Category: 1. Pakistan

PUBLISHED
July 06, 2025

KARACHI:

Having taught sociology for fourteen years at the high school level in Pakistan, I have found many of my students to be lacking in three areas in particular; originality of thought, lack of analytical output in the class and indifference to the value of the social sciences.

The three problems identified above are not only restricted to the private sector of primary and high school education in Pakistan but are more acute in the country’s public schools and colleges.

Our students need to be inspired by teachers themselves to come up with original ideas and innovative thoughts. While having classroom discussions with them on a variety of issues from rising divorce rates in Pakistani society to the qualitative input which might be of use in designing a research outlay for a school project, I have found many of them to be restricted in their thinking and consequently, in their effort put into the particular task. This can be due to, amongst other factors, the years of social conditioning by both their families and households and the society that they witness.

To counter this, a teacher must know that students in the vital age group of 10-16 must not be held back in their creative and valuable contributions to class discussions.

The administrative hierarchy of educational administrators should realise this too.

At the same time, students must realise that it is important to not only be novel in the presentation of an idea to the class but that it should also be analytically worthy of thoughtful reflection.

For that, they will have to forget stereotypical images, centred on class, gender, racial and ethnic divisions and preconceived (and untrue) notions of what it means to be a human in relationship to the society around us in the modern/postmodern world of today.

This is the task that teachers of today need to be well aware of, if they want to guide the original minds of tomorrow.

Beautiful minds such as Stephen Hawkings, John Nash and Sayyed Hossein Nasr of today and Leo Tolstoy, Faiz Ahmad Faiz and Rabindranath Tagore of yesteryears need to be taken on board to build a ‘collective conscience’ for the world of tomorrow.

Poets such as Hu Shi, Yosano Akiko, Goethe, Wordsworth and Iqbal must be read and reread if we are to succeed in this huge task in front of us.

Shakespeare must be contextualised in the Pakistani society around us if the country’s students of today are to build bridges of understanding and humanity with the world of tomorrow. In this world, knowledge should not have a ‘price tag’ and it must be imparted for the intrinsic good it entails.

They should be made to understand how curiosity, guided in the right direction, leads to an inquisitive mindset, which knows no boundaries at all, when it comes to reaching the frontiers of information. This yearning for knowledge must be nurtured and respected both within and outside the country’s classrooms.

Lastly, the need for us to understand the value of social sciences and social scientists for today’s Pakistan.

Social sciences need to be emphasised as very important if the Pakistani state and its future (the students of today) are to take head-on the challenges that afflict the nation and the obscure mindset of its citizens today.

Social sciences such as economics, sociology and liberal arts subjects such as historiography have built nations.

Unfortunately, Pakistani academia has yet to realise the full potential of an education in social sciences. Our students need to be liberated from the conventional paradigm of a sciences-commerce duality and need to be made to understand the primacy of social sciences in today’s world.

As AI transforms the education sector today, social sciences offer a huge insider view of the changes that will be wrought on the education sector both within and outside the classroom. It offers us a window into the view that society will be massively impacted by the new information age and in order to succeed in this information age, students will have to decouple themselves from conventional ideas of classroom education.

Social sciences are bound to offer careers of tomorrow ranging from research, academia and the changing face of government and public policy. And the human will stand at the primal chord of these massive societal fissures. Appropriate would it be that Pakistani students recognise the potential of this huge transformation.

Lastly, ethics will be a fundamental part of this new scope of education. Pakistani parents, teachers and the students themselves should be made to remember this valuable lesson. It means that education and the process of imparting it in Pakistan must have an ethical angle too.

Ethics and morality do play an important part in all didactic goals and this aspect of education can no longer be ignored, especially in the age of AI. If it is considered, then education should be imparted in a value-free way (perfection over here cannot be reached) since all positive philosophy, interactionist experiments and laboratory products need to be associated with the ‘Ultimate Good’, that is, the pursuit of education for its intrinsic worth.

Ethics and morality infused with humanism will go a long way to answer the gripping questions that are bound to emerge in the society of tomorrow. In this discourse, education cannot be constrained from ethics and a humanistic pedagogy. For instance, taking just one cue of the question of what knowledge is, in the future will involve a lot of ethical dilemmas and queries.

There needs to be given a global perspective to education in Pakistan today. If it is not granted, then historiography will remain scribe versions of actual history, geography will continue to ignore significant monuments of interest to the geologist of the future and the social sciences will miss out on the things that need to be ‘taught’ in a classroom environment.

