| November 13, 2001 | Tuesday | Shaba’an 26, 1422 |
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Afghan war: an American’s view
Osama’s contradictions
Afloat on a sea of shame
Public toilets
Currency notes
Khyber Medical College
Entrance test fiasco
PTCL charges on Divali day
Reply to critics
Unbalanced media coverage
Testing colour vision
THE most unfortunate thing which has happened as a result of the US-led war against the Taliban regime, Osama bin Laden and his Al Qaeda network is the disappearance of real issues from Pakistani politics. Before the terrorist attacks of September 11 in the United States, there was a hope in Pakistan that the issues which are directly concerned with the survival of people of this country will get some priority from people who matter.
Reforms in the mode of governance, better education, health and employment facilities to people were considered as vital issues and their urgent handling was considered. However, when Pakistan became a so-called frontline state as a result of the US attacks on Afghanistan, all issues, which were supposed to better the conditions of people, went into the background.
Now the focus of the government and various political forces is not on addressing problems faced by the people but dealing with the situation which has emanated because of the America’s war against Taliban. The issue, which has been raised these days, is either to support or reject the government for its decision to join the US-led coalition against the Taliban. In the 1980s when the Soviet military intervention in Afghanistan had made Pakistan a strategic ally of Washington, no effort was made by the then government to address the real issues because it was only interested in strengthening its hold over power or seeking maximum financial benefits from the assistance which was coming from different sides to support the Afghan Jihad against the Soviets.
We have seen disastrous implications of the Afghan war on Pakistani society. Twenty years down the road, we face a similar situation in which our power elite is least interested in dealing with issues, which directly concern the survival of the people. They feel proud that suddenly the West, which was indifferent and arrogant towards the Musharraf regime, has now a change of heart because of Pakistan’s decision to join the US war against terrorism.
There is no thinking in our official circles how to deal with the negative fallout of the new Afghan war and how to make sure that the possible financial help which Pakistan may get from rich countries will be used for the betterment of the people of this country.
It is time we learnt some lessons from the past. One should not undermine the long-term objectives for short-term interests. The real issues need attention because if the people of Pakistan are again made a victim of the Afghan war and some individuals benefit from the extra attention which the country is getting from the international community, the result will be further economic and political mess.
MOONIS AHMAR
Karachi
I THINK the (Nov 8) opinion piece by Kaiser Bengali (“Contextualizing Afghan War”) was excellent.
As a citizen of the United States, I have the right to speak out publicly against policies of my government that I disagree with (although how much longer I will have that right is uncertain these days). I am apparently in a very small (although hopefully growing) minority in this country that opposes the US war in Afghanistan; and as long as I have the right to do so, I am going to speak out against it in any way I can.
I feel absolutely horrible that innocent Afghans are suffering so terribly because of actions of my own government. The thought of children being killed and maimed by bombs dropping from the sky sickens me. The image of millions of Afghans freezing to death or dying of starvation because international relief trucks cannot get food to them is horrendous.
I want the readers (and all people of the Arab and Muslim world) to know that not all Americans are blindly following our “fearless leaders” into this illegal and immoral war against the people of one of the poorest nations on earth. And I also want you to know that some of us are quite clear about our government’s role in not only ‘creating the (terrorist) monster” but also causing the conditions in which so much hatred has flourished.
I completely agree with Kaiser Bengali’s remark on this point, which I think is worth repeating: “The US government has no political morality as far as its international conduct is concerned. It does not present a principled opposition to terrorism. It is quite comfortable with terrorism, provided it is directed on its behalf against its opponents. It is only opposed to terrorism if it is directed against itself or against its interests. After all, it is actually guilty of introducing terrorism in our region. If Osama bin Laden is a terrorist today, he was also a terrorist in the 1980s as an ally of the (United States). If Mulla Omar is guilty of harbouring him, Ronald Reagan was guilty of sponsoring him. Both stand condemned in equal measure.” Exactly.
I would like to add one more thought. While unfortunately it is true that many Americans have generalized their hatred for the Sept 11 perpetrators to include virtually everyone in Afghanistan, and probably even the entire Middle East, I want the readers to know that some of us (hopefully a growing number) know perfectly well that the Afghan people are absolutely not our enemies, nor are the peoples of the Middle East in general. I believe our enemies can be found within our own borders, to tell you the truth.
They are people — unfortunately in leadership position — who would destroy anything and anybody in their path in order to dominate the world and its resources. It saddens me to say this, but I believe it’s true.
JOANNE HEISEL
Honolulu, Hawaii
THIS is with reference to Osama bin Laden’s interview in Dawn (Nov 10). The interview brings out glaring contradictions between his words and conduct during the last two decades. He blames the American government, the Congress and tax-payers for providing arms to Israel which are used for massacring the Palestinians. He blames the United States for committing atrocities against Muslims all over the world and uses these arguments for waging his Jihad against the West.
