Punjab abductions [TheNews؛ August 06, 2016]

Recent months have witnessed an alarming rise in the incidents of child abduction in Punjab. What we need are long-term measures to curb this brutal crime. In developed countries, children are usually kidnapped for sexual assault or ransom. In the context of Pakistan, these recent cases show that the purpose for abduction is related to the trade and theft of human organs, which makes it a highly organised crime and thus calls for a comprehensive approach. One plausible explanation suggests that such trafficking of human organs cannot be accomplished without the involvement of medical experts or surgeons.

There is a need to have a deep look inside the dark world of child abduction in Punjab. Moreover, young doctors should be educated in this regard and the background of medical professionals should be thoroughly scrutinised.

Dr. Amir Ikram

Lahore

Smiling at each other [The Nation; May 24, 2014]

The media’s image has been tainted to a great extent. Even after more than a decade, it seems our media is still in its infancy. At times, facts are distorted to such an extent that it becomes really difficult to differentiate between propaganda and the truth. Our society exhibits a severe level of intolerance; people whose views are different than ours, are considered worth killing. Media, by getting involved in this bitter war, is harming a sacred institution.
Pakistanis, especially expatriates are seriously dismayed by such uncalled for predicaments. The nation badly needs respite from agony.  It’s high time to put in place strong checks and balances on the so-called ‘fourth pillar of the state’, and draw a clear distinction between the thin line of freedom of speech and safeguarding of national, cultural and religious interests. Let’s stop pointing fingers at each other; perhaps it’s time to smile at each other.
AMIR IKRAM,
China, May 18.

Cat with nine lives! [The Nation, May 21, 2014]
The recent saga of our rather notorious cricket board reminds me of a famous proverb, ‘a cat has nine lives’. Well it has yet to be seen who between the two, Najam Sethi or Zaka Ashraf, has used up all his lives? Change of high-up’ will have the familiar trickle-down effect; new handpicked management team will be nominated. How many more players will become victims to these tactics? We have made a mockery of ourselves in the international arena. Had the governing body been different than ICC, for instance FIFA, our cricket board might have been banned for a long time. They say everything happens for a reason, and these conflicts are mainly because we could not properly institutionalize our cricket setup. Cricket is perhaps the only game in Pakistan, which brings smiles and unity among its people. Thus it should not be taken for granted. Every high profile post in PCB needs to be democratically elected, rather than be handpicked. If we have an interference-free setup, one hopes that we would do away with such petty politics.
AMIR IKRAM,
China, May 18.

The state of private sector academia [THE EXPRESS TRIBUNE; July 03, 2013]

After spending considerable time in the private sector higher academia of Pakistan, I have experienced some appallingly unethical practices. The students are being taken for granted. They are being imported and exported from one university to another, on false pretexts, as if they were sheep. Corrupt promises are being made regarding passing the students through illegitimate means and thus, compromising on the knowledge-giving aspect of education. Education has become so commercialized that the sole criterion of hiring faculty is how many students s/he has under their belt. It seems that the qualification and experience of academic administrators does not matter anymore.

The Higher Education Commission should take serious notice of this grave issue. Chartered universities must not be allowed to grant franchising thoughtlessly, just for the sake of revenue. We have witnessed universities housed over a mere two to three kanals of area; how can the requisite facilities of a university be provided over such a limited area. To make matters worse, such universities have become the breeding ground for marijuana, rather than intellect. The prevalence of “ghost” students has also been observed, whereby students obtain degrees without attending classes. Earning a degree and having a degree are two different things; it is high time the difference is made clear.

Amir Ikram

Published in The Express Tribune, July 4th, 2013.

Entrepreneurial Culture (DAWN- April 11, 2013)

UNEMPLOYMENT SOARS TO SIX PERCENT

OUR country is going through the toughest of times. The economy has hit rock bottom. The Labour Force Survey 2011 shows that unemployment soared to six per cent from 5.60 per cent a year earlier.

History has proven that with each downturn in the economy, it is only persistence and entrepreneurial drive that brings us back.

Entrepreneurship has made tremendous contribution in accelerating the socio-economic development of developing countries.

But in Pakistan, we see there is a lack of entrepreneurial spirit, while change, critical thinking, creativity and innovation are not encouraged by educational system.

Similarly, the educational system does not encourage entrepreneurship.

The notion of starting a business is not deeply entrenched in the local culture.

Meanwhile, appropriate efforts are not being made in inculcating the entrepreneurial passion among pupils. Thus we observe widespread unemployment. There are way too many job seekers than job creators.

There is dire need of spreading entrepreneurial culture. This is perhaps the only way out of this state of depression and shrinking job market.

Significant student counselling must be provided in this regard to enhance potential entrepreneurs. The forthcoming government must support small medium enterprises (SMEs) and enhance the roles of relevant agencies, Smeda, chamber of commerce and the likes.

AMIR IKRAM           
Lahore

Licence to kill (THE NEWS, 13-3-13)
The recent tragedy at Badami Bagh has once again portrayed the widespread intolerance in Pakistan. A photo shared on many social networking sites, in which a violent hooligan is burning a washing machine as if it were the main culprit, says it all. When drone attacks kill our people we rightly protest but when we smash and burn innocents and their belongings, we invoke religion.

Who gives ordinary people the licence to kill and burn? We burn schools in the name of Islam; we forbid girls’ education and we impede minorities’ right of existence – that too in the name of Islam. The disgusting behaviour exhibited by many in the vandalism at Joseph Colony has nothing to do with the victims’ views and ideas. We need to conduct some real self-assessment as to where we stand as a nation. It is high time the concepts of brotherhood, enlightened society and tolerance are strengthened.

AMIR IRKAM

Lahore

Education: money minting tactics (DAWN- March 06, 2013)

EDUCATION plays a vibrant role in a nation’s development. It is said that this otherwise noble sector has become too much commercialised in Pakistan. The educational standard of universities in the private sector, even the reputed ones, has deteriorated. I have witnessed undeserving students being admitted to such institutes on favourable packages and then getting their way throughout their academic year. There have been instances where postgraduate students are being taught by graduates.

It is a pity that now we sell education in packages. Almost every university or college practices this bizarre pattern. Having a degree and earning a degree are two very different things.Moreover, affiliations are awarded without proper scrutiny, responsibility and planning. As a result, we see colleges and universities in narrow streets, providing substandard learning. The Higher Education Commission and the authorities concerned need to take urgent measures to stop such unethical practices, putting an end to commercialisation in the education sector.

AMIR IKRAM
Lahore