| December 5, 2001 | Wednesday | Ramazan 19, 1422 |
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Benazir’s statements on Kashmir
Pakistanis targeted
Bhutto Park
Finance minister’s interview
Repeal of bad laws
NA’s occupation of Kabul
Tragic irony
Palm oil imports
Preventing traffic accidents
Unjustified
FBI at Karachi airport
One-sided US media coverage
IN their article (Nov 26) Swami Agnivesh and Rev. Valson Thampu have pointed towards three major trends that have emerged in the wake of the recent global campaign against terror.
One of these relates to the hypothesis of Samuel Huntington who has prophesied that “the fundamental source of conflict in this new world will not be primarily ideological or primarily economic.... The clash of civilizations will be the battle lines of the future.” Disagreeing with Huntington, the writers rightly say that “the plausibility of this contrived ‘civilizational conflict hypothesis’ depends wholly on human suggestibility.”
Samuel Huntington has divided the world into Christian and Islamic civilizations. They have been depicted as two cultural superpowers. According to him, the next great clash on global level will be civilizational between Islam and Christianity.
These days, however, such a situation does not seem conceivable. First, there does not exist any inter-faith conflict in the world today.
Second, the world has become enlightened and is not ready to indulge itself in religious wars.
Third, the world has become a community in itself, and has evolved the process of forming opinions about its members. The aggressor, howsoever powerful, can hardly afford to disregard world opinion.
Undoubtedly, in modern times, the western countries have become the epitome of scientific knowledge, technological advancement, economic wealth, and military firepower. Intoxicated by this achievement, they have been advancing their own interests as the global agenda through various instruments, like imposing a World Order, shackling developing countries in debt, supporting autocratic rulers, generating coups d’etat around the world, creating rebels against established governments, and dominating over the policies of various international organizations like the United Nations, World Bank, IMF, and the World Trade Organization.
Their lust for power has provided a perception to them that countries at the lower strata of economic and cultural development are fit only to be dictated by them, and that the latter’s resources are to be harnessed in promoting mainly their interests.
So it is not surprising that irritation will continue to exist between the haves and the have-nots of the world. With the virtual end of communism as the ideological opponent of the West, the fundamental source of conflict in this new world will be ‘primarily economic’. Hence, Samuel Huntington’s hypothesis does not hold water.
SYED OSMAN SHER
Toronto, Canada
THE letters of Mr Rehan Isphani (Dec 1) and Mr M. Alam (Dec 3) are unfortunately reflective of the 50-year-old mentality of pro-establishment elements casting doubts on the patriotism of popular political leaders fighting for democracy. Needless to point out that having the support of the people of Pakistan with her, and in the background of the unparalleled sacrifices of the Bhutto family for the rights and freedoms of the people, Benazir Bhutto does not require any certification for her patriotism from these quarters.
The rise of political consciousness of the people is always irreversible. The rational approach is fast replacing sentimental frenzy. We saw a clear display of this phenomena during the Afghan crisis, when the establishment of the country made an about-turn from its old position and adopted what Benazir Bhutto had been advocating long since.
The extremist magazines, press releases and reports of the religious right, which has enjoyed continued backing of the establishment for years, are full of reports of their “adventures” in freedom struggles, although most of it appears to be imaginary. The Interior Minister has been pointing out again and again that funds were being collected and misappropriated by these organizations in the name of Jihad.
Heavens won’t fall if Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto points out that such activities were damaging our principled stand on Kashmir in the eyes of the world and should be stopped? Her patriotism is questioned if she insists that non-representative foreign elements with their own agendas should not be allowed to sideline the genuine representatives of the people of Kashmir, the All Parties Hurriyat Conference. The lessons of Afghanistan have been forgotten even before the war has ended. In the post-Kargil period, the Indian atrocities in Kashmir are being completely overlooked by the world, while their propaganda that we were the aggressors is gaining support. This has been a big setback. It is imperative that this situation is reversed.
Hollow sentimentalism, refusal to talk and put across your argument eloquently with reasoning, followed by quick capitulation, and then hastily forgetting tragedies and picking up new causes to accommodate the sentimental approach have done gross damage to our genuine causes. This happened in East Pakistan and nobody cares to even read the Hamoodur Rahman Commission Report, leave aside discussing it and implementing its recommendations.
This happened at Kargil. This is happening to the policy of our establishment in Afghanistan. There is some substance in the argument that Saddam Hussain is the reason for the American armed presence in the Gulf and the Taliban have paved the way for their entry in Central Asia. Kashmir is a matter of life and death for us and above all a genuine cause on which we had the whole world supporting us in the past.
We cannot afford to let the sentimental approach of unrepresentative adventurists turn the world against us.
TAJ HAIDER
Secretary, Information Pakistan Peoples Party
Karachi
AMONG the various nationalities detained for investigation in the US for the September 11th terrorist attacks, Pakistanis top the list. Pakistanis are facing the most stringent curbs for visas worldwide. We read about businesses and exports being affected due to this.
