IPL and Pakistan's future..

Pakistani Team has to handle the great shock of not being a part of IPL this season. None of the 11 Pakistani players were sold. In addition T20 specialists such as Shahid Afridi and Sohail Tanveer got no bids. Although there seems no reasonable justification being made, the owners said that they couldn’t risk their money on our players. This issue raises questions as to will there be any secure future for Pakistani cricket team?

A Thought..

With the rapidly increasing poverty and unemployment rate, Pakistan is at risk. I am no God who would end such a crisis situation. I am a normal human being, a commoner like everyone out there. Today, we are so busy with our lives that we don’t have a single second to spare for a cause, and even if we manage to, we hardly take a step ahead, ultimately falling in the genre of a spectator. I suppose this is life, but have we been bestowed with such a life? Do we even think where are we heading to? Like many others, there are several such issues which disturb me, but only for a limited period of time, maybe because the glamour of money or the love of my friends make me forget such issues of serious concern.

For the sake of humanity, it is our responsibility to think about this world. It is our duty to analyze the hardships and sufferings that people are going through. The basic aim of our life is not our own wellbeing and pleasure, but our responsibility towards others. If for a minute we look around, we will come across several such people whose identity is shadowed by the darkness of distress, poverty and tensions. Why do we have those luxuries and they don’t? Why only few of us reach that top positions and not all? Probably that is fate- or is it not? Is it right to attribute everything to our destiny or do something to change it? If this question strikes our minds and encourages us to take an initiative, this world will definitely experience the true sense of beauty and peace.

Same Sex Marriage

The practice of marriage has been an ongoing tradition since the world came into being. While some cultures consider it highly valuable and respectable institution, others pay no heed. With time, this practice has been seen transforming, finally paving its way to same sex marriage. Seeing two males hand in hand, walking down the streets would raise eyebrows in several cultures where many would accept it. Same sex marriage is not deemed as a respectable construct, as it is socially, culturally, politically and religiously unaccepted by several societies.

Marriage is a social plus a religious institution which has always existed. For instance, Islam is a strong advocate of marriage and Christianity also talks about the importance of this institution. Both of these religions, focus on the union of a male and a female and its importance in relation to a happy family set up, the rights of children and its positive impact on the society. For this purpose, several societies are against gay marriages.

The institution of same sex marriage looks scary at a glance. If it is legalized, what would become of marriage or family life? This is an essential question concerning the social order which could be affected by same sex marriage. This would lead to polygamy and a weak family system.

According to a study, approximately 1% to 5% gays and lesbians have entered into the same sex marriage. This ration varies from country to country, where gay marriages have been legalized and where it has not. For instance, the first five years when the same sex marriage had been legalized in Netherlands, around 2% to 6% individuals were towards same sex marriage. Even in the United States, the state of Massachusetts legalized gay marriages in 2004 where the highest rate of same sex marriage took place, approximating to 16.4 %.

On the contrary, the proponents of same sex marriage have substantiated arguments promoting the same sex marriage. This has been explained by Dr. Danielle R. in his report, Why Not Same-Sex Marriage. He says, love is the basis of every marriage. Couples marry if affection persists and if they are able to cater each other’s need. This concept can be seen in same sex marriage as well.

Furthermore they points out the fact of increasing divorce rate. According to them, the heterosexual couples fail to establish a successful relationship thereby messing the social institution of marriage. Thus, same sex marriage would end such a crisis situation, and would give them an opportunity to prove how successful same sex marriages can be.

Moreover, they could raise children in a similar or rather better way than the heterosexual couples. The APA has declared that the child’s wellbeing is not associated with a mother and father, married or unmarried, but on an affectionate parenting, despite the care taker couple is straight or a gay (APA, 2009). This argument fails to acknowledge the greater truth. It only focuses that raising children requires married parents and does not identify the underlying fact; the importance of having a mother and a father.

A quite interesting claim made by the proponents of same sex marriage incorporates the universal law of choosing partners according to their own wish. In this way the homosexual marriage can take place which suffers due to the unavailability of the benefits such as social security, taxation and more, provided to all committed relationships, as seen in America.

