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18 Jokes as a Source of Law and Wisdom – 1

Pardon me for reproducing here a large citation which well encapsulates what I propose to write. The writings hereunder are a collection of information from all sources, I give you all an option to believe, disbelieve or doubt as you like.

I like jokes because they are unserious ways of saying serious things. They get past our defences. What we can laugh at, we can face. What we cannot laugh at, we often deny. There is little doubt that something has gone wrong among the many things that have gone right in today’s world. We can say what it is. In pursuit of progress, we are losing the script.

Our world is moving at breakneck speed, but we are not quite sure where we are going. We are living in a transitional age, and continuous change is among the hardest thing for human beings to bear. Small wonder that ours has been called the “The Age of Anxiety” or, in the title of Francis Fukuyama’s latest book “The Great Disruption”. There are times when we feel like the fabled Russian politician who, getting up to address his fellow parliamentarians, began his speech by saying “Friends, yesterday we stood on the edge of the abyss, but today we have taken a great step forward.

Jonathan Sacks, Celebrating Life: Finding Happiness in Unexpected Places

How independent could be an Independent Bureaucrat of yore?

There was an Indian Civil Service (ICS) officer, eleven years my senior in service. As an Assistant Commissioner when in Bombay, his British Deputy Commissioner asked him to open the door of the car when ladies wanted to sit in. He refused to obey, saying that if they wanted equality, they should themselves open the door.

He got his first independent posting in an area most primitive in the subcontinent where the wearing of fig leaf alone was considered to be the most gentlemanly dress. This ICS officer started wearing fig leaf and adopted all the customary practices of the local people. Very soon he was conferred the highest honor by the people who prefixed Bhagwan (God) to his name. Continue reading “18 Jokes as a Source of Law and Wisdom – 1”

15 Eradication of Corruption

After a brief hiatus, I have completed a chapter of my memoirs on Eradication of Corruption.

In all sphere of human activity, particularly the media and politics, a culture should progressively be developed to look for the law when faced with a problem, follow the law or get it changed if defective. Where no law available follow what God has ordained maintain balance with justice and fairness.

Read here…

13 History, how we write it. Why we do not learn from it

Lt. General (retired) Abdul Majid Mallik has written his autobiography in Urdu, published in 2015 with the title “Hum Bhi Wahan Maujood Thai” (translated “I was also present there” 

It mentions  (translated): 

“An important event like Kargil required research and analysis but we showed our traditional lack of interest. But India is far ahead of us in these matters. In India not only inquiry takes place, but the report is also published, those responsible are punished. After Kargil, they continued this practice of holding an inquiry. The failure of Indian Army Intelligence was recognized, and necessary corrective action was taken in this respect. Unfortunately, in Pakistan, no such inquiry is held in such matters.” (p.252)  Continue reading “13 History, how we write it. Why we do not learn from it”

10 My Most Embarrassing Experience of Service

I am reproducing the report that I submitted to the Chief justice of Pakistan on 6th Feb 1990.

“Report on the Delayed Arrival of the Pakistan Delegate at the Inaugural Session of the Seminar on the Independence of the Judiciary held at New Delhi, India on 20th January 1990

On our arrival at the Indra Gandhi Air Terminal, New Delhi, India, on the evening of 19th January 1990, Mr. Imdad Ali, Protocol Officer of our High Commission, and also an official of the Indian Supreme Court received us, the latter presenting bouquet, the former having arranged the transport from the airport to the hotel.  The Protocol Officer handed me a small envelope (Annex I) containing the visiting card of the Pakistan High Commissioner with the following writing on it: –

“Welcome to Delhi.  I shall call at the Hotel at 9.30 a.m. tomorrow and accompany you to the opening session”. Continue reading “10 My Most Embarrassing Experience of Service”

8 Show that there exists a constitution in the country

In a book written by Syed  Shahid Hussain Khan CSP, it is mentioned that National Defence College of Pakistan was raised to the status of University. There is no copy of Constitution to be found in it, only a commentary. Not surprising that Gen Musharraf found no solution but he did find it only in a letter written by President Lincoln of USA. (See Musharraf’s book of “In the line of fire” page 152). The key part of that letter is

“I felt that matter otherwise unconstitutional might become lawful by becoming indispensable to the preservation of the constitution through the preservation of the nation. I assumed this  part and now avow it”

Will Gen Musharraf ever disclose which President’s dream justified sending not only the convict but his entire family into exile with a hefty security deposit with him in US dollars, not to return for ten years not to take part in politics for the same number of years? Oscar Wilde has said somewhere, the truth will be found out sooner or later. Continue reading “8 Show that there exists a constitution in the country”