target would be Pakistan’s Northern part where Taliban exists and we might send more troops to Iraq if it needed to ensure Peace” Barrak Obama.

His above statement was not a bolt from the blue for me because the American Think Tanks always situate their priorities ahead of any individual’s vision regarding to Foreign policy of USA.

The oil and Weapon industry would never afford harmony in the world because of their contracts of Billions of dollars. In the time of wars, Pentagon bestows contracts to private companies for arms and ammunitions which make the palms greased of high-ups officials.

Startlingly, more then half of Senators are somehow unswervingly or circuitously occupied with the oil or in the weapon Industry.

As far as the American people are concerned, it’s never been hard task for policy makers to convince them that USA is under attack, whether it’s Pearl Harbor, American Embassy Blasts, 9/11, or Iraq’s intention to make weapons of mass destruction and Iraq’s connection with Taliban. American people always believe American Authorities and follow the line of inclusive controversy sketch by their leaders.

Now, Obama’s new sweltering proclamation against Pakistan’s Tribal areas and sending more troops to Iraq caused more menace to this region and as well as to the world peace once more.

USA is still badly trapped in Iraq and waging war against Iran and/or Pakistan will ignite more hatred of people towards United States of America. The example is; millions of people all around the globe protested against the American military attack on Iraq.

It is crystal clear that USA or NATO forces would never be able to conquer or clasp dominating position in Tribal Areas of Pakistan because even Pakistani armed forces are unable to hold their undeviating position in those areas due to its emblematic mountainous location. Mountains all over can make American position nastiest then in Iraq. Second, Pakistan itself is a nuclear state which has capabilities to destroy the elements which are against the integrity and stability of its realm; whether it’s Taliban or USA. Third, Pakistan has always suffered a lot by supporting United States of America in Wars. Aftermaths of wars has always faced by Pakistan itself only and bond of so called “closest ally” always proved to be a nothing but deceive. The example of war against Soviet Union (RSSR), war with India and Afghanistan war is still on the record. This sort of unprincipled stance of USA with Pakistan has made most of the people within Pakistan are against the American Policy.

“They always use us as a tool and dump us in the end of the day” This is what every Pakistani thinks and speaks for America.

As now the democracy reincarnates in Pakistan; the wish of the people for settling all disputed issues should be resolved on the negotiation table ought to be accomplished.

The idyllic solution for (Taliban) problem is to sit on the negotiation table and sort it out without losing any innocent and precious life.

Pakistani people are against extremist views and the evidence of this is Pakistan Peoples Party, which considered as moderate Political party is in the government. Secondly, Muhtarma Shaheed Benazir Bhutto was the most popular leader among the masses which negates the extremists’ views of few sick people.

If Obama will attack Pakistani soil it will be impossible for USA to bring its forces back from this soil. People of Pakistan will not allow USA to kill numerous innocent people for the sake of few terrorists or extremists like in Iraq.

“The all humanity will stand against tyrant! The subjugated will fight back against tormenter and peace loving populace will take oppressed to victory – And yes we can!”

Happy Birthday Muhtarma!!

By - Kashif Sarmad

I was thinking of Muhtarma Benazir Bhutto whole day. I reminded myself of her book which I read in December 2007, “The Daughter of East”. Most important person of my life gave that book. I read that book and couldn’t manage my sentiments after reading the most heartbreaking tale of Muhtarma’s life.

My emotions were at its highest culmination especially when I was reading her departure scene from her father’s. At that point, she knew that nothing can save her father (Zulfikar Ali Bhutto-the most popular Prime Minister of Pakistan) from gallows. The death sentence of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto was judicial slay through military pressure in order to meet political interests of Zia-Ul-Haq (Military Dictator then supported by USA for Afghan War against USSR)

Benazir wrote that, “I tried to touch my father’s body through tiny bars but failed. I pleaded to the Jail Superintendent to let me meet my father for the last time but he didn’t allow me. I started crying and was continuously crying. Then, unexpectedly I heard a voice of my beloved father,”Good bye till we meet tomorrow again but alas! I wouldn’t be alive” I couldn’t look back and my feet were not supporting me. I felt that I am dead. “I still hear that sentence of my father and still it bother’s me a lot”, she wrote.

The burning question is I couldn’t envisage that, how most horrible the son or daughter will undergo that his/her adored father departing to die mercilessly within 5-6 hours and they can do nothing. Tomorrow, the most important person of one’s life will not be alive, that feeling should be alike sitting in darkroom and waiting for death penalty.

Martyr Benazir Bhutto countenanced so many destitutions in her life. Since the death of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, she had faced jails by Zia-Ul-Haq’s regime, self-exile due to threats from undemocratic governments and many other torments that were not perceptible to ordinary and non-political people.

She was a first woman Muslim Prime Minister and First Women prime minister of Pakistan. Her political and educational portfolio is too lengthy to describe in this article.

By any means till end she was fighting for the deprived people of Pakistan. She came back on 18 October 2008 and about 3 million Pakistani’s welcomed her with open arm. Which was largest ever welcome in the history of Pakistan.

She became Prime Minister twice but unfortunately, she was given handicap government in her both tenures as Prime Minister. The unremitting role of Military and law enforcement agencies always attempted to destabilize Benazir’s government. Surprisingly, in her 30 years political career her party won the elections twice and she was in government for just four years and eight months. In that term she and her political party (PPP) served solely for the welfare of ordinary people of Pakistan. Her achievements are as follows:




Benazir Bhutto’s first tenure as Prime Minister
1988-90

Land Reforms

Distributed 35000 acres of land among the landless peasants. Each farmer was given 12.5 acres of land. The landlords challenged the land reforms in Supreme Court and because of court intervention the hand reforms were temporarily halted.

More than five hundred political workers, who were economically destroyed by the Zia regime because of their struggle for democracy, were given small residential plots on official rates.
Housing

Arrangements were made to build 2000 two-room small houses for homeless in every big city.
One thousand small houses were built in Karachi and handed over to homeless at a price of 30,000 each payable in small easy instalments.

