| January 4, 2002 | Friday | Shawwal 19, 1422 |
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Countering bigots
Shifting of chemical market
Cardiac unit
Strengthening Muslim world
Arch of peace
Where does she go from here?
Asif Zardari’s detention
Power of attorney
Meeting the challenges ahead
Conversation test
Master Madan on the Internet?
Construction of houses in Cantt areas
THIS refers to Irfan Husain’s recent article “Reclaiming our faith” where he has re-emphasized the pressing need for a debate over the direction Islam has taken. Needless to say, a logical outcome of such a debate needs to be an urgent examination of what has gone wrong in Pakistani society, the drawing up of a new agenda and then actions to implement priorities.
It is time we Pakistanis pulled ourselves out of the opiate of “conspiracy theories” attributed to the global Jewish lobby and did something in the world to show the talent and resolve latent in each one of our country’s men and women. It is wrong to blame any other lobby for our abysmal failures. At the end of the day, we have ourselves to blame. People who live in Pakistan or who have lived long enough in Pakistan know this too well. Let us not look for scapegoats.
Returning to the issue of debate, consensus and action towards a renewed direction for Pakistan, it is time to ask how this will be done, who will conduct these debates, how will we reach consensus on an agenda and who will implement actions? President Musharraf and his team have their agenda drawn up - their immediate priorities are to clean up domestic corruption, secure our borders, stabilize our foreign policy and return the country to democratic rule.
But what stops us from going after the next wave of priorities that will give our people a sense of destiny and a purpose? It is a good time to ask the questions: How would leaders who guided Muslims in the golden age of Islam react in today’s situation? How would the Quaid-i-Azam have led Pakistan in this time of continuing crisis for Pakistan? These need to be the central questions in any debate that must start. And the answers must come from people who have correct and deep knowledge about the missions and actions that motivated the lives of these great men of the Islamic world.
I believe one of the first tools we need is a satellite channel that links Pakistani thought around the world. We have pockets of deep knowledge and talent around the world. Ironically a large part of scholarship, thinking and agenda-setting that could benefit Pakistan resides in the West, whose institutions and commitment to freedom have allowed such thought and study to evolve.
We need to capture this in one place and draw benefits from it. Such a channel must be bi-lingual with both English and Urdu participation at a minimum. The channel must be free and democratic and one of its goals must be to advise the Pakistani government on actions to be taken to sustain progress, not just remove the current ills. We need to start on this international project right away for the national benefit.
KAMRAN HASAN MEER
Fremont, California, USA
REFERENCE Kunwar Idris’ article “Terror of the bigots” (Dec 30). I welcome the idea that the political, religious or social organizations should have no armed wings nor their institutions should impart training in arms.
I am an Indian and recognize the fact that Kashmir was alienated by the political class, but unfortunately the Kashmir cause was hijacked by foreign Jehadi elements and that has done more harm to Kashmir than any real good.
Before some of the Pakistani readers say what about the Hindu fundamentalists, the Bajrang Dals? Shouldn’t they be banned? Yes, they should be banned as well. But are they producing terrorists who go across the border and destabilise a nation? No, but they are in the first phase, first the idea of fighting for a cause is promoted and spread and then weapons of destruction take over and completely dominate and hence these Bajrang Dals should be stopped at the very outset.
Indians and Pakistanis have been disappointed by their respective governments. There are people dying of starvation, landless labourers and marginal farmers are being pushed to the brink of suicide and various diseases are penetrating the weak and fragile bodies of the people and this is not a small figure. Pakistan and India need to progress economically, if not together at least in their own different ways. If we are not able to follow the most rational, logical, humane and wise path of togetherness and help each other onto progress, at least let us live and let live.
The citizens of both countries should urge the governments to stop throwing mud on each other and end this war hysteria they keep generating.
SRIRAM RAGAVAN
Vijaynagar, Chennai,
India
ACCORDING to a report, due to accidental mixing of some stored acids with other chemicals in an area of Karachi’s Old Town on Dec 29 heavy fumes were produced causing pungent odour. Six children were severely affected who were given medical treatment on an emergency basis. Fortunately no casualty took place.
The old quarters of Karachi are the site of major wholesale markets of the city. The chemical market is also situated in the area. Highly dangerous chemicals are stored in conditions which are not conducive to the safety of workers and the people living in the area.
Several public-spirited citizens and professionals prepared plans for shifting these wholesale markets to the outskirts of the city along the proposed Northern ByPass. Action is, however, still awaited. the city government is requested to take immediate steps for shifting the chemical and other wholesale markets from Old Town to locations outside the metropolitan limits. There may be more accidents if proper care is not taken in this regard.
