Separation of powers

Since we will be celebrating the 70the anniversary of our independence, we must revert to objectives and vision of our founding fathers, instead of distortions projected by like likes of Pervez Musharraf. People of Pakistan honour the sacrifices of valiant sons of the soil, including Capt Sarwar, Major Tufail, Major Raja Aziz Bhatti, Pilot Officer Rashid Minhas, Major Shabbir, Sawar Muhammad Hussain and Havildar Lalak Jan, but not those who betrayed their oath and during whose tenure this country’s territorial integrity and sovereignty was compromised. When a country is under martial law, all powers vest with a dictator, and he is under no obligation to listen to advices of his civilian advisors. Musharraf should be man enough to accept that, with power comes responsibility.

On June 14, 1948, when the Quaid, accompanied by Mohtarma Fatima Jinnah, visited Quetta Staff College, he defined officers as the custodians of the life, property and honour of the people of Pakistan. He emphasised that these officers had no other role to perform. While talking with few high ranking officers, he reminded them about the implications of the oath taken by the troops of Pakistan. He advised them to understand the true meaning and spirit of the oath which bind them ‘to understand its true constitutional and legal implications’.

Malik T Ali (Lahore)

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That education institutions in Pakistan have become breeding grounds for extremism and militancy is a sad reality. In our country, militancy on campuses saw a dramatic rise during the Zia regime. He tacitly supported extremist and obscurantist forces in radicalising university students and other young men. The consequences of his excruciating rule are still haunting us.

During his regime, Pakistani students were misled into fighting in the Afghan war. Subsequent governments either followed the same policy or failed to curb radicalism in universities. Proper screening of teachers and students, appropriate syllabi, administrative reforms, checks on some right-wing parties, workshops and seminars can be helpful in dealing with the rise of extremism in education institutions.

M Afzal Khan (Peshawar)