| December 10, 2001 | Monday | Ramazan 24, 1422 |
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Good riddance
Formation of re-insurance pool
SPSC’s inefficiency
Joint electorate
Promotion of quackery
PTCL dividend cheques
Biharis in Bangladesh
Cable Internet
University exams
Endowments for Karachi University
Candid comments
Lyari Expressway
IN the midst of the Afghan imbroglio, the most positive note is the warming up of relations between Iran and Pakistan. The traditional Pak-Iran ties came under strain during the Taliban rule in Afghanistan.
The Iranian Foreign Minister Kharazi, during his visit to Islamabad, stated that differences had existed but those were “behind us”, and that “we are entering a new era of relations”.
Pakistan and Iran have a real stake in the shape of things that will decide about the future of Afghanistan. The vital concern for the two countries, as pointed out by Dr Kharazi, is the proposed reconstruction and rehabilitation process in Afghanistan.
The US and its coalition partner, Britain, have their own stakes there. India and Russia are also clamouring for their share. It is important for Pakistan to frame its policy in close consultation with Iran.
With President General Pervez Musharraf’s China visit this month, Pakistan is set to cement its position with traditional allies, which is a must in the wake of the fast changing regional situation. Pakistan’s better ties with Iran, and more closeness with China, will bring political and economic benefits.
China has announced 25 million dollars’ package for the textile sector. Pakistan and China have also signed an agreement on the Saindak project and another agreement on developing the coal reserves in Thar is expected during the President’s visit. China has also assured Pakistan, its cooperation in exploring oil reserves in the country.
MOMINA RAZA ZAHID
Karachi
WE should be thankful to the Americans that they halted the process of Talibanization of Pakistani society by routing the Talibans in Afghanistan. One shudders to think the very shape things could have taken if they had emerged victors and exported their brand of Islam to our country.
The gravity of the situation from this incident, which took place a few days ago in my city. An active member of a Jihadi outfit was caught red-handed while committing robbery. The story has it that he stole a motorcycle from a house.
After a few days, he came again to the same street in order to commit robbery along with his gang. But the owner of the stolen motorcycle recognized the sound of the robber’s bike. As a result of a fight between them, the ‘mujahid’ was caught and handed over to the police.
During interrogation, he confessed to his earlier cases of theft and admitted that he belonged to a well-known Jihadi organization and that he had been trained in Afghanistan.
Would those who are never tired of appealing for Jihad across the world consider the matter? Here is a lesson for us all.
AMANAT ALI
Hujra Shah Muqeem
Okara
THIS refers to the report (Dec 1) regarding the formation of a re-insurance pool which the Finance Minister has agreed in principle.
While the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) must have their own justification for recommending the formation of the pool, the insurance operators do not appear to be well aware of the circumstances which have led the SECP to adopt such a course.
It is quite apparent that such an action was taken following the notice served by the international re-insurers to warn the insurance companies that in view of the situation developed in our area after the Sept 11 events, they would not be able to support the re-insurance of political risks (riot, strike damage, civil commotion and terrorism).
On inquiry it has been noted that while some of the insurers got panicky, the others were not alarmed at all and did not formally move any forum including their own Association (IAP).
It is also learnt that the SECP has formed a task force to make recommendations on the issue. The circumstances leading to the formation of the task force and its composition appear to be hazy. No collective representation seems to have been made by the insurers as some of them have serious reservation regarding the formation of the “pool”. There is still time to review the position as the Ministry of Commerce, the proper authority which has been dealing with the subject of insurance so far, has yet to concur with the scheme of the “pool”.
Introduction of the “pool” scheme without working out the operational details and obtaining general agreement of the market would create serious problems. It is preferable to let the market come out with a viable solution or suggestions for the consideration of the government.
For the sake of good order, the general acceptance in the insurance market and to give all players a sense of participation, the data in respect of premium and losses, market practices, tariff situation, practical problems and outcome of the dealings of some market players with re-insurers should be given due consideration before finalization of such a scheme.
FARHAT RABBANI
Karachi
THOUGH the Sindh Public Service Commission (SPSC) has recently increased its test fee, it has not shown any improvement in its working. It is very common with the SPSC to dispatch interview letters to the candidates very late and this often results in the candidates losing the opportunity to have a good career.
Currently, the SPSC is conducting viva voce for the posts of lecturers. The candidates had submitted application forms for these posts three months ago. When those who had not received any intimation came to know about it from other sources, they went to the SPSC personally to collect the call letters.
Such inefficiency was also displayed by SPSC last year during the Combined Competitive Examinations, 2000, when a candidate received his admit card two days after the exams had concluded!
Such an irresponsible attitude of the SPSC is not commensurate with what they extort from the candidates in the form of test fee, which is Rs 500.
