| November 7, 2001 | Wednesday | Shaba’an 20, 1422 |
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US bombing on Afghanistan
Use of elevators
Standardization of coins
Unjust criticism
Richard Perle on BBC
Credibility of IBA tests
Export of fruits to the US
Steam locomotive: clarification
Average billing by KESC
No respect for evidence
CNN directive
Myth and reality
DAWN has published a photograph of a steam locomotive (Nov 4) with the following caption:
“A century-old engine at the Cantt Railway Station is a constant source of environmental pollution”.
THIS is with reference to Mr Ayaz Amir’s diary under this heading (Nov 2).
Wit, sarcasm and lampooning have a place in writing — provided the writer does not tend to be flippant.
About Musharraf citing the Peace of Hudabiya, Mr Amir says: “for which conquest of Makkah is the Musharraf government conserving Pakistan’s strength?” A mature comment?
After all what else is the Holy Prophet’s life if not an example for us to follow in every sphere? Whether it is Hudabiya or the order to the archers to stay at the hillock at Uhad, it is the spirit behind that treaty and the discipline in the latter case that matter to us. Can you dismiss the lessons contained in these examples by such a flippant remark as “what Makkah are we to conquer?” He might as well say, “What archers are we to place in Uhad?” What rubbish!
The true spirit of the Treaty of Hudabiya was followed by Jinnah when he accepted the Cabinet mission plan — but let us not get into that. Mr Amir says that in joining the US-led coalition, the government was led by expediency. Pray, what else are nations guided by if not expediency? A state is not an individual who would give up personal interests to uphold principles.
India in Kashmir, India on NMD; China in Tibet; the US, Britain, and France in Palestine; the USSR in Hungary and Czechoslovakia; Russia in Chechnya, Turks in Korea, Turkey’s strategic alliance with Israel ... want me to go on? What is wrong, then, if Pakistan has decided to join the world coalition in “national interest” without the definite article?
He said we should have asked for time to “weigh pros and cons.” Really? What a pity that the decision was made at the golf course!
And Pakistan should have consulted “friends.” Would China, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey have advised any course other than what Islamabad has followed? Haven’t these three friends backed Pakistan fully on its correct decision? In fact, when Musharraf wanted to make a dash to Beijing, China asked him to stay home, because he was needed in Pakistan and because the Chinese government fully understood Islamabad’s position.
Then he says, “Which Churchill will say this was Pakistan’s finest hour?” Some humour!
Britain’s “finest hour” was also Britain’s darkest. With France fallen and the BEF having fled — and Russia still neutral — Germany was at the peak of its power. In fact, the wehrmacht was virtually unscathed.
Britain was then alone, facing Goering’s fury. This was Britain’s finest hour because it was also its darkest. For Pakistan, thank God, the darkest hour is behind us.
The day Jaswant Singh offered logistic support to the US and was ignored, Pakistan was saved. The real threat to Pakistan comes from the mullah brigade which has cast itself in the role of enemy agents.
I think the best enunciation of Pakistan’s case and the hazard of a wrong decision are contained in the article by Mr Shahid M. Amin (Nov 3).
JAMAL JAMEEL
Karachi
THE world is witnessing the worst type of air attacks on Afghanistan in the name of anti-terrorism campaign. While Pakistan has joined the anti-terrorism club in good faith, with the passage of time US intentions are being revealed to the world gradually.
The events are taking a serious turn, especially when the US has not heeded our President’s suggestion to halt bombing during Ramazan. The US is afraid of committing its own troops in ground operation and is seeking Japanese assistance to go in for the final thrust. That shows the will of the Americans to face the realities on the ground.
Pakistan has been elevated to the position of a strategic partner till this problem is solved. What will follow only the Pentagon can tell. The past record of our friendship with the US is fairly bitter. The US believes in friendship of convenience. It abandoned us and the Afghans soon after its objective was achieved. There is no guarantee that this will not be repeated. With the Kashmir question unresolved we must tread the path with care.
So far the US has made a number of promises which have not been executed. The following need attention:
Clear-cut commitment about Kashmir.
A commitment regarding refugees influx and the financial assistance required to deal with it on short / long term basis.
Waiving off of loans.
Rebuilding our economy by liberalizing exports and abolishing quota system. No such commitment has been made by the western countries. Only promises have been made.
It is hoped that Pakistan’s good intentions will be reciprocated by the US and the west in the same spirit and this country will not be let down again.
MOHAMMAD AFZAL
Karachi
NEWS reports have appear-ed in the press of fatal accidents that occur in the use of elevators.
Why on earth should contractors fail to obtain complete elevator systems, unless the supplying companies themselves make profits under-the-table for witholding critical safety devices which can be sold separately? Of course, contractors must be equal beneficiaries.
