| December 17, 2001 | Monday | Shawwal 1, 1422 |
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Winners and losers in Afghanistan
Pakistan’s Afghan policy
Israel’s state terrorism
PIA Jeddah office
Promoting growth of healthy NGOs
Good old days
Wapda’s performance
Paving the way for stability
India-Pakistan relations
EMPOWERED local governments have been the missing tier of governance in Pakistan since independence. But for short periods of cosmetic local bodies and that too initiated during military rule the concept now introduced since August 14, 2001 is closer to what the local governments should be — empowered with administrative and fiscal authority.
There can be no two opinions on the need of the local government to cater to the basic requirements of a local community, be it at the village or town or city levels. The provincial and federal levels are legislative bodies and therefore, not required to perform development functions except, may be to give policy guidelines but, that too, at provincial levels only. There is, therefore, the immediate need to redefine the federal legislative list and disentangle and devolve the concurrent list to clearly separate the functions of the federation, provinces and the local government without any ambiguity.
As stated earlier, the newly introduced concept of local government is in its’ infancy and would therefore require careful and soft handling with a lot of patience and coolheaded perseverance, both from the elected Nazims and counsellors as well as, the DMG and equivalent converts into DCOs, EDOs, etc. It is indeed not surprising to read daily about the tussles and tug-of-war going on between the elected reps and the DMG, the latter who had been exercising total authority over the last 54 years and have now been made subservient to the former. This overnight curtailment of power on the one hand and the lack of administrative experience on the part of the elected reps is bound to cause a lot of friction between the two partners.
Moreover, the general public is also not educated, nor aware of its’ responsibilities and rights under this set-up. This situation, if not handled carefully could lead to disaster of an otherwise excellent concept.
The Chairman NRB and the provincial local government ministers have a very responsible role to play in ensuring that the baby that they have given birth to, not only remains healthy and sustainable, but also is well protected from the powerful vested interests who are determined to kill it. It is also important that the elected Nazims and the DMG officials realize the transitionary hic-cups and bottlenecks with an open mind and, where necessary compromise in the larger interest above personal egos, self-interest and arrogance.
It is interesting to recall an advertisement appearing in Dawn on December 27, 1995 by an organization under the name of “Citizens’ Voice” and I quote an excerpt from it.
“Karachi is Pakistan’s economic jugular, melting pot of its workers, professionals, and industrialists, the largest tax payer to the nation, its biggest metropolis and, currently, the locus of its deepest wounds.”
“We know that this city is ready to serve again as a beacon of Pakistan’s future. It must be held hostage no more to the politics of the past. Karachi is multi-cultural, multiethnic, and cosmopolitan metropolis. It must not be burdened with sectarian agendas.It is a modern city. It cannot be governed through colonial structures or in feudal style.”
So, Karachi city Nazim Naimatullah has a grave responsibility on his shoulders to, not only make the system function in Karachi but also present a role model for the others to emulate.
NAZIM HAJI
Karachi
MANY states can claim victory in Afghanistan, at least in the short term, but no Muslim state can be named among them. Obvious ‘winners’ include the US, Britain, Russia and India, all of whom have a stake in the Northern Alliance-dominated government which emerged from Bonn. The list of ‘losers’ is topped by Pakistan, but can be said to include every Muslim state.
Not even one billion dollars in new loans, along with other such ‘rewards’ for siding with the US interests, can be said to compensate for the creation of an anti-Pakistan / pro-India government in Afghanistan, or for the refusal to invoke existing UN resolutions to call India to task for its conduct in Kashmir. Given this track record, hopes of the ‘winners’ making future concessions in Pakistan’s interests remain no more than mere ‘hopes.’
Along with Pakistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Iran and Saudi Arabia must also be counted among the ‘losers.’ Saudi Arabia’s influence in the region straddling South and Central Asia has been a prime target of the winning campaign, while the festering sore of the US troops in that kingdom has only grown. The US troops have also been added to the Russians already in Uzbekistan and Tajikistan. Iran now also has to contend with the openly hostile US forces to its north, east and south. In effect, no quarter is left for sovereign action in the region.
No Muslim need mourn the defeat of the Taliban, their regime representing no more than another form of repression in the Muslim world, but all should consider the meaning of this defeat in their own lives. In the rhetoric and actions leading to the Taliban’s defeat, as well as the regime inducted in its place, the Muslim world can see its own subjugation.
REZA PIRBHAI
Toronto, Canada
I still remember the conversation between the Afghan Ambassador and a friend of mine at a reception in Karachi in the fifties.
When my friend asked the envoy as to why Kabul was not accepting the Durand Line as the international boundary between Afghanistan and Pakistan, the reply was: “Durand Line was the agreement between Afghanistan and British India. That concord cannot apply to Pakistan. An Afghan has yet to be born who would accept the division of Pakhtoons in to two nations, namely, Afghanistan and Pakistan.”
