Education Can Save Pakistan

Only Education Can Save Pakistan

According to the UNESCO research, it is said that the social and physical edifices of modern society stand upon the foundations of education. Uneven and weak foundations make a bad base and this is what we have in Pakistan; a society that is uneven and fragile, which can be attributed to the ignorance and indoctrination that we spread in the name of education. Education in its classic sense is a means to character building and furthering the cause of civilization. Everyone seems to agree on this, so what is the problem? The issue that needs to be addressed concerns the fundamental meaning of the term education. Is just teaching our children skills sufficient to read, write and become cogs in the ever expanding industrial behemoth of this capitalistic world enough? Or is their more to it than that?

To find an answer to this rather confounding question we will have to developer and go back to the basics and redefine terms like education, civilization and character. The meaning of these terms has broadened with the passage of time. In today’s world, education is not only a conduit to pass on society’s collective will knowledge and values to posterity but is also a means to equip young people with the necessary tools and skills to live in a society founded on the principles of democracy, tolerance and equality for all. In a more practical and physical sense, education should not only train the younger generation to face and tackle the situations and challenges of a technological and ever changing world but also prepare them to live in a civilized world that is at peace with itself. In other words the youth of a society should not only have a firm grasp on the values that their society as an entity believes in but should also be taught  to respect and tolerate the values and beliefs of other societies and communities.

Education leads to yet another question; what can education do to create a just tolerant and democratic society? To achieve the goal of education in its most modern and academic sense societies have to devise and crate curricula and syllabi that encourage critical thinking, and inspire a scientific approach based on objectivity towards issues and problems in everyday life. Members of an educated and enlightened society should have the mental capacity and intellectual courage to question every thing. Syllabi that make students think critically and objectively are harbingers of success  and happiness in a society. Education, which supports and emphasizes scientific thinking, ultimately creates a populace that is not a blind followers of whatever they are told, and cannot be sacrificed on the altar of fake national ego and the political interests of certain groups and individuals.

An educated and academically robust citizenry is a great asset for any state. This kind of population is a must for a thriving economy, vibrant democracy and stable society. Education no indoctrination based on falsification of history, distortion of culture and demonization of others is the only way to achieve prosperity and respect in the comity of nations for Pakistan. If the leaders and the rulers are interested which they do not seem to be in the nurturing of a democratic and educated society then they really need to address the root cause of the problem which is ignorance and the uneducated illiterates that we produce through our present educational system. The first step in the right direction will be changing the curricula and syllabi and making them more thought provoking and objective. This will require a lot of courage, planning and guts on the part of the leadership but is the only way left for us to move forward.  Yes this will not solve all our problems overnight but it will be the first step in the light direction, this small step will be a giant leap for our educational system. 

Pak-India Nuclear Treaty

Pak India NSG

India’s NSG participation seriously threatens the credibility of the NSG. After the first  Indian nuclear test on May 18 1974, the US, Canada , The Federal Republic of Germany, Japan, the UK, France and the Soviet Union joined hands to coordinate their nuclear export controls. All these seven nuclear supplier countries were totally convinced of the fact that the Nuclear non-proliferation treaty was not doing enough to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons. The plutonium used in India’s nuclear test was diverted from the safeguarded, Candu reactors supplied by Canada. The group of seven countries met for the first time in 1975 in London and is thus popularly referred to as the London group. In 1977 membership was expanded to 15 states and after the 9/11 attacks, the nuclear suppliers group emerged as the world’s leading multilateral nuclear export control body that governs international trade of nuclear related materials and technology.

The NSG’s original aim was to supplement the nuclear non proliferation treaty which permits peaceful use of nuclear energy but also prevents nuclear technology from being used for military purposes. Yet in the light of major developments, particularly the increasing nuclear proliferation outside multilateral controls, the NSG faces a host of challenges ranging from big question marks on its credibility to a growing debate about engaging nuclear states outside the NSG framework. In the course of globalization the world’s nuclear industry is rapidly evolving into a system of compels proliferation transactions involving independent financiers and traders whose shady dealings are totally disconnected from the world of nuclear trade controls.

