Why The War On Ghosts Was Lost

I repeat, the patient is in the ICU, what of it?

A Sinking Ship from which the rats have already jumped, yet Captain Pervez Hoodbhoy continues his attempts at the helm to steer the course and brave the storm. Will it be worth it? Why do we waste our energy, our words ... to even speak out, nay yell out these things that all and sundry are well aware of. Will it do a whit of good? Will anything change? But then, lest I forget, writing is your hobby Pervez sahib, not social reform. You can diagnose the malady doctor sahib, but what of the cure?

Take 2 asprin and call me in the morning. Ho hum. `Nother day at the office chum. I got kids in pvt schools, and need to save up to send them to University abroad when the time comes, a daughter to wed off soon enough, and a warm dinner waiting for me when i get home, and bills to pay ... and i need my kunda just as much as my neighbor does, so tell me something i haven`t heard yet.

Dear Parvez,

I marvel you courage and honesty in dealing with these issues, and every time I read something new by you, my respect of you grows.

At the risk of sounding fatalistic, I may add that people deserve their governments.

I personally see myself as part of this system which is rotten to the core. Unlike you, I only have the courage to talk about the various problems in the safety of my home and friends. But I am not willing to try to put my neck out in order to make a difference.

Maybe people like me are worse: we understand what is wrong, and yet do not speak out. No wonder we get the rulers and a system that we have.

In order to redeem myself a bit, I would ask you the following:

Can we form a forum where all the facts about corruption in Pakistan are collected, and then forwarded to the people who give alms to our corrupt rulers? Strike them where it hurts, expose the inside stories and reduce the amount of aid that (theoretically) goes into the country, unless there is real reform? Or start diverting the flow of funds to private NGO`s that are open to audit and scrutiny by the external agencies.

People within the country know everything, but feel helpless to fight it. And those who are outside see everything but are not able to make a difference.

Maybe this way both groups will start to matter.

regards,
Wasiq

Dr. Sahib

Even though you are a perennial harbinger of bad news, it is always a pleasure to read your thoughts.

Ghost schools, ghost teachers, ghost students, ghost budget (and even though you are a living breathing person-- a ghost writer--- because you do not interact with the chowkies). Quite a ghost story.

Seriously, I do not think Pakistani society is displaying tolerance for this kind of fraud as you analyse it. Prioritising their feelings, perhaps? Or do they know not to bicker over the paltry 1.2% of the GNP that is ostensibly spent on Education and save their energies for the 5th? Or the fear of ``state`` retribution puts the fear of Allah in them? If you are economically harmed, the young ones kidnapped, punished , raped, ``killed in confrontation``, you would learn fast to temper your protests.

Despite everything, the miracle continues to defy all odds. Keep exposing!

regards