We spend our energies in useless political debates, pointing fingers to previous governments and rival parties, but our enegy can be put to better use. Following are our major issues, lets see what are the practical ideas people have, to fix/improve them, if we are given authority.
Re: How would we fix them?
Let me throw my thoughts about #2, religious hormony
Instead of encouraging interfaith seminars or debates (which are designed to convince people oneway or the other), we need to make everybody understand, that its okay to be different. All faiths should be respected, no ifs no buts. We should teach people (through all mediums) no faith has the certificate to prove that they are the absolute right path. In the absence of such certificate, we should charish our differences, and consider others as good (and as bad) as ourselves.
Law and order should be our first priority, this would include empowering police and making judiciary independent. Both of these institutions must be free of political/govt interference but still have some accountability system.
Increase salaries of police, train them and provide better equipments to them.
For judiciary, the same as above minus "equipments".
There must be random "bribe bust" operations, occasionally install bugs in police stations, courts to check on anything wrong going there.
Install cameras in police vehicles, no one in mobile would be able to turn it off, it can be turned off only when parking it in police station before shutting down for the day etc.
Increase punishment for offending police/judiciary.
Shoot-on-sight orders for those who issue takfeer fatwas, those who incite hatred must be lashed in public, those who insult sacred personalities must be jailed. Things will start to fall in place.
Once law and order is established the society will see stability then a NAB like institution can support the "accountability" of govt and that I believe will help gain investor's confidence.
Unfortunately large sum of money is spent on defense which is then used to buy weapons from foreign countries hence supporting research and development outside. If that money can be spent for research and development within country that will have long-term aspects in education, technology etc.
A stable society can provide base for academic activity.
Inflation and prices is something that is not really an easy thing to control. It is a complex process.
in my opinion if the govt would take an interest in the religious education of pakistanis most problems could be solved. Pakistan is not a secular state then why should we shy away from making religion a platform in order to reform our society. Govt need to take charge of mosques and madrassas and also need to provide the graduates from these institutions jobs. Lets just look the recent ministers of religious affairs in Pakistan. Does a practising pakistani muslim feel these ministers and ministry is doing enough to nurture and protect their interets? Also i would think that the people that are utterly morally corrupt could be brought to light if Pakistanis were to wake up and embrace the religion we are so proud of possessing.
Re: How would we fix them?
There are numerous solutions for the problems Pakistan is facing today. The "But" is, we have not seen any serious effort by the elected govt. officials.
So Far, Mr. Gillani ( like a parrot) is repeating that "this is our war", nothing more comes out of his mouth.
Mr. President, the Zardari is still in a shock and he have not believed the fact that he is actually became the president of Pakistan.
The only serious effort shown by the govt, is increasing the size of cabinet.. thats what all allied parties in govt. are working on. and showing extra ordinary friendship with India... none of them is in the national interest of Pakistan.
All the Other govt. officials are just issuing statements saying, They will deal with terrorism with Iron-Fist kind of thing, on the other hand, terrorists are molding this IRON-FIST every time.
Strictly speaking, Zardari's govt have shown no success, i don't mean that they can solve everything in a days time, but atleast they can take first step in right direction, so that we can atleast hope for the good things.
Re: How would we fix them?
^ bhai jaan, the thread is about how "we" would have fixed the problems not "what govt is/is not doing" :)
^ bhai jaan, the thread is about how "we" would have fixed the problems not "what govt is/is not doing" :)
Exactly. We should discuss solutions, not politics. There are many threads to throw dirt at government, or politicians.
About those who insult sacred personalities must be jailed point, there is a catch. One group's hero can be other group's villian. The best way to approach is, to allow criticism in a respectable manner. Name calling, leads to no good outcome, and should be considered as hate-mongering.
About #5. Control inflation and prices , it cannot be fixed in short term. However we need to take care of 3. Bring in investment (includes creating jobs) as fast as we can. That would help #5 in the long run. Law and order situation currently preventing us from a huge foreign investment, but we can't sit and wait for a miracle. If I have authority, I would engage with asian business leaders, and companies in gulf etc, to come down here. I would'nt mind giving them huge tax breaks. Generally I am for more taxes on businesses, but we need tax-breaks as incentives, to kickoff the money influx.
About those who insult sacred personalities must be jailed point, there is a catch. One group's hero can be other group's villian. The best way to approach is, to allow criticism in a respectable manner. Name calling, leads to no good outcome, and should be considered as hate-mongering.