But Zia-ul-Haq had his own way of “befriending” the Afghans. The Soviet invasion of Afghanistan came in handy. In The International Herald Tribune of November 14, 1988, columnist Selig S. Harrison records his interview with Zia-ul-Haq, at Islamabad. This took place three days before the fatal Bhawalpur aircrash of August 17, 1988. Zia told Harrison: “By helping you (America) as a front-line state, we have earned the right to have a friendly regime in Kabul. We wont permit it like it was before with Indian and Soviet influence and claims on our territory. It will be a real Islamic state, part of the pan-Islamic revival that will one day win over the Muslims in the Soviet Union, you will see.”
But what did we get in lieu? Gun and drug culture and sectarian killings.
We should rethink our foreign policy regarding Afghanistan and address our own problems for the benefit of the people.
MUHAMMAD AZIZ HAJI DOSSA
Karachi
THE Israeli attacks on the headquarters of Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat and other security bases are undoubtedly an act of state terrorism. They are outrageous and should be condemned in the strongest possible terms. These attacks have exposed the designs of the Zionist regime against the innocent people of Palestine.
The Israeli government justified these barbaric attacks to show its “disappointment” to Arafat for his failure to control suicide bombings in the Zionist state. The White House was prompt in reacting by saying that “Israel has the right to defend itself.” What more can one expect from the US, which proclaims itself as the defender of human rights and democratic values. This criminal behaviour on the part of Israel is totally unacceptable.
Ariel Sharon has a history of indulging in crimes against humanity. He was held “personally responsible” by the Kahan Commission in 1983 for the massacre of 3,000 people in Sabra and Shatila camps in Lebanon. But no action was taken against him. Now, as prime minister, he has got a chance to finish his job - the destruction of Palestinians.
How on earth can the Israelis or the international community expect the Palestinians to exercise restraint in the face of mounting atrocities by the Israeli forces against the Palestinians? Since the current Intifada began, thousands of Palestinians have lost their lives at the hands of Israeli forces. If a Palestinian loses his life it is taken for granted by the US, as if they are expendable. But if an Israeli gets killed it’s considered terrorism. How many voices were raised when five Palestinian children died because of an Israeli shell.
The Palestinians have nothing to fight with except to throw stones on Israeli forces to vent their anger against the occupation of their lands. Israel reacts by killing them with US-made weapons and Apache helicopters. To add fuel to the fire, any attempt by the UN to condemn Israel is vetoed by the US. Isn’t this the height of double standards and injustice? These kinds of unjust policies give rise to frustration and desperation that make Palestinians commit suicide bombings. The vicious cycle of violence would never end until the legitimate rights of the Palestinians are recognized.
It’s time for America to reorder its priorities and bring drastic changes in its foreign policy, which should be based on even-handedness rather than double standards and injustice. The first thing that the US should do is to recognize the rights of the Palestinians to a Palestinian state and make it materialize as soon as possible.
As demanded by the Palestinians, an international peacekeeping force should be sent into Palestine immediately to secure peace, with UN observers monitoring the situation. Being a war criminal, Ariel Sharon should be arrested and tried in the International Court of Justice. Only justice and fairplay will help bring peace in the region and the world.
KHURRAM MUSTIKHAN
Karachi
THE PIA Jeddah offices, especially the reservation, are not responding to telephone calls as a result of which the passengers, most of whom belong to the expatriate community, have to face a lot of difficulties.
More than fifteen times, I have called PIA numbers which are 644-7644 and 642-2642, and got no response. At phone number 643-9271, a recorded message is being heard but with no ultimate access to any one.
Dozens of students have joined their parents at Jeddah for Eid and while returning home by PIA, they are facing problems in getting seats which can be had through “contacts” but not through any systematic procedure which should start from a communication link like that of a phone or fax.
Due to Umra, the flights are jammpacked. Computers are not accepting any reservations through any source other than PIA computer reservation itself.
TARIQ MAHMOOD
Jeddah
This is with reference to Mrs Shireen Rehmatullah’s letter (Dec 7). She has pointed out an important area where some well-organized NGOs are being developed, but in the wrong direction of self-promotion.
NGOs serve as an important conduit for growth in development. But but it is a pity to note that while the NGOs are growing in number, their working remains a matter of concern.
The political situation prevailing in our region in the aftermath of the Afghanistan imbroglio, will magnify the involvement of the institution of NGO manifold both in number and quantum of funds. But, as pointed out very rightly by Mrs Rehmatullah, there is no effective control and check on the purposefulness of some NGOs, especially in the management of their funds. Audit reports have become a ritual and do not convey transparency in matters related to accounts.
The important objectives remain abegging and elusive, thanks to lack of control. The NGOs have no parents. The government does not own them while the donors avoid confrontations even when the project is on the path leading to failure.
Pakistan is receiving hundreds of millions of dollars through NGOs. A great portion of this money is spent on unnecessary infrastructure and unproductive activity.
It is important to utilize the above funds to the maximum advantage for purposeful development. Leaving the control of the NGOs to their heads, is a grave mistake. There are some NGOs who are not even registered. A lot is required to be done as in the near future, the NGO culture is likely to be more prevalent.
A.Q. ANJUM
Rawalpindi
THIS refers to a recent letter in which the writer had complained about a local train driver who daily stops his train in the middle of the journey to buy milk.
