Education policy focuses on religious education

 

Source: The News Monday, September 28, 2009 Islamabad The new education policy of the federal government has focused on teaching of human rights as envisioned by Islam. In line with the policy, religious education will be promoted through hiring of qualified teachers and publication of quality textbooks. The objective of religious education is to teach ethics and good behaviour to the students and make them learn the basic principles for spending their daily social life.According to the policy, Islamiat will be taught as a compulsory subject from Class 1 to 12. Students will be instructed about morality through examples set by Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) in his day-to-day affairs and dealings with Muslims and non-Muslims. The government will ensure that the Islamiat textbooks and other learning materials do not contain anything contrary to Islamic injunctions or any controversial material regarding any sect or religious and ethnic minorities.  The policy will make sure that the Islamiat textbooks allow the children to learn, understand and apply the fundamental principles in their lives, with an aim to change and build a society based on the principles of Quran and Sunnah. The policy will focus on the rights and duties of parents, relatives, neighbours, teachers, friends, companions, children, women, orphans, widows, patients, handicapped persons, elders, travellers, guests and non-Muslims.  There will also be lessons on tolerance, forgiveness, patience, honesty, piety, chastity, enlightenment, service to humanity, punctuality, simplicity, love for the country and countrymen, Islamic brotherhood, truth, dignity of labour, equality, commitment to vows, ‘halal’ earnings, discipline, respect for law, national unity, mutual co-existence and purity in the light of Islamic teachings. The policy says that qualified teachers will be appointed to teach Islamiat and Arabic, adding that training programmes in the two subjects will be provided for pre-service and in-service teachers. The government plans to arrange for the printing of rare books on Islam and charts and materials relating to Islamic injunctions, and will distribute them amongst the libraries of schools, colleges, universities, research institutions and madrassas.  The government will award scholarships to students, who want to get higher education in Islamic studies. The new policy also has a provision for non-Muslim students to study ethics and moral education in place of Islamiat.

 

FW: Dialogue Group on Civil-Military Relations Urges Government to Focus on Good Governance; Urgently Address Balochistan Unrest

FYI!

	Dialogue Group on Civil-Military Relations Urges Government to Focus on Good Governance; Urgently Address Balochistan Unrest September 28: Members of the Dialogue Group on Civil Military Relations, a Group facilitated by PILDAT, have demanded that the Government should take immediate actions to resolve the unrest and deteriorating law and order situation in Balochistan. In the specific context of civil-military relations in Pakistan, the Group held a comprehensive discussion on the prevailing governance scenario in the country. The Group believed that poor perceptions continue to prevail about the ability of the government to provide good governance for the country which is an essential basis for democracy. The democratic dispensation's leading priority should be to improve governance and tackle pressing issues such as Balochistan. The Group complimented the government and the Armed Forces for successful conduct of war against militants in the Malakand Division and a swift rehabilitation of IDPs. The Group underscored that public acceptance and support to military operations and close coordination between the civil and the military have been the defining features for the success of the operation. The Group expressed its concern on a growing public and media perception about increasing corruption in the country. An objective, non-partisan and across-the-board accountability mechanism needs to be instituted by the government urgently to ensure meaningful accountability. The continuity of the political and democratic process in Pakistan has suffered greatly in the past on allegations of corruption. The present government has an opportunity to institute an effective accountability mechanism to arrest that trend for the present and the future. The Group believed that the Parliament of Pakistan needs to play a more meaningful role. Parliamentary performance, especially in carrying effective oversight of the government, is essential for strengthening democracy. While lack of an acrimonious relationship between the government and the opposition is a sign of maturity, the opposition also needs to play its rightful role in leading Parliamentary agenda on issues of public concern. The Group held its 21st sittings in Lahore to review the civil-military relations in the context of prevailing political scenario. Members of the Group endorsing the statement include Lt. Gen. (Retd.) Abdul Qadir Baloch, Former Governor Balochistan/Corps Commander Quetta; Lt. Gen. (Retd.) Asad Durrani, Former DG ISI/MI; Mr. Javed Jabbar, Former Senator & Federal Minister for Information & Media Development; Lt. Gen. (Retd.) Moinuddin Haider, Former Governor Sindh; Mr. Mujib-ur-Rehman Shami, Editor-in-Chief, Daily Pakistan; Dr. Parvez Hassan, Partner, Hassan & Hassan Advocate Mr. Shafqat Mahmood, Former Senator and Minister; Mr. Shahid Hamid, Former Governor Punjab; Senator S. M. Zafar, Former Federal Minister; Lt. Gen. (Retd.) Talat Masood, Former Federal Secretary/Defence Analyst; Mr. Tasneem Noorani, Former Federal Secretary; Mr. Ahmed Bilal Mehboob, Executive Director PILDAT and Ms. Aasiya Riaz, Joint Director PILDAT. _____________________________________ PILDAT will welcome feedback and comments at info@pildat.org  If you wish to unsubscribe, please e-mail at unsubscribe@pildat.org       Links: PILDAT Website PILDAT Events PILDAT Publications Feedback

