Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi said on Monday that Pakistan would propose to announce March 15 as an International Day against Islamophobia in the upcoming meeting of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).
He said that following the directives of Prime Minister Imran Khan, he would table a resolution before the OIC meeting against the increasing tendency of Islamophobia in the world.
March 15 marks the day when at least 50 Muslims were killed during Friday prayers at Al Noor and Linwood mosques in New Zealand’s Christchurch city.
While talking to a private TV channel, the foreign minister said that United Nations (UN) should take immediate and firm steps to resist hate speech against the Muslims.
He further said that the hatred being spread today would yield negative impact and involve the societies into continuous violence.
He also said that the prime minster had written a letter to facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg to place a ban on Islamophobia and hate speech against Islam and Muslims the way he had banned hate speech against the Holocaust.
He also said that PM’s letter had drawn Mark Zuckerberg’s attention to the rising trend of Islamophobia that was causing intolerance, extremism, hate speech and violence all over the world through social media platforms.
He further said that frequent episodes of desecration of Holy Quran and printing of Prophet Muhammad’s blasphemous caricatures by a French magazine Charlie Hebdo were taking place hurting the whole Muslim community around the globe.
Nobody had the right to damage the feelings of the Muslim community in the world, he said adding that the comments of French President Emmanuel Macron fanned the already aggravating situation.
The traditional joint family system has broken apart. Grandfathers, grandmothers, uncles and aunts who would come running to take a weeping child in their arms are no longer around.
Prof. Sultan Mahmood Niazi
“Papa, you don’t know anything” is a frequent remark heard in our homes these days. The young generation expresses its frustration with the attitude of the parents, branding them as old-timers, devoid of knowledge about the modern day trends. They are too sure of their own superior knowledge and power of judgment. The elders bemoan the insolence and haughty attitude of the young generation. An air of antagonism constantly prevails between the older generation and the new. Representatives of the younger generation are not willing to be subdued by their elders any longer. Traditional norms and centuries old behavior patterns are spurned away by them as something trite and ridiculous. The old are considered by them to be nothing more than ATM’s which should only meet their financial demands and then should have nothing to do with their plans and actions.
Such a chasm between the two generations has not emerged abruptly. It is the result of years of neglect on the part of the parents about their off-springs. The parents have been too busy in meeting the demands of the material routine duties and engagements of life that they forget to give the tactile warmth which can only be expressed through affectionately cuddling the young ones in their arms. The bread-earners leave for professional engagements without bothering to extend a smiling glance towards the children. They have businesses to be conducted and meetings to attend. Even on Sundays, their forgotten chores and pending tasks keep haunting them at the cost of neglect for the young ones, who remain hungry of affectionate parental attention. Fathers think that they are serving the cause of the children by earning enough for them. All out efforts are made to pamper the children in financial terms alone.
The mothers give more time to chatting with the members of their club circle than paying attention to the expectant eyes of their children who are most of the time entrusted to the care of their maids. Young mothers abhor the idea of breast-feeding the infants, depriving them of their natural basic right. They think that such indulgence would adversely affect their physique, slacken their shapely curves and spoil their presentable appearances. The evenings are mostly reserved for business dinners and club meetings and bridge parties. The parents have no time even for the teacher-parent meetings where most of the behavioral problems of the children could be discussed and easily resolved.
The traditional joint family system has broken apart. Grandfathers, grandmothers, uncles and aunts who would come running to take a weeping child in their arms are no longer around. Couples detest the presence of interfering kith and kin near them. Their independence is endangered by such indulging bonds. The closely woven net-work of close relations has lost its attraction and utility. Children of a family hardly find opportunities of saying hello to their close relatives. They are bred to be selfish and careless. Naturally they grow up to become quite insolent and indifferent as members of the family. In some case it gives rise to serious conflicts in the family on account of non-conformity to the traditional norms.
At schools and colleges, the present day children are getting education which is much more broad-based as compared to the education received by the members of the older generation. Previously all parents wanted to see their children becoming doctors or engineers or bureaucrats. Now, the measure of successful grooming is different. Young people aspire to be movie stars, singers, musicians, producers, directors or high class performers in the field of sports. Technology is mostly responsible for the professional preferences now seen by the young people. The internet and the media are profusely instrumental in popularizing newer and newer careers to be chosen. They project the generation conflicts so repeatedly that the new generation cannot remain immune from its effects. Young people start examining their own situations in the light of what they view over the media and take to behaving differently from the traditional norms.
