| October 18, 2001 | Thursday | Rajab 30, 1422 |
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Failures and opportunities
Force is not the solution
New Haj policy
Developing the dairy industry
Rangers in KU
US no more invincible
Minibus routes
Correction
Silver lining
Senior citizens
American ‘guests’
Law and order in Karachi
Terminally ill
Providing dialysis facility
FOR better or worse, people in the United States were living a self-centered life. Most of the people here did not even know things like, where Afghanistan is or who the Taliban are. Quite a few people knew that there was a large portion of the world that hates them and does not like the USA for one reason or the other.
To understand the reasons behind this inclusive mindset of American society, one has to understand the politics of this region. The United States is a very large country, and, because of its influential status in the Western hemisphere, people don’t need to know much about anything unrelated to their immediate needs. In addition, the existence of two oceans was giving them a false feel of remoteness. Similarly, the absence of any major threat near its borders was giving them a false feel of invisibility.
The events of Black Tuesday shook the psyche of this population and made them realize that they are a part of this global society and not some isolated concealed community. More than 4,000 people were wiped out in a short time -- something not seen in the history of the Americans. They tried to compare it to Pearl Harbour, but then Pearl Harbour was not part of the heartland of the USA and it happened during a war. These events of terrorism happened, when America was not ready for such a big catastrophe and was shaken deep.
The glass house of security and certainty was shattered and Americans started to feel vulnerable. Americans are now forced to realize that they are not alone; they are not the only people living in this globe. There exist sorrows, sufferings, and evils in this world, which for long were ignored by the people. Americans used to have the mentality that if the bad is not happening to them then they should not care about it. Now when the bad happened to them they were forced to realize that they couldn’t just close their eyes and think that there is no evil in this world.
I see a lot of people, in the American society, who are afraid and are very edgy. America has been on the highest alert since the terrorist attacks on WTC and the Pentagon. Every other day the FBI notifies local law enforcement agencies to be on their highest watch. The President is cautioning the Americans to be careful and yet try to go on with their lives.
This is a tough balance for people who are not accustomed to living in fear and look over the shoulders of others. And this is also resulting in some unfortunate incidents where innocent Arab - looking people are prejudged as troublemakers.
For the last few days the incidents of anthrax is increasing the anxiety in the already volatile situation of American minds. Nobody is giving a straight answer on the issue of anthrax outbreak. Some are saying that this may be associated with the previous terrorist attacks, and others are saying that this probably is some isolated event.
It’s very obvious that Americans are very edgy nowadays, and this is a big change for them. It would take some time for society to go back to its luxurious state of safety and harmony. It’s luxurious when we compare it to the miseries of the world at large.
M.A. SHAHZAD
Oshkosh, USA
THE only country that did not support our admission to the UN in 1947 was Afghanistan. Thereafter, for forty years, at best, relations were no more than uneasy. Then came the tragedy of the Soviet invasion and pull out and its widely spread fallout.
Our geo-political strategists of the day — with the nature of such planning hardly their forte — saw a grandiose, but myopic and quixotic role for us in central and south Asia. With missed realities this dream, expectedly, was not to be. In good faith, but naively, we also ignored our experience of being rebuffed by the Afghans to forge endurable relations of good neighbourliness. The social, economic and political ride we are still riding is the direct outcome of this flawed strategy. Indeed it may be advisable that this policy, as a learning experience, is looked at by a national commission.
Be that as it may but what approach should we take now to rehabilitate a peaceful, progressive and prosperous neighbour? The first thing needing emphasis is that now the situation is very much a grave world responsibility; and the key players therein are those who caused it in the first place, namely the US and Russia. But being a front-line state we cannot be idle spectators. Our role as concerned facilitators is crucial.
Not only for us but for the entire world community any solution must be under the UN umbrella. This would need concerted initiatives on the part of the Big Five, palpably displaying objective unanimity consistently, with perseverance. This will call for strengthening the UN rather than marginalizing it. Luckily today its prestige stands high, wearing the world’s top prize jointly with its able secretary-general.
A possible way for this to come about is to forge, with some urgency, world consensus modelled on the Japanese Peace Treaty with the additional proviso of the UN Trusteeship Council called upon to share with the Afghan people the initial load of putting a conjoint modern, broad-based administration in place, soon to take its rightful place amongst liberal, tolerant democracies.
Indeed this would mean blazing a totally new trail with attendant complexities. But nevertheless it would have the germs of a momentous learning opportunity or the 21st century world.
M.J. AS’AD
Karachi
FOLLOWING the attacks on the twin towers in New York and on the Pentagon, the question before the US is how best to respond to this episode. Will the force of arms produce any enduring results?
