| October 30, 2001 | Tuesday | Shaba'an 12, 1422 |
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Aftermath of the attack
Root of terrorism
MGCL clarification
Promotion on merit basis
Proportional representation
Jihad: different perceptions
Only two babies
Geneva Convention
Richard Perle’s remarks
Why can’t the driver be caught?
Ending the political vacuum
UN’s role in Afghan war
Missing CDs staff
Copter’s tyres
Guidelines for film-makers
IN Fatima Ihsan’s letter (Oct 26) it is stated that “The monsters created by the CIA at the behest of the US government are turning against its creators.”
No doubt, the world knows about the engagement of the US in Afghanistan against Soviet intrusion. Nevertheless, at that time it was the threat of communism that propelled US engagement. It is also a fact that the people of Afghanistan were fighting against foreign intervention irrespective of the fact that the invaders were communists.
Therefore, I think it would not be correct to talk about “monsters created by the CIA”. The fact is that the Afghan people were fighting against foreign invaders. They were all united against their enemy despite differences amongst themselves over tribal issues. Although the US provided them support, still the Afghan people’s own will to fight moved them. Actually, it was the Afghan people who succeeded in freeing their country.
Characterizing the people of Afghanistan in any other way seems to me to undermine their true spirit as lovers of freedom and autonomy. Afghan history reveals that its people are neither afraid of nor can accept any kind of foreign domination over their territory and cultural values. The present situation is becoming almost similar by the turn of the clock. It is increasingly becoming a problem for the right of Afghan people to self-rule and freedom to live as they choose.
Irrespective of the fact that the US is trying to fight against terrorism, the Afghan people still have a right to demand justice. The allegations must be brought to the forefront before any possibility of trial in the international courts. If this were not done then the US would never be able to justify its actions in Afghanistan.
Whereas no one in his right mind would side with terrorism of any form, there is also a vast majority of people throughout the world who do not agree with US policies.
Z.H. BABER
Karachi
THE September 11 carnage in the US appears to have been carried out in a most sophisticated manner, involving great precision. In it, a powerful internal group was involved which was well trained, highly qualified, well connected and well acquainted with the whole security system.
Therefore, it was absolutely necessary for the CIA and the FBI to try their level best to detect terrorists active inside America, but on the contrary, due to some ulterior motives, the US attacked Afghanistan, ignoring all norms of civilized behaviour.
Bombarding a country back to the stone age does not make sense. Perhaps the Americans will eventually be able to install a new government in Kabul, but predictably its rule will extend only to the outskirts of the city. The result will be that the country will sink into anarchy, thereby becoming a hotbed for terrorists, exactly what the Americans are trying to prevent.
Wrong decisions by the US and Britain would have many repercussions on the political, economic and cultural fronts in this region. Politically, it is likely to lead to the division of Afghanistan into north and south, akin to the division of Korea or the Yemen.
Pakistan will inexorably be sucked into the southern Pakhtun part, thereby permanently destabilizing its western borders and at the same time delinking Pakistan from the subcontinent and its emergence as a pseudo Central Asian State.
S.A. KHOKHAR
Lahore
PRESIDENT Pervez Musharraf, with his characteristic straight forwardness, has asked that how long the war against terrorism will last. He elaborated that the Al Qaeda and Osama were just leaves and branches of terrorism. To eliminate terrorism, one has to identify and hit its roots. The roots were the disputes, which should be dealt with (PTV interview, Oct 21.
This is a logical approach. The other world leaders are also beginning to think in these terms. Malaysia’s Mr Mohatir Mohammad during the APEC meeting at Shanghai has described the US war against Afghanistan as a futile effort that will lead to unnecessary killings and shall not lead to the eradication of terrorism. Similar voices are being heard from the other leaders also.
The people of the world, including the British and American people, are taking out huge rallies against the US bombings. In Holland, more than 5,000 people took out a perfect procession with placards reading “Bush the biggest terrorist”.
Slogans such as “UN and OIC are spoons of the US” are not uncommon. But Bush and Powell have refuted President Musharraf’s suggestion to end this (inconclusive) war by Ramazan. Logic does not support this madness.
There are three disputes which are at the root of terrorism—occupation of Arab lands by Israel, the presence of foreign armies in Arab countries and the Indian occupation of Jammu and Kahsmir. More than 80 per cent of international terrorism will automatically vanish if these disputes are resolved. There is no harm in trying it this.
RIAZ AKBAR
Lahorev
A news item has appeared (Oct 20) “PPL seeks increase in rate of return to 40%” in which certain matters concerning Mari Gas Company Limited have also been raised which are incorrect. Mari Gas Company Limited therefore clarifies its position as follows:
Mari Gas Company Limited is a Public Limited Company, quoted on the three stock exchanges of Pakistan and is owned only to the extent of 40% by Fauji Foundation. The remaining owners of the company are the Government of Pakistan, (20%), Oil & Gas Development Company Limited (20%) and General Public (20%).