Unfortunately, there is colossal social incoherence prevalent in our society. There is a clear gulf between the ‘haves and the ‘have-nots’. Children of the well-to-do families are pampered to the extent of becoming insolent and rude to the elders. Their choice of dress, their liking for music and movies and their food preferences are markedly different from those of their parents. Their opinions are expressed vociferously and more independently without regards to the experience and qualifications of the elders. Media is accepted by them as the only mentor and guide. They begin to spurn the wisdom of the elders as nothing more than rubbish. On the other hand, the elders, too, refrain from getting involved in arguments with the young, fearing that they might lose whatever control they have on the family. Lack of communication makes the two generations live in the same house as strangers.
Young children want their presence felt by the elders. They resort to rebellion against what their parents cherish most. They start misbehaving and to breaking all regulations imposed on them by the elders. Their non-conformity with the parental guidelines is reflected in the language they use. It can be distinguished by the differences in their language use. This is where the older generation finds itself to be insecure and incompetent. The new generation has created a parallel gap in language that can be difficult to communicate across. This issue is one visible throughout society, creating complications within day to day communication at home, at the work place, and within schools. As new generations seek to define themselves as something different from the old, they adopt new lingo and slang, allowing the new generation to create a sense of division and superiority over the previous one.
The transitions from each level of lifespan development have remained the same throughout history. They have all shared the same basic milestones in their travel from childhood, through midlife and into retirement. However, while the pathways remain the same, i.e. attending school, getting married, raising families, retiring, the actual journey varies not only with each individual, but with each new generation. For instance, as time goes on, technology is being introduced to individuals at younger and younger ages. The young people of the last generation had to introduce Atari and VCRs to their parents, Young children of the present generation have to teach their parents how to maneuver such things as DVRs, cell phones and social media. There is a vast difference in the interests of one generation and the other when it comes to technology.
What needs to be done in order to sustain a peaceful and pleasant living together is to strike a compromise. The elders would have a jolly time with the younger generation if they start giving more time and attention to their off-springs. Similarly, the young people would receive greater warmth and affection from the parents if they start looking up the elders as caring and useful guardians.
Launch of Mian Mahmud Ahmad Kasuri's 4th book Zamzama e Khayalaat
While talking to the audience, Mian Mahmud Ahmad Kasuri said that his work was for everyone out there.
by Fraaz Mahmud Kasuri
Mian Mahmud Ahmad Kasuri, Advocate Supreme Court of Pakistan, launched his fourth book Zamzama e Khayalaat at Karachi Shauhda Hall, Lahore High Court, Lahore on Thursday, October 22.
His first three books were Shama e Wakalat, Aaeena e Wakalat and Durr e Ehsasaat while Zamzama e Khayalaat is his fourth book. First two books are purely on law to guide the young lawyers about being a practicing lawyer. The other two books are in the form of poetry and throw light on some serious issues like humanity, health, rule of law etc.
Mian Mahmud Ahmad Kasuri sharing his views on the launch of his 4th book Zamzama e Khayalaat
According to the details, Mian Mahmud Ahmad Kasuri launched his fourth book on Thursday, October 22 at Karachi Shauhda Hall of Lahore High Court at 1pm.
Major ® Naveed ur Rehamn Khan Qureshi (Nishan e Imtiaz, Sitara e Jurrat) was the chief guest while Lahore High Court Bar Association (LHCBA) Education & Cultural Committee Chairperson Nargis Naheed Advocate was host at the programme. Tasawar Hussain Qureshi Advicate Supreme Court of Pakistan, Aftab Mustfa Advocate Supreme Court of Pakistan, Tahir Aslam Qureshi Advocate Supreme Court of Pakistan, Shabana Azeem Advocate Supreme Court of Pakistan Shamim Butt Advocate High Court, Inaitullah khan Niazi Advocate Supreme Court of Pakistan, Siraj Ahmad Advocate Supreme Court of Pakistan, Shafiq Chauhan Advocate High Court, Iftikhar Chauhan Advocate High Court, Malik Shafiq Advocate High Court, Shakeel Akram Qureshi Advocate, Mian Ayaz Mahmud Advocate High Court, Sahibzada Ashraf Asmi Advocate High Court, Shumaila Advocate High Court, Warda Syed Advocate High Court, journalist and educationist Fraaz Mahmud Kasuri, political scientist Khadeeja Fraaz Kasuri and renowned poetess, columnist and social worker Sarwat Rubina were also present at the event.