NOMAN AHMED
Karachi
THANKS to the generous, God-fearing philanthropists who have donated sufficient funds to establish a Cardiac Surgery Unit in the Civil Hospital, Karachi, where a dedicated team has successfully completed 100 bypass operations and more than 300 other heart related surgeries within one year.
All this expensive surgery has been done free of cost. The downtrodden like me, who got a new lease of life, pray for their prosperity. God would also reward them.
AHMED SOLANGI
Matiari
EURO has been adopted as a single currency by a dozen countries of Europe. Already there is a political and military alliance in the shape of EU and NATO respectively. South East Asia has APEC and North America has NAFTA as economic grand alliances.
What about South Asia? Are we living in isolation from the realities of the world? How long would India take to believe that there are more benefits in trade for all than war? How long will its stubborn attitude on Kashmir put at sake the future of more than a billion people of South Asia? Is it not making a fool of itself by declaring Kashmir its integral part? Who supports this illegal stance?
We need to examine ourselves also. There are a wide variety of so-called Jihadis, all contributing to confusion among our youth. Most of the Jihadis are sect-based and hence contribute more to disintegration than the integration of Muslims.
In my view they are doing more harm than service to Muslims.
If Muslims want some kind of joint struggle against atrocities against them, the first step is economic and military integration on the pattern of Europe. Although, Europe’s integration had nothing to do with religion, but because most of them are Christians, they act as a good pressure group wherever Christians are involved, be it East Timor, Nigeria or South Sudan.
AZIZ ULLAH
Rawalpindi
RECENTLY, I drove with my family from Vancouver BC, Canada to Tucson, Arizona, US. When we were to cross the US-Canada, border, I had in my mind the hostile atmosphere that I had seen at Wagha on the Pakistan-India border. But what I actually experienced here was entirely different and unbelievable. While crossing the border from Vancouver BC, to Seattle US, I saw an arch of peace which represented the bonds of friendship between the two neighbouring countries. An officer on the US side of the border politely inquired about our destination and checked our passports. We were allowed to enter without any impediment.
A question lurks in my mind. What has gone wrong that makes Pakistan and India arch enemies? War is not a solution to any problem. It is through negotiations that even the most complex issues can be resolved.
Let the new year bring peace and harmony between the two countries because neither the people of Pakistan nor of India, can afford a war.
ENGR. A. LATIF MEMON
Vancouver, Canada
AN 84-year-old widow suffering from multiple medical problems appealed to the Controller (Zone F) of KBCA to stop the construction of the second and third floor on plot No. 187-C (Institute of Orthopaedics & Surgery) behind her house because it is in violation of the building laws as this plot is not commercial. Also because the hospital waste, diesel generator and the accompanying noise of the construction is worsening her health and that of her family members who are all patients of asthma. There was no response.
She, later, wrote to the editors of all the leading newspapers asking them to conduct an independent investigation and give suitable exposure to this violation of law. Not one of them took any notice. She appealed to the Governor Sindh on Dec 11, and faxed copies of her letter to other persons of authority. Meanwhile the construction work is going on merrily.
Where does she go from here?
ANWAR ABBAS
Karachi
FOR the last five to six years, Asif Zardari has been in prison. During this time he was tortured mentally and beaten physically, at the infamous CIA centre of Karachi and other cities. However all efforts by the previous Nawaz government and the present regime have proved futile in breaking Asif Zardari’s spirits.
Despite possession of vast powers and innumerable resources, NAB has been unable to prove any case against him making it crystal clear that Asif Zardari is innocent of any corruption as alleged time and again. This is a mockery of the justice system of Pakistan that once a person has been proven innocent by the courts, NAB sits down to implicate him in a new case, their sole motive being that Asif Zardari stay in prison.
A man is innocent till proven guilty. This is the law of the civilized world. NAB should wake up to the truth. Ethically this makes it imperative on NAB to apologize to Asif Ali Zardari. Their impertinent and stubborn behaviour will make matters worse for the country. Since all cases against Asif Zardari and other leaders have been proven in court as false, so in order to create a harmonious atmosphere, Asif Zardari and other party leaders should immediately be released.
In the prevailing situation, Pakistan desperately needs a democratically elected government General Musharraf should contact Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif and ask them to return to the country and assure them of their safety.
PPP is ready to contest the general elections and Insha-Allah would win the highest number of seats provided the agencies do not interfere and tamper with the votes. We believe in a smooth political process and after Almighty Allah we have faith in people’s power.
