| December 27, 2001 | Thursday | Shawwal 11, 1422 |
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Unity, Faith and Discipline
How to boost foreign exchange
Reining in terrorism
Promotion of peace
JPMC doctors’ promotion
Resurrection!
Veracity of Indian accusation
India’s reaction
Surrender of Kandahar
NWFP University of Engineering
Words not wars
Separate electorates and the 1973 Constitution
FOLLOWING the withdrawal of the Taliban from Kabul and its seizure by the Northern Alliance, the situation changed in the Pakistani political arena as well. The soul-searing tragedy on Sept 11 sparked off an extremist political trend in the national politics, which was characterized by the dominance of the religious hardliners.
Up to the collapse of the Taliban, the rightwing politicians had a field day since they were the cynosure of the world media. But as soon as the events took a turn, the balloon of the religious bigots was pricked. The culture of emotionalism, which has been a mark of distinction of our political forces, has started disappearing. Now rationalism is bound to emerge in the context of changing realities both at national and international levels.
The Black Tuesday on Sept. 11 has also served to underline a huge gap between our political perceptions and ground realities. More than fifty years down the road, we have not been able to plug this ever widening gap. The end-result is that our political structure is marked by the absence of a moderate political element, which is necessary for the emergence of a balanced political culture.
Keeping in view the challenge of the fast-changing cyber world there is a need to re-orientate our policies. There should be harmony between our perceptions and ground realities. We need to readjust ourselves according to the changed circumstances across the globe.
We need change but no angels would descend from the heavens to set our house in order. We have to take initiative and tread the path of reformation in all walks of life.
To begin with, politics is the first and foremost area, which deserves our immediate attention. Devolution of power up to the grassroots level, where the common man is also included in the decision-making process, is the only viable way of establishing a culture of good governance in the country. The present military government has made a move in this direction which is praiseworthy but a lot remains to be done and that too in a short span of time. The presence of a real moderate political element is necessary for us at this moment.
Now instead of rhetoric we need result-oriented action. The menace of extremism staring our society in the face, can only be warded off if we move towards rebuilding our civil, social and political institutions. For this purpose I propose the establishment of an alliance of the democratic and moderate political forces for the benefit of the country. This alliance should reflect the public opinion and the subsequent process of reconstruction and reformation of our national institutions should be the result of a broad consensus.
AMANAT ALI
Okara
I AM once again compelled to request the very few still alive and around, who have had the honour of meeting the Quaid-e-Azam, seeing him or hearing him, to come forward and restore the original motto of the Quaid in its true letter and spirit.
As given by the Quaid to the nation, it was Unity, Faith and Discipline and its Urdu rendering used to be Ittehad, Yaqeen (later Yaqeen-e-Muhkam — illustrated by Liaquat Ali Khan’s raised clenched fist) and Tanzeem. Somehow not only the order of the motto has been changed by relegating Unity (Ittehad) to second place after Faith (Yaqeen and now Eeman) but also the Yaqeen or the Yaqeen-e-Muhkam has been changed into Eeman by the ‘Islam Pasand’ leaders.
I distinctly remember the Quaid defining faith in one of his speeches as, “Have faith in yourselves. Have faith in your destiny — Pakistan. And have Faith in Allah.” How does Eeman come into it? Let’s not forget that Quaid’s motto is for the entire Pakistani nation which also comprises Hindus, Christians, Sikhs, Parsis, Zoroastrians, and even the Jews — though very few. Aren’t we confining the motto to the Muslims only by introducing Eeman into it, or is it not meant for the other communities living in Pakistan?
It is the national and moral duty of the few living elders and the various factions of the Muslim League, each one of which claims to be the true heirs of the Quaid’s Muslim League, to correct the situation. I request them to come forward in the print and electronic media, for, no one has the right to change the Quaid’s motto.
COL RIAZ JAFRI (RETD)
Rawalpindi
Foreign exchange remittances from overseas Pakistanis have increased by more than 250 per cent in the last few months. This is because of the US government’s crackdown on money laundering through Hundi.
But agents are still carrying on the Hundi business. To many people Hundi is better because they get a better rate and the money is transferred and delivered quicker. It is a huge business and these agents are making millions of dollars.
The international banking charges for transfer of money are very high. For example, if I send CAD $500 to Pakistan through Western Union they will charge me CAD $ 44 (roughly 9 per cent of the money transferred) as service charge and when the money gets to Pakistan, the recipient will get even less money (3-5 per cent less) than the open market rate of that time. So each Pakistani would end up paying more than 10 per cent to the banks and the financial institutions, for the transfer.
I would suggest that the Pakistan government should look into the possibility of earning foreign exchange through Pakistani banks providing the transfer facility. I am sure that if Pakistani banks open their branches in all major cities in the West where the population of Pakistani sellers is significant, all of them would send their money through them. I estimate that around CAD $5-10 million worth of foreign exchange can easily be earned only from Toronto.
