| November 22, 2001 | Thursday | Ramazan 6, 1422 |
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US and Pakistani air bases
Afghan solution still elusive
Leadership crisis
Hospital denies report
Sedition cases
Mishandling of press reporter
Hats off to Mahathir
Charge on wheelchairs
Neglect of flyovers
US citizens and government policies
IN 1996, Karachi was caught up in a cycle of violence and terrorism and was being held hostage by a handful of terrorists. At a seminar at that time, the late Dr Eqbal Ahmad had stated that state and society had failed to understand and redress the causes that had led to the violence in the streets of Karachi. He had also stated that the West was also suffering from this problem, which could lead to global terrorism.
The tragic bombing of WTC has exposed the failure of the West and The Muslim intelligensia to take cognizance of the core issues that led to the fury of despair in a handful of desperate men. The destruction of the symbols of the capitalist world has started a chain of events that are gradually threatening the stability and security of the entire world and could trigger off a devastating economic depression, affecting thousands of people all over the world.
At a recent UN debate, Kofi Annan had stated: “world poverty, desperate living conditions and disease breed a sense of injustice, social alienation, despair and a willingness to die among those who have nothing to lose and everything to gain.” This was endorsed by nine Latin American presidents, who summarized: “Unequal distribution causes frustration and despair that gives rise to conflicts and clashes.”
The French Foreign Minister warned wealthy nations of the need of building a just global community. He said, “Instead of just talking about it or yearning for it, it is time to share wealth and power. It will be rewriting certain rules, hitherto held to be inviolable.”
Muslim governments in the Middle East have enormous wealth at their disposal. It is time for them, the Islamic scholars and the intelligentsia to step forward and educate Muslims and non-Muslims about Islam, which is a religion of love and tolerance. The Muslim world must now play an active part in world politics, especially on economic and social issues concerning Islamic countries.
They must come forward and help rehabilitate the refugees, provide humanitarian aid to the orphans and widows and rebuild the cities of Afghanistan.
And like the CNN and BBC, it must use the electronic media to educate the West about Islam and also the way moderate Muslims live. At present there is only one TV channel, Al-Jazeera, which is trying to counter the media blitz of the western TV channels. Unfortunately, that too is in Arabic and therefore not understandable by the Western viewers. Therefore an effort has to be made to have non-partisan, independent Muslim channels in English and other languages, similar to CNN and BBC, with debates, discussions and an exchange of ideas and opinions on international, economics, religious and social issues.
And America and its allies must look for the true face of terrorism, which is a product of hatred created by an unjust world and economic order, double standards, oppression and denial of due rights to individuals and countries. They must listen to the fury and the rage in these desperate men, who are willing to kill and be killed. If they do not, then the entire world will have to face other “black days and nights” and this will not be the end of worldwide terrorism, but the beginning.
A.H. MAKER
The Helpline Trust
Karachi
BARELY 60 hours after President George Bush had declared, with Gen Pervez Musharraf standing by his side, that the United States would not encourage the Northern Alliance to enter Kabul, the NA did enter the Afghan capital. And then the White House was reportedly ‘very pleased’ with the military developments in Afghanistan.
Apart from the volte-face in American policy against the interests of Pakistan, the situation on the ground needs to be looked at in a wider perspective. The Northern Alliance is openly backed by India and Russia and is very vocal in its hostility towards Pakistan. In any case, they have the greatest share in power after the Taliban are gone. Pakistan will have to deal with a hostile neighbour on the western border, in addition to an already belligerent country on its east.
On the subject of Kashmir, Colin Powell has made it clear that America will not interfere and Pakistan should have bilateral talks with India, knowing well that India does not want to talk. American stance suits India rather than Pakistan. Only recently, the British Defence Secretary said that they condemn terrorism all over the world, including that in Kashmir and which must stop.
As for the economic assistance, Finance Minister Shaukat Aziz has estimated that the fall out of the Afghan bombing will cost Pakistan anything between $ 2.5 to 3 billion by way of loss of exports, tax revenue, spending on refugees, etc. In all fairness, this loss should be made good by America. As against this, President Bush has announced only a $ 1 billion relief package. Our debt of nearly $ 40 billion is in addition to this amount, for which one of the contributory factors was unfair sanctions placed on us by America and her allies since 1989.
Rejection of the request for the supply of F-16 planes is yet another example. Have the sanctions against a helpful ally been really lifted?
Keeping all these factors in mind, and the fact that America has now got control over Kabul, Herat and Mazar-i-Sharif, from where they can operate conveniently, they should now be asked to vacate our airbases, lest they become unwelcome, permanent guests on our soil, as they have become in Saudi Arabia.
U. AMEEN
Karachi
SADLY Afghanistan today reverts to 1994. Its different areas are under the commanders, or warlords, who are an anathema to each other.
After the Taliban retreat, Northern Alliance’s Tajik, Uzbek and Hazara factions’ march and capture of more and more territory are only exposing the political tug-of-war that only leads to civil war.