 

Side- effect (Weak politicos)

Source: The News International

LINK: http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=199847

Friday, September 25, 2009

Harris Khalique

He came, he saw, he got subdued. This is what happens with popular political leaders or popularly elected civilian rulers of Pakistan. Read 'she' in case of Benazir Bhutto. The overwhelming establishment of the Pakistani state subjugates any free will or desire to bring about a real change in the economic and political makeup of the country. The founders of this all-pervasive establishment were Ghulam Mohammed, Iskander Mirza and Ayub Khan. Ayub was made the commander-in-chief in 1951, became the defence minister in 1955 while being in uniform and then appropriated complete political power by declaring the first martial law in 1958. Ably served by the protege of the Indian civil service and watchfully guarded by the inheritors of the north-western command of the British Indian Army, the establishment of the state first got us rid of the hope for an equitable society, then the possibility of living together with East Pakistan, and finally from any likelihood of creating even a bourgeois democratic polity.

After 1971, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto's promise couldn't fully realise either due to his appetite for absolute power and wish to eliminate all opposition or compromising his party programme by giving in to landed elite. He leased out draconian powers to security agencies to curb his political opponents. Eventually, bureaucracy held sway in running the affairs of the state. The landed elite did to Bhutto's PPP after 1971 what Unionist Party feudal lords had done to Jinnah's Muslim League after 1946. Whatever mistakes he made, Bhutto was undoubtedly a popular leader. The establishment that Bhutto was wooing for years betrayed him. It struck. Now it was General Ziaul Haq and the likes of Ghulam Ishaq Khan who determined the destiny of Pakistan. I cherish repeating with a vengeance that Zia's rule dug up the very foundations of Pakistani society and weeded out anything that was good in our soil.

After Zia's death, a fragile democracy was restored with instability and intrigues marring the efficient functioning of state affairs. Benazir Bhutto, the popularly elected leader after Zia, was sent packing in much less than two years. The establishment could not put up with her popular face and the possibilities a democratic dispensation may offer to the common people in the long run. Nawaz Sharif was the only alternative. Like elder Bhutto came from the folds of Ayub Khan's regime, Nawaz Sharif came from the heart of General Zia's establishment with both military and civil bureaucracy reposing their trust in him vis-a-vis Benazir Bhutto. But after each having their turn twice and never able to finish the full tenure ever, Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif were both living in exile after 11 years of the civilian interlude, owing much to their own doing besides the antics of the omnipotent establishment. General Pervez Musharraf ruled Pakistan for almost nine years with the help of a coterie of generals and pet politicians. The ghosts of Ghulam Mohammed, Iskander Mirza and Ayub Khan hovered above us all that long.