SAIYED RIZVI
Toronto, Canada
LET the reprehensible murder of the brother of the Interior Minister be taken as an opportunity to eliminate terrorism. Within less than 48 hours of his (Interior Minister) verbal resolve to take action against the Jihadi organizations, they replied by action and not words.
Though in the past, luminaries like Hakim Saeed besides a number of doctors and religious scholars were murdered but the then governments could not find the muscle to rein in the terrorists.
Before it is too late, President Musharraf must have the courage to eliminate this terror culture. Although he is under external pressure to do so, he can succeed only if he gets internal support. Political parties should also pass resolutions in favour of the elimination of the terror culture.
M. AHTESHAM UDDIN GHAUSI
Dubai UAE
WE are confronted with a situation many times more critical than ever before and our leadership must rise to the occasion to serve the country’s larger interests.
Since Dec 13 our twin-border security threat has gravely increased whereas our economy remains rather unstable. Even after 54 years, while celebrating the 125th birthday of the Quaid-the great constitutionalist - the country is still being run through ad hocism.
Like many others in Pakistan and elsewhere, I duly view Kashmir as an international dispute and a human tragedy but a stable, peaceful and democratic Pakistan is still a greater urgency for the entire region of South Asia. It is difficult (though not impossible) for General Musharraf to offload the so-called Jihadis so soon after the Taliban but we have to quickly ascertain the objective realities on the ground. More than anyone else, it is in our own interest to see greater peace and cooperation in South Asia.
We simply cannot afford so many active and hot fronts inside and outside our country. Musharraf must quickly rein in the fundos and their supporters. This is not to appease India or anyone else but is simply in our own interest. The time is ripe to review Pakistan’s priorities. We cannot afford another unnecessary war or increased tensions on our eastern flank and must engage India politically and economically. It is a change of strategy and not of national interest.
Pakistan is a land of hardworking people and unbounded resources; it is just waiting to make a new beginning. Let the new year begin with a new resolve, new strategies and positive initiatives — directed against domestic chasms and regional discords.
Even if some of our neighbours are being vicious or stubborn, let us not play into the hands of intolerant chauvinists — both here and across Wagah.
DR IFTIKHAR H. MALIK
Oxford, UK
THE Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC), Karachi, is known as one of the most prestigious institutions in the country which provides postgraduate education and training to candidates coming from all over the country.
Though there have been successive retirements of professors at the JPMC over a period of time, no arrangements have been made by the relevant quarters for the timely filling up of the posts thus falling vacant.
It is unfortunate that this institution is running without sufficient number of professors for the last three years. This is causing great restlessness among the junior staff who fulfil the requirements for the vacant posts of professors. Also, the training and teaching of the students of JPMC is being adversely affected on account of the vacant posts.
Secretary Establishment Division and Secretary Health, Government of Pakistan, Islamabad, are requested to issue necessary orders for the early constitution of the Departmental Promotion Committee for considering the cases of the candidates for promotion to the posts of professor against the existing vacancies, as provided under the rules.
ABDUL LATIF MALIK
Karachi
THIS refers to Ardeshir Cowasjee’s “Resurrection!” (Dec 9). I fully support the view that the “criminal omission” be rectified and the word “freely” be inserted in the clause pertaining to minorities in the Objectives Resolution (1949) plaque at the Supreme Court building. The clause was retained in full in the 1956 and 1973 constitutions and, as I have argued in my latest work (Ideology of Pakistan, p. 152), this tinkering with the original text in Article 2-A, promulgated by Gen Ziaul Haq on March 2, 1985, making it a “substantive part of the Constitution”, is most unwarranted and unfortunate. For one thing, it has given rise to endless controversies about the position of minorities, giving Pakistan a bad name. For another, it is in conflict with the Preamble of the 1973 constitution, of which Article 2-A is an integral part. Hence this represents an anomaly which must be set right in the interest of constitutional propriety.
Mr Cowasjee has done well to focus attention on the failure of five CJSCs to rectify the omission. On July 22, 1997, Justice Sajjad Ali Shah, then CJ, had asserted that the Objectives Resolution, represents, as it were, the cornerstone of the constitution, and had warned that no amendment should seek to tamper with its salient features (July 23, 1997).
With that commitment, one wonders as to how he resorted to the line of least resistance in respect of this tinkering of the clause concerning the minorities. All the previous CJs also owe an explanation for their failure to act.
PROF. SHARIF AL MUJAHID
Karachi
INDIA accused Pakistan of the attack on their parliament by some unknown militants. Pakistan responded sensibly and offered their cooperation in order to trace the conspiracy but asked India to provide evidence which India bluntly refused. Their refusal create doubts on the veracity of their accusations.
AHMED KAMAL
Karachi
SINCE the start of the Kashmiri freedom struggle in 1990, India has been accusing Pakistan of “cross-border terrorism”. In these last eleven years, India did not recall her High Commissioner from Pakistan, despite the tragic loss of lives of more than 50,000 people in “Pakistan-sponsored insurgency”.