The opponents of same sex marriage look at the issue from the point of the religion. Since religion considers marriage as a highly valuable institution, it is a union between man and woman to have children which is not possible in the same sex marriages. Thus allowing gay marriages would weaken the family system, thereby ending the natural essence of marriages.

Therefore, allowing same sex marriage would result in polygamy. Once same sex marriage is legalized, no one would stop the culture of homosexual marriages and the concept of rights. Moreover, schools all over would have to incorporate subjects or portions of the text covering homosexual relationships having a negative impact on the children from an early age. Similarly, the court would then give adoption preferences to gay couples and the rights of the heterosexual couples would be undermined.

Thus, the issue of same sex marriage has been quite controversial, although it has been in practice since an early period. For some societies it is acceptable, yet for the rest it is forbidden. Every individual has a different perspective and opinion of the issue, initially coming from its social order. Although, the proponents of same sex marriage propose a number of persuading arguments, compelling the majority to allow and accept same sex marriage, they fail to reveal the underlying fact to all. Hence, same sex marriage is culturally, morally and socially wrong.

Police Corruption- An Overview

The acts and activities associated with corruption, as performed by the people in authority, has greatly reduced the public faith in the government, where the police department is of major concern. Police is the major wing of the government, who are authorized with the act of protecting the citizens and the states, under the laws. Hence, violating the law results in a shake of faith of the public.

It has been seen that the organizational culture of police; lack of accountability and punishment which yields illegal acts such as bribery, theft and crimes, promotes the enhancement of corruption. The fundamentals which promote the culture of corruption and results in the distrust of citizens are listed below.

- Recruitment
- Training
- Lack of Resources
- Controls and Accountability

Hence, it is conspicuous that there are several flaws in the police department, which is prevalent across various countries. This branch of government is often known for its crimes and not for their actual duties. However, since the corruption culture has been identified, progress in tackling the situation has been seen, across many countries. For instance, Brazil has passed a law, where the trial of the officers being accused of a murder will take place in the civilian court instead of the military one. Moreover, several acts have been implemented in Japan and Mexico to ensure disciplinary measures in the police department.

While highlighting the issue of corruption in Pakistan, we come across an eye opening fact that the performance of Pakistan on the corruption Perception Index abbreviated as CPI is unsatisfactory. Corruption is seen in almost every sector in various forms. However, a survey done in 2006 shows the top corrupted government institutes or agencies which include the police department, contributing around 64%, the power sector and the judiciary. These three sectors are corrupted in terms of bribery and other forms due to low salaries, lack of accountability and power.

The traffic police plays a vital role in maintain law and order, in saving the lives of people, in eliminating crime and the list goes on. But the role of these officers has been quite controversial. At one hand we can say that they have an important role in dealing with the situation of the country prevalent. Whether it is guiding the traffic in a heavy rain, or checking tinted cars and motorbikes, they work for the safety of the masses. Apparently, they are seen working hard formulating the laws but are they really sincere to their profession and to their own country? According to some of their statements, one would obviously get a picture that despite the bad reputation to the profession, the officers are true to their work. However, this is not the case. On continuous encounters with some of these traffic policemen, the reality was relieved. Although, nothing is hidden from the citizens, these policemen were reluctant to accept that they take bribes or indulge in other criminal activities.

Analyzing the profession won’t depict a true picture. The current situation and the crime rate of the country, along with the detailed reports and studies on this profession, gives us a picture of a corrupted police department of Pakistan, which directly contradicts to the real life encounters with few traffic policemen. So is it a generalization of being corrupted implemented on all of the traffic policemen? Or is it the masses unaware of the innocent policemen? Or is it the underlying fact known to all that the police department is corrupted? These questions develop in our minds but the answers are even more contradictory.

Speeding up, going on the red light, laser headlights, tinted cars are few of the rule violations which are welcomed by the traffic policemen. In the view of many, these traffic policemen, would come from nowhere and ask for your license. Whether it is late at night, whether it is car full of boys or a bike with two dark, muscular men, or an overloaded bus or a car, these policemen need a reason to stop them. Do they stop such cases to make them learn the importance of abiding by the law, or they want some extra cash, known as ‘kharcha paani’ in common language? This question confuses the public who is adamant on the issue of bribery. They view this profession as humiliating and even if the policeman is sincere in performing his duty, he is often blamed and hence bribed.