India- Pakistan are also two nuclear armed countries that are non signatories to the NPT, have expressed interest in joining the NSG. However it is not easy to decide about accepting Delhi and Islamabad into the NSG. The question of expanding membership will have to be decided from the perspective of the NSG remaining fundamentally committed to the goals of the NPT or developing into a group of state that is capable of engaging in nuclear exports. Many countries have frequently complained that the NSG constitutes a cartel of nuclear technology owners. Pakistan also demands a civilian nuclear deal similar to the India-US accord that allows India access to nuclear technology despite being a non-signatory to the NPT. However there is not considerable diplomatic support in favour of Pakistan’s request due to our poor non-proliferation track record. While conducting the research on nuclear terrorism at a US based institute, it is raised this issue with many US nuclear experts about whether the US should extend cooperation with Pakistan in civilian nuclear technology. The experts opined that in addition to proliferation threats, Pakistan due to its poor economic situation might not be able to buy sensitive  nuclear technology even if the US agrees to any such kind of deal.

At the moment, it is certainly difficult to predict the outcome of the debate over expansion of the NSG membership but if a decision is taken in favour of creating an exception only for India has the potential to render the NSG irrelevant to the detriment of nonproliferation norms. How the NSG resolves this issue will inevitably shape its future role in the future nonproliferation agenda. 

The US & Islam 's Division

The role of US President in Islam’s division

The American presidents usually don’t meddle in religious feuds. Yet as president Obama tries to adjust ties to both Iran and Saudi Arabia, he is stepping into a historic feud between Shiites and Sunnis. If he can at least set the state for these two rival nations of the Muslim world to reconcile at a state level, it could help the two main branches of  Islam to bridge a great division.

The times is ripe for Obama to succeed. Syria’s civil war in which Iran sides with its Shiite proxies and Saudi Arabia with Sunni militants has become a humanitarian disaster on a global scale. The war is spilling over to neighboring countries, threatening a regional meltdown.

If the US eases the Saudi – Iranian contest for regional power it may also create a path for Shiites and Sunnis to come to terms with their religious differences. That process starts with the US rebalancing its special historic relationship with the Saudis and testing Iran on its promise to be responsible player in the region. During his trip to Saudi Arabia, Obama might feel compelled to first smooth some ruffled feathers. The kingdom felt left out during the secret US Iranian talks last year. It also wants a more aggressive US hand in Syria and the royal family still feels threatened by the Arab Spring’s continued potency to spread democracy.

Yet Obama needs to remind the Saudis of their backing of the 2002 Arab Peace Initiative. That offer spoke of a comprehensive peace that would bring security for all the states of the region. Neither Saudi Arabia or Iran can regard each other as enemies forever. The advances in war technologies, such as nuclear weapons, argues against it. So does the rising aspirations for peace and progress among each country’s young  people. And ruling a country through either theocracy or monarchy is also fast reaching its limits  in today’s globalised world.

If Obama ‘s new engagement with Iran and Saudi Arabia has any traction, it will likely show up during any new round of talks between the Syrian regime and its political opposition in Geneva. Syria’s War is both a tragic outcome of Iran-Saudi /Shiite – Sunni tensions and a bellwether of its gradual resolution.

Such as steps towards peace gather force they can also start Sunnis and Shiites on a new path. 

US nuclear good promotion with Iran

US nuclear  sees good promotion with Iran

The UN nuclear watchdog signaled its determination to get the bottom of suspicions that Iran may have worked on designing an atomic bomb, a day after as Tehran agreed to start the sensitive issue.

According to the Chief of UN nuclear inspection it is said that much work remained in clarifying concern of possible military links to Iran’s nuclear programme.

There are still a lot of outstanding issues, as it is said by the International Atomic Energy Department.

Iran denies Western allegations it seeks the capability to make nuclear weapons, such claim are baseless and forged by its foes. Years of hostile rhetoric and confrontation have raised fears of a new war in the Middle East. 

But a diplomatic push to resolve the decade old dispute gained new momentum after a relative moderate with Iran president on a platform to ease its  international isolation.

Iran and six other powers agreed late last year on an interim deal to curb Tehran ‘s nuclear work in exchange for some easing of sanctions that have battered the oil producer’s economy and they will next week start talks on a long term agreement.

Resolving all of issues will go a long way to demonstrate to the international community that Iran is not pursuing nuclear weapons and is willing to come clean about its past activities. Iran had agreed to take seven new practical measures with three months under a November transparency deal with the IAEA meant to help allay concern about the nuclear programme.

For the first time one of them specifically dealt with an issue that is part of the UN nuclear agency inquiry into suspected atomic bomb researched by Iran, which has repeatedly denied any such ambitions.

Although such fast functioning detonators have some non-nuclear uses, they can also help set off an atomic device. 