I condemn the barbaric act and the loss of human lives in the United States. The display of extremism has nothing to do with the teachings and spirit of Islam. In fact Islam is a religion of peace and stands for harmony and tolerance. Primary meaning of the Arabic word Jihad is not “holy war” but “struggle” — struggle to improve yourself in order to become a better person. In the Quran the only permissible war is one for self-defence.
Based on solid evidence, the culprits involved in the act need to be identified and brought to justice. Justice should, however, be transparent and evenhanded. Crackdowns on terrorism should not be narrowly focussed on Muslims and Arabs alone. Such an act would be against the spirit of justice and fairplay.
Acts of aggression, whether committed by states, groups or individuals have now become a global problem. As such, the problem needs to be addressed globally. The United Nations and the US in particular, need to look at the whole scenario in a broader context. Washington should take into account the factors which may have contributed to violence and aggression. The US in all earnestness should re-evaluate its policy of supporting Israel against Palestinian Arabs.
Who will be held accountable for the killings of thousands of Iraqi people in recent years? How many Bosnian Muslims have been killed by Christian Serbs? The killings of 80,000 Kashmiri people by the Indian armed and security forces cannot be set aside and passed over in silence. Can they be?
An approach based on compassion and justice would go a long way in changing the scenario.
AKHTAR KHAN
Karachi
THIS year the government has introduced an open Haj policy giving an opportunity to the intending Hajis to choose their own schedule for Haj. This policy is to mainly facilitate the business community who want to have a shortened and flexible time period for Haj.
As per policy, one is required to submit one’s international passport with other documents by November 14, which would be returned after February 4, 2002. So, it will not be possible for an intending Haji to travel outside Pakistan during this period of two and half months.
This would pose serious problems, specially for exporters and importers. All those engaged in such business need to travel abroad frequently. This is a need all the more now in the present conditions when export orders are declining and foreigners are avoiding travel to this country.
I request the government to modify this requirement and allow the applicants for Haj visas to submit a photocopy of the passport. Alternatively, special Haj passports may be issued to the intending Hajis.
MIAN SOHAIL SARWAR
Karachi
THERE are reports that Pakistan spends Rs 150 million on the import of dry milk every year. Besides, the reports say, the sale of dry milk is to the tune Rs 480 million per annum. Assuming that both figures are correct, the financial implications for the economy of Pakistan are too serious to be ignored. An exchange-starved economy can hardly afford this expenditure. This amount can be reduced if the dairy industry is given due attention and priority in national planning.
Pakistan produces 250 billion litres of milk every day. The question arises as to why do we import dry milk if we have 250 billion litres of milk a day? The answer is that there is some flaw in the national planning and the management of the country’s resources. The way out, to my mind, is to utilise the production of milk in Pakistan to the full.
What is needed is to take legal measures to discourage the sale of open milk and encourage the use of packaged milk.
In order to meet the demand for packaged milk the dairy industry should be developed on a priority basis so that Pakistan can save foreign exchange and the people can get safe milk. The government must take steps for the development of the dairy industry.
NISHA ASHRAF
Islamabad
KARACHI University is the country’s largest educational institution. Some of its departments like the HEJ and the Third World Centre are known for their excellent work.
However, for the last five years this university looks like a military camp due to the Rangers’ contingent stationed inside the campus.
The Rangers are there to maintain peace inside the campus. As a student of the University, I have observed that only two or three clashes have occurred over a period of two years. And even at those occasions the Rangers did not intervene and remained aloof.
Under these circumstances, there is no justification for their presence in the University.
GHULAM MURTAZA SHAH NAGARI
Karachi
IT’s amazing to watch how some events change perceptions, if not the ground realities, of people around the world. The recent terrorist attacks in America by a handful of individuals have made the sole superpower look not so invincible.
There was a time when this superpower along with its NATO allies was a formidable force. And it had an almost equally powerful foe, the Soviet Union. There was a balance between the good and the evil forces, as Westerners called it.
The US had provided enormous financial and military assistance to the Afghans in their struggle to oust the Soviets. Could anyone imagine during the Soviet-Afghan war that the US and its allies, would return to Afghanistan one day as aggressors like the Soviets.
It was Karl Marx who had once made a remark about history which seems to be valid with regard to the current situation in Afghanistan: ‘History tends to repeat itself, first as tragedy then as farce’.
MUHAMMAD FAISAL
Sukkur
BUS and minibus fares have been raised once again. This is a heavy burden on commuters, particularly those who need two buses for reaching their destinations.
In view of this, the Regional Transport Authority is requested to introduce new routes of buses and minibuses making it possible for everyone to travel from one end to the other by one vehicle. For instance, I have to go to main Karsaz Road from North Karachi. Since there is no direct route between these two points, I have to change and take two buses. This costs me Rs 20 daily. But if I could travel to my destination by one bus, my daily expenses on transportation would only be Rs 12.
Will the Regional Transport Authority consider reviewing the routes making such travel possible for most commuters?
