| December 22, 2001 | Saturday | Shawwal 6, 1422 |
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Change in Afghanistan
US ambassador in New Delhi
Launch of Badr II
Pakistan’s Afghan policy
Reckless driving
Suspensions in CBR
PTCL move to raise tariff
War risk surcharge
A Namazi’s experience
Sighting of the moon
CNN’s anti-Islam propaganda
Fallacious
TWO news items ‘Study criticizes doctors for turning to costly drugs’ and ‘Competition among drug firms leads to unfair practices’ (Dec 11) draw attention to practices which might not be very ethical.
Drug therapy is a specialized field and prescribing drugs should not be taken lightly as even the so-called innocent drugs have in-built risks. All drugs are, chemically, poison and are to be used with caution. But our physicians are reportedly liberal with the prescriptions. A general tendency among the consultants is to prescribe the latest, more expensive, and heavily promoted medicines rather than the older, less expensive and equally effective drugs, as the first line of therapy.
Competition among pharmaceutical companies is intense which adds to the sufferings of the patients. With the exception of a few drug companies, they expand their business in alleged connivance with the doctors, by offering them gifts. It is apprehended that such doctors prescribe medicines manufactured by the obliging companies and might as well be prescribing a lot of unnecessary drugs.
What has been described above may not be taken to cast aspersions on the doctors’ community. May be there are a very small number of misguided doctors in our society who fall prey to the sweet talk of the clever salesmen. One normally would not imagine a doctor prescribing to a patient a medicine that is not the best suited for curing the ailment. However, in order to check such tendencies, if any, and to protect the patients, the following proposals may be considered:
The Pakistan Medical Association, in collaboration with the Consumer Associations, may look into the matter. In case the allegations made in the two news items are confirmed, some kind of code of conduct might be evolved and enforced.
The PMA and the doctors may, in view of the prevailing recession in the country, consider giving relief to the patients by way of lower consultation fees and minimum necessary prescription of medicines and pathological tests. Where cheaper substitutes are available, costly prescriptions might be avoided.
The pharmaceutical companies are also urged to stop unfair practices to influence the doctors. To build up the image of their company, they may consider donating modern equipment to different hospitals, particularly in the rural areas. They may also finance distribution of literature on preventive care to the students, industrial workers, farmers and the public at large.
MUHAMMAD BASHIR CHAUDHRY
Karachi
THE brilliant display of American airpower, which broke the back of the brutal Taliban regime in Afghanistan and paved the way for the opposition Northern Alliance to liberate their country, is an example of America’s leadership in the world. With the Taliban on the run, life is slowly returning to normal in Afghanistan. Girls can now go to schools without being molested by the extremists, women can once again aspire to become teachers and doctors, people can listen to music and children can fly kites. Joy in the streets of Kabul, despite poverty and hunger, is quite palpable.
Though it will take many years and a concerted international effort to return Afghanistan to normalcy, the defeat of the terrorist regime is a hopeful sign. A tentative step in this direction is the agreement signed by different factions for an interim government. American military intervention made all this possible.
Yet, only a month ago, many commentators and observers were clearly critical that Afghanistan would be another Vietnam. The bombing seemed to be only leading to mass demonstrations in Pakistan, where it was feared, that the government might be toppled because of its pro-American stand. The Northern Alliance seemed to be no match against the stubborn Taliban and were considered too weak to provide any meaningful support on the ground.
They were wrong on all counts. Within three months of the terrorist attacks on New York and Washington, the campaign against the Taliban and their bin Laden-led foreign legions has gone better than any one dared to predict. Though the war against terrorism is far from over, the war in Afghanistan is almost over.
Pakistan, which was instrumental in propping up the Taliban, switched sides and is the better for it. The street riots in Pakistan fizzled out quickly and President Pervez Musharraf is now in a much better position to address his country’s serious economic problems. Most of all, the people of Afghanistan appear to be satisfied with the Taliban’s defeat. The Taliban were, after all, interlopers who imposed a harsh rule in the name of Islam. Now the perpetrators must be brought to face justice.
MAHMOOD ELAHI
Ontario, Canada
MR Robert Blackwill, the American ambassador to India, seems more Indian than Indian. His statements on recent developments in the world and in the region should make one wonder who he is loyal to. All along these scary weeks and months, Mr Blackwill has done very little to advance America’s interests in South Asia.
What are the United States’ interests in the subcontinent? As emphasized by successive administrations and by the present set of American leaders — George Bush, Colin Powell and Rumsfeld — America wishes to see Pakistan and India improve their relations in the interest of peace and stability in South Asia. They have also repeatedly urged Islamabad and New Delhi to resume their dialogue so as to solve the Kashmir dispute by peaceful means.
