| November 16, 2001 | Friday | Shaba'an 29, 1422 |
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How the US can help its ally
Sale of medicines
Properties and powers of attorney
What is terrorism?
Afghan refugees
Repatriation of East Pakistanis
Bike snatching
Failure in Afghanistan
Why America is hated
Peanuts
Migraine and Ramazan fasting
HAMID MIR’s interview of Osama bin Laden in Dawn has been quoted in the American media and by the US President George Bush. As a physicist, I have to tell you that making a nuclear device is not like “cooking a three-minute egg” and it requires not only the necessary materials, but also sophisticated handling tools and laboratories to make and assemble such a device. You may increase the ratings of your newspaper or earn the favours of the US, but the publication of such misleading information has very serious implications for Pakistan
Personally, I regard this as irresponsible journalism in which the national security of Pakistan is totally ignored. In America or any nuclear nations no scientist has the freedom to give any information to the media for security reasons, but it has become a popularity contest amongst some members of academia to express their opinions freely (as they wish) and that, too, has serious consequences for the security of scientists as well as Pakistan.
It’s, therefore, humbly requested that you weigh the seriousness and implications before printing anything that may come to haunt us in the future. Remember the important motto printed on the top left hand corner of The New York Times: “All the news that is fit to print.” Can’t we learn lessons from history, how Muslims have been hurt by disunity and lack of responsible journalism?
As a matter of fact the US use of depleted uranium shells in Iraq, Bosnia, and now in Afghanistan (the warheads in Tomahawk cruise missiles, and tank buster munitions), has left so much of nuclear dust and debris that for many billions of years people will suffer and die of cancer in those countries. This is even more dangerous than dropping an atomic bomb in those countries. It’s slow and miserable death that no one can imagine.
Please practise responsible journalism keeping in mind the national interest and security of Pakistan as your first priority.
BASHIR A. SYED
Former President of Association of Pakistani Scientists & Engineers of North America (APSENA).
Houston, USA
I must congratulate Mr Hamid Mir for his courageous visit to Afghanistan at this juncture and ask some very pertinent questions from Osama bin Laden. The frankness of the conversation must be commended.
However, his remarks on possessing nuclear weapons, which appeared as the headline in Dawn (Nov 10) should have been released with due considerations as it is going to have a major repercussion for Pakistan.
That it appeared not in a tabloid or Urdu newspaper but the most respected newspaper in Pakistan is of greater concern. It is more surprising that Dawn gave such a sensationalized account of this interview, although there was nothing new in it (except about the nukes). Perhaps on the basis of this story Dawn has gained quite a bit of attention the world over and if nothing else the editor of an unknown Urdu daily has been brought to the limelight.
Over the weekend the contents of this interview have been discussed quite a bit in Pakistan. During my interactions with over two dozen highly educated people and saner elements of society, I found that hardly anyone believes that Osama bin Laden has the nuclear bomb. I totally agree with the statement of General Musharraf given in New York that “one cannot even think of Afghanistan having such a capability”. I am wondering if the one month old interview of Osama bin Laden was put as a major story only to embarrass Gen Musharraf when all eyes were on one of his most important speeches to be delivered at the UN.
Only two weeks back, when in a news conference, Afghanistan’s Ambassador to Islamabad was asked a question if they have acquired nuclear capability his reply was that “we cannot even make glass and you are talking about nuclear bomb”. If Mr Mir’s story is correct that Osama bin Laden has access to nukes, it is obvious that only Pakistan would have supplied it to him. That would establish the truth about the Indian propaganda for the last 25 years of Pakistan working for the “Islamic bomb”.
Dr MEHTAB S. KARIM
Karachi
IN its story on Hamid Mir’s interview with OBL (Nov 10), CNN qualified it by saying that “there was no independent verification of the reporter’s story.” Today (Nov 13), CNN quoted the Qatar-based satellite channel Al-Jazeera, regarding an attack on Kandahar airport. It then added, “The claim could not be independently verified”.
However, the CNN does not qualify in this manner the reports received through its own reporters and correspondents. Does then CNN’s editorial staff believe that simply by virtue of being Western, it is more independent and credible than Dawn and Al-Jazeera?
AHMED ARIF
Paris, France
IT is ironic that while there is improved understanding and cooperation between the governments of the USA and Pakistan, the average American is growing increasingly hostile towards Pakistan.
This hostility is being largely fuelled by the US media personnel in Pakistan who have a lot of leisure but very little to report. As such they are always ready to cover any small bunch of bearded people burning the US flag. These images now represent the current ethos in Pakistan to the American people. The result of this unbalanced and sometimes even contrived reporting is that American consumers are refusing to buy Pakistan origin products. This is causing a major problem in our textile and leather industries with millions of dollars worth of orders being cancelled. The ultimate result of this process is economic depression and growing unemployment.