He however, conveniently forgets that when, in 1982, Israel had invaded Lebanon, when bombs were raining on Beirut, when Palestinians were being butchered in Sabira and Shatila, he was hand in glove with these very Americans; fighting their war against the Soviet Union.
Apparently, at that point in time he had no qualms over US policy in the Middle East and the killing of hundreds of Palestinians and Lebanese with arms bought through US tax-payers money.
It was not until 1989 when the Soviet Union was defeated and the Cold War ended with the help of Osama bin Laden and his likes that they realised that they have been left high and dry in this global game.
Suddenly, it dawned upon them what a great satan their former ally was and they started crying hoarse about its atrocities against the Arabs and Muslims.
SAIF AHMED SAEED
Karachi
IT HAS been a disappointing experience to read Ayaz Amir’s diary “Afloat (barely) on a sea of shame” (Nov 2). It is replete with malicious criticism, substantiated by his own opinion, couched in vitriolic language. To assume that the fight against terrorism is “detested throughout the Muslim world” could, at best, be wishful thinking. A few croaking frogs do not herald the rainy season.
In Pakistan, protest hooliganism, our favourite pastime, has been given impetus, encouragement and organization by religious parties in the name of Islam and jihad. Our Maulanas, who commandeer a lot of space in the media and TV, with a known Taliban-Afghan nexus, have gone to the extent of inciting rebellion in the army.
The calls for strike are heeded by a radical minority on the fringe — obscurantists and ignorant activists. The manner in which the authorities have handled the challenge is a tribute to their sagacity and tolerance.
While derisively calling General Musharraf “chief strategist” and branding him a “bag carrier” — an arrogant, discourteous expression — he condescends to share his pearls of wisdom, advising that “we should have asked for time to weigh pros and cons.” He must undoubtedly be aware that India did just that and is now gnashing teeth with regret.
His fertile imagination sees a lot of “Afghan and Muslim blood on our hands” in not blocking the USA and the rest of the civilized world to punish terrorists at large. What about the cosmopolitan blood of Christians, Hindus, Muslims and people of other religions and different nationalities —- over 5,000 — massacred in the Twin Towers. Why? — because some barbarians hate America. Was that blood of a different hue?
He ridicules General Musharraf’s mention of the Treaty of Hudaibiya Treaty in his speech but states that “the treaty gave the Prophet respite.” Is he not missing the point that what is happening now involves the fate of 1,000 million members of the Ummah as against a few thousand?
He forcefully contradicts the impression that Taliban have been exerting a reactionary influence and exporting their ”austere revolution” to Pakistan. A retrogressive culture is hardly an exportable commodity. Aggressive, belligerent and well-armed, they impose it on others.
They are involved in clandestine businesses, like Afghan transit trade where goods never leave Pakistan soil —- sold duty free en-route.
Mr Amir speaks about the “fictional” economic advantage of Pakistan’s “committed course.” So much has been written about economic benefits that it hardly needs repetition. If he for a little while removes his blinkers and looks at both sides he will notice a galaxy of political celebrities from all over the world has descended on Pakistan for objective, bilateral business.
MUHAMMAD A.B.
Karachi
THE DHA should build public toilets for visitors to the beach. It has become quite common for the beach goers to knock at doors of residents of the area for use of toilets. Though one sympathizes with these people but many incidents of robberies have taken place in similar circumstances, so one has to refuse the entry of total strangers.
When nature calls and indeed it calls regularly, it needs immediate relief. So it would be a good public welfare project if the DHA constructs of few toilets within its area.
DR JAMAL NASIR MEMON
Karachi
THE misuse and mutilation of currency notes should be stopped. Those who indulge in this practice are the cashiers of banks. They write the number of notes counted in ink and in large letters. I have counted as many as 12 such notes in a pack of 100.
The bank peons punch as many as five staple pins on a pack of 100. Some people simply tear out the notes from a brand new pack. They don’t bother to remove the stapled pin.
The banks should instruct their cashiers to write the numbers with pencil so that it can be easily erased.
MURTAZA HUSSAIN
Karachi
IN this age of information technology when everyone is benefiting from fast communication, Khyber Medical College, Peshawar, seems oblivious to this fact.
The result of the entry test for the first year MBBS, held on October 7, was made available on the official website of KMC. Thereafter, neither the merit list showing the percentage of marks of the candidates nor the final merit list released on October 31 was made available on the internet. These merit lists were also absent in the case of other medical colleges.
So, if someone wants to enquire about the merit list, he would have to go to Peshawar because they don’t give any information to students on the telephone.
KHALID ANWAR
Tank
ALMOST all the students appearing in various entrance tests for medical, business and engineering colleges must be familiar with the kind of rigorous hard work they have to go through so as to get admitted to one of the best colleges.