The politicians of today, treasury and opposition alike, will find it impossible to overpower the civil-military establishment even if they wish. The reason is simple. The wealth they have amassed and the means they have employed to amass such wealth weakens them. It is not kosher these days among the liberal circles of Islamabad to criticise the government. It is seen as being anti-democracy and anti-civilian rule. But politicians need a lot more resolve, vision and character if they want to strip the establishment of its undesired powers.

The writer is an Islamabad-based poet and rights campaigner. Email: harris@spopk .org

FW: Government of Pakistan, World Bank Announce Trust Fund for Conflict- Affected Areas of the Country

New York, September 24, 2009 ─ The Government of Pakistan and the World Bank announced today the establishment of a Multi Donor Trust Fund (MDTF), designed to restore infrastructure, services and livelihoods in the country’s conflict-affected areas of Northwest Frontier Province (NWFP), Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA), and parts of Balochistan.
The conflict in the NWFP and FATA led to one of the worst security crises in Pakistan’s history, displacing 2.7 million people and severely disrupting the lives, livelihoods, and provision of normal public services.

“Today, three months after the military campaign in the Swat Valley began, security is improving and schools have reopened in most places,” said World Bank Group President Robert B. Zoellick. “It is critical now to reach the millions of people touched by this massive disruption with quick and effective assistance. I am delighted to announce that the World Bank has agreed, at the request of Pakistan and its partners, to create and manage this trust fund which will provide a coordinated financing mechanism for investments to support reconstruction and peace building.”
The MDTF, which was announced at the Friends of Democratic Pakistan Summit today, will support a comprehensive reconstruction and development strategy. This will be guided by a post-conflict needs assessment currently being prepared by the World Bank, Asian Development Bank, United Nations, and European Commission. It will assess damage and reconstruction needs and provide a strategy for addressing the underlying grievances fueling the conflict such as social inequities, endemic poverty, and weak governance.

Zoellick said a strong international response is needed to help Pakistan overcome these and other development challenges. The international community’s determination to help Pakistan cope with its conflict and its consequences was highlighted at the Tokyo Conference where over $5 billion was pledged.

“We hope to see a strong support from Pakistan’s development partners to this important trust fund,” said Zoellick. “Our experience with the Afghanistan Reconstruction Trust Fund and other such mechanisms has demonstrated again and again the value of pooling financial assistance under the overall leadership of a government. We should apply this experience in Pakistan.”

 For more information on the Bank’s work in Pakistan, please visit http://www.worldbank.org.pk

 

 

Side- effect (18 dead women)

Source: The News International

Link: http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=199103

Friday, September 18, 2009

Harris Khalique

Our newspapers have shrunk and television screens have expanded, virtually. I avoid quoting long passages in my already restricted column space for it becomes harder to express yourself in even fewer words. But the death of 18 women in Karachi the other day, aptly called "Crushed by poverty" by a national daily, warrants a quote from the constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, promulgated in 1973 and controversially amended 17 times since. This is not the article as popularly quoted as articles 6, 19 or 242 by the treasury and the opposition today, nor it is ever referred to by the clergy while they keep beating the trumpet of the Objectives Resolution. Martial rule is illegitimate according to the constitution anyway and even the amendments couldn't prevent it from being seen otherwise. Its fundamental illegality and iniquitousness precludes us from even asking martial rulers about any rights or privileges of the citizens of Pakistan. Perhaps the political leadership also has torn those pages out from the copies of the constitution they carry on which this article is inscribed.