US suspect targeted drone attack

US suspect possibly targeted for drone attack

The American suspected terrorist is in country that prohibits US military action on its soil. The US President said that the only military not the CIA can kill American terror suspects overseas, creating a policy conundrum for the White House. The condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly. The justice department is also required to show  citizen that killing an American citizen through military action is legal constitutional because this is considered an enemy combatant. 

PAK - CHINA FRIENDLY RELATIONSHIP

PAK-CHINA RELATIONSHIP.

China & Pakistan relations began in 1950 when Pakistan was among the first countries to break relations with Taiwan and recognize the People’s Republic of China. Pakistan also supported China over the issue of Hong Kong and Taiwan and condemned the machinations against China in the name of Tibet. China on its part has supported Pakistan in variety of projects including Gwadar Port and some of other projects in Balochistan. China has extended full cooperation to make Pakistan self-reliant by providing know how with a view to strengthening and ensuring territorial integrity and sovereignty of Pakistan.

Pakistan has always appreciated and expressed its gratitude for the continued Chinese help for the progress and prosperity of Pakistan. Pak-China  friendship is a major source of concern for anti-Pakistan lobby. Such lobbies are trying to create fissures between China and Pakistan, but given the time tested friendship they are bound to fail. There is a perception that detractors of both countries have devious plans to create threats to Chinese security in Pakistan to stop Chinese investment. However Pakistan is determined to ensure their safety and security. Those opposed to Pak-China’s strong ties are trying to link strong. Both China and Pakistan cherish their friendship and consider their friendly relations as everlasting.

China is a indeed a peace loving country and it has neither bullied its smaller neighbors nor has it ever tried to extend hegemony over other countries. It is more interested in improving its economy rather than engaging itself in any military entanglement because it believed that economic strength can help increase military strength. That is why, it has hitherto opted to seek political and negotiated settlement of the Taiwan issue although it has left no doubt in any one’s mind that it will not hesitate to go to any extent to retrieve its territory that was separated by Chiang Kai. China’s having friendly relations with all its neighbors should not be misunderstood, as it has the capability and the resources to give adequate response to those harboring evil designs. In fact the tolerance China shows to other countries is its strength. However propagandists continue rising doubts about Pak-China all weather friendship.

Unfortunately, regional and international powers including US, Western powers, India and Japan, driven by their imperial designs to seize and grab energy (oil, gas and coal) gold and other natural resources, wish  to create a wedge between China and Pakistan. their misleading analysis and skewed reports using jargons are meant to create a sense of mistrust and misperceptions among them. A recent analysis titled China in Pakistan Relationship beneath the surface is a case point. USA and western powers being economic rivals of China are trying to create suspicions between China and Pakistan but both friendly countries continue with their planning to undertake mega economic projects like China-Pakistan economic connecting Pakistani report of Gwadar with Kashgar China construction of dams and Chinese investment in Pakistani textile, energy, banking, commerce and industry sectors and numerous other development projects.

China has indeed helped Pakistan in economic and defence spheres. Las  year the movement formally awarded the contract for expansion and operation of Gwadar Port to China which is being operated by the State run Chinese firm. China overseas Port holding Company. The fact remains that the port has the potential to give economic boost to its economy and make Pakistan as the trade corridor for Central Asian States, China and the Gulf as 50 percent trade of gas and oil is channeled through this route. Pakistan would be in a position to offer Central Asian countries the access to sea through Gwadar Port, as communications network linking Pakistan to Central Asia is in progress.

Both countries (China & Pakistan) are on one page so far as their strategic thinking and policy framework are concerned. Pak-China excellent relations are reflective of strong bonds and friendship, free of petty prejudices. 

US help Pakistan to Overcome Crisis

United States will continue her assistance for Pakistan.

Pakistan has rendered matchless sacrifices in the war against terrorism. It is said that although improving law and order in Pakistan is an internal matter of its own, yet the United States is ready to extend all possible assistance in this regards. Pak-US relations have significantly improved as a result of strategic dialogue and hoped the mutual cooperation will be further strengthened. He said the United States will fully help Pakistan to overcome energy crisis and speedy development of other sectors. Electricity has been added to national grid in Pakistan through US cooperation. Washington will also cooperate with Pakistan to overcome gas shortage in the country and help it in the import of liquefied natural gas. Pakistan and the United States have similarity of views regarding resolving the Afghan issue. It is also further stated that the United States will continue to remain engaged with Pakistan even after pullout of NATO troops from Afghanistan.