| November 5, 2001 | Monday | haba’an 18, 1422 |
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Cambridge syndicate
Responsibility for Bahawalpur havoc
Afghanistan’s future set-up
Homeopathic teaching
School buildings
21st century and peacekeeping
Questions for Bush
Carnage
The Taliban regime
Need for tobacco control
Cotton growers being robbed again
TODAY the world is facing unprecedented challenges. Mainly these are political, historical, ethnic, religious, environmental and economic conflicts.
On the one side, globalization in terms of communication brings the regions, states, societies and the people closer to each other and, on the other, the dormant and active conflicts are creating serious threats to the security, peace, and well-being of the world community, especially the under-developed world. Thus greater attention is required towards achieving global security and accelerating socio-economic development for poverty eradication and elimination of social injustice.
After the 11th September trauma, the world has entered a new era of conflicts. Two extreme forces, American arrogance and the religious fundamentalism and bigotry, have created a hostile environment and peace is the first casualty.
One force created havoc and terror in the United States of America and killed thousands of innocent people. And the second force, the only superpower of the world, is bombing the world’s poorest nation with missiles costing billions of dollars. As the war of international community against terrorism is moving from one phase to another, unfortunately the victims still are the peaceful and the innocent masses.
The whole world is debating the dynamics and complexities of the current conflict. The assumption seems to be emerging that the policies of the US and the rest of the West, towards Third World countries, especially the Middle East states, are also responsible for the situation that has given birth to international terrorism. The people of this region also believe that it was the US which played a vital role in creating religio-fanatic forces to counter communism and the Soviet Union. We are also of the firm opinion that after the cold war era it is not basically the US and the West but the masses of this region who are facing dire consequences of policies adopted by the US during the cold war period.
Now when in the name of the war against terrorism innocent people of Afghanistan are being killed, we express our deep concern and at the same time feel that due to the ongoing war, the large influx of Afghan refugees into Pakistan will create more economic problems, new social controversies and demographic disorder in this country, especially in Sindh. The province is already facing a serious problem of millions of illegal immigrants not only from the various serious countries of South Asia but also from other parts of the world. The government should immediately take measures to stop this huge influx of Afghan refugees.
If the world community is serious in elimination of terrorism, there is an immediate need for the resolution of national conflicts all over the world, especially in the Middle East and South Asia.
To discourage extremism in the name of religion and ethnicity, genuine democracies are required to be promoted and allowed to be rooted in the Third World and the great powers will have to rethink their policies in this regard.
JAMI CHANDIO
Director, Centre for Peace and Human Development, S.Asia
Hyderabad
BSE (Board of Secondary Education) and BIE (Board of Intermediate Education) are not the only examining bodies which lack credibility in our country. When it comes to Pakistan, ‘the land of the pure’, even the Cambridge Syndicate and its cohorts, the British Council and Karachi Grammar School, can be called to question.
For instance, it took Cambridge University all of 10 weeks after the declaration of the result to give the actual marks scored by the condidates. As a result, the boys and girls who scored 89 in a subject, and thus a D grade, were overlooked for admission, even if he /she had an outstanding record in the school’s curricular activities.
The Cambridge Syndicate may will argue that marks are allotted only to satisfy the system prevailing in Pakistan. But must they always compromise their policies to keep their “shop” in an acceptable condition? First it was Pakistan Studies and Islamiat as examining subjects and now it is allotment of marks. But where, indeed, is the problem in indicating the marks scored along with the grades — 10 weeks earlier?
ANWAR ABBAS
Karachi
THE maintenance of law and order in the country is an essential duty of the government and it cannot be absolved of this responsibility in any way for the recent massacre at Bahawalpur. The government has repeatedly failed to protect the life and property of the public despite its time and again assurances after each such act of terrorism. Frequent holding of the perfunctory judicial probes after each such incident has become a ridiculous joke.