Labour Reforms

Ban was immediately lifted on trade union activities.

Forty thousands industrial workers previously sacked were reinstated.

Labour wages were increased twice.

Labours were awarded share in the income of their enterprise.

Decision was taken to build labour colonies in every industrial city.

Labours were given the right of pension after retirement.

Health

It was decided to establish government dispensaries in every Union Council.

Admission and bed fees forced upon during Zia’s regime were abolished.

Education

For the very first time in the history of Pakistan, in the budget of 1989-90 the amount allocated for education was increased.

The education budget was again increased in 1990-91.

Fifty thousand new teachers were employed.

Education made compulsory upto 8th class.

Importance was given to technical and scientific education.

Youth Policy

Ban on students unions was lifted immediately so that the youth can get training and develop discipline and achieve organizational expertise during their college years.

To address the problems of youth a separate ministry for youth affairs was established.

80 thousands new literacy centers were set up throughout the country.

Women Affairs

Ten thousands young people were given loans of 50 thousands each to start their own businesses.

Very first time a separate ministry for women affairs was established to solve their problems.
Women Bank was established.

Women were given loan facility to start their own businesses.

Computer centers for women were started in Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad.

Water & Power

Electricity was supplied to 4 thousand Villages in twenty months, which is a record.

Electricity supplied to more than 1.2 million houses.

Private sector was encouraged and 1 billion $ investment from private sector was arranged for electric generation.

Ghazi Brotha and Neelam Jhelum projects (1 thousand Mega Watts) were initiated.

To overcome the energy problem an agreement was signed with China for the supply of a 300 MW nuclear Power Plant.

Communication & Production

Built a Satellite Station connecting Skardu, Gilgit and Gawadur with Islamabad.

Microwave channel was built to connect Karachi and Peshawar.

600 new post offices were opened.

Port Qasim was extended.

Pakistan Steel Mills was extended and its productivity increased.

Employment of 5000 workers was secured by restarting Baluchistan Textile Mills.

Millat Tractors was extended and its productivity increased from 12000 tractors per year to 18000 tractors per year.

A new plant of Suzuki Cars was constructed.

The lines for 1,50,000 new telephone connections were placed.

18 cities were connected via direct dialing system.

Oil & Gas

30% increase in production of oil and gas.

Work started to build a refinery.

Industry

Rupees 3.88 billion petrochemical project started.

An assembly plant of Toyota Hi Ace, Jeeps and Cars was started.

Loan facilities were extended for establishing small industrial units.

Limits for investment without government approval, was increased.

Defense

Two Frigates were handed over to Pakistan Navy.

Pakistan started indigenous aircraft production.

New sophisticated radar system started operation.

Acquired sixty F-16 Planes.

Freedom of Press & Expression

Press laws aimed at censorship lifted.

Journalists terminated from service during Martial Law regime were reinstated.

No objection certificate for journalists to travel abroad was abolished.

Employees of Radio and Television were reinstated.

Religious Services

An international Secret Conference was held.

The numbers of Pilgrims were increased in 1989.

The new Hajj Policy was adopted and over 0.1 million people were sent to perform Hajj in 1990.

2 Secret Conferences were held.

Hajj flights were initiated from Lahore and Islamabad.

Miscellaneous

Conference of the Heads of States of SAARC was held in Islamabad.

China announced to extend an interest free loan of 50 million dollars.

Pakistan rejoined the Common Wealth.

Relations with India normalised and an agreement of no attack on nuclear installations was signed.

Russia approved 1 billion dollar for extension of Karachi Steel Mills.

A separate ministry was established for eradication of drug smuggling.

Big drug traffickers were arrested and put behind bars.

South Asian Games were successfully held.





Benazir Bhutto’s second tenure as Prime Minister
1993-96

Development

Built 21,000 primary schools.

Provided 700,000 new telephone connections.

Electricity to 18,000 villages.

Airport at Sehwan Sharif.

Airport at Gawadur.

Work on Ketti Bandar Port started.

Construction of Akra Dam providing safe drinking water to the coastal regions of Mehran.

Foreign Policy

For the first time the OIC summit at Casablanca adopted a unanimous resolution asking for a solution of Kashmir dispute in accordance with the UN resolutions.

Adoption of Brown Amendment, which partially released the military equipment and hardware, stuck up in the US since long due to Pressler Law.

Law & Order

Peace in Karachi. A near end to terrorism acknowledged by friends and foes alike.

Defense

Agosta submarines for the Pakistan Navy.

Tanks for the Army.

Missile capability developed which was to be announced as the Golden Jubilee gift to the Nation on August 14,1997.

Energy

An end to the load shedding by enlisting the private sector in power development sector through a uniform policy of tariffs and concessions hailed by the World Bank as a model for the developing countries.

Completion of the first private sector power plant, HUBCO.

Our 11000 kilometers of gas transmission line completed to provide gas to 240 new towns and villages.

Oil and gas exploration stepped up. As a result four new oil and gas wells discovered.

Communication

Laying of the optic fiber along with right bank of Indus.

Introduced cellular telephones, digital pager, satellite dish and FM Radio.

Social Sector

Countrywide Polio Vaccination Programme-Nearly 100 percent children under the age of five vaccinated against Polio in three years.

A large number of Computer Centers opened - Special centers for women
Recruitment of 33,000 Lady Health Visitors to reduce infant mortality.

Legislation/Northern Areas

Electoral reforms bill adopted for the first time.

For the first time people of Northern Areas given the right to vote.

Women Development

First time Women Police Stations set up, Women Bank opened and Women Judges appointed in superior judiciary.

Media

Complete press freedom.

Sixth Wage Board award announced for the newspaper workers. The award was also implemented in the APP.

Finance

For the first time since independence, Cabinet members were forbidden to take loans from Pakistani Banks.

State Bank of Pakistan made an autonomous organisation.

