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issue MOOD STREET Town Talk repercussions “A
craft is a thing of beauty without the signature” Mission incomplete Rang Mahal school’s return to mission stands reversed as battle for its control has started afresh By Shahzada Irfan Ahmed December 15, 2006 was a
day full of festivity and contentment for the students of Rang Mahal
Mission High School, their parents The school which was nationalised at that time had been returned to the board after good 34 years. Cheerful boys, teeming with energy, were seen running from one corner of the compound to the other, along the corridors and even inside the teaching halls. For them it was just like taking control of a surrendered fortress. The stronger of the lot were also extending help to the workforce painting walls, removing debris from the premises and washing away dusty floors. The PEB staff present there was planning about things to follow and hoping to see the place regain its glory, lost during the post nationalisation decades. Only three days later, government teachers and some of the students jumped over the walls of the school and took its control. They feared unemployment under the new agreement, and it was only after assurances from the government that they allowed PEB to take administrative control of the school. Years down the road, the situation remained almost the same as government teachers posted their adopted different tactics to avoid transfer to other schools. On the other hand, the PEB kept on trying to make government accept its demand of transferring these teachers so that they can bring in their own. The situation has worsened for the board lately as its management has been thrown out by the education department and asked to prove its ownership of the school, says Veeda Javed, Executive Director, PEB while talking to TNS. She says under the Martial Law Regulation No. 118 only the administrations of schools were nationalised and not the properties. She says the Board of Foreign Missions of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America had approached the Supreme Court of Pakistan through Lahore Church Council and won a judgement regarding the ownership of this school. Under the said order
passed on May 13, 1987, she says the honourable court had rejected the
assertion by the Director of Veeda says the SC order reads: “We, therefore, hold that the appellant continues to be the owner of the property which was housing the private school known as Mission/Christian High School and the assumption of the respondents that they have become its owners and can, therefore, demolish the building of the school and remove the debris without lawful authority and contrary to law.” She tells TNS the board is not after the jobs of government teachers who can be transferred anywhere. “We want to appoint our own teachers and maintain high standards of education. People have seen what PEB has done to the Forman Christian College. If we can succeed there, we can replicate the working model here as well?” she adds. Veeda says government teachers are very influential as they got their transfer orders dated December 15, 2006 reverted the following day. Later on, they got a stay order against their transfer from this place. The situation right now is that the Punjab School Education Secretary has challenged the ownership rights of PEB saying the documentary proofs provided by them are not sufficient to validate their claim. The PEB, on the other hand, has filed a contempt application against the education secretary in the Lahore High Court (LHC) for allegedly not honouring the SC order. It has produced property tax documents, receipts of salaries paid to the staff and original sale deed to validate its claim. The education secretary’s letter dated June 14, 2010, says the documents produced by city government, headmaster of the school and the copy of the fard issued by revenue department defeats the claim of PEB regarding the ownership of the school. The explanation the PEB officials give here is that the ownership definitely is of the Board of Foreign Mission and PEB Pakistan is a licensee. That’s why the documents are in the name of the mission something surprisingly unclear to the government and its officials, they add. The history of the place says this property was once the palace of Emperor Shah Jahan’s wazir and belonged to Saeedullah Khan who sold it to the Board of Foreign Mission. Forman Christian College was also run in this building before being shifted to Napier Road and later to its existing location. PEB Counsel Jamshaid Rehmatullah Advocate says the contempt application against the education secretary is still pending and they hope it will be heard soon. He thinks different delay tactics are being adopted to frustrate them as the issue has become a political one. He tells TNS he is skeptic about the outcome also as there are very few examples where government officials have been grilled on contempt charges. TNS contacted some officials in the education department but they refused to comment due to the sensitivity of the issue. Their common contention was that the Punjab Assembly’s Standing Committee on Education has taken up this issue and is the competent authority to comment on it. Reports, though unconfirmed, are abound that some quarters want to use this property for commercial purposes, says Veeda. She tells TNS there were similar concerns in 2006, immediately after the takeover, but then education minister of Punjab, Mian Imran Masood, had assured them to counter all such plans. “People are even saying a park and ride plaza is being planned here.” She says PEB has never sold an inch of its property and neither is willing to do that in the future. Chaudhry Javed Ahmed, Chairman, Punjab Assembly Standing Committee on Education, tells TNS the issue of Rang Mahal Mission High School is being discussed in the committee. Its sub-committee has met under the convenership of Ghazala Saad Rafique and asked the concerned departments like education, law to come with all relevant records, he says adding, for this they will ask for more time from the assembly. The sub-committee’s report says “the Committee aimed to resolve the issue in a better way and in public interest. Besides, the Secretary (Schools), Education Department, according to the report, has been conveyed to have a meeting with the Secretary, Law Department with complete relevant record. Sheikh Ijaz, a trader in Shah Alam Market, tells TNS that the school building has dilapidated over the years and the level of education imparted there worsened over time. He says people are also spreading rumours that the building may collapse any time and also that the government is in talks with the PEB to buy it as well as provide it land for school somewhere else. Ijaz says there are a lot of encroachments in front of the school and the encroachers are also wary of the mission’s plan to continue with the school.