The coming world of education will ask us fundamental questions of what knowledge is, how should it be pursued and what it means to be a knowledgeable human. AI will transform the education sector and the world beyond education to a huge degree. In this sense, our students need to be made aware of the challenges of tomorrow and the innovative and engaging ways to overcome them.

It is an age of knowledge. And knowledge will remain powerful in this age.

 

Taimur Arbab is a teacher of Sociology and a writer based in Karachi

All facts and information are the sole responsibility of the author

PUBLISHED
July 06, 2025

SWAT:

On June 28, the summer sun rose over the Swat Valley to start a picture perfect day. A favourite retreat for holidaymakers from across the country fleeing the searing heat of urban centres, Swat was in peak tourist season. The valley’s winding roads were packed with vehicles carrying families in search of cool breezes, mountain views and memories.

Around 8am, two families arrived in Mingora’s Babozai area among the many other travellers. One family came from Mardan and the other had come from Sialkot. After a light breakfast at a roadside hotel, they made their way to a scenic spot along the River Swat. With the water flowing gently nearby, the children laughed, elders sipped tea, and everyone posed for photos, to capture moments of a memorable trip.

But danger was quietly building in the skies above.

A sudden flash flood

What began as a light drizzle soon turned into a torrential downpour. Unaware of any cloudburst warnings or weather alerts, the families continued enjoying their riverside break. As the water level began to rise, they moved to what seemed like higher ground — possibly more out of panic than strategy.

Eyewitnesses later noted that the water level at first wasn’t more than a foot deep — still shallow enough to walk through to safety. But then came the deluge. Within minutes, a surge in flow transformed the mild current into a raging torrent. The makeshift high ground was engulfed, and the families were swept away.

Only three people survived. Fourteen were lost in a matter of minutes.

Could it have been prevented?

The tragedy sparked nationwide grief and anger. Many questioned whether this was simply a natural disaster — or something that could have been avoided with better foresight and response.

Hazrat Ali Bacha, a senior journalist based in Swat, pointed to serious administrative lapses. “Babozai is not a designated tourist spot. These families were just stopping en route to Kalam,” he said. “They were trapped for nearly an hour. A trained, properly equipped rescue team could’ve saved them.”

Bacha also revealed a troubling infrastructure flaw. “The district government had recently built a jogging track along the river. To do that, a contractor temporarily diverted the water flow with a wall — which was never dismantled after the project ended. During the rain, that wall collapsed, redirecting the full force of the river toward where the tourists stood.”

He added that local rescue units, particularly Rescue 1122, were not only slow to act but inadequately prepared — claiming that many of its personnel were recruited based on political affiliation, not merit.

The real first responders

As the official response faltered, local heroes stepped in. Hilal, a well-known local fisherman and diver, had just returned from rescuing seven people elsewhere when someone informed him of the unfolding tragedy in Babozai.

“When I arrived, rescue diver Asmat was preparing his raft. We pulled it together and managed to save three people,” Hilal recalled. “Later, I found two bodies. I’m heartbroken I didn’t get there sooner.”

Hilal isn’t a volunteer by chance — rescue work runs in his family. His father served as a local lifeguard and fisherman for 35 years. Today, Hilal and his brothers carry on that legacy.

He was also critical of standard rescue gear. “Inflatable boats with rotors are useless in the Swat River — it’s too shallow and rocky. We still use the traditional ‘Jala’ (wooden raft), which works far better here.”

Hilal and Asmat were later invited to the Governor’s House and publicly praised for their bravery. However, behind the accolades is a troubling truth: those without uniforms are often the ones doing the most critical work.

Rescue 1122 responds

Facing public scrutiny, Director General Rescue 1122 Shah Fahad defended his department’s actions.

“Swat River on a normal day has a discharge of 3,000 to 4,000 cusecs. On that Friday, it surged to 77,000 cusecs in just 45 minutes. This was an extreme flash flood,” he explained.

Fahad acknowledged a key delay in the rescue response: the first emergency call received at 9:49 am mistakenly reported that tourists were trapped in a hotel. “We dispatched an ambulance. When it turned out to be a water emergency, only then did we send the appropriate team. That miscommunication cost us time.”

He refuted claims that Rescue 1122 was poorly equipped. “We have both inflatable boats and ‘Jala’ rafts, life jackets, and trained divers,” he said. “We’ve also collected CCTV footage and videos from locals to reconstruct what happened.”