For the first time one billion dollars of debt retired.

From a dismal growth rate of 2.3% in 1992-93, which it inherited, the PPP government raised the economic growth to 5.2% in 1995-96. The growth rate plunged to 3. I % in 1996-97 after the removal of PPP government, a figure further lowered to 1.3% in the budget.

Fiscal deficit in the last year of PPP government i.e.1995-96 brought down to 5%, from 8% of GDP, which it had inherited.

Tax revenue, which was only 7.2% of GDP in 92-93, was raised to 14. I % of GDP in 1995-96. Last year the tax to GDP ratio again fell to 10.2%.

Due to investment-oriented policies, more than 3 billion dollars of direct foreign investment flowed into the country. As against this the present government has scared away foreign investment through it’s mishandling of the IPP issue and freeze on foreign currency accounts.
A day before the PPP government was dismissal; the stock index was at 1500 points. It sank to 900 points in August 98.

Welfare

Hajj flights from Multan and Sukkur.

Tens of thousands of jobs provided to the educated but unemployed youth in government departments, banks, corporations and autonomous bodies.

Anti Narcotics

Effective anti-narcotics measures and legislation adopted for the first time.
Half a dozen major drug barons extradited.

Death penalty and confiscation of property provided in the law for drug pushers.



The role of Benazir can be witness by this blue print of specifics. We, the People of Pakistan don’t require any day to remember Benazir but on her birthday I surely would like to salute her for all efforts she did for the underprivileged people of Pakistan. Sadly, her assassination had brought great deal of fretfulness, fright and rage to the people of Pakistan but nothing can be done now to fill her gap.


Mr. Zardari is doing well but changing the modus operandi and working structure of all institutions would be Herculean task for him. It is understood that these preposterous and corrupt institutions cannot be tainted overnight but we need to address the issues and we have got a kick-start.


As Benazir Bhutto said in her lecture at The World Political Forum on May 19, 2003 in Turin, Italy that “Ladies and Gentlemen: I believe a democratic Pakistan is the best guarantee of respect and dignity for the people of Pakistan. I believe that a democratic Pakistan living by the rule of law within and without is the best guarantee of the triumph of moderation and modernity amongst one billion Muslims at the crossroads of our history. We can remember that the future is in our hands. As the European philosopher Goethe once wrote, “Freedom must be reinvented in every generation.”
This is our turn to reinvent freedom.
And we shall prevail.”


The last but not least, Happy birthday Muhtarma! We will reinvent the freedom on your behalf and that will surely reflect your contribution cum hard work. We all thank you for being with us and we hope that coming generation will never forget your dedication for this country. We don’t vacillate to pronounce you the queen of democracy. We are proud of you, Pakistan is proud of you!

Suicide - What, If You Were Bushra Bibi !! ?

(By - Kashif Sarmad)





I was reading the news paper and suddenly I glimpsed over the nerve-racking news that one woman jumped before the fast train with her two child. She did suicide because of hunger and poverty crisis within her home boundaries. I was shocked to read the story and astonished that how she did it? Before that I tried to ferret out what actually suicide means?

Suicide (Latin suicidium, from sui caedere, to kill oneself) is primarily the act of intentionally ending one's own life, though it is also used as a metaphor for the "willful destruction of one's self-interest" either as an individual or as a group. Suicide may occur for a number of reasons, including depression, shame, pain, financial difficulties, or other undesirable situations. Nearly one million people worldwide die by suicide annually. There are an estimated 10 to 20 million attempted suicides every year.


The History of suicide defines, in general the pagan world, both Roman and Greek, had a relaxed attitude towards the whole concept of suicide, a practice that was only finally outlawed with the advent of the Christians, who condemned it at the Council of Arles in 452 as the work of the Devil. In the Middle Ages, the church had drawn-out discussions on the edge where the search for martyrdom was suicidal, as in the case of Martyrs of Cordoba. Despite these disputes and occasional official rulings, Catholic doctrine was not entirely settled on the subject of suicide until the later 17th century. For instance, John Donne's Thoughts on Emergent Occasions is a long argument in favor of suicide as divinely appointed opportunity.


There is some echo of later Christian hostility in ancient Greek thinkers. Pythagoras, for example, was against the act, though more on mathematical than moral grounds, believing that there was only a finite number of souls for use in the world, and that the sudden and unexpected departure of one upset a delicate balance. Aristotle also condemned suicide, though for quite different, far more practical reasons, in that it robbed the community of the services of one of its members. A reading of Phaedo suggests that Plato was also against the practice, inasmuch as he allows Socrates to defend the teachings of the Orphics, who believed that the human body was the property of God, and thus self-harm was a direct offense against divine law. Yet, it's not quite so simple, because after Socrates says than no man has a right to suicide, this is then qualified by the statement "...unless God sends some necessity upon him, as has now been sent upon me."


In Rome suicide was never a general offence in law, though the whole approach to the question was essentially pragmatic. This is illustrated by the example given by Titus Livy of the colony of Massalia (the present day Marseilles), where those who wanted to kill themselves merely applied to the senate, and if their reasons were judged sound they were then given hemlock free of charge. It was specifically forbidden in three cases: those accused of capital crimes, soldiers and slaves. The reason behind all three was the same - it was uneconomic for these people to die. If the accused killed themselves prior to trial and conviction then the state lost the right to seize their property, a loophole that was only closed by Domitian in the first century AD, who decreed that those who died prior to trial were without legal heirs. The suicide of a soldier was treated on the same basis as desertion. If a slave killed her or himself within six months of purchase, the master could claim a full refund from the former owner.


But the Romans fully approved of what might be termed "patriotic suicide"; death, in other words, as an alternative to dishonour. For the Stoics, a philosophical sect which originated in Greece, death was a guarantee of personal freedom, a way out of an intolerable existence. And so it was for Cato the Younger, who killed himself after the Pompeian cause was defeated at the Battle of Thapsus. This was a 'virtuous death', one guided by reason and conscience. His example was later followed by Seneca, though under somewhat more straightened circumstances. A very definite line was drawn by the Romans between the virtuous suicide and suicide for entirely private reasons. They disapproved of Mark Antony not because he killed himself, but that he killed himself for love.

