| October 25, 2001 | Thursday | Shaba'an 7, 1422 |
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Sermons without essence
Ending the political vacuum
Demand by Punjab Water Council
Anthrax infection
A wrong way to celebrate
Air strikes on Afghanistan
One-sided view of police action
Arresting the killers
Statues and human beings
Licence to kill
Nobel prize for Naipaul
Ban on ‘gutka’ and ‘supari’
Change in protocol
Violation of citizens’ rights
The police should deal with everyone with civility of course. But how about the citizens behaving towards the police, or towards other civilians? Is it not equally proper that citizens should respect the rights and person of other citizens?
I refer to Dawn’s editorial captioned “The reluctant peacemaker” (Oct 20). I whole-heartedly agree with the assessment that the prolongation of the US war in Afghanistan will cause casualties to mount which in turn will destabilize the region.
Since October 7, the United States military has rained more lethal explosives on Afghanistan than perhaps what the Soviet air force did in the first three years of its war against the Afghan people in the 1980s.
Yet the Taliban’s incredibly courageous resistance to the US blitz has not been broken. Mullah Omar has neither been killed nor Osama bin Laden captured by the much-trumpeted US Special Forces Commandos.
But hundreds of Afghan civilians have been killed or maimed in the US bombing. Life’s necessities such as water supply and electricity have been disrupted in the bombed cities and hundreds of thousands of poor Afghans, hit by the three years’ of drought and the US bombing, are trekking through perilous trails to seek refuge in over-burdened Pakistan. Is this not the most poignant human tragedy of the century in this region?
The USA’s trump card against the Taliban, the Northern Alliance led by the old Moscow-paid renegades of the 1980s, hasn’t turned the tables on Mullah Omar’s forces despite the wealth and arms lavished on the anti-Pakistan Panjsheri minority group by Russia, India, Iran, and Moscow-controlled Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.
President Pervez Musharraf’s pre-Oct 7 predictions that the days of the Taliban were numbered and that the anti-Taliban war would be short have not been fulfilled so far.
Anti-war demonstrations in many parts of the world, including Europe and Asia, are increasing. Will the US heed the UNHCR’s call to stop its air bombing of Afghanistan?
Like the Soviets in the 1980s, the USA has also tested its new weapons of mass destruction against the Afghans. The US has not so far set up a Judicial Commission of Inquiry to probe the condemnable terrorist strikes of Sept 11 in New York and the Pentagon (as was done by Lyndon Johnson to have the Warren Commission investigate President Kennedy’s murder).
QUTUBUDDIN AZIZ
Karachi
FAITHFUL believers have to endure sermons when they participate in congregational prayers, specially the Friday prayers. Since it is a religious duty to say prayers in a mosque, one has to willy-nilly listen to the pontification of the Pesh Imam.
But these sermons are unduly lengthy and meandering generally. The oratory is conducted in high volume and is amplified manifold by loudspeakers. The tone and the theme is narrow, sectarian, divisive and generally political. The words ‘hell’ and ‘infidels’ repeatedly adorn the speech.
Hardly ever, the sermon turns to matters of social conduct and responsibility, which are essential elements of Islamic teachings. One hardly hears any plea for tolerance and co-existence or that the greatest virtue in Islam is compassionate humane behaviour with forgiveness at the top of the list in order of piety far too much importance is given in the sermons to condemning those of us, who wear western clothes or lack a beard.
But these days, another kind of sermonizing is indulged in by some western educated Muslims. Being ‘modern and enlightened’ in thought, they say the Muslim world is caught in obscure beliefs and practices.
Just as the ignorant mulla is harmful to Islam, so are these so-called secular liberal progressive gentlemen. Neither party has bothered to acquaint themselves with the meaning, historical context and essentials of Islamic faith. Nor do they know that Ijtehad is concomitant with an evolution of Islamic society. Neither of the two is a role model of a Muslim, who should be and can be an example to others, believers or non-believers alike. While the question of individual’s beliefs and practices are a matter between him and his Creator, the outsiders who take either of them as a typical ‘Muslim’ get a distorted impression of the adherents of this faith, now numbering over one billion.
H.N. AKHTAR
Karachi
THE September 11 carnage has changed the complete political, strategic and diplomatic shape of the world community. Those believing in sanity and rational thinking have condemned this gory incident and the loss of innocent lives. Who can be blamed?
I don’t think Osama alone can perform this sort of organized and well coordinated assault. Lots of people and organizations the world over have taken part and made it a success.
However, the incident has provided an opportunity to extremists to come out in the streets in Pakistan without realizaing the repercussion and the damage being done to the image of the country. This is in spite of the fact that US has decided to keep the well being of common people in view during any future operations.
These religious extremists can be cordoned and effectively countered by a strong political leadership guiding people to know the pros and con of these decisions. At this juncture, the US must announce a rebuilding plan for Afghanistan and economic incentives for Pakistan immediately to satisfy the volatile sentiments of our people.
