Letter To The Editor: Elections Heat

Elections heat 

The Frontier Post 

30-04-2013

As the day of general elections is about to come, heat of elections engulfs us with every passing moment. Few political parties have started engaging in their political activities while a few have called for shutting down their camps owing to security reasons. Breathing fire against rival politician is also seen on daily basis.
The ongoing political situation clearly implies that 11 May would be the historic day of Pakistan. The heat of elections has gone to such extent that political leaders of different parties, have started breathing fire against each other. Imran says that on 11th May 2013 Pakistan will be independent from looters while Nawaz says after 11 May winds of prosperity will blow in the country. On the contrary, There is a hue and cry on electronic media that how elections will successfully hold if the ongoing security situation persistently prevails. This style of propagating news will not only cause fears in the masses but also demoralize our law and order enforcers.
It is time to spread political and voting awareness rather than creating havoc across the country. It is therefore. We need to tell our people that no matter heaven may fall, elections will be on time and every Pakistani stands shoulder to shoulder with our law enforcement agencies. Someone has rightly said every dark night is followed by a colorful morning. It must be in our chamber of thoughts that whosoever gets hurt while political canvassing is not a worker of certain political party but our Pakistani fellow.

Waqar Abro
Karachi 

Letter To The Editor: Deputation Virus

Deputation virus

The Frontier Post 

29-04-2013

Recently, a press report revealed that more than 300 civil servants of different cadres had been posted in Office management Group by the former ruling party ppp. Posting officials on deputations is not a new practice.
Every government after coming into power reshuffles bureaucracy in order to benefit its close aids. The misuse of authority begins when a person who is not capable enough, has been posted on deputation.
Despite Supreme Court orders, there are thousands of civil servants posted in various departments under the tag of deputations.
When political interests are involved then why to shame while bypassing the rules laid down in the civil service ac?
This is the mindset of our so called democratic leaders. In the name of democracy ruling political parties always try to achieve their own political interests.
The most unfortunate thing is that there is not a single political party which is supposed to be in absolute majority.
This pluralistic politics compels different political parties to form government under the name of consensus policy which further aggravates our public sector organizations. But the point required for attention here who is the employer of civil servants, government or state? Managing administration affairs is not a child’s play.
It demands experience and administrative expertise to execute official duties adequately and expediently. However, it is the established fact that without assent of senior bureaucrats our politicians can never place a wrong man on the right job.
Yes, they are manipulated and offered fruitful- fringes in order to fulfill political interest but Pakistan’s interest is more important than any other interest.
In a judgement Supreme court had said to honest and loyal officers that they did not need to obey unconstitutional orders of the government.
Supreme court would guard their interest if they were maligned or manipulated by the ruling political elite. But, meager salaries always incite our bureaucrats to fall prey to dishonest practices.
Until structural changes are not brought, changing the status quo administration system is not possible. Civil servants should also realize that public interest is of high importance. It is therefore, they reckon themselves a civil servant is a public servant rather than politicians servant.

Waqar Abro
Karachi

Letter To The Editor: Let there be hope

Let there be hope

Pakistan Observer

29-04-2013

As the day of general elections approaches, heat of elections engulfs with every passing moment. Few political parties have started engaging in their political activities while a few have called for shutting down their camps owing to security reasons. The ongoing political situation clearly implies that 11 May would be a historic day of Pakistan. The heat of elections has gone to such extent that political leaders of different parties , have started breathing fire against each other. Imran says that on 11th May 2013 Pakistan will be independent from looters while Nawaz says after 11 May winds of prosperity will blow in the country. On the contrary, there is a hue and cry on electronic media that how elections will be successfully held if the ongoing security situation continues. This style of propagating news will not only cause fears in the masses but also demoralize our law and order enforcers.

It is time to spread political and voting awareness rather than creating even if havoc across the country. We need to tell our people that no matter heaven falls, elections will be on time and every Pakistani stands shoulder to shoulder with our law enforcement agencies. Someone has rightly said every dark night is followed by a colorful morning.