This is particularly regrettable because none of the 19 hijackers identified on the September 11 flights was of Pakistani origin, and none of the linkages in US investigative reports to date have pointed towards Pakistanis.
RAFI AHMED
Karachi
BHUTTO Park, as it is commonly known, is located right on the Airport Highway in Chaklala. It has a number of trees and a couple of stone benches.
On normal days, at least 50 boys are there enjoying cricket and several adults take a breather from the choking environs of the congested Rahimabad nearby.
Recently a signboard appeared declaring the park a site for a CNG station and half of it has been cordoned off. That part of the park incidentally was more green.
What really surprises me is how a park can be converted into a commercial site without a whimper. The people responsible for this must be very audacious. The Nazim is doing nothing about it.
Will somebody take notice please.
MAJOR ASAD JANJUA
Rawalpindi
IN PTV’s Newsnight programme (Nov 28), Finance Minister Shaukat Aziz seemed uncharacteristically distraught while answering questions posed by his interviewers. Reason: the perception about Pakistan’s economy held by the Finance Minister differed radically from that of the interviewers.
These interviewers, who touch base with the harsh ground realities everyday in their interaction with the common man, pointed out time and again that the wait for the promised improvement in the lot of the common man had been over-stretched. Towards the end of the interview, while the Finance Minister was explaining how the Rs 13 billion worth of grants will change things and create 0.8 million jobs, the compare asked him in utter desperation “when will all this happen?”
The disturbing aspect of the episode was that the Finance Minister, known for his smooth-talking, appeared unconscious of the frustration that has been brewing for the last two years. Obviously, he doesn’t realize that things have gone from bad to worse while he has been focusing his energies in one direction - meeting external debt commitments. The proof thereof is that while the economy was going down the hill, he was named “The Finance Minister of the Year” by the British magazine Euromoney. Ordinary Pakistanis find it hard to understand what the award signifies because, to them, the harsh economic realities remain unchanged.
People don’t seem to believe that this government will resolve their problems because it has done virtually nothing even in relatively inexpensive but commonly visible areas such as repairs of the sewerage systems, roads, streets and streetlights, water and power supply, and the conditions of existing schools, colleges, and hospitals.
The elected Nazims complain about not having funds to improve these services in spite of the government’s claim that the tax revenue has risen significantly. Where then is that money going? This state of affairs will de-rail the process of change initiated by the government to transform Pakistan’s.
The failure of local governments will be exploited to the hilt by the country’s rejected politicians in the elections scheduled for October 2002.
The Finance Minister should know that sweet-talk alone doesn’t work in a vastly problematic country like Pakistan. People want visible results, some in the areas cited above, and not mere promises.
A.B. SHAHID
Karachi
NOW that the General has made up his mind to deal with the fundamentalists, it’s time he acted to repeal the bad laws. These include the blasphemy law, the Hudood Ordinance, separate electorates for religious minorities and the quota system.
The ‘religion’ column from the passport and other government documents should be removed. A well paid local police force should be employed to eradicate corruption from the police, to combat crime and ensure security of life and property to all the citizens.
SYED NOOMAN NAQVI
Euless, USA
SOME Pakistanis think that the commander of the Northern Alliance would not have occupied Kabul if President Bush had not given him a nod but this seems unlikely.
As the US needs a peaceful and stable Afghanistan because of its interest in the oil and gas resources of the Central Asian states, why would President Bush want Kabul to be under the NA when it is common knowledge that history will repeat itself and civil war will be inevitable? If he wanted the NA in Kabul, he did not need to agree with President Musharraf for a broad-based multi-ethnic government in Afghanistan. As things stand, Pakistan’s support is vital.
JALAL AHMED
Karachi
THIS is with reference to the letter of Rafi Ahmad (27 Nov). In the last para of his letter he observes, “It is a tragic irony of fate that these Pakistanis, who had gone to Afghanistan with a mission, were killed by fellow Muslims”.
I would rather say that “It is a tragic irony of fate that these Pakistanis, who had gone to Afghanistan with the mission of killing fellow Muslims, were killed by their would-be victims, the fellow Muslims.”
JUSTICE SALAHUDDIN MIRZA
Karachi
THE report (Nov 27) about the total monthly palm oil imports into Pakistan is not based on facts. It appears that the source giving the exaggerated figures has not taken into account the availability of other edible oils, such as cotton seed oil and soyabean oil, while computing RBD palm oil imports into Pakistan at 220,000 tons per month.
Pakistan’s cotton crop is estimated to be over 10 million bales this year, meaning thereby that around 480,000 tons or say 40,000 tons per month of cotton seed oil would be available. Similarly, the Trading Corporation of Pakistan has imported 75,000 tons of soyabean oil under the US Aid Programme and another 60,000 tons of soyabean oil will be made available by the USA under budgetary support. Another 125,000 tons of soyabean oil would be imported. As a result, the total availability of edible oil from all the said sources mentioned above would be about 740,000 tons or say around 1,670 tons per month.