SHAIQ BHUTTO
Karachi
COME January, the process of return to democracy will start gathering momentum. If, hopefully, this is not to be a repetition of previous failed journeys in our quest to establish a durable, pluralistic society we will have to change our mindsets and firmly embrace principles like unwavering justice, honesty, integrity and respect for all human beings equally.
These core values are indeed the essence of real democracy, be they enshrined in the Covenant of Madina or find reflection in the constitutions of modern states. Without cleaving to them and practising them we can neither have a democratic system in the true sense of the word nor, consequently, find our true place in the comity of nations and thus wield the influence in world affairs that we deserve and so ardently desire.
One doesn’t need to over emphasize that the cornerstone of a democratic dispensation is the imperative equality of all citizens in the state they constitute. The first guarantee for this is that they (the citizens) participate equally in the entire political process. This calls for discarding the abhorrent system of separate electorate and move back to the electoral procedure of joint electorate, a norm jealously guarded in the civilized world, as was the case since the inception of Pakistan until falling victim to the machinations of a despotic hand.
M.J.AS’AD
Karachi
THIS is in reference to Dr S.A. Yousaf’s letter (Dec 3) on promotion of quackery by FM100.
The PMA is on record of protesting against all forms of quackery. On several occasions the PMA has also voiced strong protest against malpractices by qualified medical practitioners. FM100 is a reputable radio station and PMA appreciates its services that it is rendering through is weekly one-hour programme, FM100 clinic. The programme broadcasted by FM100 clinic has always been of standard and since 1996 not a single complaint has come from any quarter.
The PMA has also participated in several FM100 clinic programmes. The electronic media is a very powerful medium in influencing healthy practices among the people.
Programmes that advocate specific treatments are harmful. The PMA strongly advises the FM100 management to stop such programmes immediately and save the people from falling into the hands of quacks.
DR HABIB SOOMRO
General Secretary, PMA
Karachi
WE, the minority shareholders, request the Secretary, PTCL, to arrange to make the dividend cheques of his company also payable at Karachi.
The last dividend was paid by the PTCL through cheques payable at Islamabad. It was almost a total loss to the minority shareholders because the Karachi banks levied a clearance charge of Rs 150 per cheque of Rs 222. Thus we received Rs 77 only.
It may be mentioned that all other companies situated outside Karachi, send a cheque payable at their bank branches at Karachi or any other town of Pakistan.
SHABBIR H. SAIFY
Karachi
THIS refers to the letter by Mustafa Mahesar (Dec 1). I fully support the writer’s view and sentiments. Let’s follow it through. Almost 30 years ago, the West Pakistani politicians and rulers abandoned the “Biharis” living in Bangladesh and things have not changed much.
My advice to the offspring of the people of Bihar origin in Bangladesh is to take a hard look at the situation and to analyze it. The message from the West (now Pakistan) is clear. Biharis in Bangladesh are not welcome and they have to decide for themselves. I am not sure why do they call themselves “Biharis”. For the same reason, no one in Pakistan is a “Mohajir”. All these terms promote insecurity and low self-esteem.
I wonder why it is easy to long for and accept the nationality of other countries such as Canada, the USA, Britain etc without hesitation. The main reason being that they welcome and provide us with opportunities to better ourselves. So why is it wrong for young “Biharis” in Bangladesh to be a Bangladeshi? In most cases most of them have never been in Bihar.
I was born in Bihar, raised and educated in both the East and West wings of Pakistan, and now living happily in Canada for more than 30 years. I hold dual nationality of both Canada and Pakistan, and maintain my heritage as a “Bihari”. My children are first and foremost Canadian, and hold Pakistani values and Bihari cultures. They have best of all the worlds.
My plea to the so-called “Bihari” elders is to let the young persons decide for themselves.
HUMAYOUN AKHTAR
Ontario, Canada
THIS refers to a letter (Dec 4) about cable Internet by Syed A. Mateen. PTCL would like to clarify that it has nothing to do with the provision of Internet on cable TV services to customers. Internet and Cable TV service providers are providing such services in an open competitive environment. PTCL only provides internet infrastructure to all private sector partners.
All cable operators providing Internet services have got licenses from the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA). Like others, PTCL is one of the cable TV licensees. PTCL is planning to initiate its own project to provide cable TV services to the customers but in a highly professional manner meeting quality standards.
The plans are at an initial stage and will be made public as soon as we are ready and when we are confident of the quality of service.
ATHER JAVED SUFI
PTCL, Karachi
THE Peshawar University M.A. / MSc examinations in Economics for the year 2001, were held under two separate schedules, one for the hilly areas and the other for the plain areas, with a short interval of only 15 days. This was a bad experience for the students of the hilly areas, due to two different standards of the question papers set by the same university for the same examination.