WAQAR ABRO
KARACHI

Slaughter of merit

The News International

28-04-2013

Slaughter of merit is not a new practice in our country. Whosoever comes into power always misuses their authority by inducting unskilled and inexperience people on key posts. Political inductions are promoted and practised for several reasons, the main reason being to influence elections and administration. Ideally, a civil servant should be non-partisan but the situation on the ground is totally different. There is a widespread belief among the bureaucracy that a civil servant can never flourish if he does not have the blessings of a political party.
There are thousands of civil servants, serving on in cadres, who cannot write a single letter properly. Pakistan may be flourishing democratically, but administratively it is weakening. Unless posts are filled on merit and non-political basis, attainment of administrative efficiency will never be possible. The caretaker government should scrutinise all the appointments made to key posts in the last five years.

Waqar Abro
Karachi 

Letter To The Editor: Is Technology Boon or Bane?

Is technology boon or bane?
DAWN
26-04-2013

EVER since the world has turned into a `global village`, the gap between people or rather the classes has been widened. Technology has brought revolutionary changes in our society. It has brought the entire world to our finger tips.
Today, a person living in the US or in any other country can easily communicate with his family members or friends. Yes, communications is much faster now and a time-saving process. But, the emotions, the feelings and the attachment linked with writing a letter has all been lost during the last couple of decades. Social sites like Facebook and tweeter are the modern ways of sharing our feelings with our near and dear ones.
These modern means of communication appear to be meaningful ways of communication but in reality have negative effects.
The privacy of a person exists nowhere on these so-called social sites. But the irony is we still praise the West for providing us such a great platform for communicating with our family and friends.
Almost every technology has a bright and dark side to it, its positive and negative repercussions. About a couple of decades back, communicating with a relative or friend was not as easy as it is today.
We used to correspondence once a twice a month to inform them about the latest happenings. We were deeply involved in the communication process. We were so excited while speaking to our parents or friends while calling them from abroad. But today, such emotions can hardly be witnessed.
Inevitably, we are technologically advanced but we have been morally and spiritually weakened. We are heading towards cultural decadence ever since technology has become a part of lives. It seems as if we have sunk into an ocean of nothingness.
With the help of the latest technology, fake IDs can easily be made. Besides, you can post malicious content to defame a relative or friend.
You can also do it out of jealousy or if you want to take revenge for something.
Determining whether technology is a boon or bane is not easy. However, I believe it has more evil effects than good.

WAQAR ABRO
Karachi

Letter To The Editor: The Three Ks in Brussels

The Three Ks in Brussels
The Express Tribune
26-04-2013

Pakistan’s army chief General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, Afghan President Hamid Karzai and US Secretary of State John Kerry are in Brussels to discuss matters pertaining to peace and negotiations with the Taliban. The three Ks — Kayani, Karzai, and Kerry — have realized that this unending war has turned out to be very costly for their countries and efforts for peace need to speed up. Since the very first day of the war against terror, the Pakistani Army has been playing a pivotal role to bring peace in the region. So far, it has not only launched different military operations against militants but has also tried its best to bring the Taliban to the negotiation table.
It is generally perceived that Pakistan cannot enjoy absolute peace unless there is also peace in Afghanistan. For the sake of peace, Pakistan released 26 Taliban militants and tried its best to initiate a peace process. Pakistan is fully cooperating with both the US and Afghanistan. By eyeing each other with suspicion, one can never address the trust-deficit that exists between Afghanistan and Pakistan. It is time to act maturely because after the US withdrawal, the post-withdrawal repercussions will have to be faced by Pakistan and Afghanistan only and not the US. This global war against terror has already weakened Pakistan and Afghanistan financially and socially. However, instead of becoming a part of the problem, both countries should be a part of the solution. Abraham Lincoln has rightly said that there is nothing good in war except its ending.

