The New Education Policy

Let me make a quick disclaimer. I have not seen any document about the census results with my own eyes.

Last week I had a long talk with an old friend in Islamabad (who is very close to the `inner circles`) and during the course of the conversation he told me about the coming budget and the census figuers. I agree that 17% sounds very low for Sindhis and maybe it was for Karachi and not for the whole province, I don`t know, but I clearly remember this is what he said. I should have thought about it and asked him, but I had no reason to question what he told me because he has never lied to me. That his information was less than accurate is quite possible, though my experience over the years has been that his facts are usually very true. These figuers, however, are PROJECTIONS based on what has already been counted. His budget figuers are supposedly right out of the ``horse`s mouth``.

The other thing this person mentioned, which made an impression on me was, that the government of Pakistan is actually considering a default on its debt obligations. This could lead to unthinkable consequences, yet there is a sizable element in the governemt that is taking this position.

What does any of this have to do with education, you may ask. It was mainly this education policy that I was trying to ask my friend about, but he dismissed it as nothing more than `politics as usual`. Mind you, this person is not from the opposition, he is an `insider` by all counts. Yet he seemed very pessimistic (unlike last Fall when I met him in NY). ``Bus yaar ub tu dua he key ja sekti hae, aur tu kisey taraf say umeed nazar nehi aa rahi`` were his parting words. (Translation: Now prayer is the only hope, nothing else looks promising.) Perhaps he sees something none of us do. I hope that he is merely having a bout of depression.

Soon we shall know the facts when they are finally announced. I should spread no more hear say.

...SR

Re: M Aliani

Why should changing demographics be construed
as ethnic cleansing? California demographic trends suggest that be the year 2010 or sooner, CA will
become a non-white majority state. Does it imply
ethnic subjugation for the white minority??.
Such assertions are inherently inflammatory and
are used to reinforce ethnic bigotry. Why would
the changing demographics in Sind or Punjab or Baluchistan matter - it just shows that the assimilation continues. It will only impact the
bigots in power who have utilized the ethnic issue
to get there.

The results of the new census done earlier this year are coming in. Following are some `sneak preview` points:

1) The new, country wide, Urban vs. Rural split has changed from the old 30:70, to a new balance of 56:44 in favor of Urban population.

2) Punjab is no longer the `total majority` province. Punjab population is 47% of the total, the remaining three make up 53%.

3) Pathans are now the majority in Baluchistan.

4) Sindhis are only 17% of Sindh`s popluation. Mohajirs, Punjabis and Pathans make up the remaining 83% of `Sindh`.

These facts need to be incorporated in future policies as it has changed the face of the country.

...SR