This is Article 38 and stays in the constitution as it is since adopted as a part of the constitution in 1973. It reads: "The State shall – (a) secure the well-being of the people, irrespective of sex, caste, creed or race, by raising their standard of living, by preventing the concentration of wealth and means of production and distribution in the hands of a few to the detriment of general interest and by ensuring equitable adjustment of rights between employers and employees, and landlords and tenants; (b) provide for all citizens, within the available resources of the country, facilities for work and adequate livelihood with reasonable rest and leisure; (c) provide for all persons employed in the service of Pakistan or otherwise, social security by compulsory social insurance or other means; (d) provide basic necessities of life, such as food, clothing, housing, education and medical relief, for all such citizens, irrespective of sex, caste, creed or race, as are permanently or temporarily unable to earn their livelihood on account of infirmity, sickness or unemployment; (e) reduce disparity in the income and earnings of individuals, including persons in the various classes of the service of Pakistan; and (f) eliminate riba as early as possible."
The 18 women who were killed in the stampede in downtown Karachi while trying to obtain wheat flour being distributed for free by a local businessman have their blood on the hands of the state of Pakistan; the state which is captured by the elite. A commentator had the gall to say on a television channel that people in our country have become too greedy. Some of the women who had flocked the place to get flour bags already had received their share. Brilliant! Isn't it? All values, morality and norms of civilised behaviour are to be observed by those who are suffering at the hands of poverty, destitution and insecurity. The nation is eclipsed by the long dark shadow of this ogre, the rich and the powerful elite of Pakistan. The feudal lords, mafia bosses disguised as politicians, land grabbers, sugar barons, wheat and rice hoarders, smugglers, swindlers and cheats call the shots in this country. Their interests are guarded by competent civil servants and able-bodied men in security agencies.

There is a Farsi proverb, "Marg-i-Anboh Jashne Darad (It is also a celebration when all are perishing). Last few days are left of the holy month. Enjoy your iftar dinners, my readers.

The writer is an Islamabad-based poet and rights campaigner. Email: harris@spopk .org

FW: September 16, 2009 / Mirror Update

Press Release

 The Extra Judicial murder of Fanish Robert, an accused under blasphemy in Sialkot is sheer negligence on part of governments; NCJP

 The District Police Officer Sialkot, Mr. Waqar Ahmad Chohan informed the local Priest that the youth accused of offering insult to Quran at Jatheki on 11 September, 2009 has committed suicide in the jail. He had been shifted to jail in Sialkot the night before on 14 September 2009.

 Fanish was taken into custody after the allegations that he had thrown a chapter from Quran (Para) in a drain when he met Ms. Hina Asghar, whom he happened to be liking or nurturing a relationship reportedly. Girl’s mother was reported to be a witness to alleged incident.

 The allegations were followed by massive reaction orchestrated by local Muslim clerics. A church and a few houses were attack on September 11^th, 2009 around 12.30 a.m. After the Friday afternoon prayers, the extremist organizations operating in the area whipped up a hate campaign through mosque loudspeakers and collected a mob ready to attack the Christians Houses (35-40) in Jatheki, a Town with a large Muslim population. However the police and rangers were able to prevent further mob attacks. Riasat Masih, the father of Fanish was arrested and beaten but was released on 12^th September when Fanish was taken into custody.

 

FW: Test Webshot: Poor Governance is the Greatest Threat to Democracy in Pakistan: PILDAT

 

