Random thoughts
By Dr A Q Khan

Justice (insaaf) is the definition of honest, correct decisions on quarrels, any difference between two parties or a breach of law. The final dispenser of justice, or adl, is Allah Almighty. He is the Real Munsif and His justice will culminate on the Day of Judgement. However, bickering humanity needs it now and complains about its delay.

That justice is a divine inspiration is evident and its violation is a serious crime inviting Allah’s chastisement. Problems involving quarrels and differences for which justice is sought have always been there and all civilisations have evolved methods of settling disputes. In the olden days on the subcontinent, a few respected elders were chosen to mediate. They were known as “Panj” or “Parmeshva” because everyone believed in their honesty and neutrality. Their decision was neutral and binding on both parties. If either party refused to accept the decision, they were boycotted by the community. The famous writer Munshi Prem Chand wrote a story 75 years ago entitled “Panj Parmeshwar.” In it he described them as divine souls, and the story became very popular.
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Random thoughts
By Dr A Q Khan

In nature one finds many species that devour their own kind. Take, for example, cobras. Most of us have seen TV programmes showing a ten- or twelve-foot-long king cobra catching a six- or seven-foot long snake, manoeuvring it head-first into its mouth and then slowly swallowing it. Male lions and tigers often eat the young of other lions when they have taken over the pride to ensure the birth of their own offspring. Male domestic cats are not so fastidious, either – some will eat any young they come upon. Let us now turn to human behaviour.

Poet Nawab Mirza Khan Dagh, the teacher/guide of Allama Iqbal, had a unique way of expressing things in simple, effective words and sayings. The following verse by Dagh Dehlavi inspired the title of this column:

Dekhna, Dagh, unki mehfil men
Ek ko ek khaey leytey hain.
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Random thoughts
by Dr A Q Khan

Roti, kapra and makaan is the slogan of one of our major political parties. It played a big role in their majority win in the 1970 elections in West Pakistan. We, as a naïve nation, swallow all kinds of hollow slogans and promises. This slogan has its roots in India where it became so popular that Manoj Kumar made it the title of one of his films. This film was so successful that it celebrated its golden jubilee. The communists in India were the first to realise the appeal of these “magic” words and soon West Bengal became its stronghold. It appealed to many in Pakistan because it promised the poor a means of subsistence. These three items – roti, kapra and makaan – are the basic essential needs of the poor. Politicians soon realised the importance and appeal of these words and made it a part of their party manifesto. Since it contained a promise to meet the needs of the poor, the party managed to win votes. Like so many other promises, this one saw the light of day, but days, weeks, even years, passed without its realisation. Meanwhile, the poor became poorer and the rich became richer.
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