The whole event was covered by Infocus by Zain Photography & Films and Just1 TV.
While talking to the audience, Mian Mahmud Ahmad Kasuri said that his work was for everyone out there. He paid tribute to the living legend Major ® Naveed ur Rehman Khan Qureshi by lighting mud lamps in his honur and making him eat choori. He formally thanked the audience for taking out time to attend the launch ceremony.
Naveed ur Rehman Khan Qureshi appreciated the effort of the author and termed the book a unique idea in the present times. He also shared some of the real stories of his war life.
Ashraf Asmi in his vibrant style admired the selection of topics by the author and termed the author as ‘hero’ of the nation.
Tasawar Hussain Qureshi said that Zamzama e Khayalaat was a great book by a great orator.
Tahir Aslam Qureshi said that he had never seen such a blend of Quranic teachings and law in poetic style.
Sarwat Rubina said that Zamzama e Khayalaat was a wonderful contribution of the author to humanity especially women.
Malik Shafiq, Iftikhar Chauhan, Mian Ayaz Mahmud, Fraaz Mahmud Kasuri and Khadeeja Fraaz Kasuri were also among the speakers.
At the end, Fraaz Mahmud Kasuri sang a poem written on Naveed ur Rehman Khan Qureshi and amused the audience.
Addressing the participants, PNCA DG Dr Fauzia Saeed said that these programmes were planned to revive the traditional sides of classical music like khayal, thumri and kafi gaiki etc.
Pakistan National Council of the Arts (PNCA) kicked start a chain of colorful musical programmes titled “Raagistan” on Saturday.
Addressing the participants, PNCA DG Dr Fauzia Saeed said that these programmes were planned to revive the traditional sides of classical music like khayal, thumri and kafi gaiki etc.
She said that PNCA was doing its best to endorse the classical music among the youth and also to give an opportunity of listening quality music to the classical music lovers.
She said that this project would be a landmark for paying tribute to the legendary classical singers and a source of appreciation for their upcoming generation who is the defender of that precious art form.
She said that PNCA was hoping to arrange more programmes of this series in near future to revive the rich classical art form.
Renowned classical singer from “Jalandhar Family” Akbar Ali was the lead performer of the programme accompanied by famous flutist Hassan Badshah and some other talented musicians.
He showed an excellent exhibition of Khayal, thumri and kaafi gaiki.
Extensive work has already been done on the remaining six items and Pakistan should continue to make efforts to fulfill the remaining requirements in line with its strategy by February 2021, said a statement by FATF.
The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) has acknowledged that Pakistan has made progress over almost all the required items by addressing 21 points out of 27.
According to a press release issued here on Friday (October 23) by the Finance Ministry, the FATF acknowledged the noteworthy progress made by Pakistan on a number of required items.
Appreciating Pakistan’s persistent and irrevocable efforts in the implementation of FATF Action Plan, the FATF has upgraded a total of 9 action plan items in its October 2020 Plenary.
According to a statement, prior to this plenary, Pakistan had addressed 14 out of 27 items and now FATF had reviewed the compliance of remaining 13 action plan items during the current plenary.
The action plan items that have been addressed by Pakistan include highly important areas of financial sector, illegal hawala/hundi, cross-border currency regime, international cooperation in terrorist financing cases, amendments to the anti-terrorism act, implementation of targeted financial sanctions by financial institutions, applying sanctions for AML/CFT violations, and controlling facilities and services owned or controlled by designated persons and entities.
This points out the confidence of FATF on the efforts of Pakistani government, the statement added.
However, in view of the 6 items in “Partially Addressed” category, the plenary meeting decided to maintain status quo with respect to classification of Pakistan, for the time being.