The two papers of M.A. Economics (Previous), that is, Paper-1 Micro Economics and Paper-2 Macro Economics, reflected a highly regrettable case of double standards. These papers set for the students of the hilly areas, were more difficult and technical as compared to those set for the students of the plain areas. This discriminatory treatment has created great resentment among the students and their parents.
Now appropriate compensatory measures should be taken by the university in the form of lenient marking in the papers of Micro and Macro Economics of M.A. Economics (Previous) for the hilly areas.
AFFECTED
Abbottabad
DELIVERING his presidential address at the 16th annual convocation of the Karachi University recently, Sindh Governor Mohammedmian Soomro asked the university to increase its endowments in order to make it self-reliant and viable.
The KU graduates are spread all over the world. A lot of them are now big names in business, banking, science, computers, and so many other disciplines. Most of them would help their alma mater and increase its endowments. One would not be surprised if a few of them also offer establishing special endowment funds. Initially, all they may need is how the KU is faring these days and where to deposit their own contributions or the endowments raised from others. The following steps might enhance the KU efforts in this regard:
Special supplements (in Urdu and English) may be published in leading newspapers, detailing KU history, its existing departments and institutes and the special projects already completed or those under consideration and awaiting funds.
Special accounts with Pakistani banks within the country and abroad may be opened. Special coupons of Rs 100, Rs 500 and Rs 1000 denomination may also be printed and sold through financial institutions.
Business and industry are in a better position to make big contributions if they are convinced of the KU programme and projects.
This will require frequent close liaison with them. KU research projects may be developed in consultation with the business and industry and the final papers / reports may be shared with them.
M. BASHIR CHAUDHRY
Karachi
AYAZ Amir deserves thanks for his fearless and candid comments on the current situation vis-a-vis Afghanistan in his Islamabad Diary (Nov 30). He has correctly reflected the sentiments of the majority of citizens.
The author is quite right when he says “This has not been the Ummah’s proudest hour but if the Muslims kings, despots and assorted dictators who make up this common wealth still do not wake up, there will be no stopping the American steamroller set in motion by September 11, attacks”.
This should be an eye-opener to the so called “Silent majority”.
R.R. ALVI
Lahore
IN response to the letter “Lyari Expressway” (Nov 24), the National Highway Authority (NHA) states that the apprehensions expressed by the writer are not based on facts considering the precise planning and high quality design of the expressway.
As a matter of fact, all the points were given a very careful and analytical consideration at the conception / planning stage and well taken care of. As explained through the print and electronic media a number of times before, the Lyari Expressway has not been conceived simply as a road facility only but a multi-faceted and inescapable civic, social and commercial necessity for the residents of Karachi.
The Lyari Expressway is indeed high on priority of the governments (both federal and provincial) and is being accorded the attention it deserves. Dissension between the two governments is inconceivable. There is no reason for any misgivings in this regard and if there are any in the mind of some quarters for whatever reasons these must be allayed. Had it not been so, the project would have been conveniently shelved before approval. Commercial facilities / structures such as markets, shopping centres/plazas and warehouses are already planned to be shifted along the Northern Bypass for which the government of Sindh is poised. Moreover, installation of three-sewage treatment plants and garbage re-cycling facilities are already part of the Expressway project.
The Government of Sindh and the NHA are fully aware of the needs of dislocation and re-settlement process and these will be met in every possible manner and to every possible extent. Re-settlements would precede the construction process and the Government of Sindh would adjust genuine slum dwellers/affectees in the best possible manner. Since every facility to be created around the Lyari Expressway, be it civic, social or commercial would come up in a planned and organized manner, exploitation by the land mafia, pressure groups and other notorious elements would not be allowed.
The basic cause of degradation of the inner-city was the negligence and short-sightedness of the previous administrations which could not look beyond their own interests and lacked the will to take concrete steps in order to stem the rot. The fact that a certain problem had grown out of proportion or gone beyond manageable limit doesn’t imply that the problem be ignored to gradually grow into a volcano. A stage had arrived beyond which the city had no capacity to withstand the un-ending and multi-dimensional problems caused by years after years of neglect.
Believing in the maxim better late than never, the present government is determined to do whatever possible, within the available resources, to transform the city and both Lyari Expressway and Karachi Northern Bypass are a light at the end of the tunnel. Time will prove that the two projects will create many technical and non-technical job opportunities. Innumerable other indirect benefits would also flow once the two projects are commissioned as approximately Rs 7 to 8 billion will be pumped into the local economy over a period of three years.
NHA SPOKESMAN
Islamabad
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