Solemn promises and declarations by those who matter for nabbing the culprits soonest are not considered worth their while. As a matter of fact the preventive and protective measures taken for the safety of the public are not at all professional.
Mere posting of a constable or two at the likely target places of worship is not at all commensurate with the level of the security warranted there. The very sight of such a policeman is rather demoralizing instead of providing some measures of confidence to the potential victims. His sense of responsibility and vigilance, his overall carriage and standard of efficiency leave much to be desired.
Whereas one would expect a no-nonsense tolerating, highly vigilant and alert policeman holding his rifle at the “ready” to snap it instantly into his shoulder to take the better of the terrorist rather than present him with the proverbial ‘sitting duck’ target, the spectacle to be witnessed is altogether different and pathetic.
As a young officer, I remember being told that “the highest form of treachery a commander can do to his men is to stoke them to the fire of war without preparing them for it. Train, train and train them for the ultimate, or else they will simply be the cannon fodder”. Now my dear police commanders at all levels, can you swear with your right hand on your chests that the men under your respective commands are ready to face the terrorists? The answer is a big ‘no’, or else how could the policeman on security duty at the Bahawalpur church have been murdered?
We are hearing of revamping of the police force in the near future. Till it happens, and in order not to lose more policemen in such encounters, I strongly urge the interior minister to resign. You are a nice gentleman more suited to the intellectual activities like distributing prizes at the colleges of Karachi or chairing the Hamdard Foundation functions. Dealing with the terrorists and preparing the police force to counter them effectively need a much stronger willed and serious hard taskmaster professional.
Incidentally, till the police is really ready for the job, which it will take quite some time to be, please allow all places of worship to have their own guards. Give them weapons, including automatics, to provide the much needed safety to the worshippers.
COL (R) RIAZ JAFRI
Rawalpindi
PAKISTAN’s bold decision to join the international alliance against terrorism was undoubtedly based on concerns of national security and territorial integrity.
The decision has been disliked by the religious extremists but there is no doubt that a large majority of Pakistanis is fully supportive of President Musharraf.
However, the new-born love for Pakistan by the USA and other members of the alliance is also derived from self-interest and only time will tall if the USA will continue to support Pakistan after the fall of Taliban and disposal of Osama bin Laden and the Al-Qaeda group. The real test will come in the resolution of the Kashmir dispute.
With winter getting more and more severe, the USA is targeting to complete the first phase of the operation before the month of Ramazan i.e. by mid November. Simultaneously, different agencies including the UN have started deliberating on the future political set-up of Afghanistan, which is also of great concern to Pakistan. One only wonders how the Loya Jirga could be held in the present conditions.
Pakistan’s Afghan policy during the eighties and nineties has only brought about misery for the country in the form of drugs and arms and terrorism. And yet General Pervez Musharraf is pleading for a sizeable share for the so-called moderate Taliban in the future political set-up of the country. The Pushto-speaking people form about 40% of the total population and deserve to have a rightful share in the government, but all Pushtoons are not Taliban and all Taliban are not Pushtoons and there is no reason why the Taliban should be inflicted on the poor Afghans once again.
Pakistan is relying on the US assurance that the Northern Alliance will not be allowed to take over and rule Afghanistan and that a broad-based government friendly to Pakistan would be formed there. This is why the USA has not yet provided them any substantial military support to promote their advance to take over Kabul. This has perhaps retarded their efforts but it does indicate the US understanding of Pakistan’s position as regards the future political set-up in Afghanistan.
Neither the US-led alliance nor the Russians and certainly not Iran are likely to accept any role for the Taliban in a future political set-up. The new version of Taliban in the garb of “moderates”, whether it is led by Mutawakkil or anyone else, should not and would not be acceptable to the peace-loving people in Pakistan. Only a total ouster of Taliban is the need of the hour which will also help General Pervez Musharraf in his fight against terrorism and help bring about an improvement in the quality of life in Pakistan.