	Poor Governance is the Greatest Threat to Democracy in Pakistan: PILDAT Identifies 5 Major Threats and 5 Enabling Factors for Democracy on the International Democracy Day Islamabad, September 15: PILDAT has identified 5 major potential threats to democracy in Pakistan on the International Democracy Day, September 15. Lack of Good Governance and Rule of Law; a historically weak understanding of the significance of continuing democratic process on the part of the Armed Forces, Lack of Internal Democracy in Political Parties; Ineffective Parliament and Role of Big Money in Politics are 5 major potential threats that can hamper the growth and stability of democracy in Pakistan. Political parties, Government and the media need to focus on these challenges in order to strengthen democracy in Pakistan. PILDAT also noted 5 major enabling factors which have the potential to sustain and deepen democracy in Pakistan. These include an Independent and Assertive Judiciary, a Free and Diverse Media, Unhindered Freedom of Association, a Newly-formed Public Consensus against Extremism and Terrorism and a Renewed Confidence among the Citizens following the success of the Movement for the Restoration of Judiciary. PILDAT believes that Poor Governance is the greatest threat to Democracy in Pakistan. PILDAT, which is a leading independent political think tank, has said that the only route available for Pakistan's prosperity is sustainable democracy. However, democracy should lead to good governance in the country, without which it will create disillusionment among masses and provide a handy excuse to subvert democracy. Good Governance is the best guarantee of continuity and survival of any democratic government. For democracy to deliver its dividends to the people, it must first establish a rule of law for every citizen, in an un-mutilated Constitution, that prevails over the rule of force in Pakistan. PILDAT lauded the spirit of political tolerance and dialogue espoused by the current political government and stressed that this spirit should be channelled effectively for a speedy redressal of issues such as Balochistan. Political parties, whether in power or not, need to strengthen the practice of internal democracy as vital deterrent to non-democratic intervention. Autocratic culture in most political parties not only hampers the growth of political parties as the strongest pillars of representative democracy, it is a deterrent for the youth of the country to participate in politics to their full potential. Authoritarian and oligarchic tendencies in leadership of various political parties do not serve the cause of strengthening democracy in Pakistan. For an effective and functional democracy, Parliament's supremacy has to be established by its own actions and contributions. While the legislative performance of the National Assembly during the past year leaves much to be desired, Parliament must focus on legislating on Electoral Reforms including State-funding of Political Parties; Repeal of undemocratic features arbitrarily imposed on the Constitution; Open the Parliamentary Debates and Committees; Effectively Oversee Defence and Intelligence Sectors and Improve Budget Process, etc. The role of big money in politics is the biggest deterrence against the inclusion and participation of middle class and average citizens of the country in the political process of Pakistan. Big spending during election invariably leads to corruption among the top echelons of political leadership. An urgent reform and an effective implementation of existing laws of the land to curb the role of money in politics are essential to make democracy broad-based and inclusive. A sustained civil-military dialogue is essential to enhance the understanding among both civil and military sides that impatience with flawed democratic governments does not eventually lead to good governance. Subversion of democratic regimes leads to illegitimate governments which leave institutions of governance in a worse-off situation making the task of strengthening democratic institutions more arduous. Armed forces should strictly curb any interference by their intelligence agencies in the political process of the country as has been the case in the past. Only the continuation of democratic process, accountability at the free and fair polls and a credible accountability process have the potential to eliminate the governance flaws with the passage of time. PILDAT is a premier research organization of Pakistan focusing on democracy, governance and public policy. It is an independent, indigenous, non-partisan and non-profit think-tank founded in 2001. PILDAT conducts research on issues including finance, economy, poverty-reduction, regional/international trade, foreign/regional relations, political-economy, inter-provincial relations/federalism, women/youth in politics, etc. PILDAT prepares legislative Briefs on key legislations in consideration before Parliament. PILDAT has held over 200 capacity-building and issue-based briefings for Parliament/Provincial Assemblies. P! ILDAT provides forums for comparative political and parliamentary learning. PILDAT carries out performance review of Parliament/Provincial Assemblies. We facilitate formation of policy groups for research and dialogue on issues including Civil-Military Relations, Electoral Reforms, Relations between Muslims and Western World, FATA Status, Centre-Province Relations, etc. PILDAT also launched the first-ever Youth Parliament of Pakistan to inculcate culture and values of democracy in youth and to prepare them for future leadership roles. _____________________________________ PILDAT will welcome feedback and comments at info@pildat.org  If you wish to unsubscribe, please e-mail at unsubscribe@pildat.org         Links: PILDAT Website PILDAT Events PILDAT Publications Feedback

 

New Arrivals!

Dear All,

This is to inform you that following “The World Bank” publications are available our Development Resource Centre (DRC).

