Governance, policies critiqued at Adab Festival

LAHORE : Senior journalist Mujibur Rahman Shami has said that if institutions do not operate within their constitutional boundaries, conflicts will persist.

He was commenting on the book Dear Jinnah by bureaucrat Salman Farooqi at the Adab Festival Pakistan, jointly organised by Lighthouse Publishers, Geo TV, and the Mir Khalil-ur-Rahman Foundation at Alhamra on Saturday.

He termed the book a warning and posed critical questions to the ruling circles, asking how long the Constitution would be violated and mocked. He pointed out that the nation has reached a point no one could have predicted, and without addressing fundamental questions, progress cannot be made. He questioned who was responsible for key events like the 1965 war, Operation Gibraltar, and the Kargil conflict, stressing that both the political and military leadership must provide answers.

Shami lamented that, unlike other nations, Pakistan has not achieved stability or continuity, both in governance and in its relationship with India. He also criticised the lack of clarity on who makes critical decisions in Pakistan, saying the country remains embroiled in internal strife.

Senior lawyer Aitzaz Ahsan remarked that Salman Farooqi’s book is a step-by-step historical account based on solid facts. He noted that even after 77 years of independence, the state’s objectives remain unchanged, which is why Pakistan has seen neither development nor meaningful change.

Ahsan pointed out that Pakistan remains an import-based economy and lags in technology. He stressed the need for the state to change its objectives, noting that a state should treat all its citizens equally, yet in Pakistan, nine out of ten people live in poverty while the elite enjoy privileges.

Founder of Akhuwat Foundation Amjad Saqib commended Salman Farooqi for holding up a mirror to society without offending anyone. He praised Farooqi for honestly narrating the country’s 70-year history without taking sides and expressed hope that the book would become a blueprint for the future. Nasreen Kasuri, head of Beaconhouse, spoke on the topic of education, highlighting that Pakistan has three separate education systems, which she described as a tragedy. She emphasised the need to teach children essential skills and called for increasing the education budget to six percent.

Seema Aziz, head of Care Foundation, pointed out that a significant issue is a failure to fully utilise the allocated budget for public schools. She stressed the need to provide opportunities for children eager to learn.

Dr. Faisal Bari suggested the need for five- to 10-year planning at the government level, emphasising the importance of addressing children’s nutritional deficiencies. He also called for the abolition of educational boards and matric exams, arguing that they no longer serve their purpose.

Indian author Ayush Pathran, discussing his book on Pakistan’s women’s cricket, noted that women’s cricket in both India and Pakistan should receive the same opportunities and salaries as men’s cricket. He pointed out that Pakistani female cricketers, including Bismah Maroof, face numerous challenges and need support to move forward.

Former head of Pakistan Cricket’s Women’s Wing Bushra Aitzaz lamented that Pakistan’s cricket is often managed by individuals with no connection to the sport. She called for leadership that understands management and the need for better training and coaching for women cricketers.

Tania Malik, the current head of the Women’s Wing, shared that work is underway on the women’s cricket calendar and that economic policies for women cricketers have been introduced, signaling a promising future.

Bismah Maroof, former Pakistani batter, emphasised that a Women’s Pakistan League is the need of the hour and that if the board’s policies remain consistent, women’s cricket will rapidly progress.

Former bureaucrat and Director General of the Walled City Lahore Authority (WCLA) Kamran Lashari said that barricading buildings and areas for security reasons has diminished our sense of community and inclusive neighbourhoods.

He made these remarks during the session titled “Reading Buildings for an Informed Future.”

Dr. Nadhra Shahbaz Khan, Associate Professor of Art and Architectural History at Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS) and Director of the Gurmani Centre for Languages and Literature, also spoke at the session, which was moderated by Mahnaz Shujra.

Lashari expressed regret that the practice of erecting barriers had become so common that entering Minar-e-Pakistan felt akin to entering a military headquarters. He lamented that a large wall now obscures the once-visible grandeur of the Lahore High Court (LHC), which was previously visible through a see-through fence.

Recalling his early days in the Mozang area of Lahore, Lashari noted that the prevalence of barricading had eroded the sense of a close-knit community where people once lived like family. He remarked that even in DHA, he does not know who lives next to him, and vice versa.

Regarding the concept of “reading”‘ buildings, Lashari emphasised that they should not be judged solely on design or architectural perfection but on how well they integrate people, culture, and society. He compared the old Tollinton Market near Anarkali on The Mall to the present-day market moved to Shadman, noting that it lacked the cultural vibrancy and community of the original Tollinton Market.

Lashari also mentioned that many residents were unaware of Lahore’s architectural treasures, citing Wazir Khan’s Baradari as an example. He pointed out that the Baradari is located between the Punjab Public Library, the Lahore Museum, and the National College of Arts (NCA).

He added that the WCLA is working on restoring and preserving the Baradari, which will soon be open to the public.

Dr. Nadhra Shahbaz Khan discussed the interpretative nature of buildings, noting that they can be viewed from various social, cultural, religious, and other perspectives. She illustrated this with an example of the historic Lahore Railway Station and mentioned the account of Lahore’s renowned historian, Kanhaiya Lal, who described the station as being built as a fort. She also noted that scientists and geologists have their perspectives on this remarkable building.

In another session on creativity, Athar Tahir discussed his novel, explaining that it is not a traditional love story of Heer Ranjha but a sensitive narrative with layers of meaning. Dr. Amra Raza praised the novel for its depiction of fear, life, and love.

Meena Malik emphasised the importance of fulfilling both psychological and physical needs, saying that happiness, whether psychological or physical, must be achieved naturally.