This picture, proudly displayed on the PCB webpage and in many Pakistani newspapers, is from the President of Pakistan’s reception for the cricket team shows Mr President 
handing a check of Rs 5 million (50 lakhs) to Mohammad Yousuf, the stylish batsman who recently broke the world record for runs and centuries scored in a year.
While every Pakistani is proud of Yousuf’s achievements and his incredible form over the past year, does it behoove the President of the Republic to award him with a substantial amount of money from public funds when the PCB has already announced an award of Rs 1 million through their official sponsor?
This award is over and above the Rs 1 million that the Prime Minister awarded, and another benovolent Governor of Sindh awarding him Rs 0.5 million. Hence, by the last count, Mohammad Yousuf has been awarded Rs 6.5 million from public funds and Rs 1 million from the PCB (another public institution).
While no one should begrudge what Mr Yousuf receives from private parties for his magnificent achievements, is it the official business of governmental figures to reward cricketers or any other sportsperson with such substantial funds from the public exchequer? Is this some kind of auction or race to achieve superiority over who gives more for this cause? First it was the PCB, then the Governor of Sindh, then the Prime Minister, and now the President. The irony is that Musharraf, in full military attire, is awarding a cricketer the equivalent of 120 years of the average annual income in Pakistan!
Wouldn’t an offical civilian award or the Pride of Performance along with a token monetary award been more appropriate?
This may be in line with the ill-advised image-building program of both the Prime Minister and the President or it may have something to do with Yousuf’s recent conversion, but to me it is akin to some gross colonial practice of rewarding the locals who help the master’s image rather than using their official power and office to help the desperately poor and the ones in dire need. Such practice has been a favorite of our rulers; including, for example, the money that poured to Javed Miandad after his famous ‘Sharjah sixer.’
Is it just me or does no one else see the inappropriateness of the President’s actions?
To,
The Vice Chancellor,
University Of Sindh,
Jamshoro.
SUBJECT:-UNJUSTICE IN THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND PHYSICAL EDUCATION BY MAM MUKHTIAR.
R/Sir,
Most respectfully I beg to state that one Mam Mukhtiar sports of physical education Jamshoro she is taken signature on blank paper from every student on non payment on single pie on every tour for competition of sports. And she also takes shopping of Rs: 70,000 or 80,000 on every tour. Department
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I agree with what president musharaf did. Thats one way of appreciating player’s hard work. Also making sure that they dont get involve in corruption.
salamalikum,
karachiwala, i hope you’re being sarcastic. Can you imagine what 50 lakhs can do for Edhi or Ansar Burni Trust? There is no need for this type of cash reward from a government of a country as poor as Pakistan. There was a picture in Dawn a few days ago showing snow fall in Azad Kashmir and a girl standing outside her TENT with not much winter clothing on. Couldn’t that money go there?
PCB has already given Yousuf a reward but still Busharraf felt a need to give out 50 lakhs. 17 people died recently in Karachi due rain. The responsibility of death can squarely be placed on the government because the city is so badly built. So, why not use 50 lakhs to give some cash to the families of those that died? All this just creates a divide between haves and have-nots and is caused by lack of basic compassion. It’s all really pathetic to acknowledge as insignificant a thing as a sporting record in such a significant way.
[quote]
…successful people tend not to give up their religion willingly. Either circumstances or people force them to. Think what it would take for you to give up yours.[/quote]
Akif, I’d suggest you go around and actually talk to people who have indeed changed religions. There are many, many people who have done so not because it would lift them out of poverty or would make them more successful.
On the contrary, I actually know of several people who changed religions, knowing full well that doing so would bring on a lot of additional difficulties from family, friends, workplace, etc etc.
I know it’s hard for decadent people to understand this…but a lot of people have actually given up material wealth to change religions.