Judges and The Peoples Party Government

It has been more than a month now and there seems to be no progress on the restoration of judiciary from the newly elected PPP Government. The impression that people are getting from the actions of Asif Ali Zardari is that PPP government is not serious in restoring Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chahudry.

Reasons are of course obvious. Asif Ali Zardari is considered to be one of the most corrupt personalities in Pakistan and the benefits he is availing from the NRO might be at stake. Restoration of judiciary on November 2nd position will obviously result in probe for the illegal actions of President Musharraf, including the NRO.

So, once again, we see personal vested interest in the path of our national interest. During this time, the role of political parties and personalities is becoming evident. Nawaz Sharif is indeed commendable for taking a stand for judiciary and motivating the people for the real interest of Pakistan.

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.