On the other hand, they play a vital role in taking care of the hotels and foreign embassies. They stop all the suspicious people from entering the restricted areas plus they often give away their lives in the bomb blasts. At several junctions we see heavy traffic jams at especially the office hours. The traffic police are often seen missing at these busy junctions and people themselves have to manage on such occasions. Busses are often seen in the wrong lane. These are the discrepancies of the traffic police sector and such situation is rarely supervised and checked properly because of which the profession as well as the masses suffer.

Thus, the flaws in this wing of the government can be dealt with strict regulations and strategies. A check and balance system is necessary to make the police department strong. The recruitment and training is among the major strategies which should be implemented (Williams, 2002). Government rules along with better salaries and public support would help the nation get rid of the evils of corruption.

BURJ KHALIFA - The tallest building in the world!

A Democratic Challenge for Pakistan

Analyzing the governance in several nations, we see that while some nations were under authoritarian rule or monarchy, others were governed by the theocratic, and few were under anarchy. We see many forms of governance among which, the famous ones seen today are Democracy, Authoritarian and the Military dictatorship. However, Democracy is one of the most desirable forms of government, which is not seen being established in its true form, especially in developing countries, and one such country is Pakistan. In Abraham Lincoln’s view, ‘Democracy is the rule of people, for the people and by the people’. Pakistan is a form of Parliamentary Democracy, a genre of the representative form of democratic governance.

Although many countries declare themselves as democratic nations, most of them fail to fit in the category of a true democratic state. For instance, Bangladesh was created on democratic grounds, but this democratic governance was short lived. It was hindered because of military intervention, by the illiteracy, poverty and ignorance and more. Similarly, among the nations which categorize themselves as democratic ones, Pakistan is among one of them. A question here arises, is Pakistan a true democratic state?

Before analyzing the situation of Pakistan, it is important to highlight the importance of Democracy. Polish foreign Minister, Warsaw, in the conference of democracies declared the core principles of democracy, which was signed by most of the world's democracies. These principles laid the basis of the democratic governance. However, before proposing them, Warsaw answered the definite question, why democracy?

According to him, democracy is important for a Nation, on the basis of the following fundamentals:

ž Human rights
ž Peace
ž Economic development
ž Justice and solidarity
ž Participation and empowerment of the individuals

Hence on the basis of these reasons, seven countries Chile, the Czech Republic, India, the Republic of Korea, Mali, the United States and Poland, decided on joint organization of a conference, “Towards a Community of Democracies.”
Analyzing the European society suggests, that parliamentary democracy was a manner of government to run the state. This was seen in the early 18th and 19th century based on the capitalist development, elimination of the feudal system, mechanization, urbanization, enlightenment, development in education and in science and technology. These features were a key in establishing a strong and stable democracy, suitable for the people in European society, having a liberal choice available. As a contrary, these vital features are either weak or missing in Pakistan.

The status of democracy in Pakistan roots back to the times of the subcontinent. The British Raj initiated a different mindset in the people of the subcontinent. Before their leadership, the subcontinent was ruled by imperialism. The British rule developed the concept of superiority and inferiority, impairing their thinking, and ultimately the people forgot their freedom of expression and speech. This situation was transformed by the revolutionary leaders such as Jinnah, Gandhi, Sir Syed and several more, who made the Indians realize about the British powers. The struggle continued till 1947 ultimately dividing the United India into Pakistan and India.

Despite sharing the same history, during the past few decades, a conspicuous change and difference has been seen in the governance of India and Pakistan. India has an independent judiciary unlike Pakistan. Indian leaders are technocrats, which controls the top positions of the government. Although, corruption is a major obstacle to governance, in both the countries, yet India has a stronger democracy than Pakistan. Immediately after partition, the state of education is noticeable. However, the government of India is more concerned for the uplift of the masses and strives to develop the IT sector, Pakistan fails to do so. Moreover, the Pakistani government fails to gain the trust of the masses as has not been seen working much for the welfare of its citizen. On the other hand, the Indian government, despite the population growth, has worked hard upon developing the education, agriculture and other sectors, for the interests of the people.
Some of the major problems towards democracy, faced by Pakistan, are explained in detail below.