She took action, and is still threatening to take more stringent diplomatic actions, when twelve people died in an attack on New Delhi’s parliament building. Is the life of a person living in New Delhi more sacred than the life of an ordinary civilian of Kashmir?
UMAR M. MAKHDUMI
Karachi
THE Taliban Ambassador, Mullah Zaeef, addressing a press conference at Islamabad the other day, announced the decision of Amirul Momineen, Hazrat Mullah Mohammad Omar that he had agreed to surrender Kandahar to save innocent lives.
I am deeply impressed by the foresight, sagacity and statesmanship of Mullah Mohammad Omar for surrendering his occupation at the most opportune time. Some cynics say, why did he not give up in the beginning to avoid large scale destruction and bloodshed? I really wonder at their cynicism and simplicity.
When Khalistan was being conceived, Sikh leaders formed a think-tank and they were assigned to think of ways to develop Khalistan on a fast track.
One of the members suggested that a war should be waged on the US.
Naturally they would react, attack us and capture us and then they will develop our country. The leader however asked the group to sleep over the idea and discuss it the next day. Next morning, the leader termed the idea as unworkable for the reason, “what if we won”.
So at least Mullah Omar waited for the Allied forces to commit more than US$ 10.00 billion before he surrendered, as there was no other way for Afghans to expect any western aid for development. Afghans were dying any way because of drought, failed economy, hunger and disease.
Will that money be ever spent or released? It’s a billion dollar question.
WAJID JAWAD
Karachi
THE situation in the NWFP University of Engineering and Technology at Peshawar (the only engineering university in the province) has deteriorated. The university remains closed for long periods, classes are not taken regularly, courses are not finished, exams are not taken in time and four years degree is given after five years.
We request the Governor, who is also the Chancellor of the university, to take steps for improving the quality of education, especially in information technology. If proper environment and guidance is provided to the students, they would be able to play a leading role in the development of information technology in the country.
We would also be able to compete in the international market. Valuable foreign exchange would be saved and the problem of unemployment would also be tackled.
NAEEMULLAH KHATTAK AND OTHERS
Peshawar
SEEING the live ceremony of the installation of the Interim Government in Kabul on TV the other day, the following immortal words of Wilfred Funk came to my mind, which I wish our Indo-Pak leaders too would reflect on:
“When words fail, wars begin. When wars finally end, we settle our dispute with words”.
AMIR ALI ESMAIL
Karachi
NOTED columnist Kuldip Nayyar states mistakenly in his “Letter from New Delhi” (Dec 15) that the Constitution framed by Mr Zulfikar Ali Bhutto contained provisions for separate electorates for the minorities of Pakistan.
The 1973 Constitution agreed upon by all the political parties of Pakistan, including the religious parties, was based on joint electorates. The minorities of Pakistan, under that constitution, could vote and get elected on any seat on which a Muslim Pakistani could. Article 51 mentioned the provision of “two hundred members” for the National Assembly which was later replaced with effect from March 2, 1985, by General Ziaul Haq through his PO No. 14 of 1985, as “two hundred and seven Muslim” members. It is that amendment made by an individual, which has introduced separate electorates in the Constitution of Pakistan.
The Fourth Amendment Act of 1975 (Mr Bhutto’s period), added clause 2A in Article 51, which provided for ‘reserved seats’ for the minority communities in the assemblies in addition to their entitlement for general seats through the joint electorates. The minorities, according to these provisions, enjoyed a double vote, one which integrates them with the mainstream politics and the other which protects their identity and representation in proportion to their share in the population. The 1977 general elections were conducted under these provisions.
General Zia’s oversight in sparing the provincial legislatures, came to surface when, in 1993, both the High Courts of Sindh and Punjab ruled in identical petitions that even after the changes brought about by the dictator, the members of minority communities could contest for the general seats in the provincial assemblies.
Pakistan Peoples Party, in all of its post-Zia election manifestoes, has proposed the restoration of joint electorates. However, on both the occasions when it was voted to power, it did not have the two third majority in the Parliament to bring about constitutional amendments. The present regime held the local bodies elections on the basis of separate electorates. This move came under heavy criticism not only by the minority communities but also by the Pakistan Peoples Party.
Joint electorates has nothing to do with religious injunctions. This is also evident from the fact that all religious parties agreed to the provision of joint electorates when signing the 1973 Constitution. The Pakistani establishment and the political groups supported by it, insist on separate electorates simply because the PPP enjoys the overwhelming political support of the minority communities. Thousands of minority votes in each of the closely contested constituencies would result in a landslide victory for the PPP, if polls were held on a joint electorate basis.
The under-representation of the minorities in the Indian Lok Sabha deserves keen attention of rational thinkers like Mr Kuldip Nayyar. Perhaps India too could borrow from the Constitution framed by Mr Bhutto and also provide for reserved seats for the Indian minorities in proportion to their share in population besides the joint electorates system, which they already have in India. This would go a long way in preserving the identity and ensuring fair representation of Indian minorities in the Houses of Parliament.
TAJ HAIDER
Secretary, Information,
Pakistan Peoples Party
Karachi
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