The Northern Alliance went ahead and capture Kabul despite international calls not to do so, announcing a ruling council under General Faheem. Professor Burhanuddin Rabbani, whom the Taliban ousted in 1996 as president, has been brought back to Kabul. He has been given the “political responsibility” to hold talks inside and outside Kabul for the next three months. But Tajik, Hazara and Uzbek groups don’t see eye to eye on bringing back the cabinet ousted in 1996.
Though the international coalition is repeatedly saying that a broad-based government will be set up in Afghanistan, Northern Alliance’s refusal to admit 45 per cent Pukhtoon representatives into any new set-up would only foil any attempt to bring order to Afghanistan.
United Nations special representative Lakhdar Brahimi has also termed Northern Alliance as the biggest hurdle to peace efforts. The UN had earlier accused the Alliance of obstructing the talks by insisting that the capital was the only possible venue.
All these developments do not carry any hopes for the people of Afghanistan.
Had the Taliban listened to Pakistan’s advice and requests after Sept 11, they would have still been in the saddle. No doubt Pakistan is facing the danger of a hostile government in Kabul, but still the country’s geography places it very much at the centre stage in any new set-up in Kabul. Pakistan has to play its cards cautiously.
No one can ignore the fact that Pakistan has given shelter to the Afghans since the Soviet invasion and the infighting that erupted afterwards. Pakistan suffered but continued to help the Afghans, though it had to face a lot of unfounded criticism for its role.
Today everyone is out with its solutions for Afghanistan, including India and Russia, but none gave any sympathetic hearing to the woes of Afghans in the last decade save Pakistan.
REHAN ISPAHANI
Islamabad
TO borrow Steven Covey’s term, the whole world has gone through a ‘paradigm shift’ with the Sept 11 events. We are watching history in the making.
The epicentre of this catastrophic earthquake may be in New York and Kabul but no corner of the globe is spared the jolts. While one feels tempted to welcome America to the real world, one cannot ignore the silent devastation and mutilation of societies that oppressive governments inflicted upon their respective countries in large part of the world.
While the West climbed the steep mountain of individual freedom, the rest of the world is still stumbling at its foothills. The USA,in particular is in serious danger of losing a significant part of that freedom to its government. On the contrary, the existing autocratic governments look in serious danger of losing their grip on their abused peoples. In other words, there is a danger of the West heading towards the authoritarianism from which the Third World governments are likely to be uprooted. This prospect does not promise a peaceful world in the foreseeable future.
This whole scenario calls for a visionary global leadership which can see beyond local constituencies. It is said that great crisis produces great leaders. Sadly, such a leadership is nowhere in sight-yet.
IMTIAZ PIRACHA
Karachi
THIS refers to the news item “Accident victim refused treatment” (Nov 20).
The patient, Mukhtar, 19, was brought to the emergency room on Nov 19 at 5:45 pm by some unknown person and a police inspector, following a road traffic accident. The patient was immediately attended by the medical and para-medical staff in the emergency room of the Liaquat National Hospital.
They carried out all procedures as required in the management of these cases. A cervical collar was applied, intravenous fluid administration was initiated and urine catheter was passed. After the patient’s condition stabilized, the Emergency Room doctor and Dr Shaukat Ali, Evening Medical Administrative Officer, obtained X-ray and CT scan on his personal assurance, although the patient’s attendants who had by then arrived appeared reluctant to allow further treatment. The X-ray had shown a fracture of the arm bone which was reduced and POP back cast was applied. Scan of the head had shown collection of blood and hence surgery had become advisable. The attendant, opted for further treatment in JPMC.
Medicines used (worth approx Rs 3000) were provided free of cost, as was the medical treatment. The CT scan cost was subsidized to Rs 2500. This was divided between the coach owner who paid Rs 1800 through his credit card, while Rs 700 was paid through the credit card by another attendant (who works for a news paper). Documented details are available.
The Dawn reporter spoke to the E/R doctor and Dr Shoukat Ali on the telephone and claimed that the patient was being refused. He was told that this was not true and he could come and verify the fact, yet he chose to file an incorrect report.
DR ALI AZMAT ABEDI
Director, Administration, Liaquat National Hospital,
Karachi
THE government has filed sedition cases against Mr Fazlur Rehman of JUI and Qazi Hussain Ahmed of JI. Both of these gentlemen are under house arrest. But it is reported that friends, associates and others are freely visiting these leaders. They are in contact with everyone outside on their phones.
Mr Najam Sethi has predicted in a radio programme that Qazi Hussain Ahmed probably will be out in a month or so, and the case against him would be dropped.
Whether the case is dropped or not, the whole affair seems like a farce. The charge of sedition is one of the most serious charges against any citizen. Such a charge should be made with seriousness and solemnity. If the grounds are not sufficient, such a charge must not be made against any citizen.
If a charge of rebellion is made with seriousness, then the persons charged should not be enjoying comforts in their homes and doing more of the same for which they are already charged.
Some phrases like “law and order”, “crime and punishment”, taken seriously in well-organized and managed societies have unfortunately, lost much of their meaning in our country. Please let us not add words like “rebellion” and “treason” to this sad list.