High-rise apartments incorporating elevators are proliferating, and so are the chances of mortality. There should be a law to protect unwary elders, children and all others from falling to their death. And there should also be a law to punish those who consider other peoples’ lives cheap.
LT COL ERNEST SHAMS
Lahore
IT has been quite a long time when coins of one paisa, five paisa and ten paisa denominations were cancelled by the Government of Pakistan. However, coins of fifty paisa, one rupee and two rupee denominations are circulating in the market whereas coins of twentyfive paisa denomination are also becoming part of history as these are no more acceptable in the market, though there is no government notification issued for its cancellation.
The coins of fifty paisa and one rupee denominations, circulating in the market are almost of the same size. The coins of two rupee denomination introduced in 2001, is slightly smaller in size than the coins of fifty paisa denomination introduced in 1975. But the two rupee coin can be easily distinguished at present, as it looks new.
With all these coins in circulation, it often becomes quite difficult to distinguish the coins of one denomination from the other because of their similar sizes.
It is suggested that proper standardization should be made so that it might be possible to differentiate coins of different denominations easily. At present elderly people find it quite difficult to recognize these coins and often get confused while counting the change.
SYED A. MATEEN
Karachi
THE history of Islam tells us that when the situation so demands there can be compromise with even the infidel. Our holy Prophet(PBUH) did exactly this in the treaty of Hudaybiya when he neutralized the opposing infidels of Makkah.
President Musharraf is being criticized in certain rather vociferous circles for acquiescing too quickly and in toto to the demands of the US. Some even hold that Pakistan should have stood by the “warriors of Islam” — Osama, Mulla Omar and the Taliban. So what if India had pre-empted us by joining hands with the US? Would then the British and Americans have deterred the Indians from invading Azad Kashmir?
Under the guise of preventing their use by Osama bin Laden our nuclear installations would have been obliterated in the bargain. So what? say our holy men-we would at least have gone down as martyrs in the cause of Islamic Jihad? Is this the hirsute scenario which our religious extremists and their apologists would have as the preferred destiny of our country?
It is sad to see that the very people who are progeny of those who opposed the very creation of Pakistan and who branded our beloved Quaid-i-Azam as an apostate are now the supposed champions of Islam, hell-bent upon bending the course of history to suit their own agenda. Shades of the Quaid? Must we surrender to his detractors?
S. ASIF MAJEED
Karachi
THIS is in response to a letter in which the writer wondered why Mr Richard Perle was so hostile to the Pakistani viewpoint on the BBC programme ‘Panorama’. Of course, the Pakistani point of view doesn’t matter to Mr Perle, let alone the cause of terrorism (i.e. US policies in the Middle East), as Mr Perle is a Jew with strong ties with the state of Israel.
No Jew would want the US policy in the Middle East to change.
Since many Jews have played an important role in the US government (for example the former secretary of state Madeleine Albright and our arrogant friend, Richard Perle), it is not surprising that US policy is so biased and in favour of Israel. While I admit that Pakistan really has no choice but to go along with the US at this stage, it should not rely on it as a permanent friend because of the immense Jewish influence on its policies. In fact, the only state Pakistan can rely on is Pakistan itself. So it is time to stop squabbling amongst ourselves.
A.S. MIRZA
Oxford, UK
ONCE IBA was given the task of conducting entry tests for different organizations. But now things have changed and their reputation is going down.
Recently, some very objectionable things have happened during the entry test for admissions to the medical colleges. As reported in the press, the father of one of the candidates was the supervisor of this test. He should have voluntarily refrained from undertaking this responsibility.
Keeping this in view, the entry test should be made only a qualifying examination just as it is in the prestigious NED Engineering University, and weight should be given to the Board Exam results only. In this manner, the use of unfair means can be avoided.
H. MURTAZA
Karachi
IT is well-known that the Americans are very fond of exotic fruits from around the world. The Kiwi fruit, which has become popular during the recent past in the United States, is one example. At the same time, despite the fact that Pakistan is bestowed with world’s finest fruits, mangoes, oranges (red blood) and kinoes these are totally absent from the American market.
It is obvious that there is a great business opportunity in introducing the above mentioned fruits from Pakistan in American markets. I have made some inquiries in this regard and have learnt that there is a total ban on import of agricultural products from Pakistan (along with several other Asian countries) into the United States for fear of certain crop diseases prevalent in Asia. I have made efforts at my level to overcome the problem but have come to the conclusion that it can only be sorted out at the government level.