Government action and public backlash

The tragedy triggered an immediate administrative response from the provincial government. Barrister Muhammad Ali Saif, Advisor to the Chief Minister on Information, confirmed that disciplinary actions had been taken.

“The Chief Minister suspended the Assistant Commissioners of Babozai and Khwazakhela, the Additional Deputy Commissioner (Relief), and the District Head of Rescue 1122,” Saif said. “A full inquiry has been launched by the Chief Minister’s Inspection Team.”

Saif also detailed new government initiatives in response: a complete ban on riverbed mining in Swat; a crackdown on encroachments including hotels built too close to the river; deployment of modern rescue tools such as drones and life jackets; establishment of a Unified Response Center in Swat; mobile patrol units along riverbanks throughout Malakand Division; and a reassessment of the Irrigation Department’s flood early warning system.

He added that over 75 stranded individuals were rescued from different parts of the valley in the hours following the flood and that financial compensation was being distributed to affected families.

“The Chief Minister personally visited the families to offer condolences,” Saif said. “While we cannot prevent natural disasters, we are committed to ensuring negligent officials are held accountable.”

A system on the edge

Despite reassurances, many locals believe these are reactive measures — too little, too late. Year after year, monsoon season exposes just how stretched and under-resourced the province’s emergency services really are.

In many areas, Rescue 1122 personnel are not trained for specific terrains like the rocky Swat River. Equipment is often unsuitable or outdated. In wildfire emergencies, responders have even been seen trying to douse flames using tree branches.

There’s also no consistent deployment of officers along rivers during flood seasons. Mobilising local volunteers like Hilal could bridge this gap — but doing so requires long-term planning, which critics say is still lacking.

“This isn’t just about one bad day. It’s about a system that hasn’t been built to withstand the realities of this region,” said Bacha.

Failed infrastructure

The floods also highlighted a long-running issue: the fragility of modern infrastructure. Across Swat and much of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, roads, bridges, and culverts routinely collapse under the strain of heavy rains. Tellingly, many of the bridges built during British colonial rule over a century ago remain standing, while newer ones built just 10–15 years ago crumble.

This isn’t just a matter of bad luck — it reflects questionable construction practices, lack of oversight, and compromised quality in public works. The consequences are deadly.

Every destroyed bridge or collapsed road during a flood isn’t just a logistical inconvenience — it’s a lifeline severed, often at the worst possible moment.

A tourist spot or death trap?

Swat Valley has long drawn travellers with its breathtaking beauty, rich history, and hospitality. But every disaster like this chips away at its reputation. When safety is not guaranteed, tourists will think twice — and the local economy, heavily reliant on tourism, will suffer.

Yet amid the heartbreak, there is also hope. The tragedy has sparked long-overdue conversations about rescue capacity, climate resilience, and infrastructure integrity. Whether those conversations translate into lasting reform remains to be seen.

A man-made crisis?

What happened in Babozai on June 28 was not just a freak act of nature. It was the result of cascading failures — ignored warnings, incomplete projects, and systemic neglect.

The water came quickly. But the gaps in the system were building for years.

As Swat begins to heal, one truth remains: if real reform doesn’t follow this tragedy, then the next one is only a monsoon away.

 

Riaz Ahmad is a freelance journalist and contributor

All facts and information are the sole responsibility of the author

KARACHI:

Yaum-e-Ashura processions commenced across the country on Sunday with stringent security measures in place including Rangers and police deployed in major cities and small towns.

Yaum-e-Ashura is solemnly observed evey year on Muharram 10 to pay homeage to Holy Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) grandson Imam Husain and other martyrs of Karbala.

On the day of Ashura, 4,836 processions and 5,480 majalis are being held across the country. A total of 1,301 areas have been declared highly sensitive, according to the Ministry of Interior.

Following the directives of Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, a central monitoring cell in Islamabad is in continuous contact with provincial governments’ control rooms for real-time information exchange, the Ministry said.

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, Minister of State Talal Chaudhry, and Secretary Interior Khurram Agha are monitoring the situation moment by moment, the Ministry added.

Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif is being regularly updated on the law and order situation nationwide.

Strict security measures are in place in Islamabad, Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, Sindh, Azad Kashmir, and Gilgit-Baltistan for Ashura.

In Islamabad, 54 majalis and 12 processions are taking place today. Punjab is hosting 2,502 majalis and 3,025 processions.

Sindh will see 1,040 majalis and 1,039 processions, while Khyber Pakhtunkhwa will have 735 majalis and 257 processions.