KHURSHID ALAM
Karachi
THIS refers to an article titled, “Outrage mingled with fear,” by Reshma Memon Yaqub (Oct 10). The writer is not an Arab. She is of Pakistani origin and is settled in the US. She is the granddaughter of one of our earliest ambassadors, Mr Abdul Fateh Memon, and daughter-in-law of a former governor of the State Bank of Pakistan, Dr Muhammad Yaqub.
M. ASHRAF JANJNUA
Karachi
THE dark clouds that are hovering over Pak-Afghan border have a silver lining: the unholy alliance between the military and the mullahs is tearing apart, perhaps for good in Pakistan.
MUSTAFA MAHESAR
Karachi
IT is good to see that senior citizens are getting some attention in the press. All too often their concerns take a back seat.
While I agree that concessions on fares, entry tickets etc. must be allowed to them with immediate effect, it must be pointed out that before senior citizens can reap the benefits of such concessions, they need to have healthcare first. As such, priority must be given to granting them substantial cuts in the costs of medical care. This really is an urgent need as, it is well known, the pressures of economic constraints on the elderly aggravates their age-related health problems.
In the East we are reputed to be very caring of our elders. Ideally that might be so, but the ground reality is sadly somewhat different.
I urge that swift action be taken to address these problems of the senior citizens.
MIA MOMIN
Karachi
I fear that once this dirty war is over, the Americans would stay in Pakistan as ‘guests’ just as they have done in Saudi Arabia.
Since the people of Pakistan will never tolerate that, eventually there will be a confrontation with America and we would suffer a fate like Iraq’s.
Did our president do the right thing by giving them bases?
Did he get any assurances from them in this respect?
Many Pakistani minds are haunted by such questions.
LAMEES JR
Quetta
SINCE the US air strikes in Afghanistan, the law and order situation in Karachi has worsened.
Certain religious groups are responsible for this. If these groups want to protest against the government, why don’t they do so in a peaceful manner? Burning tyres or setting vehicles ablaze is not a fair way to demonstrate one’s anger against the government.
The law enforcement agencies should take action against these groups and ensure the security of the people and their properties.
SANA AHMED
Karachi
MY mother is terminally-ill in the US, longing to have a glimpse of me. My documents were being processed when the US administration closed down its non-immigrant visa section. I request the authorities to facilitate my visit on compassionate grounds so that I can meet my sick mother. I can be contacted at 5837646.
NAJAMUNISSA
Karachi
DIALYSIS and kidney transplantation are the only two options available for patients suffering from the end stage renal diseases (ESRD). Both these modalities of treatment are expensive but life-saving, and if looked after properly by trained personnel can make an individual a useful member of society.
One of the fruits of modern science is dialysis and transplantation. National Dialysis Transplantation Services (NDTS) programme is the need of the hour. It lacks infrastructure, planning and rational organization. However, this cannot be taken as the reason for its discontinuation. In my view, the rational approach is (a) to plan (b) cut the cost to make it cost-effective.
As far as planning is concerned, the annual budget should be available on yearly basis from Zakat. At present out of 40% of Zakat money, 20% is spent on education, 4% on health, 6% on Deeni Medressahs and 10% on miscellaneous. 60% is spent on Mustehqeen. As regards education, we cannot argue but if only 6% is added to the health making it 10%, it shall come to Rs 20 crores which will be sufficient to look after these patients.
So what I am asking is a raise of 6% of Zakat. This can look after our present situation. In my estimation, at present there are not more than 2000 patients on dialysis in the country. The objective of dialysis is to make the person fit enough to work. This can be achieved in more than 60% of the patients.
However, I must emphasize here that, although dialysis remains the treatment for the majority, kidney transplantation is the ideal treatment. This can be made available without delay in Pakistan. We are fortunate to have technical know-how. What is needed is the promulgation of an ordinance for cadaveric transplantation. We are the only country among the Muslim states which does not have such a law. The Pakistan Society of Nephrology will help the government in making such a law. Already a law introduced in the Senate in 1995 is gathering dust.
The best dialysis is three times a week and not once a week or twice a week. We must involve national and international companies for the provision of the dialysis fluid and efforts must be made for technology transference as is happening in neighbouring countries. We must only have Bicarbonate solution and not Acetate solution for dialysis.
We must also reduce the cost. Dialysis machines should have the following prerequisites:
i) The machine must have a successful history of use in Pakistan.
ii) It should have a local agent to look after the machine.
iii) It should be cheap not in quality but in price.
A committee will have to be responsible for the purchase of the items and must have a representative of Pakistan Society of Nephrology (PSN).
We must start this facility in government institutions first and ensure that these public institutions train medical and paramedical staff so that we can start this facility at the district level.
PROF S.A. JAFFAR NAQVI
Karachi
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