Internet during travel

I had been on frequent business trips during the last couple of months. One thing that I realized as a technology gap in Pakistan, Middle East and most of the western countries, was the absense of Internet during flights. This is a huge investment area that can both contribute towards business and effective utilization of time.

Few airlines are offering email and text services but a full fledged wi-fi internet during flight is not far away. This would not only help people stay in touch with their loved ones, but also carry out important business activities. Some airlines have started offering usage of mobile phones during the flight and hope to include Blackberry services soon.

Similar access can be provided in the trains and railway paths across Pakistan. Since the duration of journeys in trains is more, it would also help the common people us the internet and make use of their time. India has set a good example in this domain.

Dowry: An Exploitative Custom

We Pakistanis are not only sensitive, but quite stubborn too. We get susceptible to dogmas so easily, without even realizing the fact that their roots do not belong with us. The customs and traditions that we have been following since long do not have a rationale. One such custom, or rather, social evil is dowry, which has been causing social injustice to the common man.

Though the demand of dowry and display of wealth at marriages is prohibited by law in Pakistan, these phenomena exist in all classes of our society. The rich and the poor both consider dowry to be a religious obligation that is to be fulfilled by the bride’s family. And the more obstinate the groom’s family is, the more difficult it becomes for the other party. Marriage should be promoted as an institution in the society, with easy access. By demanding dowry and enforcing it as a practice, the rich leave no option for the poor, but to delay their marriages.

Most of us submit to these traditions, as they do not even realize them as wrong. One should know that these amoral traditions can be changed and it should be us taking the initiative. We should not turn away from our obligations and leave the responsibility with others. Let’s play our role in promoting social awareness by educating our direct family members first and then expanding the circle.

Army back to work!

Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Pervez Kiani has ordered the soldiers engaged in civil departments to report back to the Army headquarters. This is indeed a great step by the General, that will allow the army to restore its dignity and honour. If the army keeps its this way, it would strengthen its role in national development and safeguarding the borders of Pakistan.

We have more external threats to the nation than internal, contrary to the thinking of General Pervez Musharraf. The nation as a whole is firm on the ideology of Pakistan, and the majority have a unified vision for the country, which is not secular and not what Musharraf portrayed during the last 8 years. Pakistan is neither extremist nor secular, Pakistanis have their own moderate understanding of life. If every institution in our country fulfils its own duties and does not step on other’s toes, there would be steady growth and stabilization. It might not be as fast as the people expect, but its the only long term solution to our problems.

After the disengagement of Pakistan army from civil positions, the new General should move a step further and stop use of force against the citizens of Pakistan in tribal areas. He should give them a welcome gesture as a change. Our brothers and sisters in the tribal areas should realize themselves as a part of the nation and we should give them the respect they deserve. Its high time that the political parties of the nation reach to a consensus about not using force within the country anymore, as it spreads hatred for the army and our own institutions. We should not pay the price for the war that is against our basic ideology.