DANISHMAND
Karachi
ONCE, while I was driving from Denmark to Germany during my annual holidays, I hit a car belonging to a colonel of the Danish army. Naturally, I was frightened to death being in a foreign country.
But to my extreme surprise, the colonel just smiled and asked me about my papers. After making a note of something, he returned the papers and said smilingly, ‘It’s OK, it could happen with anyone.’
That had happened 30 years ago in a foreign country. Today, after reading the news about the mishandling of a press reporter by an army officer on account of a minor traffic accident, I feel more insecure and scared in my own country.
ALIM KHAN
Karachi
ONE doesn’t have to be a Taliban or pro-Taliban to condemn what the Bush administration is perpetrating on the Muslims of the world.
In fact the true intent was revealed at the very outset when Bush called the whole campaign a crusade. Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad was very candid when he boldly described the American campaign as an anti-Muslim affair. One has to be a leader and a statesman of his standing and stature to paint a true picture of American designs.
A. WAHEED KHAN
Lahore
THIS is in reference to a letter entitled “PIA charging for wheelchairs” which was published in Dawn (Nov 18).
The “wheelchair charges,” presently being enforced on a certain international destinations, are due to the massive malpractice of misuse/abuse of this facility by some passengers on PIA’s international sectors, as a result of which the immigration, customs and other agencies of foreign stations have complained repeatedly to PIA regarding the misappropriation of a restricted facility.
According to the handling agents of PIA at foreign stations, a number of healthy looking passengers request for the wheelchair facility without providing any medical certificates, so as to bypass the various procedures / agencies at exit points and consequently, expedite their departure at foreign airports.
As such, the introduction of the wheelchair handling charges is not intended to generate additional revenues for the national airline, but to curtail and eliminate the abuse of this facility. In fact, genuine cases, possessing medical certificates at the time of reservation and check-in, are exempted from these charges.
Moreover, the travelling public is further assured that no charges are being imposed by PIA on its domestic routes.
FARHAT JAMAL
Manager Public Affairs PIA,
Karachi
BRIDGES and flyovers are important landmarks of a city. The Americans speak of the Golden Bridge with a sense of pride and keep it well lit-up at night. The Saudis call their flyovers Kubris and keep it well maintained, glittering and glowing at night. But what do we do with our bridges and flyovers ?
In Karachi, the bridge near Natha Khan bus stop on the airport road has remained plunged in darkness for ages. Driving through it at night is a nightmare. Pavements on either side are in ruins having big holes. In fact, it is a death trap for the pedestrians. The bridge itself requires reinforcement.
The newly constructed flyovers in Liaquatabad and Gulshan invariably remain in pitch darkness. The Landhi bridge over the Malir river is in a shambles. Perhaps it was never repaired since its inauguration. It is hazardous to drive on it at day time, quite perilous to cross it during night.
Speaking of roads, Rashid Minhas Road, with its numerous humps near the COD and Dalmia road, looks like a dark tunnel during the night. The condition of other roads in the city is not any better.
We were told that the civilian governments were thoroughly corrupt and, therefore, no development or welfare work were undertaken. Now it is a military government and the KDA is headed by an ex-Brigadier. But what we see on the roads and the flyovers is not any different.
SAFIR SIDDIQUI
Karachi
I AM an American citizen writing in response to a recent interview given by Osama bin Laden.
I was particularly interested in a comment that Osama made with regard to the American public’s support of the same entity that is massacring Palestinians. He said: “The American people should remember that they pay taxes to their government, they elect their president, their government manufactures arms and gives them to Israel and Israel uses them to massacre Palestinians. The American congress endorses all government measures and this proves that the entire America is responsible for the atrocities perpetrated against Muslims.” It is on this count that I would like to comment.
The American government is an institution that was born in contemptuous deeds. The revered and respected “founding fathers” were all wealthy slave-owners themselves. The country was won on the backbreaking work of its slaves and the conquering of its native inhabitants. It is a story that has been swept under the carpet and replaced with heroic stories of revolution and the “American dream”. In fact, our very constitution was deliberately written to exclude more than half of the population in the colonies at the time it was ratified. It excluded from the political landscape women, blacks, and even whites that had no land.
The political climate in the US has changed now. However, to assume that all of America is at fault for the folly of our government is to overlook the fact that we have almost as little choice as any other citizen of any country.
Osama makes the assumption that Americans have uninhibited freedom to elect government and appoint leaders. He has fallen prey to the rhetoric that has been spewed by the very entity that he despises: corporate America and the American government. The truth is we are all cut from the same cloth. We are all humans who are being forced to live under tyrannical rule, even if the tyranny is disguised in a cloak of democracy and liberty. The people making our policy decisions over here are the same that are making the decisions everywhere else. They are the elite, the privileged, the wealthy. They are not the average citizen or even the majority.
It is very difficult to persuade American public opinion to believe that the government of America is making the wrong decisions. The government and the media work so closely together in this country that United States citizens are never even exposed to the opinion of the other side. In fact, throughout history there is documented US atrocity. This has been true regardless of what choice the people of America make at the voting booth.
BRIAN MCDONALD
Utah, USA
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