Extensive work has already been done on these six items and Pakistan should continue to make efforts to fulfill the remaining requirements in line with its strategy by February 2021, it said adding that FATF would undertake the next review of Pakistan’s progress in February 2021.
The plenary meetings of FATF were held virtually from October 18, 2020 to October 23, 2020, where its members talked on several topics including Pakistan’s progress.
The Pakistan team, led by Federal Minister of Industries and Production Muhammad Hammad Azhar, attended these virtual meetings.
Pakistan presented its case in a good way and also reiterated its political will to go with the efforts to complete the Action Plan.
Talking at a training course at National Defense University, he told the participants about the steps taken by his ministry under Vision FO initiative to improve the foreign policy in a modern way and to increase its usefulness.
Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said on Saturday that success of the foreign policy of a country was directly linked with the stability of its national economy.
He also said that keeping this thing in mind Pakistan had launched an economic diplomacy initiative which was bringing positive results.
Talking at a training course at National Defense University, he told the participants about the steps taken by his ministry under Vision FO initiative to improve the foreign policy in a modern way and to increase its usefulness.
He said that Pakistan had been quite effective in highlighting the serious human rights abuses and violations of international laws by the India in the occupied Jammu and Kashmir at the United Nations Security Council and other world forums.
He also said that Pakistan was making honest and re-conciliatory efforts for establishing peace in Afghanistan as well as in the region. Pakistan’s efforts for regional peace were also being appreciated globally, he added.
He said this while talking to the students of Cadet College of Isakhel in Mianwali after inaugurating a mega water supply scheme for Isakhel and adjacent areas.
Prime Minister Imran Khan said on Saturday that the time was not far away when everybody would see Pakistan as an independent and emerging state on the map of the world.
He said this while talking to the students of Cadet College of Isakhel in Mianwali after inaugurating a a mega water supply scheme for Isakhel and adjacent areas.
Paying a tribute to the people of Mianwali, he said that the people of the city had supported him since his entering into the politics despite the disheartening designs by the opposition parties.
He said that the opposition parties mocked at him before his every success and now they were doing the same when he had sloganeered the idea of ‘Naya Pakistan’.
He further said that Naya Pakistan will come into being and you would be proud as that time is not so far. Pakistan would become one of the strongest countries in the world; just wait a little more, he claimed.
He said that most of the complaints he had been witnessing in this region for last 24 years were related to water, fake FIRs and shortage of schools or girls school teachers, nurses and doctors.
He also said that the water supply would be enough for all the union councils of the area except two adding that the government would allow the local hospitals to hire their own doctors to resolve the issue of the availability of the doctors.
The shortage of girls school teachers would be addressed the same way, he said.
He further said that people living in palaces and getting their medical treatment from abroad could never feel the needs of the poor rather Usman Buzdar, from a backward area, might understand the issues of these areas in a better way.
He said that any society with an unjust rule of law could never survive for a long time particularly when it had separate laws for the poor and the rich.
The main objective of State of Madina was also to empower the poor and shield them from the cruelties of the powerful ones, he added.
He asked the inspector general of Punjab Police and other senior officers to monitor the police stations on regular basis so that nobody could victimize the week people.
He said that the government would provide maximum funds for the up gradation of the cadet college to improve the educational needs of the area.
He also said that a Knowledge City would be developed at the Namal University to provide facilities like schools and research centers.
He further said that the students of Namal University had obtained first division from Bradford University while being in Pakistan and it depicts the height of talent here in the country.
He announced that the clean drinking water supply project would cost Rs 3.2 billion out of which 80 percent would be funded by the federal government and 20 percent by the provincial government.
The project would ensure supply of 3.4 million gallons per day water to a population of around 250,000 people in 87 towns and 151 villages.
To be powered by solar energy, the project would also have three-month water conservation capacity to cope with the needs during the dry season.
During his visit, the prime minister also vaccinated a child to mark the World Polio Day (October 24) with purpose to make Pakistan a polio-free country.
The prime minister appreciated the efforts of the government officials and the heads of the private banks for establishing a system to benefit the poor in every possible way.