For medical colleges most of these entrance tests are conducted by the IBA. These tests are aimed at providing a fair chance to everyone so he/she can enter the college of his/her choice as one deserves it.
The students who applied for the Sindh Medical Colleges this year found the 28th October test to be totally in accordance with our curriculum. The majority of students like me were satisfied with our performance to the extent that we were sure to get admitted to DMC or SMC.
But we became the victims of foul play. All our efforts stretching over some 28 days went in vain. What awaited us on the 31st of October was the painful news that the paper was leaked out. Almost 85% of the question were available to some 300-500 students, thanks to their coaching centres and “some extra reliable sources”.
The paper was a duplicate copy of the 1999 paper, even the mistakes were the same. The first question that struck my mind was as to why the paper was repeated even though the IBA knew that two copies were missing. When we can go through the whole course of two-year studies in 27 days, can’t they prepare a paper in that much time. Secondly, if they repeated the paper how come, so many people knew it was so to happen.
Regardless of the statements issued by the IBA, one thing is clear that some one close to the IBA was a key player in this whole episode.
Now we have been asked to give the test again on the 15th of November, paying the price of someone else’s fault. Some IBA officials have been quoted as saying that they have “to go through the hassle again”. Won’t we go through the same physical and mental anguish? Is there a guarantee that the test this time is going to be fair?
Many students like me are not ready to take the test again. We demand a thorough inquiry into the matter and also demand that we should be given admissions solely on the basis of our intermediate marks (achieved through sheer hard work and honesty). Our merit fully justifies our demand.
MARIA
Karachi
I WOULD like to draw the attention of the concerned PTCL authorities to the fact that the annual festival of Divali falls on Nov 14.
On this day we share some happy moments with our relatives and friends within the country. So we request the PTCL to charge us quarter rates on this whole day to enable us to communicate with our dear and near ones without any anxiety for the bill. We hope the authorities would accede to our request.
CONCERNED
Karachi
SOME leaders with little or no political standing have been demanding President Pervez Musharraf’s removal from power.
Well, I say to these gentleman (at the risk of annoying our columnist, Mr Ayaz Amir) that at times it is better to have a clever usurper than elected bag eggs. God knows that we elected many such rotten eggs to political office.
SORAYA AHMAD
Lahore
WHENEVER, a few extremists collect in the streets to make a point, they get an extensive coverage by the BBC, CNN, ABC and the papers like The Washington Post and New York Times. This level of coverage gives them confidence and clout. They get publicity without paying a penny.
On the other hand we, the common citizens, the silent but peaceful majority, are ignored. The common citizen thus loses confidence and the will to defend his moderate beliefs.
I do strongly feel that my country has been misrepresented through such images on the global media.
SHAHID ANWAR
Toba Tek Singh
ONE in every twenty males is red-green colour blind as per population based studies in developed countries. However, few realize that they may be having this defect. The prevalence of this inherited defect (which affects males only) may be even higher in Pakistan, as we have a high consanguinity rate (cousin marriages). To my knowledge, there is no validated prevalence data available from Pakistan.
With reference to the news item under the caption: “Colour blindness: SC upholds NED decision” (Oct 30), the affected student has my sympathy. Unfortunately, he has inherited a disability through no fault of his.
The Supreme Court’s verdict must have been based on very sound grounds. With my limited legal knowledge, it appears that this might have been the first case of its kind to be taken up by a court. In the light of this verdict, one can see some of its wider implications.
For example, does it now become obligatory on the NED University to test all its students for colour blindness? If they do, then it is probable that nearly 200 students out of their total of 4000 students may turn out to be colour blind. Would this verdict be applicable to such students? If one ignores the old students, should all students who applied at the same time as the affected student, be also tested for colour blindness? The chances are that approximately 45-50 students out of 950 such applicants may turn out to be colour blind (based on the assumption of 5 per cent frequency).
It should now serve as a warning to all future students of engineering, medicine, art, architecture, designs, textile industry and all other subjects where colour-perception is crucial, that they get themselves tested for colour blindness before considering various choices for their future careers. One area which affects everyone in the society at large, pertains to driving and its related occupations. It is common knowledge that colour vision testing is compulsory for railway employees and airline cockpit crew. Should this be applicable to all automobile drivers as they cannot, supposedly, differentiate between red and green traffic lights, and those with colour blindness should get their licences cancelled? These are some of the questions which may come to people’s minds.
It certainly is very amazing that, given the frequent occurrence of colour blindness, even the developed countries who are so conscious about handicaps, have not addressed this problem so far. Surely, simple computer programmes can be developed, which can be suitable for all (including those who have colour blindness), or have specially designed separate programmes for those with this defect. After all, hundreds of thousands of people “manage” to live and work with this defect. In the medical field, one knows, that many histopathologists with this defect, stain their biopsy slides differently so that they can “see” the details properly.
PROF HASAN AZIZ
Karachi
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