LYING

I was watching a programme  on lying aired by the Dunya TV this morning .

There was a time when Muslims did not lie . Indeed , it has been reported that before the partition of India and Pakistan that disputes occurring between Hindus were  amicably settled by involving Muslims because they never lied . What happened between the past and present day Muslims .

  I think the answer lies in the following :-

·        “Lord Macaulay's address to the British Parliament 2nd February , 1835
'I have travelled  across the length and breadth of India and I have not seen one person who is the beggar , who is a thief .Such wealth I have seen in this country , such high moral values , people of such caliber, that I do not we would ever conquer ...this country , unless we break the very backbone of this nation , which is her spiritual and cultural heritage, and, therefore , I propose that we replace her old and ancient education system , her culture , for if the Indians think that all that is foreign is good and greater that their own , they will lose their self esteem , their native culture and they will what we them , a truly dominated nation”

·        I also refer to the statement of Winston Churchill in the same House a century later .

“ Winston Churchill’s arguments against the grant freedom to India and Pakistan was that power will go to the hands of thieves , rogues and freebooters : all leaders will be of low calibre. They will have sweet tongues and silly hearts .They will fight amongst themselves for power and  India and Pakistan will be lost in political squabbles . A day would when even air and water would be taxed .”

 He wrote that 64 years ago and incredibly we have worked hard to prove him right. What happened within those 100 hundred .Why the character of the Muslims has undergone a sea change ?

·        The Holy Prophet (Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon him ) told his followers that the nation  of each Prophet had a fitna (mischief) and wealth would be fitna (mischief) for his followers .

 This is a food for thought for today .       

Pakistan and America

 Pakistan and America

There is saying that knowledge is power. Analyze the basic differences between the forms of governments. To say that the form of government is parliamentary in Pakistan whereas the form of government in the USA is presidential is immaterial . We tried the other system too with unpleasant results, the Agartala Conspiracy case against Sheikh Mujib and the Awami League and the loss of East Pakistan. American Civil War which happened about two centuries ago is history now ,But nothing works in Pakistan .

The other day , while following the results of the US elections , I realized the importance of Education and Commitment much more than before .Added to these is Acceptance of the results . Anyone doubting the results can go to the Court as did Al Gore in the US Election of 2000. However, the Judiciary in Pakistan was a handmaiden of the rulers in the past and when it became independent in 2009 through a massive struggle; none of its judgments are being accepted by the current Government because those hurt the ruler’s interests.

The transition between the old Government to the new one is smooth in the USA .The former President George Bush briefed the then President –Elect Barack Obama on serious matters. As a matter of fact, important issues such as foreign policy are rarely touched successive administrations. Most members of the American Congress are qualified to become Cabinet Ministers . Two names come to mind , John Kerry and John Mccain . They contested the US Presidential elections and occupy important positions in the Senate: the former is the Chairman of the Senate Foreign Policy Committee and is likely to become the next US Secretary of State.

However , in choosing the prospective appointees , homework is done to shortlist the names .The best of the best are appointed. Each appointment is made on the basis of their qualifications and experience . Experts in their respective fields  appointed as members of the cabinet and the government.   It may be mentioned the USA boasts of having more than 8000 Universities .The search is not confined the country . Some are educated in European Universities .

There are  almost 450 members in the two houses of Pakistan’s Parliament . Added to them are members of the Provincial Legislatures . An overwhelming majority of them are dumb. Many of them boast ‘fake’ degrees. Their only interest lies in pleasing the head of the party or in their perks and privileges. They are unscrupulous.  Rarely we have a full quorum in the Parliament and the Provincial Legislatures. They do not  seriously debate any issue which the country faces .Such is their commitment .Appointments of either ministers or members of the bureaucracy are  not made on the basis of their expertise in respective field e.g. Dr Asim Hussain ,who was President Zardari’s physician and friend , but on personal whims of the top man . 

Each member of the American community from the highest to the lowest strives to make the country strong and prosperous unlike us. They are committed whatever they are doing . Wealthy Americans to strive to help the more unfortunate ones in the society . Many of them, e.g.  Carnegie, Henry Ford, Bill Gates have become household names in poor countries like Pakistan.  

Poor countries like Pakistan are caught in a vicious circle: those who have the means to ameliorate society are not pushed whereas those who desire and have commitment do not have the means.

MAHFOOZ UR RAHMAN

ISLAMABAD

Dated November 08 , 2012