Waqar Abro
-Karachi

Letter To The Editor: Cast your vote campaign

Cast your vote campaign
Pakistan Observer
23-04-2013

Casting a vote is as necessary as acquiring education or rendering other services for the betterment of the country. Since, there is hue and cry circulating in social and electronic media that many people may not cast their vote owing to different reasons, an alarming situation has been created throughout the country. However, Election Commission has invited Shahid Khan Afridi to play his part as Election Campaigner. He has been assigned the duty of mobilizing people for casting their precious vote in order to bring change in the country. No doubt, Shahid Khan Afridi always renders his yeoman’s services whenever the country or force of the situation demands. His recent Polio campaign is worth citing example in this regard. This country has given us many things but temptation of materialist and worldly desires always compel us to forget the basic duties of a citizen. We need to realize now what are our basic duties and what is the importance of a vote. A single vote can prevent a corrupt or dishonest contestant from entering into the parliament. I welcome the clarification given by Shahid Afridi that he would not help a certain political party. Rather, he will launch his campaign for bringing about a meaningful change in the existing voting system. This is the approach needed to be adopted by all and sundry. We must also take the upcoming elections as a historic or turning period and play our role in spreading the voting awareness individually.


Waqar Abro
-Karachi

Letter To The Editor: Drawbacks of Political Inductions

Drawbacks of Political Inductions
The Frontier Post
23-04-2013

Degree is degree, whether fake or genuine. These words of Aslam Raisani clearly signify the political mindset of this country. Slaughter of merit and devaluing a competent and well educated person is not a new practice. In past, whosoever came into power always misused his authority by inducting unskillful and inexpedient people on key posts.
Chairman of Ogra and many other posts being filled through MNA’s and MPA’s are worth citing examples. Actually, political inductions are promoted and practiced due to several reasons. The main reason of such extra-constitutional moves is to influence elections and administration for vested political interests. In laws, we used to read that a civil servant should be non-partisan but in practice the situation is totally different.
There is a misconceived notion that a civil servant will never flourish if he is not acquainted with a ruling political party. And, whosoever tries to raise objections over the misuse of authority, his fate will be made an example for all preachers and promoters of merit. Case of Anita Turab speaks volume in this regard.
No doubt, there is no dearth of talent in Pakistan. People are endowed with a number of qualities but they have no opportunities to excel their professional traits. Unless seats are not filled through merit and non-political basis, attainment of administrative efficiency can never be achieved.
It is therefore, Supreme Court and the care-taker government should scrutinize the jobs given in the last five years. It goes without saying that there are thousands of civil servants serving on higher and lower cadres who can not even write a single letter.
Their efficiency and administrative qualities is a biggest question mark on the previous government.
No doubt, Pakistan is democratically flourishing but administratively it is weakening. For absolute democratic culture, it is necessary to bring some changes in existing recruitment criteria. Besides, political inductees or Officials affiliated with a certain political party should also be held accountable of their actions, if they fall prey to any political activity.
Remember, on 25th of March 1948 Quaid-I-Azam said to the civil servants that you have nothing to do with the politics. You are only responsible of administrative duties.
Hence, prior to de-politicization of institutions, civil servants must de-politicize themselves in order make Pakistan the most efficient and delivering country.

Waqar Abro
Karachi

Letter To The Editor: Earthquake & disaster preparedness

Earthquake & disaster preparedness 

The Frontier Post  

21-04-2013

Occurrence of earthquake tremors in Pakistan or in the surrounding areas is not a new phenomena. It has been occurring many a times through out the country every year. But, the point required for attention here is that Are we prepared enough to protect our people from such kind of natural and men-made disasters? Have we ever educated our society in this regard? If , Allah forbids, a deadly earth quake occurs , what should be immediately done? Naturally, responding a natural disaster is not in men control. But, whatsoever is in our control, have we ever planned for it? These are the questions started hovering over my mind when i turned on the TV and saw that many channels were busy in paying eulogical remarks to each other for keeping their live transmission despite the severe jolts.Although, role of media should be to educate the people rather then spreading panic through news and other programs. As we know that performance of disaster management authority is not up to the mark , then what should be individually done to save the lives of many people? It may be harsh enough to write the bitter reality but it is true that we spread panic whenever a natural or men-made disaster occurs. It goes without saying that once i was going to Lahore by road and happened to see a deadly accident in which many lives of innocent people had been lost.
I myself parked the car and started shouting at people to save as many lives as we could. Prior to my reach at the scene, they were doing nothing but seeing the injured people as a spectator. Even though, officials of motorway police were also doing nothing except clearing the road.
As the apathy of Motorway Policy was not tolerable, I went to an official and suggested him to call for heavy machinery to uplift the buss which had been turned down in the accident. Though we can not bring any preventive method of natural disasters but at least we can educate people by adding a Disaster preparedness subject in our Pre-elementary education. We can also teach in our schools or through media that what should be our prompt response to such kind of incidents. It is also in our control that designs of buildings should be modified as less damaging or at least providing enough time to run away from the scene.
But, alas, not a single constructive measure is being taken at governmental level. Muzaffarabad earthquake Incident of 2005 is lying as an example before us. We need to learn that unless some meaningful resolutions at governmental and individual level are not taken lives of the people can not be saved. Remember, The Glorious Quran states, whosoever saves a life of a human, it is as though he who saved the entire humanity.