When I said "sacred personalities" I meant people of Prophet's times, it is unlikely to have a "villain" and "hero" in one same person for 2 groups though there might be liking/disliking for other reasons.
And as you pointed as well that such insults should be considered as "hate-mongering" then in order to curb that we'll have to punish people for such offense similar to laws in US for "hate crimes".
About #5. Control inflation and prices , it cannot be fixed in short term. However we need to take care of 3. Bring in investment (includes creating jobs) as fast as we can. That would help #5 in the long run. Law and order situation currently preventing us from a huge foreign investment, but we can't sit and wait for a miracle. If I have authority, I would engage with asian business leaders, and companies in gulf etc, to come down here. I would'nt mind giving them huge tax breaks. Generally I am for more taxes on businesses, but we need tax-breaks as incentives, to kickoff the money influx.
Bringing in foreign investment definitely can help but it is not that easy in current circumstances. Law n Order and Accountability are keys to gain foreign investor's confidence. We need to promote manufacturing and agriculture as these are solid bases of an economy.
Re: How would we fix them?
Also, form an independent accountability body and keep a check on these some 'crooks and sellouts' who are now allied with the Govt. The lack of an independent judiciary makes sure this WONT happen.
it is unlikely to have a "villain" and "hero" in one same person
unlikely but possible. There should be a legal room in the constitution, to criticise anyone.
However name calling, or hate mongering is alltogether a different story.
If somebody does not like Prophet Mohammad, that is fine. We have hindus and christians on our country and I don't think they will be onboard with the rest.
We should allow everybody express themselves in a respectable manner, and you have a right to agree or disagree. In our society, anger replaces the argument and such uproars put a road block to any non-mainstream ideas or ideology.
Re: How would we fix them?
^ I have seen nothing but respect for Prophet Mohammad by Hindus and Christians in Pakistan. It would be wrong to say they dont like Prophet Mohammad. I have seen Christians celebrate Eid Milad Un Nabbi too.
^ I have seen nothing but respect for Prophet Mohammad by Hindus and Christians in Pakistan. It would be wrong to say they dont like Prophet Mohammad. I have seen Christians celebrate Eid Milad Un Nabbi too.
please Spock, just because christians respect Propher Mohammad, does not mean we should make it mandatory for them.
In your view, is it ok to say "I like Jesus more than Propher Mohammad"?
please Spock, just because christians respect Propher Mohammad, does not mean we should make it mandatory for them.
No ones mandating that to them. You are just trying too hard to promote a 'secular' agenda, even when its not needed.
[quote]
In your view, is it ok to say "I like Jesus more than Propher Mohammad"?
[/quote]
Sure, if you feel that way go ahead and say it, because you aren't disrespecting either of the two.
Re: How would we fix them?
Guys may be we can come back to discussing "solutions"? Or is this thread another representation of Pakistan? :D
Re: How would we fix them?
Getting back to the foreign investment issue. I think we can persue countries like arab states, turkey, jordan, kuwait, UAE etc to invest or tab into our talent pool. They should not be as scared as west, because they don't have "gori skin".
Getting back to the foreign investment issue. I think we can persue countries like arab states, turkey, jordan, kuwait, UAE etc to invest or tab into our talent pool. They should not be as scared as west, because they don't have "gori skin".
Our "Talent Pool" is what worries the whole world including the arabs & turks!!!
What is needed is enforcement of writ of law with a zero tolerance policy. Once that can be achieved, all else will OK. Unfortunately the first thing at the moment that is required is to somehow sort out this war on terror one way or the other - not sure how, if I knew I would have been campaigning alongside Obama and McCain.
Re: How would we fix them?
My guess is that we are so poor in management skills in all departments...
Instead of asking $100b or shouting for FDIs...we should hone our skills in managing things...starting again from a scratch...when we have done this...we can take the next step... :)
Re: How would we fix them?
One vital step to be taken is to boost Economy by cutting out Military Expenditure to atleast half, as we have no enemy including India. Also cutting down lavish perks of all Govt. officials from salaries to incentives and other expenses by all means. One must have to be very very daring to take this step though.
Re: How would we fix them?
One other thing to act upon is "Do what you say" slogan. Right now, when I'm on a visit to Pakistan, I observe and feel badly that people know what the problem is, people know what are the good things and what are bad but still are not reluctant to go for things like bribes, lies, thefts or being cruel. That sucks so much!
Re: How would we fix them?
^hmm but what could you do when to get your job done its other bribe or not getting any response?