MOOD STREET By Sardar Hussain Two journalists were together talking, having finished their day’s work. For them it meant midnight. It was just a coincidence that one happened to be from Urdu while the other from an English language newspaper. “Why do you think the religious parties wield more influence in the country than their electoral gains?” asks the journalist from the English paper. “Elections are no criteria to judge their popularity; they are not even Islamic,’’ replies the other, adding, “Frankly, even the religious parties are not fully sincere with Islam. They participate in the polls for power.” “You mean democracy is un-Islamic?” the English language journalist with liberal pretensions sounds shocked. “Of course, yes. We need to revert to the original system because that is perfect,” the other replies. “But times keep changing, and bring new challenges. Should we not interpret and reinterpret the Islamic principles according to changing times, keeping their spirit intact?” His friend interrupts him and, with some aggression in his tone, says, “You think Islam is not a complete code of conduct? Read up on it, and then talk. You don’t know a thing about the perfect religion. “We can’t progress until the true system is not introduced. All that is happening around us is un-Islamic.” (Scene changes) A philosophy department head is talking to his ex-student, one who had a ‘dialogue’ with the Urdu language journalist, a night before. “Sir, don’t you think we need to make students more familiar with the current debates of philosophy? They should be able to understand what times they are living in and what discourses describe their times best.” “Well, we need not embrace everything new coming our way. If you are referring to modern philosophers, like Foucault and Derrida, I don’t like them. I am a hardcore rationalist. In France, philosophies change every twenty years just like fashion.’’ “You are right, sir! But why not teach them the recent philosophers due to their historical importance, just like pre-Socratic sophists and other Medieval Germans. We should introduce them to students even if their philosophies have been discarded.’’ This was followed by a long pause and a long hmmm! “Personally, I don’t like the French Philosophers. Frankly, I tried to comprehend them once or twice but to no avail. We should let everyone exercise his or her choice …” “You mean to say let’s agree to disagree?” “Yes! That is what philosophy is all about: Being open and flexible in approach towards life.’’ Both exchange an understanding glance as they take sips from the tea cups in their hands. Human history is marked with this debate between dogma and skepticism -- the two are contradictory to each other. Where one is abundant, the other is almost extinct. If dogma makes us follow ideas blindly, leading to intellectual stagnation, a skeptic mind tells us the flaws in the prevailing system and ideology, opening up endless future possibilities. An overwhelming majority of our society is over-fed with dogma. The result is obvious. Religion that needs great minds has fallen into the hands of intellectual dwarfs. The period when Muslim civilisation was at peak and the world followed the great Muslim minds -- like Farabi, Ibne Sina and Ibne Rushd -- was the time when philosophy occupied central importance in the intellectual culture. Reason reigned supreme. It was the ban on reason that led to our intellectual demise. Come to think of it, dogma has filled in the vacuum created by lack of philosophical discourse in the society. Educational institutions both shape up and mirror the ideas prevalent in a society. Therefore it may be useful to ask a very simple question: Out of thousands of colleges and universities, how many teach philosophy as a subject? One reason why the great religion has been turned into mere dogma and is being misinterpreted by intellectual pygmies is that Ibne Arabi, Ghazali and Iqbal have become endangered species in our society. The dialogue must continue. Town Talk * A first of its kind Mela by Daachi Foundation on March 17, 18, 19 & 20 at Alhamra Arts Council, The Mall. It will have all rare & exquisite Pakistani crafts, mouth-watering Pakistani food & live folk music – a complete family entertainment. * Exhibition of
paintings by Wahab Jaffer at Ejaz Galleries will remain open until March
17, 2011. www.ejazartgallery.com / * Puppet Show every Sunday at Alhamra, The Mall at 11:00pm. * Today is the last day of Spring Festival at Alhamra, Gaddafi Stadium. * Solo Exhibition by Tehseen Ali Khan from New York till Tue, Mar 15 at Alhamra Arts Council, The Mall. * Exhibition titled Bikaou Maal at Zahoor ul Akhlaq Gallery, National College of Art till Wed, Mar 16. Landmark turned crisis The land dug for the would-be highest tower of Pakistan has caused huge cracks in the buildings next to it By Ammara Ahmad The construction of a plaza on Ferozpur Road next to the
road to Muslim Town, was started in 2006. According to the Environmental