Monitoring Desk –
Prime Minister Imran Khan asked on Thursday for facilitating the poor people in the attainment of loans from the banks while taking care of their self-respect.
He said this when he was holding a meeting with the National Coordination Committee on Housing, Construction and Development.
In the presence of the prime minister, the State Bank of Pakistan governor explained the facility of loans for the needy and the middle class people on easy installments.
Authorities from the Meezan Bank, Bank Al-Habib, National Bank of Pakistan, Allied Bank Limited, Habib Bank and Bank of Punjab told the prime minister about the facility of loans under the Naya Pakistan Housing Programme.
It was also discussed in the meeting that after setting up exclusive desks at the corresponding branches, the procedure of receiving loans had been made stress-free. It was further conveyed to the meeting that the private banks would release loans under the Islamic as well as conventional banking.
The banks’ heads guaranteed their backing and assistance to the government in the uplift of the construction sector and making it easy for the poor people to construct their own houses.
They praised the prime minister and the government’s economic team for putting efforts for the survival of the business community and the banking sector during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The meeting was also updated that different technological methods were being used to provide loans in the minimum time by verifying the applicants’ documents in a quick way.
The prime minister was also informed that it was the beginning of the project and the number of private banks offering loans would increase gradually thus more private banks would be giving loans.
The Punjab chief secretary explained in the meeting that an online portal had been activated for the constructors where applications are received and judged on merit. With the help of this online portal, delays in the loaning process would be minimized by involving the institutions concerned online in this process, he said adding that, so far, the portal had received 6,994 applications of which 54 percent applications had been approved.
He further told the meeting that, after receiving a loan application, a timeline is provided to the applicant for the approval of the applications. With the help of this application, the applicant also remains in touch with the concerned department about his/her case to keep a watch on the progress of the case.
The prime minister appreciated the efforts of the government officials and the heads of the private banks for establishing a system to benefit the poor in every possible way. He urged all the participants to take care of the self-respect of the poor people while applying for the loan.
He also asked the chief secretaries of all the provinces to make their provinces tech-friendly to make use of the online system in a better way.
He said that the process of approving the loan applications could be made quick and on merit if the applications are received, judged and decided online.
Many prominent women, mostly politicians, around the world have been labeled as “iron ladies” of their countries with Margaret Thatcher of the UK and Indira Gandhi of India being the most prominent. In Pakistan, many women have stood out in various fields and made a winning impression but the nation hasn’t reached a consensus on awarding the title of Iron Lady to anyone. Many think of Fatima Jinnah in this regard while some would like Benazir Bhutto to be awarded with the title. However, the only name which comes to my mind is Begum Nusrat Bhutto, who stood the tough tests of times very bravely but ultimately fell into the wings of death on October 23, 2011. As her death anniversary is commemorated all over Pakistan, I shall take you on a distant journey through her eventful life.
Nusrat Bhutto rose to national prominence when her husband Zulfikar Ali Bhutto took over a divided Pakistan on December 20, 1971. Although the relationship between ZAB and his wife was not like the one between Emperor Jahangir and Noor Jahan but Nusrat somewhere or the other had an influence on ZAB’s decisions and life. She cannot be termed as ZAB’s top advisor but someone who the charismatic leader liked to listen to while living his political and personal life. Nusrat was an active first lady throughout Bhutto’s reign. She chose to come out in the open instead of remaining confined to her house. Nusrat actively traveled with her husband all over the world with the most famous trip happening to China. She was well-educated and devoted her abilities in forming and keeping active the women wing of her husband’s PPP. The first lady served as a guiding force, motivator, mentor and role model for all the female workers and leaders of the party. She strongly believed that women should have all equal rights just as men and galvanized the party throughout Pakistan. Even in deeply orthodox areas of the country, Nusrat was able to find support for the party and convinced women to not only vote on election day but also take active part in politics.