Education:
Education is important when it comes to establish a strong democracy. Currently, Pakistan spends approximately 1.8% of GDP on the education sector against the required 4% of GDP as recommended by the UN (Dr. Hassan, 2005). The current literacy rate makes it lucid as to where our nation stands today. The masses are required to be educated in order to be aware of their rights. Education would make them vigilant and tolerant and would enable them to decide about their future. Educated masses would not be moved by emotions and false hopes to vote an incompetent leader, but would be able to make a correct decision for their secured and liberal future.

Similarly, along with the educated masses, Pakistan requires an educated leader, a leader with a vision who leads the nation on the path of success. For this purpose, the country should set criteria for eligible candidates, not only on the basis of power and age, but also education and experience.

Feudalism:
The culture of feudalism has existed since Pakistan was born. It was the British who gifted lands during the war of 1857, on the account of the cooperation showed by the people. Since then, the system of jagidars and zamindars is prevalent in the country. These British acts laid the foundation of the feudalism culture. Feudalism is thus, one of the greatest hurdles in establishing true democracy, thereby is one of the major reason behind the unstable Political state of Pakistan. The feudal mentality revolves around selfishness, power and money while justice and honesty is not the feature of these landlords.

Judiciary:
Judiciary plays an important role in establishing democracy in any nation. Democracy would flourish in any country, if the judiciary imparts justice, which is not observed in Pakistan, where a weak judicial system exists. There is no system of check and balance present in Pakistan, as seen in Iran, which regulates the whole system of governance. Therefore, the political system and the judiciary in specific, is run by power and money, which is seen in Pakistan, where a just and fair system is not prevalent. This weakness undermines the democracy to foster. Therefore, Pakistan needs an independent judiciary which is away from politics and is not affiliated with any political party. Hence, only in such circumstances, judiciary could play its required essential role of justice.

Conclusion:
The government in Iran is a combination of Islamic theocracy and democracy. Its political system is quite unique and complex which plays an important role in the stability and strength of the country. It has a supreme leader who appoints the heads of other bodies. Moreover, there is a Guardian Council present which keeps a check and balance upon the candidates running for the elections, along with those being appointed.
Hence, such a check and balance system is required in Pakistan which scrutinizes the laws and the working of the bodies. Apart from such a system, Pakistan requires a true leader who unifies everyone and everything, a leader with a strong vision to take the country towards the road of success. We need an educated public who are well aware of their rights, who could make their right choice and elect the best leader. We want a political system with leaders who work for the nation and not for their own personal interests. We need an industrial revolution and elimination of the feudal system. If these reformatory measures are incorporated, a strong and stable democratic government would develop in Pakistan.

DAVID BARSAMIAN - AT A GLANCE..

David Barsamian, a journalist, an author and a lecturer, is the founder and the director of Alternative Radio, in Colorado, which is an award-winning weekly series. Barsamian’s articles are regularly published in several magazines including the Z Magazine and The Progressive. He is working in the Radio department from 1978. His articles are widely appreciated and praised by the masses. Moreover, he lectures on several varying topics such as the U.S. foreign policy, media and Corporate Power in the U.S. Furthermore, his lectures revolve around several other countries such as India, Canada and few more. He is even famous as an author of several books including the Propaganda and the Public Mind: Conversations with Noam Chomsky, The Decline and Fall of Public Broadcasting; the Cruise Missile: Conversations with Arundhati Roy, and the list goes on. Moroever, it is his intelligence and courage, which enables him to speak and point out the sensitive controversial topics in public, which makes him as a famous, distinct journalist. However, it is interesting to note that The Institute for Alternative Journalism has named him as one of its “Top Ten Media Heroes”. Apart from this, David Barsamian has been honored with several other awards as well, for instance; in 2003, he received the ACLU’s Upton Sinclair Award for independent journalism and in 2006, he was honored with the Rocky Mountain Peace and Justice Award, and the Cultural Freedom Fellowship from the Lannan Foundation. Hence, he is quite popular and honored for his works and achievements.