From: mausoof@kuhub.cc.ukans.edu
Newsgroups: soc.culture.pakistan
Subject: RE: Private Education in Pakistan
Date: 28 Dec 92 16:54:17 CST
Organization: University of Kansas Academic Computing Services

	Okay, I need to say something about this. There is too much ground
covered and I am not going to dwell on what all of you had to say(We all want
to say, but few want to listen). Here's my two cents worth, in clear and
precise format.
	I agree with Mansoor Khan about the ridiculous education system in
Pakistan. We need a revolution. Pakistan's society has a lot of wealth. That is
the reason for the afluent of the society studying in the states. We need a
revolution that lays rest to the existing set of beliefs(not religous). How
many Pakistani's come here to study, what's the point. Even Pakistani's coming
from prestigous schools like Agha Khan come here, right after doing their
FMG's, engineers from NED and UET after thier GRE and all others who can afford
it. Most don't go back. 
	Money is there, education is not. We need a revolution, maybe a
socialist one to elevate ourself from the grip of the feudals, the military,
the beauracrats and the clergy. We need to open our minds. We need to control
the population growth and increase eduaction. We need to have some sort of
radical goverment to change all that and equate the masses in one way or
another( Do I sound like Bhutto). Once this is done, then we can invite
democracy to flourish in the land of the pure.
	Most people don't agree with this. I do not expect them to. People in
this newsgroup represent the elite of Pakistan. Their postings reek from the
affluence of wealth that they have witnessed since their birth. They want to
follow the capatalist dream, because they are already part of it. Saad talks
about generating wealth in the society. How much wealth do we need? Do you know
the monthly fee for a third grade student in a small English medium school in
Karachi. We are talking in excess of 600 rupees a month. There are hundereds of
schools like this, though not all of them charge 600, but an average would be
350 or so. What is the cost of sending a student to the states, what is the
cost of a Pajero or a Accord. People buy cars in Pakistan on cash for triple
the amount of money you pay here for a car. I remeber reading in the Economist
an article about Pakistan where they described Pakistan's Tax system as
'ridiculous'. 
	I am afraid generating wealth is not the answer. You want an
answer, look across the border. We laughed at the Indians when they gawked at
our Toyota's and Honda's while they drove their Ambassador. They restricted an
import on everything foreign, even Coca Cola. They had a worse living standard
then ours, they still have one, they were experiencing worse problems then we
and by God they did not know how to dress. Take a look at them now and we see
India flourishing, on it's way to be an economical and technical giant.
Banglore has the largest concentration of Electrical and Computer engineers
outside of the silicon valley. AT&T, Texas Instruments, Intel, Motorola all
have representations there. What are we proud of, we make apparal garments for
Peirre Cardin. 
	We all represent the elite of Pakistan, not in wealth only but in
Intellect and education. The generations before us have failed Pakistan. They
have indulged in stagnation that is still going on.
Even before that we had few capable leaders. All had their shortcomings. Here
is what I think of them all. President Ayub was a good man, but a rascist who
believed in the supriority of his race over the bengalis. We lost east Pakistan
because of him. Bhutto was an excellent leader and would have done good for his
country and people, however he was obsessed with absolute power and abused it
thouroughly. Zia sahib was a religous bigot, who stagnated the whole country
in the name of Islam. A good man at heart, but a fool at work. Junejo was again
not a bad man, but did not had the power to do anything. Benazir had a lot of
things going for her, but she lost it all because of her arrogance and her ill
chioce of party representation. She was powerless to do anything and was
placing too much emphasis on revenging her father's death. I have met Zardari,
and I don't know if he is a crook or not, but he is not very unpleasent. He
represents the true feudal nature of Pakistani landlords, they dont give a shit
what happens to anyone. Nawaz Sharif has proven himself to be a capable but
corrupt PM. But then they were all corrupt. The only thing that he is guilty of
is hiding behind the sheild of Islam, whenever he deems necessary. Also,
imposing hudood ordinance will ruin the country.
	My ideas reflect what I thought I will share with you guys. Whether,
you agree with them or not, we have to agree on onething. Spread education and
Legalize birth control. That is the way to prosperity to Pakistan. This is the
first stepping stone. Also, I would like to add that although I still consider
soc.cul.Pakistan as a newsgroup without much depth( In reply to Saad's enquiry)
still this topic has been very interesting. Keep it up guys, all your articles
were interesting, but still crap exists and I still say that we need more
emphasis on Pakistan, then on it's neibours.

					Saqib Mausoof

P.S D.J was made by Parsis, as was NED, BVS, Mama Parsi and Minwalla.