Balochistan will hold 32 majalis and 24 processions; Gilgit-Baltistan, 1,070 majalis and 141 processions; and Azad Kashmir, 47 majalis and 41 processions.

Ashura procession in Karachi

In Karachi, the central procession began at Nishtar Park amid strict security measures implemented across the city to ensure the safety of mourners participating in the event, Express News reported.

The central procession from Nishtar Park began after the main majlis, which was scheduled for this morning. The procession is to then proceed along its traditional route and conclude at the Hussainian Iranian Imambargah in Kharadar.

The procession will travel from Nishtar Park to Kharadar, passing through key areas such as MA Jinnah Road. According to the traffic police, all roads from Numaish to Kharadar have been closed, except Bab-e-Urdu Chowk.

A detailed traffic diversion plan for Muharram 8 to 10 was devised and shared earlier by the trafiic police.

To ensure comprehensive security, a heavy deployment of police and Rangers has been made throughout Karachi.

A total of 20,350 officers and personnel are on duty for security. The procession route will be thoroughly checked using sniffer dogs, and sharpshooters will be positioned on rooftops of tall buildings along the route.

Mobile phone services will be partially suspended in areas surrounding the procession to maintain close surveillance and prevent any security threats.

Moreover, a ban on pillion riding has been enforced across the city as a precautionary measure to avoid any untoward incidents.

Traffic police officers have been deployed at all key intersections to maintain flow on alternative routes. Authorities said the goal was to keep movement smooth while ensuring public safety.

Citizens were urged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the police helpline, Madadgar 15.

Ashura processions in Peshawar

The first Ashura procession in Peshawar commenced from Imambargah Agha Syed Ali Razi Shah on Sunday as Ashura events continue across the city.

A total of 12 processions are scheduled throughout the day to mark Yaum-e-Ashura.

 

District authorities have deployed around 12,000 police personnel across Peshawar to maintain law and order throughout the day.

Officials said all processions are expected to conclude before Maghrib (sunset) prayers.

Ashura processions in twin cities

‘City-wide stringent security arrangements have been put in place ahead of Muharram,’ said CPO Rawalpindi Police Khalid Mehmood Hamdani.

Civil Defence, police, and other security agencies are actively working to maintain law and order during the sacred month.

Special teams have been assigned to monitor sectarian content and individuals spreading propaganda on social media.

The public has been urged to cooperate with security forces to help ensure peace and stability.

Law enforcement agencies are performing their duties around the clock with dedication and commitment.

Security measures include route monitoring, traffic diversions and coordination with local religious organisers. No major incidents were reported as of early afternoon.

In Islamabad, Inspector General of Police Islamabad, Syed Ali Nasir Rizvi, reviewed security arrangements for Ashura processions.

Rizvi visited key procession sites in I-10, F-11, and Jhungi Syedan, accompanied by senior police officers. He said security in the capital remains on high alert to ensure peaceful observance of 10th Muharram.

According to the police chief, 12 processions and 48 gatherings are scheduled in Islamabad on Ashura. Over 4,000 police officers and personnel have been deployed across the district.

A total of 57 security checkpoints have been set up, with strict screening procedures in place for all attendees. Lady police officers have been stationed for women’s security checks.

“All activities are being monitored through Safe City surveillance, body-worn cameras, and drones,” Rizvi said. Central and mobile control rooms are overseeing security operations in real-time.

Asif reflected on the spiritual and moral lessons of Karbala

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Published On: Sun, 06 Jul 2025

11:03:30 PKT

SIALKOT (Dunya News) – Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif has likened the humanitarian crisis in Gaza to the tragedy of Karbala, urging the Muslim world to break its silence and take action.

Speaking to the media, Asif reflected on the spiritual and moral lessons of Karbala, saying, “Karbala is a great lesson—where the family of the Prophet (PBUH) sacrificed everything for the honour and dignity of Islam, yet they were left alone on the battlefield.”

He drew parallels with the current situation in Gaza, lamenting, “Today, there is another Karbala unfolding in Gaza. Over 70,000 Muslim men and children have been martyred, but the Islamic world remains silent. None of the 58 Muslim countries are protesting.”

Asif called for immediate action, stressing, “Someone must put an end to the tragedy being inflicted upon the Muslims of Gaza.”

His remarks came as Israel’s continued airstrikes in Gaza reportedly killed another 78 Palestinians in last 24 hours. Simultaneously, Israel is sending a delegation to Qatar to resume ceasefire negotiations.