We often hear our elders talking of their teachers in such an awe-inspiring and reverential manner that I personally feel ashamed of our new generation who are absolutely unaware to that spiritual and social bond which connects our young (wo)men in particular and society in general with persons belonging to the profession of teaching. Just as the post of CM.Ship and profession (Politician) demand power and respect, similarly the profession of Teaching demands respect. If we strip of respect from Teaching, it no longer becomes a profession suitable for teachers at all.
If we look at the various professions in our surrounding, we will find only teachers bereft of their professional power, i.e. respect. A host of our most learned and bright minded brothers leave/ignore this profession and join the Civil Services just because they find it lacking in commanding respect from society which is it’s professional right. No doubt the inclusion of characterless unprofessional and unqualified persons to teaching by the previous corrupt governments with a complete disregard for merit, has immensely destroyed its reputation but there are many among us who still believe that it is the most respectable profession of all.
I remember the Chairman of PTI, Mr. Imran Khan proclaiming in the historical Lahore Jalsa that he would restore the respect of teachers. On countless occasions he has mentioned it and deplored the current decrepit status of teachers in our society. I consider it to be an opportune time for us to materialize this dream of our community by taking all the necessary measure that could restore our respect in society. The restoration of a teacher's respect ensures a stable civilized and useful society in our country which is increasingly disintegrating, becoming materialistic and morally and ethically undermined. Being a member of our community, I propose the following two points, for the restoration of our respect in society, which, rest assure, will not cost a single penny.

1. By an executive order the government can bind the servants of all departments to treat teachers with respect by addressing them with the word SIR. This order will have a dual effect: I. It will ensure self-respect of a teacher in Tehsil, Thana, Kachehri and Public Offices in particular and society in general. II. The teacher will in turn never go against his professional attitude, would behave in a most honorable way and become a real spiritual father in word and deed.
2. By another executive order, the Interior ministry can bind NADRA to issue special computerized departmental cards which will ensure ‘Treatment with Respect’ to Teachers at Bus Stops, Air Port and especially at Security Check Points. The cost of the cards will be borne by the teachers themselves and government will not have to pay for it. NADRA needs not to worry a lot about it for the record of Teachers is already computerized; they simply need to add one or two buttons in their application form where the University or department and post of a teacher is mentioned.
3. Senior citizens Cards can also be introduced by the government in the same way which will create a big impact on over dying respect and regard for the elders of our society.

Imagine what will be the effect of calling Sir to an old teacher, and elderly gray bearded person? Imagine how will be the youth of our country get affection love and experienced education from the elders and father like figures of our society when they would offer them their seats in the buses, a glass of cold water at nooks and corners of Pakistan. This simple act by the government will change the very fabric of our social structure after a few years and we will not need to quote Japanese as the most civilized nation.

Qaiser Ali Khan
M.Phil Scholar at Qurtaba University D.I.Khan
Lecturer in English G.P.G.C. Bannu