In Islam, like other Abrahamic religions, views suicide as sinful and highly detrimental to one's spiritual journey. For those who formerly believed, but ultimately rejected belief in God, the result seems unambiguously negative.


A verse in the fourth chapter of the Quran, An-Nisaa (The Women) instructs; "And do not kill yourselves, surely Allah is most Merciful to you." (4:29)


The prohibition of suicide has also been recorded in authentic statements of hadith. For example; "He who commits suicide by throttling shall keep on throttling himself in the Hell-fire, and he who commits suicide by stabbing himself, he shall keep stabbing himself in the Hell-fire.


After reffering these papers I was wondering why Bushra Bibi committed suicide with her two innocent childern? Didn’t she know that committing suicide is prohabited in Islam and Law? She knew, I guess.


I thought as a Bushra Bibi who couldn’t feed her childern for many days, she couldn’t faced the worst financial hurdles, she was unable to buy medicines for her children, she was not capable to send her kids to school. She was not able to earn to meet her financial needs. These were enough reasons to commit suicide.


After one month government gave gant to Bushra Bibi’s husband as compensation. Was that really enough for her husband to forget his dead family? No!! Government should provide relief to those people who cannot afford to buy food for their family. Government should make turn Pakistan as welfare state where people can get better health facilities, cheap food and affordable shelter instead of giving them so called compensation.


I wonder what NGO’s and Societies are really doing to transport relief to needy people. There are thousands of NGO’s and other welfare societies are operating in Pakistan and very few of them are working up-to-mark. Most of them are used as political tools in the hands of most influencial political entities. Are NGO’s are only left to hold the banners before press clubs and doing fake workshops cum seminars in the five star hotels to get aids from donor agencies?


I request not only to government but also to civil society to prevent these sort of incidents instead of curing it through compensations. Its because any one can earn the money but its hard to bring back the dead family or loved ones. I am sure that no one wants to be Bushra Bibi who sacrificed her precious life for the sake of meal.

The Democracy in Pakistan

(By-Kashif Sarmad)


The democracy has been the only contrivance for the perfection in the society in every mean. The democracy in Pakistan has suffered sometimes prolonged gaps and sometimes shot-term handicap governments compelled to rule the country without discretion of power.

There are nine point modus operandi which can facilitate the democracy to triumph and prosper in the country.


1. The Civil and Military Bureaucracy.

2. The superior, free and fair Judiciary.

3. The unity among political parties.

4. The Feudalism and Industrial and Business classes in politics.

5. The fundamentalism in Pakistan.

6. Electoral management and its credibility.

7. Media and civil society. ( inc: NGO’s)

8. The role of young generation in Politics.

9. The role of Education for democracy.








1. The Civil and Military Bureaucracy

The integration and dignity of the institutions must continue to exist because without these the nitty-gritty of the country cannot be completed. The civil and military bureaucracy shouldn’t play any role in the politics and their ceased interference from the politics can play vital role to not only establish the democracy but also ensure sustained prosperity.




2. The superior, fair and free Judiciary

The free and fair judiciary is the chiefly important and most desirable pillar of the country. The free and fair judiciary must act as independent institution which should ensure the rights of the citizens and also monitor the working of government and other institutions within the country.

In this way the equality among the masses can be maintained and the sense of security will enhance the capability of people to protect democracy. The fear of law among the politicians will compel them to work with in the boundaries of constitution.


3. The unity among political parties

The unity among the political parties will impede undemocratic forces to cope on the government. It is witnessed in the political history of Pakistan that self concerned politicians and their parties always invited undemocratic forces to rule the country. Their gluttony to be in the government provided colossal loss to the democratic configuration of country. If all political parties become united for the democratic prosperity then the democracy can come out of the I.C.U.


4. The role of Feudal’s, Industrials and Business classes in politics.

These classes have been in the government since the independence of Pakistan. Not all of them, but most of the people from these classes have always worked for their own monetary interests, that action has destabilized the confidence of the people in political principles and politicians.

If middle class and educated person turn-up for politics then the tribulations of middle class and lower class cannot only be comprehended but also be resolved with practical approach. This would empower the lower and middle class and that empowerment leads to this nation state towards strongest democratic pathway.


5. The Fundamentalism in Pakistan.

The fundamentalism in Pakistan has been grave domestic concern. This issue and few extremist groups has commandeer the entire society which averse the true democratic process and it also defamed the icon of Pakistan in international community.

Due to this serious problem the people who wants to enter in politics are afraid to be get harmed. If extremism and fundamentalism gets evaporated from political scenario of Pakistan then moderate forces could be fraction of making democratic system more effective.





6. Electoral management and its credibility.

The autonomous election commission is also keeps significance to clutch and promote democratic procedure. Without free and fair elections we cannot assume the existence of true represented government of people. Therefore, it is utmost necessary to institutionalize the independent election commission which is mainstay of democracy.


7. Media and civil society (Including: NGO’s)

The media and civil society (NGO’s) has performed precious job to sentient the people of Pakistan regarding to their rights and importance of democracy.

It is necessary to authorize these forces to make the people of Pakistan conscientious about their constitutional rights. That will assist to strong and make understand the masses to fight for their rights and democracy, if, by any way undemocratic forces attack on the democracy.

8. The role of young generation in Politics.

The young generation’s presence in politics always has been source of foremost revolutions in the history of mankind. Young people have audacity and vigor to take any mission on for the betterment of society.

Young people should come in the politics to contribute their precious services for people and democracy. The scarcity of young and educated people has made the democratic process dead slow. If young blood becomes useful ingredient to promote democracy then I am confident that democratic journey will never going to be on lower ebb.


