| December 4, 2001 | Tuesday | Ramazan 18, 1422 |
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Supporting the silent majority
Consumer rights
India’s IT export
Utility bills
Sept 11 attack: some questions
Cable internet
Questions for Benazir
Battle against diabetes
Registration of shipping bills
Child soldiers
US attitude
Banks and borrowers
I ALWAYS enjoy reading Ayaz Amir’s Friday columns and generally find myself nodding in agreement as I read them. Sadly, this Friday (Nov 30) I found myself disagreeing with some of the things that he has said.
Ayaz Amir attacks the liberal and rational opinion in Pakistan saying that “now of course, all the rage in Pakistan is for settling matters with the ‘extremists’ ... Now,” it is being said “is the time to move against them”. It is indeed time to move against religious zealotry that has been tearing our country apart. And what does Ayaz Amir wish to imply by putting the word extremists within quotation marks - does he mean to say that these zealots are not extremists and violent fanatics? Our country and our people have suffered too long at their hands.
It is not only just members of the liberal and educated middle classes but every class has suffered. The worst sufferers are workers on daily wages who, when they are prevented from going to work, have to starve. All our people have suffered from the intimidatory tactics of these fanatics.
Furthermore, far too many have lost their lives in sectarian killings - both Sunnis and Shias - at the hands of these fanatics. They want to intimidate the whole of society to demonstrate their power.
The ‘religious’ parties regularly call for strikes which are invariably ‘successful’ because the fear of violence and arson that forces shopkeepers to close their shutters and buses, cars and taxis have to be taken off the roads for fear that they will be burnt down. These people who wear the garb of religious devotion go on the rampage already from the day before the announced strike, as a warning! Having failed dismally in the electoral arena, they have only one option - violence and intimidation. Given that context of our situation at home, what does Ayaz Amir think the defeated and therefore deeply embittered and angry returning Pakistani Taliban, who are dangerously well-armed and battle-hardened, will do on their return? Will they go to the nearest mosque and pray for Allah’s forgiveness for all the terrible things that they have done?
This threat no doubt is uppermost in the minds of most honest Pakistanis and fills them with deep worry and concern. What will our authorities do to reassure our people? For too long, the successive governments have lived in fear and therefore they have been unwilling to take on the zealots. It is time to take decisive action before it is too late. Our beleaguered people hope and pray that the government will not only disarm every returning Pakistani Taliban but also disarm all the religious groups and close down their training camps. Now is the time to act to take us back to an era of peace.
HAMZA ALAVI
Karachi
PRESIDENT Musharraf had recently commented on the citizens’ complacency and their silence over the recent demonstrations and strikes due to the Afghan war. The General has asked the silent majority to break their silence and stand up and be counted and show to the world that Pakistan is a moderate and progressive nation.
But the fact is that even the city administration has failed to support the silent majority and refuses to give them permission to hold rallies, walks and demonstrations, on the grounds that they might create a “law and order” situation.
The government must protect the fundamental rights of all citizens and examine the blasphemy laws and ensure that they are not misused. It must remove the cancer of corruption and establish the concept of “good citizenship”. Good governance would encourage the citizens to be mindful of their moral and social responsibilities. If they receive the basic facilities, which is their fundamental right, they would pay their taxes and invest in the country. The government must establish the process of accountability and a code of conduct in all government departments and stop the misuse and abuse of authority and public funds and eliminate the VIP culture.
In this connection, it is suggested that the government should establish a President’s task force for good governance through an Ordinance. The TF would be given the responsibility to establish, implement and monitor the activities of the committees relating to judicial and police reforms, law and order, traffic, education, health, consumer protection and patient’s rights, civic agencies and the environment.
For the purpose of transparency, the government must publish a white paper, giving details of the financial package that the international community has made available to Pakistan and as to how it would be utilized.
This act would enhance the government’s image and win the confidence of the citizens of Pakistan and the international community in the present regime.
So if the General wants the silent majority to play its due role and stand up and be counted, which it should, then the government must win their confidence by enforcing its authority to establish good governance and the rule of law with a firm hand. It must send a clear signal to all lawbreakers that they will be punished for destroying life and property and for trying to impose their will and views on other people.
A.H. MAKER
Karachi
THIS is with reference to a story titled “Consumer rights being left out” by Baqir Sajjad Syed (Nov 28). The write-up reveals the indifference of the government agencies towards consumer rights.
The plea of the Pakistan Council for Research on Water Resources (PCRWR) that they excluded the consumer groups because of their imposing and dictatorial attitude, is not acceptable. Rather, it would have been much better if PCRWR would have come up with a code for their collaboration with consumer groups. In case PCRWR took the decision because of a very large number of consumer groups wanting to collaborate in the testing exercise, I would suggest that the Council could set up standards for collaborating groups and only those coming up to the required standards should be included.
