Four long year have finally passed (rather flown away)

By Hira Malik

So, this week marks the end of four year long journey started in January 2007.  There were around 50 students, all from different backgrounds, having different aims were there after getting many dreams shattered, but all of them were united under the same head- department of Mass Communication, BS first batch. 

It took us some time to get acquainted with each other, as is the case with any new batch mates. The first day was the usual- trying to make friends, being polite, showing etiquette and asking each other about their academic background. There were confusions and uncertainties. A very few students were there by choice, others (including me) were there merely by choice. Therefore there was more to do then making friends- we had to adjust in the new environment that we never wished to be in.

The early uneasy phase passed away quickly and soon three were best friends and groups and pals ready to die for each other.

Time started to go by its normal pace. It wasn’t late when studies became something of secondary importance- first being friends and the tafreeh at university.

Comfort scale grew gradually, and soon it was time when everyone was a friend! No matter your bestie is there or not, you are not going to be alone as long as other students are present. We were all Friends by that time.

There were always things to grab our attention whenever we started getting bore. There were gossips and hot news that always gained everybody’s attention and spread like fire of jungle.

A very few outings were planned and executed during these times alright, but all of them were full of excitement and fun.

I all these years, there came many ups and downs too. There were hookups and breakups, fights and reconciliations. There were all the experiences that one has to experience (or witness) in life.

It would not be wrong to say that this journey is an unforgettable, remarkable and irreplaceable one! No matter where we go, no matter how many friends we make and how good we feel being with them, this charm and familiarity can never ever be replaced. I wish it could remain as it is, with nobody going anywhere and no changes being made. However, I know this is just an immature wish, from the part of me that still lives in fantasy. The truth is- the beauty of everything is in the fact that it is meant to end one day. It is the feel of moving ahead and leaving everything behind that has united us all and has made us nostalgic. We came together to be parted one day.

Anyways, the golden memories of these times will always and always remain in my heart. Now I actually understand what they mean by: ‘University is a place where you enter with fears and leave with tears.’

 Love all my class mates. Love Mass Communication. Love Karachi University!

27 Nov 2010- BS First Batch, Mass Communication.

The feel of what they might feel !

By Hira Malik

Today the electrician working at my place came downstairs to ask something about the new accessories we have bought for our home. It was just then that the idea stuck me- how these people must have felt working with things they know they'll never get!
I mean, it seems pretty impossible that they'll ever be able to buy all such products for there own homes- in times when basic amenities of life are going out of reach of common citizen, how one even think about these 'luxuries'?
And at the same time it seems simply out of question that they don't feel bad about it, about not being able to get them for themselves and there family members.
This thought just made me recall all the excitement we had while buying all those products, the thrill and the joy, all the plannings that where would this be placed, where would that be, how the relatives and friends would love it and how much we ourselves enjoy living with all those things of our own choice.
Don't all others deserve the same excitement and thrill? Don't they have right of living in better homes and enjoying all these good things in life.
I might be wrong in assessing the situation or in making judgment, but felt really sorry for these people. The worst was, I felt totally helpless in this situation. There is nothing I can do for them, or maybe I lack courage and guidance to move ahead and do something.
It is useless to end up saying 'I hope one day things will improve and ... '. I know such ONE DAY will never come. Something practical has to be done, but what is it, I know not ...!

A lesson learnt ...

By Hira Malik

 

 

When I got admission in University of Karachi, I found it really difficult to adjust with other students. It was not that I was from another planet or considered myself superior (or inferior for that matter), it was just that having studied at a private college, where atmosphere was pretty much same as that of private schools, I was more like that 'Mummy Daddy type'.

I used to dine out with school and college friends, but only at a restaurant 10 minutes drive from my place.

My mother always dropped me to school (college too) and also picked me up, traveling in public transport was more like a night mare at that time.

At college, we were required to have 75% attendance to get our forms attested and forwarded to Board, so long absences were just out of question. As we were FORCED to go to college regularly and study over there, need for going to ‘coaching centre’ never arouse.

Cutting a long story short, I just a little different and pretty reserved because of the secure environment I had been living in, in contrast to others who were quite confident, open and seemed to adapt to new environment with full ease.

Anyways that phase passed, I not only adjusted but also made friends and that uncomfortable period was over.

The first major confusion, or clash, arouse when the official departmental picnic was announced. All my friends were ready to go, no one even mentioned taking permission from their homes, they already were permitted. Mine, however, was a different case. I had to ask my parents, and if they do not allow, going was not an option.

I came home, asked my father, half confident that he’ll allow, but was ‘heartbroken’ to hear his reply- ‘NO you are not going’!

This statement was quite difficult to digest at that time, with all my friends forcing me to come and making plans of what to do, what to wear, where to meet- right in front of me. I tried to convince my father, but he had his decision! Anyhow, the day came and passed away, I just had to control myself, stay at home and try to conceal my feelings as much as possible.