I would suggest to President Musharraf, who has already shown maturity and depth in deciding Pakistan’s line of action, to allow the exiled leadership of the PML, and PPP to return to Pakistan after obtaining guarantees to organize political activity. For the present, there is hardly any charismatic leader who can convince the masses of the wisdom of the policy Pakistan has adopted. The present political vacuum is a breeding extremist elements.
ANEES AHHED KHAN
Lahore
I was really surprised to read the new demand of the Punjab Water Council (PWC) made in their meeting held on October 10 in Lahore (Dawn, Oct 11). The Council has complained that “the Punjab contributes almost 80 per cent of the country’s agricultural produce but is getting only 37 per cent of the water. The remaining three provinces, put together, contribute only 20 per cent of the produce and consume 63 per cent of the water.”
The Punjab has also put a new and strange demand that “water distribution should be based on agricultural production and cultivated land rather than the provincial shares decided to suit a federal concept of government.”
Water is essential to irrigate land. If all three provinces — Sindh, Balochistan and the NWFP are contributing only 20 per cent of the produce, then where is the 63 per cent of irrigation water going?
Either the three provinces are wasting most of the water or someone is stealing from their share.
As far as Sindh is concerned, it is not getting its due share which is evident from the fact that the required annual quantum of water is not being released to the sea resulting the intrusion of sea water inland up to 65 kilometres besides destroying 1.2 million acres of agriculture land in lower Sindh. Apart from it all, its eco-system is already in danger.
The demand of the PWC to withdraw the federal vote from Sindh, is based on hypocrisy. In the past, two votes were resting with Punjab, then it was all right. Now that it is the turn of Sindh, Punjab is making a hue and cry.
KHAN BABA
Quetta
ANTHRAX is an acute infectious disease caused by the spore forming bacterium, bacillus anthracis. Anthrax most commonly occurs in hoofed mammals and also infects humans.
Initial symptoms of inhalation anthrax infection may resemble a common cold. After several days, symptoms may cause severe breathing problems and shock. Inhalation anthrax is often fatal.
The intestinal disease form of anthrax may follow the consumption of contaminated food and is characterized by an acute inflammation of the intestinal tract. Loss of appetite, vomiting, and fever are followed by abdominal pain, vomiting of blood and severe diarrhoea. Direct person-to-person spread of anthrax is extremely unlikely.
Anthrax infection can be prevented with antibiotic treatment. Early antibiotic treatment is essential, delay lessens chances for survival. Anthrax is susceptible to penicillin, doxycycline and ciprofloxacin.
An anthrax vaccine can also prevent infection. Vaccination against anthrax is not recommended for the general public to prevent the disease and is also not available.
DR ABDULLAH JAN PATHAN
Hyderabad
IT has now become a symbol of high society as well the middle class to mark a festive occasion by firing in the air and explode crackers and other fireworks. One wonders as to what purpose is served by making such a boorish display in the presence of so many guests and acquaintances.
I happen to live at Nadirabad, Bedian Road in Lahore Cantt. The locality lies at the threshold of the airport runway. One night around 2.00 am, I and my spouse along with two baby girls were asleep when suddenly there was a burst of gunfire accompanied with firing of crackers that continued for about fifteen minutes. My spouse woke up in panic along with the babies and told me that the airport had been attacked by the Indian forces.
Well, taking note of the gravity of the situation, I immediately looked through the window of our bedroom, saw the fiery fireworks and became aware of the merry making follies of the bridegroom, in the back street. My wife sighed, and started complaining of the indiscipline at marriage parties.
The next morning, the idea struck me as to what would happen if stray bullets fired by the jubilating bridegroom and his friends had hit an airplane that happens to fly just 100 feet or so above the rooftops, with their landing gears and wheels ready for imminent landing at the airstrip, merely a kilometre away.
I would, therefore, advise the civil aviation authorities to take serious note of stray gun firing that occurs at marriage parties, especially in localities like Nadirabad and Phase I of DHA, that happen to be in the same course adopted by airplanes for landing.
UMAR MANSOOR BAJWA
Lahore Cantt
US President George Bush and British Prime Minister Tony Blair with the support of their allies have killed thousands of innocent Afghans, destroyed their houses, offices, shops and mosques since the air strikes began there on October 7.
This frenzy still goes with modern heavy bombs which are highly destructive. The aggressive powers are demanding that Osama bin Laden be handed over to them and that Mulla Omar must step down. After all, why are the US and its allied powers showering deadly bombs and missile on the Afghan people who are a very poor and peaceful community?
Would President George Bush tell the world as to how many ‘terrorists’, have been killed in the ongoing air strikes? What are their names and addresses?
He knows well that murder of even one person, is a serious crime for which the courts of law, award the death sentence to the culprits. The allied force, under his leadership and orders, are fully responsible for the murders of a large number of Afghans.
