Adil Najam
The Lahore High Court has declared Mudassir Qayyum Nahira, a PML-N member of the national assembly, disqualified because he holds a fake degree. Elected form NA-100 Gujranwalla. The idea that those holding fake degrees should be disqualified – not just for the ‘fakeness’ of their education but also for the sheer act of lying and making a fool of the very people they are supposed to be representing – is a good one.
It is something that we at ATP have written about before and we feel fairly strongly about. I for one welcome the decision by the National Assembly that the Higher Education Commission (HEC) should verify the degrees of all 873 parliamentarians. That should be a normal and continual function of the HEC. I am also glad that this issue has been gaining such momentum.
Having said that – and having established that if Mr. Nahira’s degree is fake then he should be disqualified – the few details of the story that we know (and we really know very few) do seem to suggest that this may be more a case of catching a technicality because an opponent pushed for it rather than a real case of the honorable court being annoyed and incensed at an act of cheating and lying. Even so, it is good that the issue is highlighted. But not enough.
It seems that Mr. Nahira actually has a degree – from the University of Bahawalpur – but he obtained it while he was under suspension from the Punjab University and without obtaining a ‘no objection certificate’ (NOC) from the Punjab University. I do not know why he ha been suspended from the Punjab University (and would really like to know). But I am glad that he did actually complete the education in Bahawalpur. Because education is always a good thing; even when done half-heartedly.
So, I will wait for more details on this case, I applaud the court for going after the issue, but we need to go beyond the technicalities to the even bigger issue remains of those who blatantly lie about being what they are not and buying fake degrees without obtaining any education at all. Indeed, the biggest issue of all is creating a polity where lying to citizens in any dimension is not tolerated.
Some comments from the ATP Facebook Page:
– “good news …lekin abhi bohat sarey pendooo baqi hen.”
– “yeah ,, but unless your president pardons them for all their blunders”
– “Aray inhen nikalne ka kia faida, ye phir assemblies ma aa jate hain. Munafiq hain saare. Jamshed Dasti ko dekho, wo b tau fake degree k case ma bahir hoa, phir aa gya. Dheet panne ki had hoti hai, inko sharam b nahin aati k aik dafa jhoot bol k aai n phir dharalle se jam ke aagai. Us se barh ker hamari quam hi kharab hai, jahil hain sab k sab ke Jamshed Dasti jaise nn Qayum Jatoi jaise jahilon, luteron, dagha bazon ko vote de k select karti hai. Ager yehi hai halat hamari to phir kabhi behtri ki umeed nahin rakhni chahye.”
What can be done ? When from top to bottom all assembly members /political leaders are fake in their intentions and actions ,including Mr Zaardaar(Zardari).Only we
need to wait for Massih to come and save Pakland,,,,,,,,,,,,,would he come ever,,,,,hope lasts with life.
My gut feeling is, the end of this fraud democracy is very near. What next? ,,,,more troble for the whole region.
Pray for poor people
I think if one has fake degrees like Jahil Online then it is not enough to disqualify, criminal action should be taken.
Dr. Dasti’s is back in the NA and was supported by none other than Prime Minister himself, a slap on the face of those who expected Gillani to behave in a decent way. Baber Awan also has fake degree and of course our beloved Jahil Online host will always be remembered as pioneering this vice
Finally the LHC makes a good decision. It is time we kick these liars out.