Titles of Books

• Reshaping Economic Geography
• World Development Indicators 2009
• Information and Communications for Development 2009

Regards,

Roohi Bano

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FW: Mirror Update

FYI

Mirror Update

September 14, 2009

      

Gojra, Samberial and now Karachi

 

Despite a manifested and massive abuse of religion and law under the phenomenon called blasphemy, the government is mute about legal, political and ideological remedies. The reliance so far has been on administrative measures. The police in Chichawatni, Mian Channun, Khanewal, Sialkot, and Karachi have prevented any consequences like Gojra. However the incidents of alleged desecration have not stopped from surfacing. They are source worry and scare for religious minorities and a potential threat of law and order and harassment of religious minorities exits at several places at this time.        NCJP Team

 

Samberial

·              On September 13, 2009, a relative calm prevailed in Jetheki and Saberial after the young boy Fanish Masih the accused in alleged desecration of Quran was arrested. The First Information Report registered by the family of girl Hina alleged that Fanis snatched a Pa’ara (a Chapter from Quran) from her and threw into a drain. The police registered a case under sections 295-B and 354 of Pakistan Penal Code according to daily Dawn.

 

While a group of Muslims protested against the alleged desecration of Quran and demanded to take strong action against the accused. A few Muslim women made threatening gestures the local Christians in Jetheki by banging their doors, etc.  

 

Asif Ali Zardari the President Pakistan condemned the incident of mob attack on a church and two houses belonging to Christians. He ordered an investigation into the matter and stringent measure to maintain law and order according to daily The News.

 

September 14, 2009

·              Members of national and provincial assemblies, Ulema, representatives of Christian community and police, remained active in Jaithikey Sambrial to keep the situation undercontrol. Local Christian leaders also held a meeting in the Catholic Church to view the situation.                                                         Dawn Sep. 13, 2009

 

KORIAN

·        On Sep 11, 2009, Honorable Judge Raja M. Arshad of Anti Terrorism Court Faisalabad accepted bail application of two detained accused namely Muhammad Ashraf and his son Muhammad Farooq.  These two among the about 40 in custody were granted bail

 

·        On Sep 14, 2009, bail application of 13 detained accused was dismissed by the same Courtlabad, these accused applied for bail on 10th September 2009.

 

GOJRA

·        On Sep 7, 2009, two-member bench of Lahore High Court granted bail relief to eleven suspects of Gojra incident.

 

·        On Sep 14, 2009, Anti Terrorism Court Faisalabad dismissed the bail application of three detained accused (Muhammad Qasim, Muhammad Tayyab and Jamdar Khan), whereas the judge granted bail to one detained accused M. Waqas, after hearing the arguments of complainant and defense lawyers. 

 

·        Abdul Khaliq (Imam Masjid Awan Colony, Gojra) one of the person nominated accused in First Information Report (FIR), filed the application in Anti Terrorism Court Faisalabad. The arguments on bail application will be heard on 17th September 2009.

 

Karachi

A mob led by Muslim clerics tried to attack the Christian settlement at Orangi town, Ghaziabad, at Karachi on September 12, 2009, however timely interventions by the local police prevent aggravation of situation.

 

According to a local source, Mr. Lawrence (40), a barber was alleged of desecrating the Holy Quran. The source said, “Lawrence passed urine from the edge of the rooftop to another side of his house on September 11, 2009. The Muslim neighbors agitated and alleged Lawrence for desecrating the Quran.

 

A mob gathered after the announcements in the mosque and stoned Lawrence’s house and attempted to attack the Catholic Church and the Christian community twice on September 12, 2009, however failed to do so after the police arrival on the scene.

 

The source reported wall-choking against the Christians in a number of areas on the following day. The sentences walls chalking threatened   Christians incited, Muslims to standup against the Christians.

 

No FIR was lodged against Lawrence till this report; however police arrested Mr. Shahkeel, Lawrence’s nephew for investigations. Lawrence has run away to an unknown place along with his family for security reasons.

 

The police and the Rangers are deputed near the Christian settlement. The local Catholic priest had to cancel their scheduled religious services on Sunday (September 13, 2009) due to the tension and fear among the community.