MAQBOOL AHMAD QURESHI
Gujranwala
THIS is with reference to M. Shafiqe Ahmed’s letter, “Police Highhandedness” (Oct 19). He has called the arrest of a law-breaker as “simply atrocious”, such so-called human rights activists want to turn the country into a free-for-all society.
Ironically, he has been unable to see the blood-stained nose and trousers of that dutiful man in uniform. That fatal injury in the head of that constable was certainly the result of stone-pelting by uncivilized demonstrators. I ask: where has it been described in the books of law that an attacker on law-enforcement agencies personnel should be treated well?
I also condemn the attitude of the press toward the police, when it publishes concocted stories without a proper knowledge of the facts. It has become a fashion to call every police action an abuse of power. Every responsible citizen is duty-bound to condemn such criticism on the police.
F.A. GILL
Faisalabad
THE killing of Mian Arshad at the hands of two NAB officials must have escaped the attention of Gen Pervez Musharraf, otherwise he is not known for siding with the wrongdoers. Let us hope he orders the arrest of the killers of a person who was not even an accused in any case.
MIAN ARSHAD HUSSAIN
Lahore
WHEN Taliban demolished some statues, the entire world including the UN raised an uproar. Now when innocent people, including children, are being mercilessly blasted, where has the compassion of the world gone ?
Z.H. AWAN
Karachi
NATIONAL and international press carried a news item (Oct 22) saying that “the USA has authorized its CIA and other agencies to kill Osama bin Laden in any way at their disposal.”
It may be noted that to kill any person without trial or giving him a chance to defend himself is itself a heinous crime. Have the nations of the world given licence to the US to kill anybody at its own sweet will? Is this not a frightening preview of what is going to happen in the future to the status of justice and human rights?
It goes without saying that this would mark the end of any respect for human rights and the beginning of an era of cold blooded murders at the sweet will of those at the helm of affairs in the developed world.
Dr ATIQUE MUFTI
Islamabad
I write to express my complete agreement with Mohammad Shamim Mozaffar (Oct 16) about the inappropriateness of a Nobel prize for Mr Naipaul. After a few days in Pakistan, talking mainly to taxi drivers, Naipaul became an authority on Pakistan and the ‘Believers’.
His writings have been praised by many, and now crowned by this year’s Nobel prize. But if a Muslim had written even an iota about the Jews that Naipaul has written about Muslims, Islam and ‘its ‘calamitous effects’, that person would have been hounded out of the ‘civilized’ world that has conferred this honour on a most articulate but vitriolic and destructive person.
Clearly Naipaul has friends in high places.
A.F. QURESHI
Karachi
TIME and again the government of Sindh has expressed its intent to put a ban on the sale of ‘gutka’ and ‘supari’. But these are still being sold opently in the city.
It has normally been observed that the regular consumers of ‘gutka’ and various brands of ‘suparis’ are quite used to chewing them, and it is next to impossible to keep them away from these death pills.
This is an issue which needs immediate attention. The Interior ministry and the Sindh health department must take immediate steps to eliminate this evil.
SYED NEHAL ALVI
Karachi
IT looked awkward to see the President of Pakistan standing by the side of the US Secretary of State while the latter addressed the press . In India, Mr Powell was accompanied by the Indian foreign minister while holding a press conference.
Was the Pakistani foreign minister incompetent or the president did not have confidence in him? Americans should, after all, be treated as ‘friends, not masters’.
EHSAN BHUTTA
Lahore
DAWN had published the picture of an elderly person being dragged by a policeman. Everyone would agree with M. Shafique Ahmed’s reaction to the picture (Oct 19) and demand that the police should be a bit soft when dealing with women and senior citizens.
Whenever there is a strike, some bands of youth threaten shopkeepers and demand that they remain closed on the coming strike day. Some people burn a few public transport vehicles on the eve of the strike to warn the transporters to stay off the roads. Groups of 7 to 20 odd agitators with sticks block strategic points to stop cars and other vehicles from entering industrial areas. The groups threaten and insult people of all ages who wish to go to work.
Frequently these acts against individual’s right to safety, free movement and personal choice are violated while the police or the rangers in sufficient strength stand around a few feet away calmly watching the obstruction of roads, threats and insults. I think it may be said with confidence that none of the strikes called in Karachi over the last couple of years would have been even 10% effective had these enforcers been stopped from interfering with peaceful citizens going about their business.
In Karachi there has been no successful strike in terms of public support for the various issues on which strikes have been called. What we have are not strikes but forced work and traffic shutdowns. The shutdowns result in loss of production, harassment of citizens and prove the point that until government agencies decide to act in defence of rights of peaceful citizens, any organized group of 5000 odd people can choke off normal life of a city like Karachi.
The longer the present anarchy is allowed to persist, the more all manners of groups will be encouraged to make life difficult for most of the residents. Are we waiting for the day when some irate group of people take on the strike enforcers?
DANISHMAND
Karachi
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