People here are bewildered by this because we see ourselves as the main ally of the USA in the current conflict. To improve this bleak situation, it is suggested that President Bush should make his next speech in a Pakistan-made shirt or leather jacket and urge upon the American people to help their ally by buying Pakistani products.
I feel that such a gesture would go a long way towards alleviating the economic slump in this country. It would also be immensely useful in turning public opinion more towards the USA, isolate the Taliban lobby even further, and enhance the support for President Musharraf’s pro-US stance.
OMER YUSUF
Karachi
THIS is with reference to the news (Oct 30) from Gujrat, saying that medicines were being sold in the black market in connivance with the health authorities.
This pathetic scenario is prevalent all over the country. Under a plan, drugs are made to disappear, run short in supply, while at the same time at chosen sites, these are sold at very high prices. Ultimately, profits are shared by the pharmaceutical industry and the authorities.
Another trick employed is that affordable essential drugs, including those which are life-saving, are not available in the market while very expensive and irrational drugs for the same ailments are profuse.
To quote some examples, Azathioprine (under the name of Imuran etc) is not available in many towns or is scarcely available. Where available, it is sold at a price of Rs 50 per tablet instead of Rs 10 per tablet. Similarly cyanocobalamin (vit B12), previously available at a price of Rs 2 to 4 per vial, is not available at all.
Instead, methylcobal, an irrational drug with no advantage over cyanocobalamin and which is not even registered in the scientifically developed countries, is being aggressively sold at the price of Rs 70 to 90 per vial. This terrible state of affairs exists in respect of a large number of drugs.
The federal ministry of health maintains a department of drugs under a director general. Inefficiency has become the hallmark of this department. The high officials of this department are often seen in the company of the representatives of the wealthy and powerful pharmaceutical industry and are often attending their functions. They are not concerned with the plight of the poor people of Pakistan.
It is requested that the President may kindly look into the matter.
DR AZHER A. SYED
Rawalpindi
ON Sep 8, 2001 a circular was issued by the Board of Revenue, Sindh, with modification of earlier instructions that the orders of not entertaining more than two years old power of attorney should be kept in abeyance till 1-12-2001 and that the public should get transaction completed on powers of attorney renewed upto aforementioned date. No further extension is allowed and that earlier orders shall automatically be revived.
In this connection I may bring the following facts to the notice of higher authorities:
Powers of attorney are registered and under law cannot be revoked by the Board of Revenue, Sindh, unilaterally and there is no such provision in the registered document.
Full payments are made to original owners before registration of powers of attorney.
About 80% properties are on power of attorney. In a number of cases, immovable properties are either mortgaged with HBFC and banks. How sale deeds of mortgaged properties can be executed? Will it be possible to arrange two payments overnight, one for HBFC and banks and the other as stamp duty at the same given time?
There are restrictions on lease of certain properties. How can transactions be completed by 1-12-2001?
1st December 2001 is approaching. No procedure has yet been laid down for the renewal of more than two-year-old powers of attorney. What will be the stamp duty for such renewals? Would the presence of original owner be necessary at the time of renewal? If the owner is not available in Pakistan, how he can be presented before the registering authority?
As the transaction has been completed between seller (original owner) and purchaser on the basis of duly registered power of attorney, will it not involve unending litigation in civil courts? What will be the fate of such properties?
Whether sub-power of attorney executed on more than two years old general power of attorney before 1-12-2001 will be acceptable beyond the prescribed date?
Nowhere in Pakistan such extraordinary steps have been taken except in Karachi without caring for the full implications and worst economic conditions obtaining in the country.
Will the authorities look into the matter and withdraw the orders?
FAHEEM UDDIN AHMAD
Karachi
THE word terrorism, as defined in the dictionary, means the use of violence and intimidation to achieve ends.
It, therefore, means that any act by a person or a group of persons or a state against unarmed defenceless innocent people to frighten them and to compel them to fall into submission for the achievement of an objective, political or otherwise.
I am sure any sane indivi-dual anywhere in the world would be against terrorism in the strict meaning of the word.
However, when double standards are applied, opinions differ.
PROF DR M. ASLAM PIRACHA
Islamabad
THIS time many more Afghan refugees are expected in Pakistan than was the case during the struggle against the Soviet invasion.
But Pakistan is already providing shelter to millions of these refugees despite its own battered economy.
It is, therefore, necessary to create conditions in Afghanistan which might facilitate the return of the refugees to their own country.
The United Nations as well as the US-led coalition, should endeavour to achieve this objective as it is extremely important to release Pakistan from the pressure of the refugees.
TANVEER FATIMA
Karachi
IT is painful to see that stranded Pakistanis are still languishing in camps in Bangladesh.
They still chant the slogan of ‘Pakistan Zindabad’ and hoist the Pakistani flags over their shacks and shanties.
They have not accepted the political change in what was once East Pakistan.
They live in abject poverty and squalor despite the help extended for their repatriation to Pakistan.
They still cherish hopes that one day they might be able to come to Pakistan, and thus their days of adversity would also come to an end.