But Nusrat’s real test came when ZAB’s government was overthrown . As her husband was arrested and put on trial , Nusrat showed the people what unimaginable power a woman can have. First of all, she challenged the imposition of martial law in the apex court of the country. The case came to be known as the Nusrat Bhutto VS Chief Martial Law Administrator case. References and instances from the case have been repeatedly quoted in various cases across the country. As her husband was being hanged to death in the biggest judicial murder of the world, Nusrat and Benazir visited ZAB for the last time in his death cell. During the conversation, ZAB declared her wife and daughter free from his side and asked them to go to Europe and live their lives freely. But a defiant Nusrat replied that she can never think of leaving her husband’s party in the lurch and all those workers who wanted to commit suicide after their leader’s death. Her brave and courageous daughter Benazir also replied the same. After hearing this, ZAB felt proud and said that she expected the same answers from his family. As ZAB left for heavenly abode, the outstanding Nusrat took over the party, which was so brilliantly built by her husband from scratch. She became the first female head of a leading political party of Pakistan, which was really taboo in those times and remains even today in many areas of Pakistan.
Nusrat was the main architect of the MRD Movement, which aimed at restoring democracy in the country. Although, Asif Ali Zardari is credited with starting politics of reconciliation, the real founder of that kind of politics was Begum Nusrat Bhutto. No one can forget that meeting at ZAB’s house 70-Clifton, where all of Bhutto’s political adversaries met his widow for forging a united stance against the military dictator. Only if they would not have opposed Bhutto without any reason, there would never have been a martial law in Pakistan in 1977. As the MRD Movement achieved success and democracy was restored in Pakistan, Nusrat saw her elder daughter take her father’s seat as PM. Before that she bravely withstood the death of her younger son Shahnawaz and always showed the ability to absorb grief with bravery. As Nusrat became deputy PM under her daughter, relations within the family started to deteriorate. Her elder son Murtaza returned to Pakistan to claim her father’s party but was faced with resistance from her elder sister and her husband. As Benazir took sides with her husband, Nusrat stood with her son. That was the time when she showed weakness and couldn’t keep the family united. It was really strange that a woman who kept her husband’s party intact couldn’t keep her family the same. Maybe her heart at that time was working more as a mother than a leader. As family feuds and secret hands took her Murtaza away from her as well, just one year back she made a prediction, which became true. Nusrat said that she fears that the forces which killed her husband would come back for Murtaza and Benazir and the same happened in 1996 and 2007 when both her children were also assassinated.
Although she saw Murtaza’s death and couldn’t keep her mental balance after that, Nusrat was in a complete vegetative state when her Pinky left this world. Maybe God kept her like this so that she couldn’t see that after her husband and two sons, Pinky has also been taken away from her. What Begum Sahiba saw as a wife, mother and leader is something which everyone prays not to see on his own. As she rests in her grave at Garhi Khuda Bakhsh, we pray that her soul finds the calm it couldn’t see in her life and may women always get inspired from her instead of the fake ideals roaming around nowadays.
The writer is a freelance journalist and can be reached at [email protected]
We need to develop a viable approach to education which would produce adequate number of trained scientists willing to undertake research projects and contribute to the economic and social growth of the country.
by Prof. Sultan Mahmood Niazi
Iqbal genuinely bemoaned the ruthless carnage at the hands of the educational instructors when they suppressed the trend of asking question by their pupils and insisted on the blind acceptance of whatever was taught to them at madrasahs. Our teachers gradually adopted the same attitude in respect of provision of education at schools and colleges, because it allowed them to continue vomiting out in classes the trite pieces of information they themselves were forced to cram as students.
Such authoritarian attitude made their job easy, because they didn’t have to defend their knowledge in finding answers to the students’ queries. Anyone daring to ask questions was branded as insolent and brash.
Gala tou ghoont diya ahle madrash ne tera
Kahan se aaye sada La Ilaha Illallah.
(Allama Iqbal)
The school authorities have managed to stifle
the element of curiosity in seeking knowledge.
How do you expect the students to raise their
voices in order to find the truth?
The main stake-holders i.e. the young children, are all born-scientists. Every child is gifted with the inquisitive urge – the urge to know. Inquisitiveness is the chief trait of all scientists, because Science is defined as ‘The systematic study of the universal phenomena with the intent of finding the truth.’ All children are known to pestering the elders with incessant rain of questions about the happenings around them. What goes wrong when, our children, born with the faculty of asking non-stop questions, become dumb and docile acceptors of what the teachers pass on to them in the form of education? We, in Pakistan, are not producing scientists and scientific knowledge that can help us meet the challenges of the present time with success.