This incident, no matter how bitter, taught me one of the basic lessons of life- you do not always get what you want, sometimes you just have to let go. At times, there is even no solid reason for things; you just have to accept circumstances as it is. No matter how much you cry, no matter how much you fuss over things, what is destined would be done. So, instead of always complaining and grieving over what you haven’t got, be contented with what you have got.

The Moving Finger writes; and, having writ,
  Moves on: nor all thy Piety nor Wit
Shall lure it back to cancel half a Line,  

 Nor all thy Tears wash out a Word of it.

It was only after this picnic scene that I started cherishing every moment spent with my friends. Even small functions, get-togethers and little hangouts became important.

It may sound a little childish, but that is how I learn things. It is how I have learnt many lessons of life that have been really beneficial at times.

Independent Judiciary, dependent judges.

This is the piece that I wrote after getting a detailed account of present situation of judiciary (one of the four pillars of state) from my father. It actually reflects point of view of lawyers and judges who are there to ensure provision of justice as well as follow orders that come 'uper se'.

Independence of Judiciary- appealing as it may sound, but like everything else there has to be a limit to this independence. The question is- who would decide where to draw the line?

Independence can be defined as: A state of perfect irresponsibility to any superior.

The same definition goes for each field and each walk of life that one has to be free of all external influences in order to be called an independent individual. This applies to different professions as well, including law. It implies that all the judges must be free to work and abide by their responsibilities in their own way, with a comfortable time period.

Take recent orders of Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammed Chaudary for instance. He has ordered the lower court magistrate to speed up the judicial process and has given clear instructions as to how much time should be allotted to each case, what should be the time limit of adjournment, how many cases must be dealt with the limit time and some other similar instructions. These instructions might sound like steps towards speedy justice and fair trail, as it is said that Justice delayed is Justice denied, however let’s look at the other side of the picture. Such instructions are in fact an infringement on the rights of lower court judges, who hold the privilege to decide matters according to schedules decided by themselves, giving time limits not only disturbs the normal procedures but also prevents allotment of considerate time for each matter, or matters that actually need some time more then the usual ones. Such orders can clearly be seen as accumulation of all the powers in one hand, depriving of all the others even of their basic rights.

The Supreme Court, instead of limiting itself to thing it is responsible for, is now interfering into other matters that hamper justice instead of promoting it.

Now the question arises: is this independence secure only for the higher judges of Supreme Court and the rest are just there to do as the superiors say? Is the right to be independent reserved with the higher judges only? The answer is certainly negative. Everyone in the hierarchy has the right to enjoy freedom (within limits of course).

If the performance of judicial magistrates is to be improved and regulated, it should be checked using different parameters like performance records and remarks from higher judges- that are widely used standards for evaluating one’s performance. This would not only allow a constant check on the judicial performance but would also prove to be a helpful parameter in allotting promotions.

As far as provision of speedy justice is concerned, limiting the time period allotted for resolution of cases just deprives each case form the amount of time it requires and the attention it deserves. Instead, the number of judges should be increased on each post.

This would not only allow timely resolution of cases but would also allow all of them to be done properly, bringing about ‘justice’, not just ‘resolution of cases’.

It is just about the outlook and methods adopted to solve a problem. Matter of cases being delayed for ages has been addressed after all, that is an appreciable act, but the method employed to do so must also be considered. If matters are forced onto judges, not only their dedication and attention would be lost, also the actual matter, provision of justice, would remain unresolved, as goes the saying: Justice hurried is Justice buried.

The inevitable expectations ...

'Expectations hurt'. This is the expression that most of us hear on regular basis and also believe in it, but at the same time we are expecting something from someone. Putting an end to this practice seems quite impossible!
As far as myself is concerned, I have been constantly promising myself that there would be no best friends, no close person, I won't trust anyone to the extend that gives him the power to hurt me.
However, this always remains 'a promise unfulfilled', and I believe that I am not the only one facing this situation.
This is perhaps human nature, that we confide hopes every time time we fine someone sympathetic towards us, someone caring, someone who tries to understand what others simple ignore. The person might be your friend, a relative, a sibling or anyone. What actually matters is- this person make you break your promise that you made to yourself, that u'll never expect anything from anybody.
You do favors to each other, start sharing things and one day you suddenly find yourself saying: I didn't expect this from you.
Expect anything? Yes, another expectation, another incurable wound!
I just can't seem to find any way of getting out of this expectation game, no matter how hard I try, how much effort I put in. It all seems so natural, so involuntary that I cannot help thinking: maybe this cycle would never ever come to an end. All these claims by people are baseless and all the advices given go unheard- or atleast not acted upon.
As long as man remains a social animal, he would continue to interact with people, continue to befriend with them and would continue to EXPECT from them!