It is also in conditions of peace that the regional economy can grow and American investment can come in a big way.
Mr Blackwill, however, has ideas of his own. In the wake of the American attack on Afghanistan, he has indirectly upheld India’s “right” to attack “terrorist bases” in Azad Kashmir.
More recently, this “diplomat” likened the attack on the Indian parliament building by mysterious gunmen to the attack on the World Trade Centre. This way he openly instigated India to attack Pakistan. Is this what his government wants? Why is he sabotaging his government’s policy?
In the wake of the Dec 13 attack, America has urged Pakistan and India to exercise restraint. More positively, while condemning the attack on the parliament building, Powell noted that President Musharraf has condemned the attack and offered to cooperate. None of this finds a mention in Mr Blackwill ‘s utterances.
In fact, his utterances undermine his government’s efforts to help lower the tension between Pakistan and India. It is time the State Department called him back to give him a reorientation course and told him his job was to advance America’s and not India’s interest.
Or, maybe, he can learn a thing or two from Washington’s envoy in Islamabad. Can you fix him, Wendy?
JAMEEL RIZWAN
Karachi
I would like to commend Suparco’s efforts for the launch of Badr II into space, which is now orbiting the earth at the height of almost 1,000 feet. It is also a matter of great pride for the people of Pakistan.
Badr II may be important for the purpose of collecting data only, but I believe that it will go a long way in paving the way for Pakistan in the field of communication through satellite. Moreover, mobile phone technology, television transmissions and Internet are also dependent on the availability of satellite channels. So, it is imperative that the scientists of Pakistan must proceed as far as their resources permit them, especially when our neighbouring country has gone so far as to releasing a spy satellite in space.
The scientists who have worked on it, the Suparco and, above all, the government of Pakistan deserve appreciation for this new phase in the technological advancement of Pakistan.
ZIA AHMED
Multan
IN some circles in Pakistan it is fashionable to criticize our policy on Afghanistan following the seizure of power by the pro-Soviet clique that culminated in the massive Soviet invasion of the defenceless country.
Like many others, Mr A.B.S. Jafri repeats the oft-repeated strictures on the architect of the policy in his column, “our Taliban policy in tatters”, (Dec 17). He says that “our involvement without the people’s consent began with Ziaul Haq’s plunge into the United States’ war against the Soviet Union.” It seems that Mr Jafri lost track of the sequence of events and does not remember that the United States entered the conflict at a much later stage.
President Daud, who visited Pakistan in early 1978, had normalized relations with Pakistan and had accepted the Durand Line as permanent international boundary. This was unacceptable to the Soviet Union with the result that the pro-Soviet elements captured power in the bloody coup in which President Daud and many members of his family were done to death.
It was Ziaul Haq who sensed that a pro-Soviet establishment in Afghanistan would pose a danger to the security and integrity of Pakistan. Since the conspirators who had grabbed power were only a few individuals with almost no following and support in the country, resistance against them started and Ziaul Haq’s government provided support to them. He did it at his own risk. At this stage there was not the least support from America.
Shortly after came the invasion of the Soviet military which caused nervousness in Washington. Thus America came in to support the war of Afghan independence. It is, therefore, not correct to say, as Mr Jafri claims, that Ziaul Haq plunged into the United States’ war against the Soviet Union.
A pro-Soviet government in Afghanistan was bound to be hostile to Pakistan and with the support of superpower could do the same thing which India did in East Pakistan by supporting the igniting secessionist adventures within our borders. The struggle of the Afghans to oust the Soviets and their puppets that Ziaul Haq initiated was actually a war for Pakistan’s security and integrity. The architect of this policy deserves credit for it.
The unfortunate happenings in Afghanistan that followed the withdrawal of the Soviets should not blind us to the dangers that the hostile presence of the Soviet Union stared us in the face.
Prof. MUKHTAR ALI NAQVI
Orlando, Florida, USA
A FIVE-year-old boy was run over by a bus in Pak Colony. Angry residents of the area set the bus on fire following the accident. The police reached and freed the driver from the mob.
Hundreds of people are killed every year due to reckless driving in the city and there is not a single precedent in the history of Pakistan when a reckless driver, who is found guilty, is hanged till death by the competent authority. It seems that there is no such provision in the law of Pakistan.
The photograph published in Dawn ( Dec 11) is taken by the photographer, when the angry crowd set the bus on fire which killed 5-year-old Kumail who was returning from the school and injured his mother Zaibunnisa, whose legs were seriously fractured in the accident.