Impact Assessment report of the project, done by Environmental Management
Consultants, the main building was going to have 74 floors (making it the
tallest building in Pakistan), the other three buildings were going to have
54 floors. It was The company officials verified that 70 percent of the shares of this project are owned by a Dubai-based company while 30 percent of the shares are owned by the Punjab Government. The issue with the project is that some eight houses are directly linked with the huge plot, which was dug to accommodate the projects’ three storey basement. The residents were hopeful that once the building is constructed, it will provide support to their construction. Yet in 2008, the project was abruptly halted. It was perhaps because of the international crunch that badly affected UAE and caused the company to withdraw funding. However, a government official believes that the anticipated flyover on Ferozpur Road caused the delay because the Mubarak Centre was going to connect its building to its parking plaza across the road by an over-head bridge which clashed with the flyover idea. In September 2009, Chaudhry Pervez Elahi told Geo TV that improper attitude of the Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif forced the project’s investors to depart. However, for the last four years, this plot has been abandoned and houses connected directly to this plot, have their foundations exposed. The Sufi group has its head office linked with this plot. “Our walls and floors are cracking,” says Ghulam Nabi, the manager and in-charge of Sufi group. “We have been filling them up with cement. We cannot shift our office because we have invested considerably on this property but the monsoons or harsh weather can have a perilous outcome.” TNS contacted a company official who told on condition of
anonymity that they don’t know when the construction will restart. Dr. Shahid Mahmood has been displaced from his abode since three months because this illegal encroachment on his property has weakened the foundations of his house which is on the brink of collapse. “We are living on the edge of hell,” says Shahid. “We don’t know for how long we have to live in this guest house. My daughter is getting married, we are having trouble arranging it and meeting the demands of the medicine profession.” Dr. Shahid wrote to the company many times. Eventually he wrote to the Supreme Court Human Rights cell which referred his case to the DCO. The DCO researched and eventually wrote to the Supreme Court that Dr. Shahid’s property has been permanently damaged. In February 2010, Ziauddin Mian, an independent civil engineer and retired professor of UET also made an investigation on request of Shahid and confirmed that the house is critically endangered. On 23rd December 2010, The company sent its engineer, Akbar Shirazi, director of a construction company called SAMPAK. He suggested that Dr. Shahid Mahmood and his family be immediately removed from the house. Although living in a guest house provided by the company since the last three months, Dr. Shahid has not heard from the company ever since. The DCO’s report is lined up in the Supreme Court and he is eagerly waiting. The company official claims that they held a public hearing on 15th December 2007 in Sunfort hotel, yet no neighbour of the site objected. However, it must be stated that the major issue isn’t caused by the construction but the lack of it. Since the plot is 60 feet deep, the effect is similar to the houses on a hill about to landslide. The sides of the plot are on the verge of erosion. “Serious damage was caused when they tested the soil.
It sent earthquake like tremors and weakened our construction,” says Piling of walls is a serious business. Masood Hospital’s illegal construction came to the notice of the government when the piling fell and Alamgir Plaza’s rear side collapsed and raised concerns about the construction strength of the building. According to the No Objection Certificate (NOC) issued to the Mubarak Centre by the Environmnetal Protection Department, the owners will have to give compensation to any property damaged in the adjacent area. “The NOC issued for the Mubarak Centre has to be conditional,” says Rafay Alam, lawyer and founding member of Lahore Bachao Tehreek. “The construction has to meet environmental mitigation standards. Above all, it has to be finished in a given period of time because if the material is left in the open, its quality deteriorates.” Rafay added that this site and would-be skyscraper is in the way of Walton airport’s runway and requires an NOC from the airport also. “Any building in the 16 km diameter of the airport needs to get its height approved from the Civil Aviation Authority or else it is illegal.” Hence, the affected can go to the court of law to get compensation for damages, or write to the Environmental Protection Department to send the owners a notice. Hopefully, bureaucratic hurdles won’t delay justice or cause loss of life.