Waqar Abro
Karachi

Letter To The Editor: Shahid Afridi -as election campaigner

Shahid Afridi -as election campaigner
The Frontier Post
20-04-2013

Casting a vote is as necessary as acquiring education or rendering other services for the betterment of the country. Since, there is a hue and cry circulating in social and electronic media that many people may not cast their vote owing to different reasons that has created an alarming situation throughout the country. However, the Election Commission has invited Shahid Khan Afridi to play his part as Election Campaigner.
He has been assigned of the duty of mobilizing people for casting their precious vote in order to bring change in the country. No doubt, Shahid Khan Afridi always renders his yeoman’s services whenever the country demands. His recent Polio campaign is worth citing example in this regard. This country has given us many things but temptation of materialist and worldly desires always compel us to forget the basic duties of a citizen.
We need to realize what is the importance of a vote. A single vote can prevent a corrupt or dishonest contestant from entering into the parliament. I welcome the clarification given by Shahid Afridi that he would not help a certain political party. Rather, he will launch his campaign for bringing about a meaningful change in the existing voting system. This is the approach needed to be adopted by all and sundry. We must also take the upcoming elections as a historic or turning period and play our role in spreading the voting awareness individually.

Waqar Abro
Karachi

Letter To The Editor: Technology: Blessing or bane?

Technology: Blessing or bane?
Pakistan Observer
19/04/2013

Since the world has turned to be a global village, gap between mankind has been widened. Technology has brought revolutionary changes in our society. It has brought the entire world on our finger tips. Today, a person living in America or in any other far-flung area, can communicate with his family or friends very easily. Yes, it’s faster and time-saving process. But, the emotions, the feelings, and the attachment, prevailing in writing a letter few decades ago have been lost. Face booking and tweeting are the modern ways of sharing our feelings and ideas with our near and dear ones.

These modern means of communication appear to be very meaningful styles of communication but reality postulates a negative omen. Since, privacy of a person exists nowhere on these so-called social sites, we still sing the songs of west for providing us such a great platform to speak and communicate with our friends and family. Every picture has dark and bright sides. Same as, use of modern means of communication have both repercussions- negative and positive. One decade ago, communicating a relative or friend was not as easy as it is today. We were untiringly writing letters to inform our friends about the feelings and circumstances. It would not be exaggeration to state that we were deeply involved in our communication processes. We were jubilant enough prior to speaking our parents and friends residing out of the city or country. But today, such kind of feelings and emotions are hardly witnessed.

Inevitably, we are technologically advanced but we are morally and spiritually weakened. We are heading towards cultural decadence since the technology has become a part of lives. It seems as if we have sunk in the ocean of nothingness. Apart from this, the modern means of communication has also affected superiority of relations. Since fake I.D can easily be created, everyone can post some vicious content to manipulate his friends or family members for his personal vested interests. Determining technology a blessing or bane is not easy. But, it is true that dignity of relations is in danger.
WAQAR ABRO
Karachi