No doubt the rate of return of the company has been increased from 22.5% to 30% w.e.f. July 01, 2001 but this has been done as per the existing Gas Price Agreement (GPA) after a period of 16 years. The GPA provided for increase in the rate of return on account of economic factors, injection of additional equity capital, new development phases of the field and on account of investment in compression facilities.
As an incentive the government has now pre-determined an increase in the rate of return on account of enhancement of production of the company at the rate of 1% for every 20 MMCFD from its present level of 425 MMSCFD. The rate of return will, however, not exceed 45%. This will also generate substantial revenues for the government in addition to the expected benefits to the shareholders.
It is also clarified that its equity base is Rs 367.5 million and not Rs 400 million as stated in the report. Further the company is supplying gas to fertilizer plants; WAPDA and SSGCL under the long-term contracts entered into through arms’ length commercial arrangements. The company is presently carrying out the appraisal of its recently discovered mari Deep (Goru B) reservoir and the final position of the reserves will be known after completion of the appraisal phase.
KHURRAM KHAN
Marri Gas Co Ltd.,
Islamabad
THERE has been a demand in the PIA that it should strictly adhere to the criterion of seniority while considering promotions, appointments and foreign postings.
In my opinion, the criterion of ‘suitability’ based on competence, performance, efficiency, ability and proficiency should take precedence over mere ‘seniority’.
It has been observed that individuals not suitable enough for minor local assignments get promoted or posted to foreign stations merely on the basis of seniority or just because it happens to be their turn. This is what has led to the PIA’s decline.
Similarly, employees from lower cadres get promoted to the rank of officers/managers merely on the basis of having put in a certain number of years of service. This is again a very bad precedent.
In order to stem the rot, it is time the importance of ‘suitability’ was put into effect.
A SINCERE EMPLOYEE
Lahore
PROMPTED by the editorial (Oct 21) stressing the need for democratic rule in Pakistan, I would like to express my views on the subject, shared perhaps by the silent majority and based on the bitter experience so far.
Abraham Lincoln defined democracy as the government of the people, for the people and by the people. Unfortunately, he did not define the type of people.
It is most important to have the right type of people with literacy rate of above 75%, before adopting western democracy. Otherwise, it will be a sham democracy as usual. This will only produce a government devoid of free opinion, conviction and commitment, packed with law makers from a small group of dominant men (Vaderas, Khans, Chowdris and tycoons) with this selfish agenda.
In our case, a broad-based democratic system based on proportional representation, may be suggested. Better still would be the system of governance under Islamic constitution that ensures social equality, speedy justice without discrimination and mercy to all.
M.M. RAB
Karachi
MAULANA Soofi Muhammad has called for Jihad in Afghanistan and he is leading his men to that country. Qazi Hussain Ahmad has also called for Jihad. But he is leading his followers to Islamabad.
If Qazi Hussain Ahmad is really sincere about Jihad, he should go to Afghanistan to help the poor Taliban, instead of destroying his own country.
We can all take part in this Jihad by helping the poor people who are fleeing from Afghanistan due to the barbarous American bombing.
DR ASMA MALIK
Karachi
IN Pakistan, poverty is increasing and the literacy rate is decreasing day by day. What is the main reason behind it? The basic reason appears to be the rapid increase in the population without any planning.
When many children are born in a poor family without any planning, it cannot provide education to the children, giving rise to illiteracy and poverty. This way we are not able to face the challenges of the new era and cannot compete with the developed nations.
It is, therefore, necessary to find a solution for this problem right now. The solution lies in making a law according to which a poor family should not be allowed to have more than two babies.
The government of Pakistan must take positive steps to solve the problem of over population, and the people must cooperate with the government.
YASMEEN FAIZI
Karachi
THIS is with reference to the bombing of the hospital at Herat by American troops. The newscaster on PTV said that it was a military hospital.
It may be recalled that in accordance with the Geneva Conventions, all medical personnel, doctors, nurses, paramedics and the premises of the hospital including the patients in the hospital, irrespective of the situation whether it is military or civilian, are protected.
Will the representative of the International Red Cross in Pakistan or in Geneva please take a serious notice of this situation and notify the authorities about the violation of the Geneva Conventions. Pakistan Television authorities should also see to it that their news department does not just repeat the notification of a foreign government but should add necessary comments or information to give the news item a correct perspective.
DR K. H. MAHMOOD
Karachi
IT was disappointing to hear the remarks of the Chairman, Pentagon Advisory Board, Richard Perle, about Pakistan and Pakistani people.
Participating in a BBC programme in which people from New York, London and Islamabad were expressing their views, Mr Perle said, “we don’t care what the Pakistan government or Pakistanis think....if Pakistanis think like this, so be it”. Coming from an eminent policy-maker like him, it was a shocking remark.