“A craft is a thing of beauty without the signature” Architect and the founder of Daachi Foundation, Ayesha Noorani talks about environment-friendly architecture, philanthropy and craftsmen By Sarah Sikandar Ayesha Noorani’s quarter-of-a-century old house is exactly what is expected of an architect who strongly believes in simplicity and environmentalism. The handmade blinds, jhoola, brick work and glazed tiles sum up her ideology as an architect and her fascination with the folk art. A Sufi at heart, Noorani believes in the Grand design and its intervention in human life. Ayesha Noorani is a
self-effacing architect who believes in eco-friendly architecture
accompanied by social compassion. “You can’t After her early education from Karachi, Ayesha Noorani moved to Lahore after getting married. She juggled education, marriage and kids along the way. After heading Noorani Architects for almost 25 years and teaching at National College of Arts for a decade, she has taken a break to devote time to Daachi Foundation, dedicated to the betterment of craftsmen from across the country. “Architecture,” Ayesha believes, “suited my aptitude -- for I am laid back. Unlike other forms of fine arts, architecture doesn’t allow absolute freedom.” Aware of her shortcomings from the beginning, she sought satisfaction in architecture: “By and large, I think, it is a more fulfilling profession because it is more durable. The only drawback is that the canvas is not in your hands. You really can’t do what you want to do. In fine arts you have the canvas -- so if you have the ability and you have the brush in your hand, you don’t need a project. Architecture, in a way, is limited but multi-dimensional. You cater to a lot of aspects besides designing, you keep in mind the needs of the clients and how it affects the user, the psychological aspect of it, the budgetary details, the beauty and the environmental consideration.” An architect is an artist and every artist has a vision. Noorani’s is “twofold -- to inculcate a sense of pride in your own identity and to be mindful of the environment. But supporting vision of course is the need of the client. I believe in creating beauty within the budget without being ostentatious. I mean what is more beautiful than a mud house. As a nation that was colonised we have developed a low opinion of ourselves. We look up to the West for inspiration without analysing the repercussions. It is like masters setting the trends and you are blindly following it. I draw inspiration from our religion and from our own identity.” Religion or the Islamic tradition is not only Noorani’s niche, it is also the foundation of her work. “If you look at the Quran and Sunnah it all pertains to natural architecture, being mindful of your environment, the social aspect, and a strong check on ostentation. This is a guideline common to all religions and this I think should be the basis of all architecture.” Her inspirations predictably are also the masterpieces of Islamic architecture -- Sheikh Lutfullah’s Mosque, Alhamra in Spain, Mosque of Cordoba. She is disgruntled with the current trends in architecture which, she believes, are not only trite replicas of the West but completely ignorant of environmental needs. “These days we are making houses that use extensive energy. That was also my vision as a teacher for 10 years. To educate my students about right building practices -- not wasting water, using the right material, not making the rubble of the earth, and how energy-efficient buildings can be made.” You have to be mindful of the future of the building like the prophet said “Live in this world as if you’ll live forever and prepare for the other world like you’ll die tomorrow.” She feels the more we integrate with nature, the more we respect nature and the happier is our disposition. “I try and make my houses energy efficient, incorporate desert coolers, solar water heaters, recycled water.” In education for architecture, she stresses, the focus should not be on catering to the rich clientele, it should also have an integrated social aspect to it. “Architecture should be a thing of beauty. If it’s not beautiful it’s not architecture,” and she sees beauty even in a mud house. “If I had the opportunity I would make houses out of mud, wood, bamboo -- the resources that would integrate with the earth after their life. Sadly, our folk architecture was beautiful till the influence from the cities.” Noorani dedicates most of her time to the new born Daachi Foundation. Speaking passionately about the project, she believes, the project has given her a purpose in life -- a purpose people seek for all their lives. Only a few months old the Daachi Foundation is preparing for the Dacchi festival the coming week bringing together artisans and local craftsmen from all over the country. She calls this “the best of craft” after being filtered through the ages. “It inspires me more than art does.” The Daachi Foundation has around 33 people in the group all volunteers wanting to do something for these craftsmen. The diverse membership of the foundation is composed of lawyers, architects, designers, housewives etc. A lot of thinking went into the very interesting name of the foundation. “Daachi is a common motif in the folklore, also a number of crafts are associated with the image of the camel, like camel bone, camel hair. Then there was the Prophet’s camel. Eventually it all tied up together.” The festival launches the project. “The Mela would give people a flavour of what Daachi Foundation is all about. We have craftsmen coming from Sindh, Mohenjodaro, Harappa, Swat and Hunza and other parts of the country.” The festival will also help these craftsmen update their craft to find a better market. Design input, selling facilities, their names and craft are displayed on the website. “A skilled person has been taken advantage of. What they made represented the common people and passed on. Whatever they were producing didn’t attract the elite market. The purpose of the foundation is to help them update their craft and earning opportunity.” Noorani’s is a philanthropic vision -- to help the people in the worst of times. “If we do not help our people, who will?” A great believer in Divine help, she is optimistic about the project and the potential it has.
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and the representatives of the Presbyterian Education Board (PEB) which
used to control it till 1972.
Education that the property of the appellant had become “Government
property along with its assets.”
ejazartgallery@yahoo.com
going to be a huge structure with a three storey basement and a group of
buildings. Wikipedia claims that the centre would have a height of 1947 feet
to commemorate Pakistan’s birth year and allow a glimpse of the Golden
Temple from its observation deck.
Ghulam Nabi, “they have used cement to hold the walls in place but it’s
not sufficient.”
be mindless of the plight of the people when you are designing,” she
proudly proclaims that her clientele is not always the rich and the
famous.