Letter To The Editor: Choosing changers or cheaters

Choosing changers or cheaters
The Frontier Post
15-04-2013

There is a notion in everyone's mind that what have been successes of democracy in the last five year. Though, there is a big list of failures yet positive aspects are always neglected. Democracy has brought revolutionary and evolutionary changes in Pakistan. Yes, it had brutally failed to adopt welfare-oriented democratic norms but it has still delivered. Mental poverty is worst then social and economic poverty.
The main reason that always prevented democracy to thrive was intellectual bankruptcy. Though democracy brings political independence yet it is meaningless without economic and intellectual independence. In the last five years, people have started learning political system and its functioning. Today, due to modern means of communication and free media, people are more aware of politics then before. They know very well that what is going on in the capital.
They in their street gossip do not only exchange their political opinions but also analyze different manifestos and past performances of various political parties. And, the main actor of this success is electronic and print media. Unavoidably, democracy is flourishing and people are keenly observing each and every thing. It seems as people are intellectually liberated. To further elaborate the successes and failures of democracy, the writer has enlisted the crux of the topic as follow;
Successes: Judicial populism, freedom of media, social media and its effects on society and institutions, intellectual, political and economic bankruptcies addressed, pluralism In politics (First time ,in the history 216 political parties will contest general elections), openness in system, accountability of army and wealth eaters, political Socialization, Women rights to some extent addressed and their status also
elevated (Fehmeeda Mirza, Shela Raza, Malala etc), legacy system nosedived, mature and harmonized political system (APC example), provincial autonomy, independent election commission, change in status quo mindset, constitutional amendments
Failures: bad governance, politicization of institutions, corruption, target killings, poverty, energy crisis, economic meltdown, unemployment, slaughter of merit, drone attacks, unfair distribution of resources, Balochistan issue, Tax evasion, institutional disharmony, sectarian violence
Though, there may be few more points to be added in the failure list yet successes of democracy should not be neglected. Someone has rightly said that democracy may be a terrible system but it is the best system that we know.
Now, the future of Pakistan is to be decided by the people in the upcoming general elections. Whom they want to bring to the parliament a cheater or a changer? To conclude, the best form of revolution is the positive and correct use of vote.
Waqar Abro
Karachi

Murder of merit by SPSC chief

Murder of merit by SPSC chief 

The Frontier Post

11-04-2013

This is reply to the letter published in this newspaper that Chairman Sindh Public Service Commission has lost his credibility of holding the authority any more. A press report says SPSC chairman’s son Syed Izhar Ali Shah was not meeting with the age criteria for the Assistant Chief Inspector Stamps post and for this chairman sought special rules relaxation from the then chief minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah.
If spsc is designed to hire near and dear ones of the management then why applications have been sought from the poor and meritorious candidates of Sindh? Chief Justice of Pakistan is requested to look into this matter and bring Chairman SPSC to justice. 

Mairaj Shar
Sukkur

Letter To The Editor: Sunshine after the darkest half-century

 Sunshine after the darkest half-century
The Frontier Post
08-04-2013
 

Mismanagement, corruption, pathetic political system, education and dearth of political awareness were the main reasons that always prevented Pakistan to emerge as a democratic and well governed country.
Pakistan has been facing these challenges since its teething years. But, since media is free, judiciary is independent, people are intellectually liberated and army is sidelined from politics, Pakistan marks a remarkable success on political, social and educational fronts.
Today, more then 216 political parties are registered in election commission and all of them are willing to contest the upcoming general elections with sheer enthusiastic spirit.
This pluralistic political system and judicial populism, coupled with free media and educated civil society, can make a new Pakistan. It appears from the current situation that status quo mindset is being changed apart from existing style of governance.
To welfare people, a well organized administrative system is need of the hour. And, this can only be achieved by strengthening meritocracy and delivering governance system. Unless merit is not promoted and practiced, the dream of welfare people can never be transformed into reality.
Political parties after coming into power should seriously ponder over the point that they will welfare a common and educated person or their so called Jiyala, Bhai, Choudhry or Tabdeeli Razakaar.

Waqar Abro
Karachi

Letters To The Editors: Third gender contestants and The Third Gender

Third gender contestants 

 The Frontier Post

 07-04-2013

Whenever I write on democracy words of Aristotle come into chamber of my thoughts. ‘Democracy is when the indigent not men in property are the rulers. It is for the very first time that third gender people have submitted their nomination for national and provincial assemblies. It seems that Pakistan is politically flourishing and people at grass root level are being politically mobilized. Participation of third gender people in the upcoming elections is a positive omen.
Their issues pertaining to gender equality, joblessness, identity, and social value can only be addressed if they are chosen as parliamentarians or considered as a part of the system. If the political socialization will go with the same pace, the day is not far when dynastic political system will not exist in the country. Gone are the days when father nominates his son or daughter to emerge as a new political leader.
In today’s Pakistan a third gender can also be a parliamentarian and this remarkable success attributes to Media, Judiciary, Army and vibrant civil society.