10. Role of Education for Democracy.


Education is most important part to handle the government effectively and it also decides the fate of country. Without education and literature none of the nation can even think about the success in any meadow of life.

Once George Washington Said;”Give me educated women, I will give you developed country”.

Education can change the destiny of nations and education can decides the fortune of people. Through, education people can check upon the politicians and their own rights; in this way the political and democratic bustle can become transparent and swift.

It is important to provide education without sex bigotry to save the society and democratic procession in Pakistan.

Poverty & Inflation

( By-Kashif Sarmad)

Unfortunately, Poverty and Inflation has been the core part of Pakistan since its independence. All governments whether democratic or undemocratic have never played a role in economic activities on gross root levels. That was irony of fate which leads poor person poorer.

The Micro Economic activity and its promotion could play massive role to change the life of people and could also contribute greatly to increase GDP numbers.

I would like to give example of Bangladesh where an individual Dr. Muhammad Yunus has started to give minor loans to poor people to establish their own business like, swing machine, carts, mini general store, mini medical store, etc. Due to that activity people established their own business and contributed to the economy of country in the mean of different taxes. In addition to that, surprisingly, the turn out of the reprisal of loans was about 98%. That proposal leads him to great success and by now he is maintaining about 1100 such branches. He also got Nobel Prize for that remarkable inventiveness for micro economic activity.

If the government of Pakistan would promote and chanelize the micro economic activity it would benefit the people on the gross root level. In this way the economic activity of the society will increase and the flow of money will also be up to the mark; that would make people out of the poverty web.

I am giving one example of micro unit of economy. If one person opens a medical store, that person will purchase or rent a shop, that person will purchase medicines; they will also hire people to handle shop and that person will also pay all taxes to the government. If we see in that example the individual of the shop has moved various economic activities and that activities benefited various people, like renting the shop, purchasing medicines, hiring of person, etc.

Besides that government should give those small unit traders some relief in the sense of loans and subsidies; so that they can establish their own business on strong level and can promote it further. This would help the government to establish their own local business unit within country and the monopoly of the different national and international industries will be eliminated due to that revolutionary step.

The competition will increase among the local business units and it will promote the price stability and also promote the customer convenience sense among domestic business community.

These are some points which will help to eliminate poverty and inflation.


A) Local Industries (Tax payment surety by proprietor to government)

B) Loans and subsidies to poor people for setting up local and small industries.

C) Loans to women in rural areas for making handicrafts more sophisticated not only in domestic markets but also in International markets as well. In this way women in rural areas will get their fair share by making different handicrafts.

Bilawal Bhutto-Brave Son Of Brave Muhtarma!

( By Kashif Sarmad )

When I saw Bilawal dealing with the world renowned journalists in London, I couldn’t stop admiring his nerve to face the toughest time of his life. I am confidant; He wouldn’t be able to forget his mother (Benazir Bhutto) by now and at the age of 19 how tactfully he was addressing the shrewd journalists of London. Hats off to you Bilawal!!

I was thinking, where the Bhutto’s destination will end? Zulfikar Ali Bhutto came in the Politics at the age of 35; Benazir stepped in the political quagmire when she was 27 and now Bilawal who is just 19 and was pleading to press to deal with him at bay during his studies.

After Muhtarma Benazir’s martyrdom the family and party went in the crisis for awhile and so many predictions were coming up regarding to the disintegration of PPP. No doubt, Zardari has controversial entity of PPP and very little number of people like his existence in the party.

The other point is will he be able to understand how military and international community interfere with this country since its existence. It’s going to be Herculean task for him to get rid of these two major barriers and run the government independently.

How Bilawal going to deal with the party and its associates with the affiliation of Mr. Zardari? No doubt, this question also has complexities. But the matter of fact might get different after few years when Bilawal Bhutto will come back. Without any question he is capable to cope-up with any situation in particular after dealing with this harsh point of time of his life.

I hope and sure that young generation will help Bilawal out after 5-6 years in the shape of joining the Pakistani political arena. If this revolution happens then the series of revolutions will get started in Pakistan.

I don’t know by whom Muhtarma Benazir got assassinated but I am supremely convinced that Benazir must be proud of her brave son and daughters. She might depart this world without achieving what she vision for but she has given that flag of responsibilities in the right hand.

Bilawal is under age but the gut’s he has showed to the press has sufficient evidence that another Bhutto is getting ready to lead this nation. With the help of Bilawal this country will attain the landmark where it’s actually destined for; the prosperity, stability and democracy.

The honor killing: The vicious facet of society.

The honor killing: The vicious facet of society.

(By Kashif Sarmad)





An honor killing is the murder of a victim (almost always a female) by, or the behest of, close family members with the aim of undoing the loss, or perceived loss, of wider family status owing to the actions or status of the victim. Victims are usually killed for actions seen to be sexually immodest. While honor killing is widespread among rural Muslim tribes in Pakistan, Iran and various Arab countries, it is much rare in the Muslim communities of Malaysia and Indonesia. It had also occurred among Sikh adherents.

The United Nations Population Fund (UNPF) estimates that the annual worldwide total of honor killing victims may be as high as 5000 women.

Human Rights Watch defines “Honour Killing” as follows:

Honour crimes are acts of violence, usually murder, committed by male family members against female family members, who are held to have brought dishonor upon the family. A women can be targeted by (Individuals within) her family for a variety of reasons, including: refusing to enter into an arranged marriage, being the victim of sexual assault, seeking a divorce-even from an abusive husband in a way that “dishonors” her family is sufficient to trigger an attack on her life.

For example, honor killings can sometimes target women who choose boyfriend, lovers or spouses outside of their family’s ethnic and/or religious community.

Similarly, in certain cultures a raped single woman will garner to hide price if she marries; this she will be regarded as a worthless burden on the family, which can be a death sentence.