Obviously, there is something wrong with our system of education. The traditional approach of passing on to the students, the information gained by the teachers is not yielding the desired results. The teachers expect their students to docilely accept whatever information is passed on to them. As a result, rote- learning finds fertile ground to flourish. Very industrious and hard-working students adopt the habit of memorizing the contents of text-books and jotting down the major points of the teacher’s lectures in classes, without realizing that they are academically getting nowhere.
They need to acquire the scientific approach which basically calls for serious and thorough observation on the part of the learners. They should be trained to observe things realistically and rationally. Only then they would be able to embark upon the next phase of scientific behavior which comprises the stage of pondering over the findings of their observations. The scientists are able to see possibilities with their mind’s eye and judge each possibility as rationally as possible. This phase, in scientific jargon, is the phase of calculation, though not necessarily restricted to the application of mathematical functions alone. Scientific contemplation is the basic ingredient. Scientifically minded people think and think over what they see and discover during the phase of observation. They probe into various possibilities presented by their observations. They analyze their findings and finally draw inferences which are the most satisfying. The three stages of the scientific approach i.e. observation, calculation and inference open the way for knowledge generation and liberate the students from the shackles of blind acceptance of information provided by the teachers.
We need to develop a viable approach to education which would produce adequate number of trained scientists willing to undertake research projects and contribute to the economic and social growth of the country. Such scientists would be groomed to raise questions with the intent of furthering the boundaries of knowledge. They would not be disheartened by their initial failures in finding logical and valid answers to the questions raised by them. They would be proving their doggedness of pursuit in the face of setbacks, discouragement and thoughtless criticism.
When we sit down to analyze the factors responsible for the present state of affairs in the field of science and research in the country, it is revealed that indifference on the part of the government, lack of social interest in research aptitude building, and inadequate infra-structure conducive to whole-hearted engagement in research activities are responsible for the present situation. All such factors result in half-hearted periodical attempts at righting the wrong which has permeated into the fabric of our educational system.
Resultantly, even when our students are asked to write an essay on ‘My Best Friend’, they invariably start writing about a student who, in addition to being the son of a doctor, is the most brilliant student, the most successful athlete, the best orator and the most talented performer. In reality, their best friend may be the most notorious laggard who is more interested in stealing apples from the neighboring orchard than in getting positions in class examinations and field competitions. It is so because they have been forced to cram up the description of ‘My Best Friend’ from the test-paper, instead of being trained to come up with realistic descriptions.
This trend is to be rejected, if we expect our students to adopt the habit of scientific thinking. It is a question of building up the research attitude which prompts the individual student to observe things minutely, ponder over them and to infer rational and logical inferences.
In addition to the dearth of financial resources and lack of research facilities, there hasn’t been sufficient stress on the part of the government and on the part of the educational institution to promoting research aptitude overall. A scientist cannot be produced in isolation. He/she has to be gradually groomed up through intellectual stimulations provided by the colleagues and the general atmosphere of providing incentives through discussions and sharing of experiences. Parents also contribute to inculcating rational thinking and the environment provides some role models which ensure the students’ familiarization with scientific method.
The need of well-designed curricula that can promote free critical thinking cannot be over emphasized. The age-old curricula at vogue in our schools and colleges have lost their relevance to the modern times. The curricula prescribed by the government needs to be constantly updated in the light of new developments in each field of study. Curricula developed by renowned universities and colleges in the world are available on the internet. We can select items compatible to our context for prompt and ready updating of our own curricula.
There is no dearth of talent in Pakistan. We, as a nation, need only to nurture the existing talent in order to rise up to the level of global recognition. The hurdles like inadequate financial investment in education or non-availability of infrastructure conducive to meaningful and yielding research can be overcome through committed efforts on the part of the government and on the part of educational institutions. Government must realize the need of allocating at least 10% of the National GDP to education and divert at least 40% of budgetary allocation to Science Education and research. Some three decades ago, educational cess at the rate of 5% was imposed on all imports with the intent of generating funds for the education sector, but, unfortunately, that revenue has never been spent by the government on education. There are various other venues of resource generation which have not been tapped so far.