The Pakistan government has provided unstinted cooperation to the US coalition allowing the use of our air space, logistic facilities and sharing of intelligence information.
In fact, the Pakistan government has backed the United States’ war to eliminate terrorism, against a mounting opposition from its own people. Instead of acknowledging Pakistan’s cooperation, Mr Perle used words that were harsh.
BILAL MUGHAL
Islamabad
ONE always reads at the end of reports on a tragic, even fatal, traffic accident that ‘the vehicle was impounded but the driver escaped.’ Why can’t the driver be traced out ?
All vehicles are registered in somebody’s name. That somebody is the owner. Where lies the problem in enquiring from the owner who was the driver on duty of that particular vehicle on that date and time and also where does he live? But we never hear of any action against the driver.
If the drivers of vehicles involved in serious accidents are always allowed to go scot - free, how can accidents be prevented?
S. IRTIZA HUSAIN
Karachi
I write with reference to a letter by Anees Ahmad Khan (Oct 25). The writer is of the view that at present there is an acute political vacuum in Pakistan and, therefore, the president should allow the exiled leadership of the PPP and the PML to return to Pakistan.
The PPP and the PML leadership got two chances each to rule Pakistan in the past. It is a pity that instead of serving their country, the two exiled leaders outdid each other in the colossal loot and plunder of the wealth of Pakistan. They proved beyond doubt that they were devoid of the capability to run the state successfully. They brought Pakistan to the brink of total collapse though they built their own private empires in and outside Pakistan.
At the moment we need some one who may restore the self-esteem of the people of Pakistan in the eyes of the world. We need some one who may root out corruption and lay the foundation of a new Pakistan. Unlike the myopic leadership of the past, we need a leader with a broad and a clear vision.
There is no dearth of sincere and capable leadership in Pakistan. We have only to look around. But in any case, it would not be wise to give the reins of our country in the hands of those who have already failed us in the past.
RAFAT MAHMOOD ANSARI
Islamabad
THE UN was slow in taking any action against the former Yugoslav army, but it took a speedy action in legitimizing the US military action against the Taliban.
All those who care for the future of humanity should pressurize Washington to stop aggression against Afghanistan instantly. Terrorism is a menace but war is no solution.
It is regrettable that the UN has utterly failed to devise a system to resolve bilateral disagreements and conflicts. It was indeed very sad to receive the news of the death of innocent children and hospitalized patients in Afghanistan on October 24, the day on which the 56th anniversary of the UN was observed.
Can we stop the senseless war in Afghanistan? Is the UN listening?
M. AYUB MUNIR
Lahore
FOR the second time this year, I have found that the customs officials at the airport and the staff at the post offices have an eye for compact disks.
First, I was deprived of may CD case at the Jinnah air terminal by the customs officials.
Second, my father received last week a package by post, related to his scientific laboratory equipment, only to find that two interactive CDs having information regarding laboratories, were missing.
Would anyone explain this? What would any officer do with these CDs except that, after he goes to his house, he would run it and finding nothing interesting in it, would throw it away.
SAMEER BEG
Karachi
WHEN Donald Rumsfeld, US secretary of defence, was asked to comment on the tyres of the US helicopter, as shown to the newsmen by the Taliban, he replied that the Taliban were accomplished liars and that the tyres were ‘decades old’.
After two days, the US admitted that the tyres were indeed of the US helicopter.
Who are the liars, accomplished or otherwise?
ARIF MOMIN
Karachi
NO doubt, they go out to entertain themselves but they return with their hearts full of prejudice and malice which they acquire from films.
Take as an example Makha Jatt, Humayun Gujar, Mahar Badsha, etc. This is what our film-makers are trying to present to their viewers and are set to resurrect the genie of biradarism which has lost its place in this modern world.
The emotions of our young people can be stirred up easily. These filmmakers just for the sake their film which in most cases flop feel no qualms about injecting the poison of zaat paat into their veins. Their only aim seems to be to make money even at the expense of national integrity.
This heinous practice by some film-makers has tarnished the image of our film industry which was once very popular with the masses for its standard films. The people’s interest is now at its lowest ebb.
Hence to pull our film industry out of this swamp, the government should take prompt action to restore the people’s confidence in this institution. As the government has already taken tough measures to extirpate the curse of sectarianism, it should also impose a moratorium on the production of films, which promote biradarism.
Also obsolete and worn out rules regarding the film industry should be revised and proper guidelines should be provided to the filmmakers so that they can produce movies within the legal framework and tough penalties should be imposed on those who violate the regulations and deviate from the guidelines. In order to revive the sinking film industry, an atmosphere of competition should be created by giving incentives to quality movies.
All these steps are indispensable to nip the evil of zaat paat in the bud and to put the decrepit film industry on an even keel.
NASIR KHAN DURRANI
Daska
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