Some women who bridge social divides, publicly engage other communities, or adopt some of the customs or the religion of an outside group may this also be attacked. In countries that receive immigration, some otherwise low-status immigrant men and boys have asserted their dominant patriarchal status by inflicting honor killing of one of their own, when they agree that the family is the property and asset of men and boys.

As far as Pakistan is concerned, numerous cases of honor killings have been reported in Pakistan. During the year 2002 in Pakistan about four hundred people (Men& Women) were killed in the name of Karo-Kari(Karo Means Black Men) (Kari Means Black Women) in Sindh out of 382 (245 Women-137 Men). The phenomenon of the killing in the name of honor has direct relevance to the illiteracy rate, as these killings are more common in the areas where the literacy rate is lower.

According to a report Issued by the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HARCP), Jacobabad District ranked first in terms of murder in the name of Karo-Karo (66 Women, 25 Men). Jacobabad district has a literacy rate of 23.66%, the least literate district of Sindh after Tharparkar District, and Thatta District. After Jacobabad, the Ghotki District witnessed the highest number of the murders in the name of Karo-Kari (13 Men, 54 Women). After Gotki, Larkana is the district with the next highest murder rate in the name of Karo-Kari (24 Men, 38 Women). Larkana as well, has a low literacy rate of 34.95. This is lower then even Naushero Feroz District, Dadu District and Khairpur District, having 39.14, 35.56 and 35.50 percent literacy rates respectively. These districts of the upper Sindh have low literacy rates but high feudal influence in every walk of life. Jacobabad, Ghotki and Larkana are those districts of Sindh were not only the illiterate ones, but trial chieftains are also in large number.

According to a report released by the HRCP, the cases of Karo-Karo are mostly settled as Jirgas, the private and parallel judicial system of Chieftains. However, districts of lower parts of Sindh like Tharparkar, Badin and Thatta experience nominal occurrences of honor killing because they have lower amount of feudal influence there.

An Amnesty International Statement adds:

The regime of honor is unforgiving: women on whom suspicion has fallen are not given an opportunity to defend themselves and family members have no socially acceptable alternative but to remove the stain on their honour by attacking the woman.

Some sources suggest that honor killings occur regularly in the Muslim world, Islamic religious authorities prohibit extra-legal punishment such as honor killings, since they consider the practice to be a cultural issue. They believe that since certain pre-Islamic cultures have influence over a number of Muslims, murderers of females use Islam to justify honor killing, but claim there is no support for the ct in the religion itself. The death penalty cannot always be applied in the Sharia as murders are a type of “Qisas” (retaliation) crime 2-178. This means that the deceased’s family should be offered the choice of capital punishment or “Diyya” (blood money) and no execution can take place without them opting for death. Because a relative(s) is usually responsible for the honor killing, it is unlikely that the deceased’s family will punish one of their own for the crime. However other punishments can be legislated and the murderer cannot pardon himself.


Generally, women in Pakistan face staggeringly high rates of rape, sexual assault, and domestic violence while their attackers largely go unpunished owing to rampant incompetence, corruption, and biases against women throughout the criminal justice system. Women who report rape or sexual assault encounter a series of obstacles. These include not only the police, who resist filling their claims and misrecord their statements, but also medico legal doctors, who focus on their virginity status and lack the training and supplies to conduct adequate examinations.


Women victims of domestic violence encounter even higher levels of unresponsiveness and hostility, as actors at all levels of the criminal justice system typically view of domestic violence charges by trying to reconcile the concerned parties rather then filling a report and arresting the perpetrator, and the few women who are referred to medico legal doctors for examination are evaluated by skeptical physicians who lack any training in the collections of foresenic evidence. When asked about the domestic violence victims who have been examined at his office, the head medico legal doctor for Karachi explained that “25 percent of such women come with self-inflicted wounds”.


According to the constitution of Pakistan the security of person is stated as under:

Right of life is guaranteed by Article 9. Right of “access to justice to all” is a well established/recognized inviolable right embodied in Article 9 of the constitution and is equally found in the doctrine of “due process of law”. Right includes the right to be treated according to law, the right to have a fair and proper trial by an impartial court of Tribunal.

Justice, therefore, can only be done if there is an independent judiciary which should be separate from Executive and not at its mercy or dependent on it. The provision amounts to a declaration that no person is to take life or liberty of another person, except under a law authorizing him to do so. The person, whose life is threatened, is therefore, entitled to require the person seeking to deprive him of the right to live or move freely, to show the legal authority under which he is purporting to act. No public functionary or private person may injure or confine a person, unless he has a legal warrant to do so. (1931)35 CWN 755. (P.C). The Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H) said at Arafat on the occasion of his farewell pilgrimage; that “your lives and property are sacred and inviolable as the sacred and inviolability of this very day (of pilgrimage)”


The Constitution of Pakistan's article 4(1) and (2) clearly state that "To enjoy the protection of law and to be treat in accordance with law is the inalienable right of every citizen, wherever he may be, and of every other person for the time being with in Pakistan. In particular (a) no action detrimental to the life, liberty, body, reputation or property of any person shall be taken except in accordance with law, (b) no person shall be prevented from or be hindered in doing that which is not prohibited by law; and (c) no person shall be compelled to do that which the law does not require him to do."

Universal declaration of Human Rights article 24(2) says, "Recognition of the inherited dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world."

Moreover, as far as the Hudood Law is concerned it’s besieged by preconceived notion and prejudice. The Hudood ordinance says, where the victim of rape, usually a female; has to produce four witnesses to prove the case. Likewise, the law states that these witnesses should be law abiding pious Muslims. And for falsely accusing a person of unlawful intercourse (Qadhaf), the petitioner will get eighty stripes as punishment.

As for the trial in rape cases, typically, in the words of a Lahore district attorney, “The past sexual history of the victim Is thrown around and touted in court to the maximum” Furthermore, women who file rape charges open themselves up to the possibility of being prosecuted for illicit sex if they fail to “prove” rape under the 1979 Hudood Ordinances, which criminalize adultery and fornication. As a result, when women victims of violence resort to the judicial system of redress, they are more likely to find further abuse and victimization.


