ISLAMABAD:The country is all set to celebrate its 70 years of independence today (Monday). While talking to Daily Times, people from various walks of life gave their views about the landmark achievements of the country since 1947. Dr Zafar Iqbal, a senior educationist at the International Islamic University (IIU) Islamabad, said that efforts were needed to make Pakistan a developed country. “Unfortunately, there has been no significant increase in the literacy rate in the country. Actually, all our governments have done is change the definition of a literate person instead of actually improving the literacy rate,” he said. Dr Iqbal said that without increasing the literacy rate, real freedom would remain a distant dream. “People cannot defend their fundamental rights if they are unaware of them,” he said. He said that it was shocking to know that the annual budgetary allocation for military had remained far higher than education ever since 1947. “This shows the priorities of the government. The education budget is more than the defense budget even in countries like Bangladesh too,” he said. Dr Iqbal said that the education budget should be equivalent to the military budget. “This should be made part of the Constitution to make governments implement it,” he said. Social activist Dr Rakhshinda Parveen said that she was from a family that had faced two migrations. “I am disappointed and despondent with today’s Pakistan. Having worked with various organisations and disadvantaged communities, we are just maintaining personal integrity,” she said. “Today’s Pakistan is characteristised by nepotism and lack of respect for an ordinary individual. The bureaucracy is the key stumbling block in the country’s progress. You cannot get a good job or party ticket purely on merit,” she said. Published in Daily Times, August 14th 2017.