Waqar Abro
Karachi

The third gender 

The News International

 07-04-2013 

It is for the very first time that those who identify as third gender persons have submitted their nomination papers contesting for national and provincial assemblies. It seems that Pakistan is politically flourishing and people at grass root level are being politically mobilised. Participation of people of transgendered and third gendered people in the upcoming elections is a positive sign.

The issues that affect them can only be addressed if they are part of the political system. If political socialisation continues at the same pace, the day is not far when dynastic politics will not exist in the country. In today’s Pakistan a third gender-ed person can also dream of becoming a parliamentarian and this is due to the media, judiciary and a vibrant civil society.

Waqar Abro
Karachi

Letter To The Editor: Slaughter of merit by chairman SPSC

Slaughter of merit by chairman SPSC 

The Frontier Post Newspaper

05-04-2013

Since the democratic form of the government came into power, Chairman Sindh Public Service Commission had been appointing close aids of senior civil servants and politicians.
As, democratic government has completed its constitutional period, the SPSC has not stopped its legacy based selection system. Recently, a son of chairman named Izhar Ali Shah declared pass under roll no.04288, domicile Sindh Rural, for the post of Assistant Chief Inspector Stamps.
This malpractice story does not end here. Lack of accountability always motivates chairman SPSC to misuse his authority. He has successfully managed to declare pass his another son Syed Shiraz Ali Shah for the post of District Secretary Transport Regional Authority under roll no.7386, domicile Sindh Urban, and a son of Additional controller Zainul Abidin Chandio under roll no.8170. Out of 3000 candidates of Sindh, these only two competent belongs to family of spsc management, Pooh!
When absolute power is in control then why to stay silent? Recently, a post of deputy controller examination has been vacated in the SPSC for which 7 candidates nominated.
Among them, the most suitable one has been considered Jumo Khan (Additional Controller examination) whose son along with chairman’s son declared passed for Secretary District Transport Authority.
I salute to the silence of people who do nothing against this height of bad-governance, mismanagement and slaughter of merit. Is there anyone alive to echo voice against this malpractice and inquire Chairman Spsc of these appointments?

Waqar Abro
Karachi

Letters To The Editors: The Css Scandal and Democratic country: Jinnah’s dream

The News International
The CSS scandal

2-4-2013

When Ansar Abbasi uncovered the CSS scandal involving cheating in the examination from the Faisalabad centre, the dreams of a lot of candidates were shattered. They have now started doubting the credibility of the FPSC, which is regarded as one of the few institutions left in the country that selects officers purely on merit. Many have been commenting – on social media sites – that such practices (cheating) have been around for long and that there have been many candidates who have managed to qualify the exam using fraudulent means.
It is also a matter of serious concern as to who provided the official seals and stamps to the wrong-doers. Also, how could they have managed to replace the answer-sheets with the help of a postman? The public service commission needs to revisit its policies if it intends to prevent such incidents in the future. It must deal severely and legally with all the people involved and make sure these people are made and example of. The CSS examinations are very serious business in countries like Pakistan where jobs are already scarce for competent people.

Waqar Abro
Karachi

Democratic country: Jinnah’s dream
The Frontier Post 
2-4-2013

The prevalent democratic form of government has completed its five-year constitutional period. Inevitably, it had many challenges to face in the beginning. But, it managed to face those challenges effectively.
No doubt, the style of propagating independence for Pakistan was also democratic. But after the sad demise of its founders, the democracy never survived for longer time.
Malignant role of institutions and pre-election rigging was common practice in history. Without democracy growth of Pakistan is not possible.
And everyone, be it an institution or a common man has understood that democracy is the only system which can prosper Pakistan. But, rigging an election will never make Pakistan a truly democratic country.
Hence, full independence to the Election commission, coupled with full fledged administrative powers, can make a difference.
Making Pakistan as envisioned by Jinnah is not the rocket science. What we need to do is to give authority to deserving, efficient, and loyal people which was the dream of Jinnah.

Waqar Abro
Karachi