I wondered, after reading that how it feasible is that four people walk around at the place of rape and if they are then, they will stop the person committing rape instead of waiting their turn to give statement in court? Or women should take four people with her, so if she gets raped, she would take them to court for statement. Are the rapists dim-witted enough to commit rape in public? The predicament is women will not go in the court to register case against rapist in fear of getting punishment of eighty stripes.

Since 2002, for the first time in Pakistan, there were handsome majority of women in central and provincial parliament but ironically it didn’t turn to be a red letter day for women of Pakistan. They expected to present aggressive aptitude to bring necessary legislations for women and to compel government to implement it. They failed to do so and it does not justify sidelining their failure with any political statement.

Specifically, the honour killing is the unhealed injury on society by our counterfeit and inhumane culture and norm. I reckon that the civil society and government should play crucial and swift role to eliminate not only honor killings but every single features of injustice with human being and specifically with women. There are some suggestions as under in order to counteract this issue:

1. Government should establish legal body with law enforcement agencies to shield women in any matter in well standard comportment and to pressurize Law enforcement agencies to conduct inquiry of cases (against women) in lawful manner and promptly.


2. The NGO’s and Government should jointly broaden education in rural areas and/or effected areas; they should launch an awareness programme in which they will literate women about their civil and constitutional rights in their own regional language.

3. Government should set up a panel of lawyers in every court of law and panel of doctors in every hospital to deal with any case of women without any hassle and red-tapism.

4. Government should repeal or amend the Hudood Laws to give relief raped victim, instead of more victimized by the paradoxical law, which is full of “ifs and buts”.


Until and unless government, civil society and law enforcement agencies won’t come and counter this sinfulness, our whole civilization will give a look of butcher house where people will behead the humanity everyday and every single moment.

The Women In Pakistan--The Dilemma

The Women in Pakistan-The Dilemma

(By-Kashif Sarmad)


The study of women in Islam and Muslim society is complex, reflecting the diverse and varied realities of Muslim women and Muslim societies throughout the ages. Alongside ideals embodied in the Quran and the traditions (hadith) of Muhammad (P.B.U.H), one must look at the actual condition of Muslim women in diverse time periods and sociohistorical contexts. The status of women in Islam was profoundly affected not only by the fact that Islamic belief interacted with and was informed by diverse cultures, but also, and of equal importance, that the primary interpreters of Islamic law and tradition were men (religious scholars or ulama) from those cultures.

The Situation in Pakistan for women is not the amicable. Still now young girls are being hanged in the name of VANI and KAROKARI (honor killing). Young girls are forced to marry by their parents. Young girls are afraid to go to gain their education because brutal and illiterate flag bearers of society are ready to throw acid on them. The registered rape ratio has been increased. I mentioned the word registered here because most of the rape cases never been reported due to the scare of ill fame of the community or family.

In some cases some particular families do not make relationship out of the community of family which is the biggest draw back of this Islamic society. This thing creates the caste system which is highly prohibited by the Islamic teachings; this negates the equality of all human beings. The marriage of women with Quran is also the biggest issue in Sindh.

I would also like to mention the statement based on ground reality conditions of the women in Pakistan by Hina Jilani (the lawyer and human rights activist): "The right to life of women in Pakistan is conditional on their obeying social norms and traditions.

"The United Nations has also concerned with the equality and rights of apposite gender in Pakistan: "...improving the status of women also enhances their decision-making capacity at all levels in all spheres of life...International Conference on Population and Development (1994)

The Constitution of Pakistan (1973) guarantees this equality between women and men. It has the following provisions for affirmative action for women:

Article 25 states: "All citizens are equal before the law and are entitled to equal protection before the law; there shall be no discrimination on the basis of sex alone; nothing in this Article shall prevent the State from making any special provision for the protection of women and children.

"Article 34 states: "Steps shall be taken to ensure the full participation of women in all spheres of national life."

Pakistan has also adopted several of the international commitments to protect basic human rights and gender equality. These include:

1. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948).

International Labor Standards and ILO Basic Human Rights Conventions, e.g. Freedom of Association and Protection of the Rights to Organize 1948;


1.1 Discrimination in Employment and Occupation 1958.

2. The Forward-Looking Strategies for the Advancement of Women (1985).

3. Education for All, Jomtien,1990.

4. Convention on the Rights of the Child, (CRC) ratified by Pakistan in 1990.

5. Agenda 21, United Nations Conference on Environment and Development, Rio, 1992.

6. Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action, Vienna Conference on Human Rights, 1993.

7. The Programme of Action, International Conference on Population and Development, Cairo, 1994.

8. Platform for Social Development, World Summit on Social Development, Copenhagen, 1995.

9. Beijing Platform for Action, Fourth World Conference on Women, Beijing, 1995.

10. Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women, (CEDAW), Pakistan acceded in 1996.

Moreover, Pakistan has been seeking to operationalise its commitments in a variety of ways. Implementation of the government’s Social Action Programme (SAP) started in 1992/3 with a major focus on removing gender disparities, especially in basic education and primary health. Efforts are under way to include gender concerns in all planning initiatives. The Ministry of Women’s Development, Social Welfare and Special Education is also striving for greater gender sensitization of the Ninth Five-Year Plan (1998-2003)

Below are some human social indicators for females and males in Pakistan, taken from both the Global and South Asian Human Development Reports, as well as from Pakistan’s own Integrated Household Survey, 1996/97. It should be recognized, though, that there is a lack of gender-disaggregated data available:

A. Literacy rates: Female 28% Male 51%

B. Gross primary enrolment: Female 64% Male 80%

C. Combined enrolment ratio: Female 25% Male 50%

D. Maternal mortality: 340 per 100,000 live births

E. Mortality rate (1-4 years): Females 12% higher than males

F Labor force participation: Female 11.39% Male 69.1%

G. Earned income share: Female 20% Male 80%

H. Seats in Parliament: Females 3.4%

I. Top administrative/managerial jobs Females 3%

Amnesty International has also called on the Government of Pakistan to take urgent measures in the following three areas in fulfillment of its obligation to provide effective protection to women against violence perpetrated in the name of honour and to end the impunity currently enjoyed by its perpetrators.