The second part of the story relates to the working of some PCRWR officials as consultants with bottling companies. This deserves attention of the government agencies.
The government should also address the problem of non-implementation of the findings of the tests. The unfit products should be removed from the market immediately without any further delay, as the health of consumers is at stake.
ALI BASIL
Rawalpindi
I WAS astonished to know that India’s IT (Information Technology) export in the first six months of this fiscal year rose by 30 per cent to touch $4.6 billion and is targeted to achieve $10.5 billion in 2001-02. Last year India’s IT exports were $8 billion.
Thus, India’s IT exports this year will be more than the total export of Pakistan. It is relevant to note that India has a deficit merchandise trade balance of $6 billion but due to the export of invisible services like IT, it is enjoying a surplus foreign trade balance for the last two years.
It should be an eye-opener for Pakistan.
SULEMAN ALLANA
Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
THE bills for telephone, gas and electricity charges are issued on different days of the month and the dates for payments are also different. Because of this procedure, it is difficult for a consumer to keep a constant track of the dates and invariably an odd payment is missed, not to mention the problem of visiting the payment centres for three days in a month.
I request the government to direct the departments concerned to fix one date for the payment of all utility bills.
ABDUL HAMEED KHAN
Karachi
THE Washington Times story that the devastation caused to the World Trade Centre and the Pentagon on September 11 was not the act of suicide pilots but of the spy planes controlled by advanced robotics and remote controlled technology, has added a new dimension to the whole episode. Leaving the issue for the experts to analyse, there is a lot more in this report to draw our attention.
According to the US Army’s School of Advanced Military Studies (SAMS), Israel has the technology to perform such an act. The report terms Mossad, the Israeli intelligence service as a wildcard, ruthless and cunning and having the capability to target US forces and make it look like a Palestinian/Arab act. The report raises many pertinent questions like, how did the FBI find out the names of 19 hijackers while the eyewitnesses had been killed and how did it come to know that the passengers having Muslim names were the hijackers?
Identifying a culprit in such ghastly incidents is not as easy a task as the US intelligence made it. While pinpointing Osama bin Laden they considered no hypothesis or any other alternatives and possibilities. Blaming bin Laden and Al Qaeda for the crime was perhaps already marked in the FBI files.
The same was the case with picking up 19 Muslim names at random and dubbing them hijackers. Why did not the US authorities release the manifest of the four crashed planes giving the names of all the passengers, their religion and countries of origin? This would have given the world at large an opportunity to draw their conclusions as to who else among the passengers could be the possible hijackers.
RAFI NASIM
Lahore
THE demand for Internet is growing day by day in the country and the government is also making all efforts to provide access to Internet in all the cities. The present system of having access to the Internet through modem and local telephone line irritates the users as often the telephone line is disconnected during browsing and the users have to re-connect, which also inflates their telephone bills.
In developed countries, the users are provided with cable Internet facility which provides them access to the Internet round- the-clock with a fixed monthly charge. Some amateurs and non-professionals in Karachi have also introduced the cable Internet system in some localities which is working successfully. They provide round-the-clock access to the Internet through a cable connection for Rs 500 per month.
If the amateurs can provide this facility to their subscribers, then why not the PTCL itself? This would reduce the monthly telephone bills of the subscribers and, at the same time, the PTCL would earn additional revenue.
SYED A. MATEEN
Karachi
MS BENAZIR Bhutto’s recent visit to India and her meeting with the high-ups there raise a few questions. What does she want to gain from her visit? What type of message does she want to convey and to whom? Was it the proper time to visit India when Pakistan is facing a host of problems with New Delhi?
M. ASGHAR CH.
Okara
THIS is with reference to the news item (Nov 17) highlighting Wasim Akram’s involvement in the battle against diabetes.
The major obstacle in Pakistan to a successful war on diabetes is the lack of basic knowledge about the disease. When I was first diagnosed some years ago, my initial reaction, as I now realize is common among diabetics, was that it was the end of my life.
This is why it is so heartening that a cricketer of international repute like Wasim Akram, a fellow diabetic, together with Aventis Pharma has offered his services to undertake a mission to inform the diabetics that despite suffering from this disease, a person can continue to enjoy an outstandingly successful life. Wasim Akram’s joining this mission is a tremendous morale booster for all diabetics.
His public-spirited gestures deserve commendation, as does the role of Aventis Pharma in training healthcare professionals and educating patients.