The present government while amending old laws in the country, should also amend the law for reckless driving, prescribing harsher punishments for those who cause the death of someone by reckless driving.
SYED A MATEEN
Karachi
ON May 28, 2000, one thousand employees of the CBR were suspended on charges of corruption. However, after a period of two years, they have been reinstated after the concerned authorities failed to establish charges against them.
It is worth mentioning that this action was taken on the directions of the Chief Executive who wanted to curb corruption in the CBR. However, it appears that the high-ups in the CBR were not interested in curbing corruption as the list of suspended officials comprised names of honest and hardworking officials. Consequently, the list got controversial and was declared biased. It had to be so because the list never included the names of those who were really corrupt and who are still at large.
May I ask the CBR chairmen, as to who is responsible for the agony through which the suspended officials passed?
MUHAMMAD TARIQ
Quetta
It has been reported in the press that the PTCL is planning to raise the local call charges and line rent again, in addition to the imposition of 15 per cent sales tax. They are, at the same time, planning to reduce the NWD and international call charges.
According to the PTCL, the losses incurred by the reduction of NWD and international call charges, would be recovered by a higher charge on the local calls. First of all, why has it become so important that NWD and international call charges should be reduced? Not all the subscribers are making NWD or international calls, at least not very frequently.
It may be recalled that Professor Atta-ur-Rahman, Minister for Science and Technology, who is also in charge of telephone and communications, has often said that telephone charges in Pakistan are unrealistically high and need to be reduced. The line rent raised so many times is now Rs 245 per month. This is proposed to be raised to Rs 272. Similarly, the local call charge is proposed to be raised from Rs 2.01 to Rs 2.16.
In my opinion, the telephone line charges should not be more than Rs 100 per month. Charging a fresh call after very five minutes should also be discontinued. To discourage lengthy callers, calls continuing for more than 15 minutes might be disconnected automatically.
I appeal all the subscribers to express their resentment against the PTCL’s totally unjustified move and on urge the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority to reject their proposal.
MAHBOOB H. KHAN
Karachi
REFERENCE the above report (Dec 13), on the Business page, the use of the word ‘slash’ for a $10 reduction is clearly inappropriate.
The fact is that the War Risk Surcharge imposed by the shipping lines, is totally unjustified as there is no war or threat of war in Pakistani waters.
While the government has been making efforts to do away with this situation and the private sector has been making loud protestations, there is still no change.
MUHAMMAD RAJPAR
Karachi
A multi-storeyed Masjid at main Tariq Road is run by relatively young Mullahs, most of them arrogant. On Fridays, when the number of Namazis is relatively large, they stand outside the mosque and force the incoming Namazis to first fill in all the three storeys of the mosque. They show no consideration for the ill health, old age or other handicaps suffered by the Namazis, and do not let anybody sit in the rows specially marked outside the mosque.
If somebody explains his inability to climb the steps and tries to offer prayers outside on the ground, he is abused. This is my personal experience which I had on Jumatul Wida of this Ramazan.
Such behaviour makes a simple Muslim like me think twice before going to the Masjid.
HASAN M. KUREISHY
Karachi
THIS year it was heartening to see that there was no dispute in sighting of the Ramazan moon and the month commenced on the same day throughout Pakistan.
However, the Khateeb of Jamia Masjid Peshawar accepting the shahadat of 46 (unidentified) persons and declared the sighting of the Shawwal moon on 29th Ramzan (15th December 2001).
This shahadat was apparently not acceptable to Markazi Ruet-e-Hilal Committee, which unanimously declared Eid-ul-Fitr after 30th Ramzan.
In today’s age with scientific knowledge sighting of the moon or otherwise can easily be determined far in advance. Right from 1st of Ramzan and till 29th day, Suparco is on record as having said that the moon would be below the visibility level on 15th December 2001 corresponding to 29th Ramzan.
It is surprising that these 46 persons were able to sight the moon while it did not rise. They are also responsible for preventing the faithful from observing fast on the 30th Ramazan.
It’s time for our religious leaders to ponder over the issue and come out with a solution.
AMIN BUTT
Karachi
CNN recently held a poll on its website on the subject, “Should a religion be judged by the acts of its followers” which had a link: “Attacks benefited Islam greatly”.
What is the CNN trying to prove by this media propaganda directed at Islam?
CNN has tried its utmost to tarnish Islam’s image in the eyes of the world community.
Being an international media organization, it is not befitting for the CNN to project such programmes.
BILAL MUGHAL
Islamabad
FOR Israel to equate its action against Palestine with American action in Afghanistan is fallacious and mischievous. No part of Afghanistan was occupied by America.
A.M. HAIDERMOTA
Karachi
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