1. Legal measures undertake a review of criminal laws to ensure equal protection of law to women.

Adopt legislation which makes domestic violence in all its manifestations a criminal offence. The UN Special Reporter on violence against women developed a framework for model legislation on domestic violence [14] which Amnesty International recommends is used when drafting legislation against such crimes.

Make the sale of women and girls, the giving of women in marriage against financial consideration and as a form of compensation in lieu of a fine or imprisonment a criminal offence.

Provide women victims of violence with access to the mechanisms of justice and to just and effective remedies for the harm they have suffered.

Ensure that the provincial home departments, commissioners, deputy commissioners and senior police staff take notice of all reports of honour killings and ensure that every single case is investigated and brought to prosecution.

Abolish the death penalty and commute all death sentences.

2. Preventive measures

Undertake wide-ranging public awareness programs through the media, the education system and public announcements to inform both men and women of women's equal rights.

In particular, provide gender-sensitization training to law enforcement and judicial personnel to enable them to impartially address complaints of violence in the name of honour.

Ensure that data and statistics are collected in a manner that makes the problem visible.

3. Protective measures

Ensure that activists, lawyers and women's groups can pursue their legitimate activities without harassment or fear for their safety by providing adequate police protection and pursue all such threats with a view to punishment.

Expand victim support services provided by the state or non-governmental organizations; they should be run as places of voluntary recourse for women and their purpose should be only protective; they should be available all over the country, adequately resourced, and linked to legal aid, vocational training and with adequate provisions for children.

Here I will emphasize on one vital and less addressed issue of the women. One of the neglected and burning issue is the Girls are severely fatalities of forced marriages by their parents. Some of the parents do that because of illiteracy, poverty and bogus community system. In this modern and advanced age, parents and I must say even educated parents are averse of the love marriages. I am not trying to convince that love marriages are the only way out. But the truth is that, girls has right to choose their life partner. She must be given chance to see that person and to analyze according to her needs and demands. Parents should respect the say of the girl whether it’s in affirmative or negative.

I have seen literate families who are forcing their girls on the marriages and imposed their decisions as final decree. They think that whatever decisions they make is good for their kids and never consider their kid’s will in that most vital decision of their life.

The irony of fate is that government has done nothing in this regard. Just passing the statements or condemning the acts is not enough. They must take some practicable and applicable measurements in order to eliminate this evil act of society as soon as possible through all means.

Islam is also against the forced marriages. There are some examples in the Islamic history that the forced marriages were bete noire by our beloved Holy Prophet (PBUH).

According to the Islamic Law, women cannot be forced to marry anyone if they object. As it is attributed to Muhammad (PBUH):

Ibni `Abbaas reported that a girl came to the Messenger of God, Muhammad (sws), and she reported that her father had forced her to marry without her consent. The Messenger of God gave her the choice [between accepting the marriage or invalidating it]....the girl said: "Actually I accept this marriage but I wanted to let women know that parents have no right [to force a husband on them]". Sunan Ibn Maja 1873.

Article 16 of the human rights universal declaration about it marriage mentions that any person has a right to choose the life partner, unrespectable of cast, color, nationality and community.

“Men and women of full age, without any limitation due to race, nationality or religion, have the right to marry and to found a family. They are entitled to equal rights as to marriage, during marriage and at its dissolution.(2) Marriage shall be entered into only with the free and full consent of the intending spouses.(3) The family is the natural and fundamental group unit of society and is entitled to protection by society and the State”. Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Article 16.

Our forefathers have given us the traditions which might were best for those epochs. Now those traditions, rituals and customs need some modification according to this present era. Some of them are out dated and some of them are injurious to the humanity.The government of Pakistan must take some steps to prevent this injustice. They should do like mandatory that before marriage girl should be met with lady judge or lady magistrate in personal and then that lady magistrate issue the certificate of clearance for that marriage after consulting the bride and telling the bride about her constitutional and religious rights. It’s like suggestion to prevent the injustice with the young and immature girls who been victimized by the emotional and sentimental situation made by their parents.

Reconstruction of politics in Pakistan; A little thought

I have been witnessed that every young blood has many desires for future. Someone wants to be Engineer or Doctor or Police officer. I have never seen a sole person who wants to be a politician. This question revolve in my mind that why youths are afraid of coming into the political arena of Pakistan? Are they having some sort of fear? Are they not eligible enough to serve the poor nation of Pakistan? Are they just the followers not the leaders?

Politics itself is a vast and has multiple dimensions. People use to say that it’s a big drain of society but until the pundits of flag bearer of society won’t put exertion, how it would be hygienic. I consider and propose that spanking new blood should move toward in this field without considering it trivia. It is imperative and superior way to help poor people out of the turbulence of life.

I could realize how many hardships the young generation will face in this field due to corrupt and wicked politician who are already on the political platforms through unlawful means. But the matter is the courage and dedication for doing something first-rate for those people who looking ahead to us to set the new drift in the political manifestoes in the politics of Pakistan.

People of Pakistan are waiting for the right leader and I strongly believe the there are scores of high-quality leaders are hidden among the young people who are averse of the political pasture. We people really want to see the change in the traditional, ridiculous political culture and I am obliged to say that this only could ensue when the young and educated people come ahead with the ambition that they will take Pakistan to the culmination of success.


Jinnah always encourages youths to jump into the politics. The students were the reason for the many revolutions around the world. It doesn’t mean that they (students) start the politics in the school, colleges or in universities. One should join the politics when he/she really equipped with knowledge and education. Without these things one cannot be thinking to be a good politician or expect any change in the society.

Kashif Sarmad