Comments on: Study Circles: Bringing Grass Roots Democracy to Pakistan

By: Watan Aziz

Watan Aziz — Sat, 21 Aug 2010 01:19:44 +0000

“Facta Non Verba”,

High up, almost touching the ceiling and just behind dais, was the seal of the school. On the seal were the words, Facta Non Verba.

Very early on, we were told, it was Latin and it meant, “Deeds Not Words”. Every student of Cathedral High School, in Lahore knew that we were expected to act and not just talk.

I have stayed with this motto all my life and shared often with my children. Not sure if I have exactly lived up to it, but try I can and try I must.

Democracy, any talk of democracy, without a strong and independent judiciary is like tea without milk.

Any conversation of democracy without discussion of justice and equity is like a boat without water; just not going anywhere.

Let us the deliver the facts on the ground. Expand and empower the judiciary.

10,000 new lower court judges.

I do have the audacity of hope, with fierce urgency of now.

By: Shafique

Shafique — Sat, 25 Aug 2007 10:54:35 +0000

Change is needed to challenge the status quo. The principle of mutual consultation – perhaps combined with consensus vision or shura should be considered as one of the tools

By: Raza Rumi

Raza Rumi — Sat, 25 Aug 2007 09:44:48 +0000

Athar:

Great Initiative!

There are several study groups that exist in the major urban centres of Pakistan. A good way would be to contact them and build on the existing social and intellectual capital.

I did mention one called Miskeen Galli here

I think it was also published here at ATP.