Keeping in view the much larger influx of Afghan refugees who are being welcomed in Pakistan, one wonders as to why patriotic East Pakistanis that they once were, should be left in such great distress, especially when those who have somehow managed to come, have proved to be self-reliant and not an economic burden on us.
M. SHAFIQUE AHMED
Karachi
MY bike was snatched at gun point two weeks ago. On making enquiries, I came to know that some gangs are working in the city who, after snatching the bikes, either take it to some other city and sell it or they dismantle the bike and sell it in the shape of spare parts.
I humbly request the interior minister, to please take some action to eliminate such robberies.
SH. M. WASEEMUDDIN
Karachi
THE ISI imposed a government on Afghanistan that was not only unacceptable to all the world but also to the Afghans themselves. And that government also committed the mistake of giving shelter to the most wanted man in the world.
Thus, it is no surprise that a world coalition is now busy crushing this regime. Its place is now being taken by the Northern Alliance who routinely shout ‘Death to Pakistan’ at their rallies.
One must indeed give credit to our esteemed ISI and General Naseerullah Babur for their ‘long sighted’ Afghanistan policy.
SHAHID MIRZA
Columbus, US
NUMEROUS articles and letters from well-known intellectuals have appeared in this newspaper seeking to find out the reasons for the hatred against America and how this can be checked.
It seems that this feeling started during the second world war. Americans were thanked but hated by the British and other allies because of their ostentatious lifestyle and lack of fighting spirit, though the war was won because of American involvement. This trend continues even now in Europe, Japan and elsewhere in spite of huge American aid under the Marshal Plan and the present generous aids and investments aimed at reviving the economies of many countries.
As individuals, Americans are extremely friendly. They help others without imposing their own ideas on them. But American governments have always acted with highhandedness and arrogance. In trying to safeguard American interests worldwide, they have adopted policies which are not based on justice and fairplay. And that has only led to hatred.
It is time for America to learn lessons from the past and re-shape its foreign policy to ensure a peacful future for its own citizens and for the rest of the world as well.
S.U. HASHMI
Karachi
IN discussions with Pakistan leaders in New York, it was decided that the United States would give Pakistan “up to 1 billion dollars” in aid. One billion dollars ? What munificence !
President Zia once called a similarly paltry sum offered by the United States president Carter as peanuts.
ATAULLAH SHEIKH
Sheikhupura
I wish to draw the attention of the migraine sufferers that simple preventive measures adopted during the month of Ramazan can stop or reduce the chances of having an attack of migraine. They must be aware of the fact that if they get a severe attack of migraine, there may be the likelihood of vomiting, which would ‘break’ the fast.
It is a common observation that headache-prone people tend to have odd attacks of headaches which usually do not disturb them and common pain killer tablets, taken after ‘iftari’, would give them total relief.
This effect, however, may be more pronounced among migraine sufferers. Local observational data from Pakistan indicates that some migraine sufferers may get such severe headaches that they tend to avoid fasting. The motive of this letter is to provide information and guidelines to encourage more and more people to fast during the holy month of Ramazan.
Migraine is a common medical problem; as many as 12 per cent of the general public suffers from migraine, in any country of the world. Apart from a constitutional tendency to get migraine headaches, there are a number of proven precipitating factors, which if avoided, can help prevent the actual attacks of headaches from happening. Of all the precipitating factors, the role of certain dietary factors appears most significant.
It has been established worldwide that attacks of migraine get precipitated by diets which have a high tyramine content or are high in their fat content. During Ramazan, there is quite a change in the dietary pattern and there is more and more indulgence in such diets. In the local cultural context, it is common for people to take excessive quantities of milk products (milk, youghurt, cheese etc) and high fatty diets (‘parathas’, ‘pakoras’, fat-rich curries, high-fat ‘pulao’ rice etc).
Excessive intake of tea is also known to precipitate migraine attacks. So, for the migraine-prone people it can be advised that they should continue to have as ‘normal and average’ a diet as possible and avoid undue indulgence in all the above precipitants. This rule, of course, is not absolute; smaller deviations from the normal can be handled by most migraine-prone people.
There is a common misconception among migraine sufferers that a drop in the blood glucose level during fasting may precipitate an attack. This is totally incorrect. It has been proven experimentally among migraine-prone individuals, that lowering of their blood sugar level (hypoglycaemia) does not precipitate migraine headaches. So migraine sufferers should not worry on this count.
Another factor which can be easily avoided and does not affect Ramazan fasting is that the migraine sufferers should avoid having (programmed) excessive sleep which is a definite precipitating factor. It is understandable that the sleep routine would change during Ramazan, but this, per se, does not affect the chances of getting migraine.
Some smokers believe that their migraines get precipitated by withdrawal from smoking. This is debatable. But if in the bargain they can quit smoking permanently, a few odd headaches may indeed be a very small price to pay for the overall hazards of smoking.
PROF HASAN AZIZ
Karachi
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