It reminded me of the good old days when people were tolerant and kind-hearted and used to care about the train drivers. The relationship between the community in Lahore and the railway drivers was simply exemplary. The epicentre of the relationship was Mughalpura workshop from where the railway engines would start their travel towards the station. In between, the drivers would stop at the engine shed for a short break.
They would park their engines in the shed and go out to the nearby shops for a shave and hot shower and then have some tea. In the winter season especially, some people used to queue up in front of the engine and demand a bucket of hot water from the driver. The drivers always obliged. Those who would manage to get hot water, would sit beneath a hand pump and enjoy the bath on the shed platform.
Some people would still have some vivid recollection of the day when the brakes of an engine got disengaged and the engine started to run from the engine shed. The driver, who was having a shave in a nearby barber shop suddenly noticed this and immediately started to run along the railway tracks. The local crowd followed him too.
A wise railway employee sensed the danger from a vantage point and switched the tracks, causing the locomotive to move towards a derelict land. The engine ran for about 2 km before it collided with an emergency wall designed to handle such a situation. Luckily, no one was hurt and no significant damage was caused to property.
The shed people never criticised the drivers and the
relationship between the people and the drivers never faltered.
MEHMOOD AZIZ NAVIWALA
Karachi
THE Wapda chairman, Lt.-Gen. Zulifqar Ali Khan, has been quoted by a section of the press as having said that the Kalabagh dam had been made a victim of politics while it was vital for the country.
This is a rather strange statement to make at a time when politics is taboo and the authorities that be, belong to the army hierarchy. Perhaps this is the best time to act in the national interest and build the dam while politicians who matter are discredited or are out of the country. There is no opposition in the real sense to oppose a vital project for Pakistan.
In fact, Wapda has undertaken no water development whatsoever since 1975 and has only focused on expensive thermal power plants which have broken the consumer’s back. History would record that this nation was let down by both its politicians as also its strongmen when the issue of water development was ignored due to lack of courage of conviction and the future of 145 million people of Pakistan was sacrifised at the altar of political expediency.
DR M. YAQOOB BHATTI
Lahore
IT was refreshing to read Momina Raza Zahid’s letter (Dec 10) about improving relations between Pakistan and Iran.
Mention of more trade and economic ties with China sounds good as well. Pakistan’s troubled textile industry has as its number one client, the USA. When US textile product buyers catch cold, the rest of the world catches pneumonia.
More open trade, which was badly taxed and restricted during my years in Pakistan during the 1960s, coupled with a return to free public education focused on the basics, reading, writing, and arithmetic as we say in America, will help bring stability and peace.
Peace will take time to achieve in Afghanistan, but aid for reconstruction can speed that process.
GEORGE SINGLETON
Alabama, USA
READING Dawn has been my habit for quite some time now. The readers may be surprised to know that I acquired the habit thanks to the persuasion of my son and I thank him for the same.
I admire the objectivity and the boldness with which views are presented, regardless of whether such views may or may not be to the liking of the ruling dictatorship in Pakistan or the kind of democracy we have in India.
I am also happy to find in some of the responsible Indian newspapers, at least a similar high level of objectivity and bold reporting.
What is becoming glaringly clear is that the people in both countries are sick and tired of the campaign of hatred and calumny that politicians and governments instigate in each country for the other. This is a calculated campaign to divert the attention of the people in each country from their immediate problems. It requires no opinion poll to realize that people to people, there is a genuine feeling of wanting to be friends and working together for mutual benefit.
It is high time that people to people initiatives through voluntary agencies like “Friendship Associations” grow and spread. Because such interactions, visits and meetings go a long way in removing the cobwebs that have grown like massive weeds blurring real issues. There was an India-Pakistan Friendship Association functioning at Bangalore but now it is apparently not active.
Such initiatives are relevant at all times and are direly the need of the hour in the present difficult times in the relationship between the two countries. I would be glad to lend a helping hand in reviving such an effort.
However, there is a journalistic lacunae that I notice often. The print and electronic media in both countries often bite the government. Line and report with glee any discomfort or any embarrassment that the other may experience.
As if one country’s happiness and success lies in worsening things in the other. This kind of playing to the gallery should stop in both countries, whose people have been brothers and sisters in the same family barely a few decades ago.
I am impressed with the secular credentials of Dawn. This is its way of respecting the memory of Jinnah, whose ideal of Pakistan was not that it should develop as a theocratic state, but as one in which all religious denominations lived in peace, harmony and contributed to the growth of Pakistan, enabling it to occupy its rightful place in the comity of nations as a progressive and therefore, proud nation.
It is no secret, regardless of what religion it is that one swears by, there are angels as well as scoundrels in every religion, be it Hinduism, or Islam or Christianity or any other. Which is why Jinnah as well as Gandhi, while respecting every religion, wanted that it should remain the personal faith of the individual and not something to be flouted for public exhibition or for being the cause of war or bloodshed. It is my fervent hope and prayer, that their wisdom sees the light of the day, not merely in the interests of our immediate future, but more particularly, in the interests of the generations yet to come.
N. NARASIMHAN
Bangalore, India
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