ASKARI TAQVI
Karachi
THE HEALTH department, Government of Sindh, has constituted a committee under the chairmanship of the principal, Dow Medical College, Karachi, to recommend syllabi and other related requirements for higher education in homeopathy. Professors from Sindh Medical College, Dow Medical College, University of Karachi, representatives of the National Council for Homeopathy and a particular Homoeopathic drug stockist have been included as members.
It is evident that all non-homoeopathic members of the said committee are experienced and well-known academicians while the homoeopathic representation is totally non-academic. No learned person and faculty member of teaching institutions have been nominated. A drug stockist, having no academic experience, has been nominated “to formulate the courses of study and syllabus to be taught in degree awarding institutions of Homeopathy”.
The concerned department of the Sindh Government is probably not aware of the work done by the dedicated team of the Sindh Homoeopathic Medical College, Hyderabad. The said college has already formulated syllabus and curriculum for a five-year degree course in homeopathy approved by the University of Sindh, Jamshoro.
It seems appropriate to suggest that the homeopath members for this committee should be well qualified and experienced teachers.
ILAHI BUX
Hyderabad
IF the government cannot provide low cost housing to the people, at least our future generation should be given proper school buildings.
The photograph of Ferzana Government Boys Lower Secondary School in Sector
5-D of New Karachi (Oct 17), is an example of the government run schools in most villages and cities of our country.
Where is the money which has been allocated in the federal and provincial budgets every year for improving literacy? If a part of the allocated budget cannot be spent on upgrading dilapidated school buildings, then how can we expect our future generations to concentrate on their studies ? Let us be fair to our children.
SYED A. MATEEN
Karachi
ONE could fruitlessly debate a definition of terrorism till the cows come home. Therefore, to dwell on such an exercise endlessly when hundreds of families are falling victim to this evil daily would be callous. More so when effective routes are already available to reach the desired goals of addressing, anatomizing and enforcing best collective solutions to root causes.
This is not ethereal idealism, for nowhere is it decreed that the world must move bloodily from pillar to post. It is a reality to those with compassion and empathy; but blocked by a lack of will on the part of world leaders who are today, generally, bereft of world statesmen willing to take up cudgels for world interest.
If our world is not to be traumatized as it is continuing to be, particularly so since the 11th of September, the approach of world states and the mindset of their leaders will have to change post haste to make this planet a better and happier place to live in during the 21st century.
The route that I am advocating is of sincerity and purpose in pursuing peace through the principles and procedures of the UN charter which can be justifiably likened to a consensual world constitution to which all member states hold themselves pledged. This would require the strengthening of this august body, not its marginalization.
While doubtlessly the UN’s structure needs review - against the responsibility of its members — to make it cost-effectively efficient one must not forget that first, the world cannot do without such a body and, secondly, that it can become efficacious only to the extent its member states wish it to be.
Even today a cursory study of Article 33 of the charter when read with and in the light of the provisions of chapter VII will reveal that all disputes which are the root cause of our miseries can be resolved peacefully using exactly the same methodology which we employ in our own societies.
It would be indeed lamentable if our leaders were not to move in this direction quickly and relieve a bewildered and harassed world of fear, famine and trauma.
M.J.AS’AD
Karachi
DEAR Bush, we were so overwhelmed by your love for the Afghan children when we saw you appealing to the American children to donate at least $1, to save the Afghan children from death due to starvation and malnutrition. What a kind gesture!
But are you not aware or your advisors do not brief you about the death of millions of Iraqi children who have died and are dying due to malnutrition and non-availability of life-saving drugs, as you do not allow them to buy medicines. Why?
ONE CONCERNED
Karachi
PREVIOUSLY the Muslims of one sect were killing Muslims of the other sect while they were praying in mosques. Now Christians have been slain while worshipping. As usual, customary and hollow statements have been issued that the culprits will be caught and meted out exemplary punishments. That is the end of the story.
Unfortunately this does not put an end to the carnage. It goes on unabated. Strong statements are not the answer. What is needed is action which is missing.