As a long time diabetic, I was privileged to attend a session of the Amaryl Club, a support group for diabetics and their family members organized by Aventis Pharma. I was very impressed by this initiative taken by a pharmaceutical company to educate victims of this fast spreading disease about the proper disease management, such as diet, exercise and correct medication.
The company also arranged a free HBAIC blood test for all the participants, which gives a comprehensive three-month picture of blood glucose levels and helps my doctor better treat my disease.
I for one, wish them all success in their efforts and strongly urge my fellow diabetics not to take the disease lying down.
MOHAMMAD SALAHUDDIN KHAN
Karachi
KINDLY refer to the letter (Nov 24). Mr A.E. Motiwala has requested in the letter for an amendment in the timing of registration of shipping bills.
In this regard, it is clarified that the timing of registration of shipping bills for processing of the documents has already been made as under:
Monday to Thursday and Saturday from 9.00 a.m. to 3.00 p.m. against the payment of Rs 65 per shipping bill; and up to 5 p.m. against the payment of Rs 300 per shipping bill.
On Friday from 9.00 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. against the payment of Rs 65 per shipping bill. From 12.30 p.m. to 2.00 p.m. it is Namaz-e-Juma break. From 2.00 p.m. to 4.00 p.m. against the payment of Rs 300/- per shipping bill.
MUHAMMAD TAHIR
Karachi
AMONG the many excesses and human rights abuses in the Afghan war is the use of child soldiers. Both the boys of the Nothern Alliance holding a gun in the photograph (Nov 24) look under 15 years. Hundreds possibly thousands of such child soldiers have been recruited by the Alliance to fight. But the US and the Western media are silent on this, as on other war crimes.
The Taliban have also been guilty of recruiting child soldiers. In the past, children were sent from madressahs in Pakistan to take part in the Afghan conflict. However the Taliban did give an assurance to a western delegation that the boys were not under 15.
There is no justification whatsoever for adults to recruit children to fight the war for them. However, many children are being recruited in Asia and Africa where the problem is most acute. Now international consensus is growing against the use of children as soldiers. Recently, the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child prohibited governments and armed groups from using children under the age of 18 in hostilities. We need to generate awareness about this problem through the media and other channels. Let’s not forget, Pakistan government recruits children under 18.
ABDUL RAZAK,
Islamabad
THIS is with reference to Khurshid Anwer’s letter “Change in attitude” (Nov 27).
Pakistan was duly paid the price for having joined the US in the war against terrorism (or rather not joining its protege, the Taliban in the war). If Mr Anwer thinks that the Americans would continue to pamper Pakistan (long after they had gotten what they wanted), he is surely mistaken.
HARISH IYER
India
THIS is in response to the letter, “Defaulted bank loans’ (Nov 28). To put the blame on the banks and their practices for the “bad loans” would be taking the easy way out, without shedding light on other factors which have also contributed towards the crisis that the banking industry faces today. There are cases where clients have taken undue advantage of certain loopholes in the existing banking laws to outsmart the banks instead of keeping their commitment and repaying their debt to them.
A case in point is a loan given to a client after obtaining liquid security in the form of SSCs (Special Savings Certificates). The value of the collateral at the time of loan sanctioned was more than sufficient to cover both the principal of the loan and the mark-up. However, during the tenure of the loan at some point, the client decided not to repay the bank, hence the loan went into default.
The bank took the plea that the client is not fulfilling its part of the agreement, and that mark-up is being accrued upon mark-up due to non-payment. But since the client had already decided not to repay the bank, it took advantage of the fact that mark-up upon mark-up is “Haram” in Islam. This new twist threw the entire case into the Shariat Court. Since then, four years have elapsed but to no avail.
The point to be noted is that during all this time, the client had been earning profit on the SSCs held by the bank as security, which the client never objected to. Is this “Halal”? How can one thing be Haram for the bank and Halal for the client?
Yet in another instance, loan was granted against the security of the property, which covered the loan in its entirety; however the repayment was stopped at some point and the loan went into default. The bank approached the court for a verdict, but due to the availability of various loopholes in the existing system, the mala fide intentions of the borrower, not to mention the numerous postponements due to one reason or the other, the litigation dragged on.
In the meantime, the bank ends up being the real loser as the earning of the bank on the loan stops from the time the case is filed, whereas the property of the borrower being held as security by the bank appreciates in value with the duration of the case, until the final decision.
The upshot is that in most cases, the clients have also taken advantage of the situation by involving the banks in unnecessary litigation. The above two cases demonstrate clearly how the mala fide intentions of the borrowers can take the banks for an easy ride. So it’s not just “poor depositors” but “poor banks” as well.
U.N. ABEDIN
Karachi
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