Sustained collective effort to make education policy a success

Source: The News

Link: http://thenews.jang.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=198393

 

Sustained collective effort to make education policy a success

Monday, September 14, 2009 Islamabad The new education policy is a step in the right direction but only a well-organised collective effort and sustained and elaborate government oversight at various tiers  can achieve the desired results. This was stated by prominent educationists while discussing the salient features of the new federal education policy, announced recently. Talking to APP, Principal ICMC College Rizwan Khan said the government has announced a well-meditated education policy, which would help raise the literacy rate in the country. He said many steps in the education policy like separating the cadre of teachers from management, uniform education and curriculum improvement, Apna Ghar Residential Schools and free education up to secondary school level could bring revolution in the education field.  The studies at intermediate level matter a lot in the careers of students and due to the relaxed environments of our colleges, students could not study up to their potential, but under a controlled and disciplined environment, we could produce highly educated youth, he said. He said the development of an individual is important for the progress of a nation and this education policy would help enable individuals to actively participate in the process of national advancement. Prominent educationist from Government Degree College for Men, H-9, Dr Salahuddin Darvesh said the education policy carries glimpses of PPP’s manifesto, envisioning a developed and educated country. From the time of Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto till today, whenever PPP came into power, it always tried to elevate the social standard of the people through its people-friendly policies. The Education Ministry has set the ball rolling by mentioning the obvious that schools should have well trained teachers and quality books. Darvesh sees the policy as a well-knitted document, which has the capacity to get far reaching results by raising the standard of education. Progress in education is directly linked with quality curriculum, and special emphasis is put on qualitative changes in textbooks. Proper implementation and sufficient allocation of funds for the new education policy would remain key for achieving higher literacy rates and raising standards in schools and institutions of higher learning, he added. The policy has reiterated the government’s commitment to achieve tangible milestones and redress many of the issues hindering efforts at developing precious human resources. The initiative pledges better working conditions for teachers and raise in budgetary allocations, separates role of administrators and educators, and establishes district boards to monitor schools. For the first time, the missing link of career counselling for students, which can propel them to productive career paths, has been put under spotlight in the new policy. Prof Waheeduddin, Principal Islamabad Model College for Boys (IMCB) F-8/4, said the policy has emphasised on uniform syllabus, which is direly needed to end discrimination. Elevating the qualification of primary level teachers and giving them better grades would help them acquire respectable status in society, he said. Targets like increase in allocation for education to seven per cent of GDP by 2015 and substantial raise in HEC enrolment by the same year would be pivotal to put Pakistan on the world map as an educated country, he said. The policy has many targets to achieve, so the funding plans should be put in place to achieve the desired goals, he added. He pointed out that the holding of higher secondary classes at school level needs to be reviewed, as either the schoolteachers’ education would be improved or the faculty of colleges would be shifted to the school set up.

 

Side- effect (Come fly with us)