Pakistan’s import of palm oil from Malaysia has not exceeded 137,000 tons a month during the year 2001. According to the assessment made by the Pakistan Vanaspati, Manufacturers Association (PVMA), the import of palm oil would not exceed 150,000 tons per month in any case because of the availability of edible oil from other sources.
DR GHULAM M. SAMDARS Secretary, PVMA,
Islamabad
THE Sindh government has decided to issue computerized driving licences. Such driving licences are being issued in Lahore and Islamabad as well.
The main concern of the issuing authorities should be to eliminate corruption and to devise a system which can prevent the issue of licences to those who cannot drive according to the relevant laws. At present there is no system to gauge the knowledge of applicants about road signs, road sense and safety rules as practical driving tests are conducted in a closed premises and not on the road.
Unfortunately, we have not been able to cultivate a culture of “road courtesy” among drivers. Traffic scuffles are very common in our big cities. Drivers take pride in breaking the traffic laws, overspeeding and harassing the female drivers.
It is a common observation that wagon drivers come from rural areas with tractor driving experience and become drivers of passenger lorries overnight, with the connivance of concerned authorities. Moreover, hardly any rickshaw is equipped with break lights and indicators. Our traffic police is always ready to nab the people instead of ensuring a smooth flow of traffic.
The main concern should be to develop a proper traffic culture which can minimize traffic accidents.
SAEED NASIR
Auckland, New Zealand
ON the one hand, the Taliban would not hand over a person who is their guest because of their “traditions”.
But, on the other hand, they deserted hundreds of fellow brothers who came to help them in the time of need, to be butchered by their foes. Is it cowardice, selfishness, politics or sheer hypocrisy?
RAZA SHAH
Sacramento, USA
WITH the computers at Karachi airport directly linked to FBI headquarters in the USA, there is little else to say about the degree of sovereignty of the land of the pure.
It remains to be seen what new heights of national dignity can this great nation of ours achieve in the days to come.
A. S. NIZAMANI
Malaysia
OVER the past two weeks, the world has been repeatedly shocked by the most recent paroxysm of violence emanating from the tortured holy land. Over the weekend, we witnessed yet another series of suicide bombings that killed over two dozen innocent civilians and wounded another 200 Israelis.
Similarly, over the past two weeks, we have seen nearly the same number of Palestinians killed by Israeli bullets, missiles, tank fire, and bombs in the still-occupied West Bank and Gaza Strip. The death of innocent civilians must always be unequivocally condemned, in New York and Washington, DC, as well as in Jerusalem and Haifa, Bethlehem and Gaza.
Unfortunately, much of our mainstream media in the US has — consciously or unconsciously — made a qualitative decision about the value of Israeli and Palestinian lives. In short, it appears that our media have concluded that Israeli lives are somehow more precious — that their untimely deaths are somehow more tragic — than their Palestinian counterparts.
As a result, media coverage of these recent events in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories reflects this value discrepancy. In the vast majority of cases (in print, television, and radio media), coverage of the shocking suicide bombings in Jerusalem and Haifa has been quite sensational, emotional, subjective, and utterly one-sided.
CNN, for instance, wasted no time in parading one Israeli right-winger after another before the camera, with reporter Jerrold Kessel allowing each to spew unchallenged hatred and venom at the Palestinians. Horrified bystanders and survivors are interviewed, and images of grieving families burying their loved ones are ubiquitous. It is easy to sympathize with these people, because the human dimensions of their tragedies are painted for us in vivid fashion.
The senseless killing of any civilians — Israeli or Palestinian — is utterly deplorable. But by reading, viewing, or listening to most media coverage, one would be led to mistakenly believe that only Israelis are dying. Where were the reporters when five Palestinian youngsters — aged 6 to 13 and all from the same extended family were blown to bits on November 22 while walking to school in a Gaza Strip refugee camp? Their tiny bodies were shattered — not by a suicide bomber — but rather by explosives deliberately planted by the Israeli army near their school.
Where were the interviews with the eyewitnesses who collected their body parts and backpacks? Where were the interviews with their parents, teachers, and classmates? Where were the pictures of the crying mothers, fathers, brothers, and sisters?
Why the double standard? Are Palestinians not human beings, too? The disparity of media coverage of their stories and their untimely deaths — whether intentional or not — only serves to dehumanize them and render them mere abstractions, numbers without names, faces, or identities.
As a physician, I have been taught to value each and every life that is under my care. I learn to put aside personal prejudices and preferences in order to provide each individual with the best care possible. It goes without saying that to subscribe to this philosophy, one must believe in the inherent equality of life. All life is priceless. A Palestinian life and an Israeli life have the same value. Except, that is, in the lens of our media’s cameras, the microphones of our television reporters and pundits, and the pens of our print journalists. How very sad.
RIAD Z. ABDELKARIM
Anaheim, US
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