Now that most embargoes and sanctions imposed by the US government on Pakistan have been removed, it would be appropriate that the issue of fruit export is also taken up. Even if the ban cannot be removed entirely, they may be asked to allow export subject to certification by a mutually acceptable laboratory that the product is free from any disease. It is learnt that fruit (bananas, Kiwi, etc.) is already being imported into the US from other countries under similar arrangements.
Given the matchless quality of the above mentioned fruit products and American pallet for novel foods, there is tremendous potential for earning millions of dollars in foreign exchange even if a small fraction of the American market is captured.
I would therefore request the government of Pakistan to take up this issue with the US on priority basis.
REHMAN SWATI
Islamabad
A narrow gauge obsolete steam locomotive has been placed in front of the Peshawar Cantt Railway Station building, as has been done at all important Railway stations like Rawalpindi, Lahore, Multan, Karachi and Quetta. These steam locomotives are no longer in operation and, therefore, cannot be lit up. The photograph published is that of a broad-gauge steam locomotive, which is used for trains operating between Peshawar Cantt and Landi Kotal for the Khyber Steam Safari. The Khyber Steam Safari had performed its last journey on August 21, 2001. Only a couple of days back a trial was carried out of this steam locomotive to check its working condition.
The photographer inadvertently took the photograph of the steam locomotive which was on trial and printed it in the newspaper by taking it as a steam locomotive placed in front of the railway station.
This clarification is to set the record straight.
SYED GUIREZ HASHMEY
Divisional Superintendent, Pakistan Railways,
Peshawar
SOME consumers residing in KDA Safari Terrace, Gulshan-i-Iqbal, have received bills for the month of October on the basis of “average” consumption while the bills of other consumers have been prepared and issued after the usual meter reading. The meters of all the apartments were installed together. How can some of them be read and others shown as N.A. (not available)?
A prime minister of Pakistan had termed WAPDA as a ‘white elephant’. Pray, what is KESC?
NABITA FATIMA
Karachi
DONALD Rumsfield would have wanted the US to go to war immediately after Sept 11, evidence or no evidence. He would pin anthrax also on the prime suspects, not bothered that its origin is American. He casually mentions civilian casualties in Afghanistan as if talking about herds of cattle.
It is people like him who make people like me want to become terrorists.
KHURSHID ANWER
Lahore
AFTER all, America is really not as democratic as it claims. A recent case is the CNN chairman’s instruction to the international correspondents to ‘balance’ their reports which actually means to distort the truth.
This, in fact, exposes their attempt to suppress the truth.
M.A. BAIG
Karachi
IN regard to Sahar Afridi’s letter “Myth and reality” (Oct 31), I would like to bring a few points to his attention so the facts stay straight and we really do stay with reality rather than myth. The freedoms that the United States offers and stands by were never shattered by the events of Sept 11. I am in the United States and have been here for many years. The freedoms, in general, are just the same as they were before the Sept 11 events.
The United States has gone to great lengths to protect Muslims, their traditions, and their customs here after the September 11 incidents. In fact, even radio and television advertisements have been run to educate the citizens that Americans are made up of many nations, many people from all parts of the world.
Some persons have chosen not to “openly practising their faith for fear of their lives” only because they are being cautions and prudent. Just as in Pakistan, or any other country in the world, the United States has some extremists and fundamentalists that would incorrectly interpret a person because of his appearance. It is not possible for the US authorities to predict this in advance, but what is admirable is that if a violation does occur, the authorities will find and prosecute the violators (there are hundreds of investigations going on, and for any case where the victim was killed, the death penalty is being sought in the states that allow it).
In regard to Osama bin Laden being “convicted”, again Mr Afridi’s facts are erroneous. A “conviction” takes place after a trial. There has been no trial. Not once have I been able to find an official say he (Bin Laden) was convicted. Bin Laden is “wanted”. If he is taken into custody he would be tried.
I have lived in Pakistan for about 20 years, and in the United States for about 20 years. Perhaps Mr Afridi would be pleased to know that the United States does deliver on its promises, and certainly does offer any person regardless of race, colour, national origin or religious preferences, the opportunity to achieve his dreams. I have become the head of my company, and many friends who were also born in Pakistan but came here have done extremely well for themselves.
The real problem lies not in the United States, but in people that judge a nation because of a few people that do not fall within the mainstream. Judging the United States because there are a few people that are extremists here is not any different from judging all Muslims because of the 19 hijackers or judging Pakistan based on the extremists that are ready to kill any American.
At least in this country I have not heard of any person broadcasting that they are going on a “Muslim hunt”. But I have heard “kill any American citizen” being broadcast from other countries and the governments just look the other way. This is the truth about myth and reality!
NAEEM NANJI
Los Angeles, California, USA
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