Source: The News

Link: http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=197860

Side-effect

Come fly with us Friday, September 11, 2009 Harris Khalique Food was awesome. The aircraft was clean and well-kept with a comfortable interior. Flight attendants were courteous and efficient. We were travelling from Rawalpindi to Karachi. I was nine. My younger brother sat with my mother and I got a seat separately across the gangway. Sensing that I was nervous, an airhostess helped me fasten the seatbelt and brought me sweets and airline souvenirs just before we took off. I would never forget the warm and juicy gulab jamuns served as dessert after a generous helping of spicy biryani with succulent pieces of mutton, fresh salad and rich raita. Then I saw a time when on a flight from Karachi to Sukkur, I asked a flight attendant for a newspaper. She rudely asked me to go to the rear section of the aircraft and get it for myself. Once, while travelling from Lahore to Delhi, neither my seat would adjust to a stationary position nor my meal table would stay in its place and keep falling down into my lap. PIA's rating plummeted from one of the finest airlines to one of the most unpredictable and sloppy. Still, I preferred PIA over other airlines even while travelling abroad. I would love to see an aircraft land on a foreign airport with the name of my country written over its hull or even just the initials of the national flag carrier inscribed on its tail. It has come to take me back home. Then I saw too many bearded men as stewards, some of them middle-aged. Occasionally, one of them would start preaching the virtues of a pious life. One of them said that if people like me concentrated only on what was written and said in our religion, I wouldn't need to read anything else. My fault was that I turned back to him and said that this was not what the religion taught. Ethics and values can't replace art, science and technology. The attention I received after that was a unique sociological experience. I must say that there was improvement witnessed some years ago. PIA got itself new aircrafts, upgraded its fleet and became more punctual. Both food and service got a little better. Due to my work engagements in the past few years, I started travelling a lot within the country and got myself a frequent flyer registration. I undertook some international travel on PIA as well. I carry a mixed bag of experience. Some people continue to be nice and decent, generally the flight attendants. They are the least paid of the lot. But the airlines is again deteriorating at a fast pace.  Only a few weeks back, some of the international and domestic flights were being deliberately delayed for hours, perhaps as a part of the tactics employed by the pilots to negotiate better remuneration with the management. Then it was the turn of the engineers to add their bit. PIA is again seen as unpredictable when it comes to operating by announced schedules. The aircraft have unkempt interiors. I know some service, engineering and flying staff. Nobody is happy. Another thing that one fails to understand is why the corporation always shows deficit. Even now, the flights are mostly full, cargo section seems to be thriving and Hajj flights are an additional revenue-earner every year. Most of our institutions are marred by a lack of vision, absence of management skills and unscrupulous practices. Not just the aircraft but PIA itself needs an overhaul. The writer is an Islamabad-based poet and rights campaigner. Email: harris@spopk .org

 

World Bank Provides Support to Strengthen Social Safety Nets, Higher Education in Pakistan

Source: The World Bank

WASHINGTON, September 10, 2009 ─ The World Bank today approved two projects totaling US$300 million to help the Government of Pakistan strengthen social safety nets and improve higher education.

 US$200 million is for the Pakistan Social Safety Nets Development Policy Credit, which is designed to establish an institutional and operational framework for an efficient national safety net system. This policy credit — jointly with the Pakistan Social Safety Net Technical Assistance Project approved in June 2009 — will strengthen the Benazir Income Support Program, the Government’s new national safety net program which aims to cushion the negative effects of the food crisis and inflation on poor people.

 “Pakistani households are highly vulnerable to income shocks, and existing social assistance programs cover only a very small fraction of the poor,” said Yusupha Crookes, World Bank Country Director for Pakistan. “Assisting the poor and the vulnerable is a key objective of Government’s poverty reduction strategy. This project will help build a robust safety net system that provides chronic and transient poor people with both basic income support and access to opportunities that will help lift them out of poverty.”

This policy credit will help establish a national targeting system based on objective and transparent criteria, supported by strong and transparent institutions for collecting enrollment data, determining eligibility, benefit payment, and for addressing grievances. The safety net program will have a strong emphasis on monitoring and evaluation to ensure that benefits reach poor people.

The World Bank also approved US$100 million to support the Government’s efforts to improve higher education. The Higher Education Support Program Credit will support the government’s initiatives to increase participation, enhance quality and relevance and strengthen the efficiency and financial sustainability of higher education institutions. The program supports the completion of critical reforms undertaken by the Government of Pakistan in order to create the conditions to enhance the stock of skilled Pakistanis able to contribute to an economy increasingly based on knowledge and technology.

The credits from the International Development Association (IDA), the World Bank’s concessionary lending arm, carries a 0.75 percent service fee, a 10-year grace period, and a maturity of 35 years.

For more information on the Bank’s work in Pakistan, please visit http://www.worldbank.org.pk

For more project information, please visit

http://www.worldbank.org.pk/external/default/main?menuPK=293085&pagePK=141143&piPK=51055560&theSitePK=293052