SALIM D. DADABHOY
Karachi
THE religious parties in Pakistan supporting the Taliban need to re-evaluate their position as their support implies that they share the Taliban’s vision of an ‘Islamic’ regime.
What examples have they set by forbidding education to women and restraining them from working by the side of men? And what sympathies have they gained or what wisdom have they shown by destroying historical monuments and by engaging themselves in petty matters like punishing men with beards less than a certain length? All this, while millions of their countrymen were being kept alive by food items donated by the United Nations.
In fact, the Taliban regime in Afghanistan has not taken a single step in the several years of their control over almost the entire country which could display the compassionate side of Islam.
S. IRFAN AHMED
Atlanta, USA
I CONGRATULATE Dawn (Oct 26) for its editorial “Taxing the killer”.
Tobacco epidemic is a major public health problem in Pakistan, but unfortunately the government has not taken any action to curb the ever-increasing use of tobacco in this country. According to the World Health Organisation, tobacco is the single largest preventable cause of disease and death in the world today. Last year, four million people in the world died as a direct result of tobacco and the predictions are that, if tobacco control measures are not taken, this death toll will rise to 10 million per year by 2025. Already, more than 54% men and 20% women use tobacco on a regular basis in this country.
Tobacco use is a major risk factor in heart attacks, lung cancer, emphysema, respiratory failure, stroke as well as 20 other fatal disease. Research in Pakistan has estimated that smokers waste Rs 560 million every day from their smoking habit. Our hospitals are admitting increasing number of patients with smoking-related diseases. Most of these patients are poor and cannot afford the huge cost of treating these diseases.
Most governments in the region have taken appropriate measures for the control of tobacco Pakistan is the only country where the government is watching the havoc created by tobacco as a spectator from the sideline. Pakistan TV is the only channel which continues to air colourful, attractive tobacco ads, targeting the younger generation of Pakistan.
It appears that our government is addicted to the sales tax money from the tobacco companies. It is indeed sad that while other countries have formed ‘Task forces’ for the control of tobacco, we have a ‘Tobacco Promotion Board’ in Pakistan, safeguarding the interests of the tobacco industry. It is the responsibility of the government to protect the health of its citizens, and tobacco control measures are a desperate need of this country.
I urge the concerned authorities in Pakistan to take the following measures on an urgent basis:
* Bring a law that bans smoking at public places;
* All public transport, including airlines, should be made smoke-free;
* Ban all forms of tobacco advertising;
* Start public education campaign about the hazards of tobacco on television, radio and print media;
* Introduce education programme on tobacco in the school curriculum;
* All universities, colleges, schools and hospitals should be made smoke-free;
* Increase taxation on tobacco products;
* Control smuggling of tobacco to this country.
DR JAVAID KHAN
Karachi
I, TOO wish to sympathize with the growers along with the author of ‘cotton growers being robbed again’ who has served three times as Federal Secretary, Agriculture. The author would have been of far greater use had he served as Federal Secretary only once for the same length of time. It is however a treat to read his articles as they provide a great opportunity to learn the modern syntax.
Turning to the subject, the author is at pains to denigrate the inequity inherent in the market economy and recommends that state should pick up the growers’ losses by buying their cotton at support price, which not surprisingly, has no nexus with the market.
Obviously the taxpayer will have to pick the tab. He has castigated the public sector organizations including the TCP, the PASCO and food departments who make purchases at the doorsteps of ‘friends’ and leave all behind because they had no links.
He goes on to admit that ‘wherever there is a government-sponsored intervention, it backfires, not because the intervention was downright foolish (it was perhaps half foolish), but because the implementers had their own agendas’. And yet the author wants something done for the growers by the government.
The author has spent best part of his life in agriculture and yet it seems that the growers haven’t fared any better. These textile mill owners have always exploited them. What is new?
SYED SHAHID HUSSAIN,
Islamabad
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