I wish I could delete December 16th

I wish I could delete the 16^th Dec 2014 from the calendar, from our memories and from the history of Pakistan. Many things are coming into mind but thoughts are so shattered that I feel helpless to express into words,

Whenever I saw the pictures of students on TV, newspaper and social media, pain, tears, anger, helplessness-everything arises.

These flower-like children do not deserve such brutality. They deserved a long, happy, prosperous and successful life. Not only these kids, but also the staff members, who were martyred in the worst brutal attack, do not deserve to be butchered by terrorists. Many dreams, many plans, many wishes and promises-everything buried along with these martyred.

Some of them had plans of enjoying cricket match, going out with friends, spending cheerful winter vacations after a few days, promises to achieve positions in exams etc….all this gone in seconds. Such plans, promises can never be fulfilled. Those who were saying good-bye to their fellows during farewell party, said good-bye to the world and left everyone is tears and heartfelt pain forever.

Pictures showing the situation of inside the Army Public School, Peshawar can clearly tell that brutality were at its peak as the terrorists killed everyone mercilessly. Blood stained copies, bags, shoes, papers-everything indicated that these students as well as staff members could not get chance to even understand as to what is happening, before being murdered.  

Also those who had seen the death so close, getting back them to normal life is the biggest challenges. The time they spent with their friends will be difficult for them to forget. Everyone inside the country as well across the globe is mourning the deaths and strongly condemning the attack and offer prayers for the martyred and those who are injured.

The entire nation is united in this time of extreme grief and pain, also ban on execution of death penalty also removed by the government. But this is not enough, it is high time to raise your voice and press the government to immediately implement on it and start hanging all these murderers of humanity publicly. Though, it would not bring back the martyrs, but would give a clear message to extremists that now Pakistan and its people will not tolerate any brutality anymore.  

 (Acknowledgment-Reuters photo used)

Aasoo Kolhi-The real Malala

No one can deny the importance of education for progress and development of the nations. Even our Holy Prophet (PBUH) said that “Get Education from cradle to grave”. No matter what the difficulties are faced, need of getting education has been emphasized by everyone.
 
Connecting with the context, a brave girl named Aasoo Kolhi is the real example and inspiration for us, who established her own school in her village Mina Ji Dhani, Umerkot District, to educate children of her area despite all odds and challenges.

Aasoo Kolhi lost her legs in her childhood, and she is the only female of her village, who will complete her graduation in the near future. Imparting over 200 students in her school without any government support or NGO funds, Aasoo Kolhi set an example for the world that when there is a will, there is a way.

Having an aim to complete her father’s dream to see her becoming a teacher, Aasoo strived hard and it is because of her passion and determination, that she could be able to contribute towards the education section in such a wonderful and inspiring way.

After knowing the circumstances and problems faced by Aasoo, I would confidently say that she is hope for all and the real Malala of Sindh.

Now, the Government should establish a building for school after Aasoo Kolho’s father name as per her wish and she should be appointed there as government teacher, so that she can continue her mission without further difficulties.

Iran Executes Reyhaneh Jabbari, 26-Year-Old Woman Who Killed Her Rapist

Iran has executed 26-year-old Reyhaneh Jabbari, who had killed a man who tried to rape her, despite repeated calls by rights activists for her release.

An Iranian henchman hanged Jabbari at dawn, ending her seven-year jail life awaiting execution.

Jabbari was arrested in 2007 for stabbing an intelligence officer who reportedly tried to sexually assault her.

Jabbari's mother had been informed of her daughter's impending execution. She met Jabbari in the prison for nearly an hour on the day before the execution though the exact place where she was hanged was not revealed.

More than one hundred people including family members and friends gathered outside Gohardasht prison in Karaj city where she was kept, according to local reports.

