آزادی اظہار کی حدود قیود: مسئلہ عصمت انبیاء اور اقوام متحدہ

West generally blames the Muslim world on the grounds that it does not accede to freedom of expression. But in fact, Islam gave the right of freedom of expression for the first time in history. In Rome before Islam was introduced, the rulers used to enslave the masses. Greek ministers, Roman Catholic pastorates, Spanish Inquisitions and the ministerial experts used to rebuff the individuals who used to articulate unapproved religious perspectives. The British Parliament passed a Bill of Rights in 1689. This bill proclaimed the right to speak freely. It returned amid the French Revolution of 1789 which declared speaking freely as a natural right of each person. As indicated by Holy Quran there might be no impulse in acknowledgment of the religion which is also proved from Sunnah and through the actions of the companions of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Blasphemy law is a law related to blasphemy, or irreverence toward holy prophets, or beliefs or religious traditions. In the provisions of Article 18 and 19 of the U.N. Charter, no limitations were made for expression which has left the room open for the defamation on name of freedom of speech. According to Islam, maintaining the honor and respect of all people is essential for regional, national and universal peace. Any articulation which abuses peace, honor and pride of any individual, race, religious gathering or any minority assembly as a rule and so forth cannot be incorporated into the meaning of flexibility of articulation or freedom of speech.

Privatization of Agricultural Extension System in the Punjab, Pakistan: A Swot Analysis

Globally, there is a trend towards privatization due to poor performance of public extension services. Private agricultural extension system is considered demand-driven, cost-effective with efficient and quality service. In Pakistan, Privatization of agricultural extension system was started in 1988 when the then Government of Pakistan established a commission to look into the causes of poor performance of agricultural sector and suggest ways to improve its performance. The commission suggested the involvement of the private sector in reshaping agricultural extension. It was a major policy shift, in which the supply of inputs was shifted to private sector from public sector. Currently, 320 pesticide companies (private sector) are working in the Punjab. These companies not only provide pesticide products to the farmers through dealers but also provide advisory services to them. Privatization experiences in the world had mixed results. In some cases it has positive results while in other location the results are discouraging. The present study was conducted to analyze the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats for private extension system in the Pakistani context where the literature is either silent or scanty about the performance of private sector extension. A cross-sectional research design was used for the study. The study was carried out in the Punjab province which comprises five cropping zones, out of which, three zones were selected purposively. Multistage proportionate sampling technique was used for the selection of respondents. A sample of 408 respondents was selected (136 from each zone) by using simple random sampling technique. Sample size was determined by using Fitzgibbon table (Fitzgibbon & Lynn, 1987). Similarly, a sample of 60 respondents from EFS of Syngenta (Pesticide Company) were also selected randomly by using the same table. The data were collected through personal interviews with the help of validated research instrument. The data, thus collected were analyzed by using computer software (i.e. SPSS). The results showed that a diagnostic skill of the EFS was strength of the system. Attributes of the EFS i.e. politeness and good conduct with farmers were also rated as strengths. Group discussion method was rated as strength of the system. However, subject matter coverage, target beneficiaries, extension approach and functions, communication, competencies of EFS of private extension found to be the weakness of the system. Limited opportunities existed for the demand of advisory services for specific crops at specific location and fee-based private extension system in the country. Overall it poses threat for the system. There were great discrepancies observed between the perceptions of the farmers and the EFS about the same questions. According to the EFS, the system has more strengths as compared to weaknesses. It is suggested that the steps should be taken to mitigate the weaknesses and ensure the strengths of the system. Similarly, threats should be converted into opportunities.