"Time is running out for Reyhaneh Jabbari, the authorities must act now to stop her execution. Applying such a punishment in any circumstances is an affront to justice, but doing so after a flawed trial that leaves huge questions hanging over the case only makes it more tragic," Hassiba Hadj Sahraoui, deputy director for the Middle East and North Africa with the Amnesty International, had said in a statement.

Human Rights Watch had also urged Iranian authorities to stop the execution.

Reported by
International Business Times

Another letter to Editor on Local Bodies Elections published in Daily Times...!

 LB elections: need of the hour

Sir: It is unfortunate that an unelected dictator held Local Bodies (LB) elections, but the elected democratic government could not hold these elections in its five-year rule. Article 140-A of the 1973 Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan says, “Each Province shall, by law, establish a local government system and devolve political, administrative and financial responsibility and authority to the elected representatives of the local governments.” Being a citizen of Pakistan, I have a firm belief in the fact that elected local bodies are the foundation of democracy and an integral part of it. Democracy in any country cannot grow further if participation of its citizens in decisions which directly affect their daily lives is not ensured through an institutional system. Majority of the people support and have more faith in the local governments than the provincial and federal governments. The success of the local bodies system possibly lay in the fact that councillors were more easily accessible and ready to take on challenges than MPAs, MNAs, DCs and other bureaucrats. It is demanded of the federal government to fulfil its promise of continuity and protection of LB system and announce a date for holding three-tier LB polls in all three provinces. It is further demanded that LB elections be held under the Election Commission of Pakistan so that international standards can be ensured during the elections. These elections should be held on a party basis because the political parties have a central position in the democratic setup and unless these political parties become organized and strong at the grassroots level, democracy cannot be strengthened. It is also demanded of the government not to delegate magistracy powers to the Executive Officers such as DCOs, etc, because it will directly affect the independence of the judiciary, while the judiciary should be free from all political and government influence.
SHEERIN SOOMRO
Karachi

 Below is the link:
http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2013\07\26\story_26-7-2013_pg3_7

Friday, July 26, 2013

Local matters Elected local bodies are the foundation of democracy. It cannot grow if participation of citizens in the decision-making process is not ensured. People support, and have more faith in, local governments because elected members of local bodies are easily accessible in comparison with MPAs, MNAs, DCs and other bureaucrats. It is unfortunate that while unelected dictators had held LG elections in the country, elected democratic governments could not do it during their tenures. It is hoped that the PML-N government will hold LB polls in all the four provinces. Ideally, LB elections should be held under the supervision of the Election Commission of Pakistan to ensure fairness and transparency. Moreover, these elections should be held on party basis because political parties have a central role in a democratic setup. Democracy cannot strengthen unless these parties are well-organized and strong at the grass-roots level. Sheerin Soomro Karachi

Below is the link:

http://images.thenews.com.pk/26-07-2013/ethenews/e-192444.htm

My Letter to Editor on LG System published in Daily Sindh Express...!

 Below is the link:

 http://www.sindhexpress.com.pk/epaper/PoPupwindow.aspx?newsID=130056485&Issue=NP_HYD&Date=20130726

First Pakistani women paratroopers make history

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's first group of female paratroopers completed their training, the military announced, hailing it as a “landmark achievement” for the country.

Captain Kiran Ashraf was declared the best paratrooper of the batch of 24, the military said in a statement, while Captain Sadia, referred to by one name, became the first woman officer to jump from a MI-17 helicopter.

Women have limited opportunities in Pakistan's highly traditional, patriarchal society. The United Nations says only 40 per cent of adult women are literate, and they are frequently the victims of violence and abuse.

But in 2006 seven women broke into one of Pakistan's most exclusive male clubs to graduate as fighter pilots -- perhaps the most prestigious job in the powerful military and for six decades closed to the fairer sex.

After three weeks' basic airborne training, which included exit, flight and landing techniques, the new paratroopers completed their first jump on Sunday and were given their “wings” by the commander of Special Services Group, Major General Abid Rafique, the military said.