RIAZ KHAN
International Secretariat, PPP
London, UK
TWO news items have appeared in Dawn on this subject. One (Dec 16) advised people to get their properties purchased on Power of Attorney, registered before January 31, 2002, to avoid the levy of heavy penalties. The other (Dec 28), informed us that the Sindh government was considering to abolish the Power of Attorney and that the stamp duties were being reduced.
In this connection, I wish to point out that in some instances sale/purchase of property on Power of Attorney is unavoidable. For example, in the case of a mortgaged property where Sale Deed cannot be registered until the loan has been re-paid in full.
Anyhow, this whole issue has become intertwined and confused. In view of the fast approaching deadline of Jan 31, I would request the government of Sindh to come out with a clear policy at the earliest so that the people know what they are supposed to do, well in advance.
ARIF KHAN
Karachi
ROEDAD Khan’s article “Rise and fall of Muslim power” (Dec 31) was very interesting, but it did not give the measures needed to ameliorate the deplorable situation existing in the Muslim world. The author however said that the objective is to have a “ true, dynamic, pristine, revolutionary Islam of its earlier years with its emphasis on equality, egalitarianism, social justice and accountability”. The point is: how can we have Islam in such a form?
Dr Pervez Hoodbhoy, in his recent articles in Dawn had concluded that we should have a “secular, humane”, approach while Mr Burki had prescribed “modernity” for the amelioration of our present condition. As Dr Hoodbhoy had said, the problem is very difficult because of the complex nature of our present day Islamic societies, as compared to the mono-cultural society prevalent at the advent of Islam. Not being a scholar who could present a concrete solution to the complex problems I would like to make the following suggestions:
The Pakistani elite should sacrifice their wealth and pompous living for just half a generation, that is for 10 years, and donate their wealth or assets to the government to eliminate removing poverty and illiteracy.
The government should also introduce “Ijtehad”, as being demanded by most scholars and intellectuals, and as envisioned by Allama Iqbal. This will require great courage and tremendous efforts but this is the only way to meet the challenges of the time and the intense criticism from various quarters.
ENGR. A. RAHIM
Karachi
IT IS very common to see English postgraduates unable to speak proper and fluent English.
My suggestion to the vice chancellors of all the universities of Pakistan is that they should start taking English conversation exams at each level of the MA English course.
SHAHID IQBAL SIDDIQUI
Rahimyar Khan
I REALLY enjoy reading Dawn on the Internet. Today (Dec 31), I was very pleased to read an article “The boy with the golden voice” written by Khalid Hasan. Master Madan was born much before me but this article provides complete information about him.
I also appreciate Mr Hasan’s using respectful words when mentioning the holy book of the Sikhs and Guru Nanak. I wonder if Mr Hasan could somehow arrange to put Master Madan’s Gazals and his singing on the Internet for everyone to enjoy it.
KAMAL BINDRA
San Jose, USA
BUILDING a house in the cantonment areas has become an uphill task due to complicated map-approval procedure of the RCB, as mere approval of a map takes six months to years reportedly due to the non-availability of the concerned staff and the complicated / lengthy procedure (Dec 16). The map-approval procedure at present is somewhat like this:
On submission of the map by the person who wants to construct a house in the cantonment jurisdiction, the RCB starts procedural formalities that include scrutiny of the land ownership, followed by the scrutiny of the map from the municipal point of view to checking whether it features proper sewerage system, parking facilities, and that the building will not jeopardize the privacy of neighbours.
When these two procedures are completed, the map goes first to the Building Committee for further scrutiny and approval and then to the Board for the final approval. The map is sent to three designated officers for ratification. This appears to be a time consuming process. Perhaps other cantonment boards in the country are also following same or similar process. On the civil side, the procedure is not likely to be any easier.
It is said that for a commoner it is a daunting task to get the map for his house approved in a few days or weeks. Some people get discouraged to the extent that they lose heart and abandon all plans to build a house. The RCB chief executive officer reportedly attributed the hurdles in the map-approval procedure to the non-availability of the required land staff in the building section and that the government has been requested to appoint competent personnel on the posts lying vacant. He also said that they plan to launch a one-window-operation to solve people’s problems on the spot.
Pakistan is in short supply of houses. With the population increase and the migration from village to cities, the supply gap particularly in the cities has further worsened. The government, realizing the critical shortage of housing, has issued a Housing Policy that also includes different incentives.
In order to support the government efforts, the building control authorities - military, civilian or city-government - may facilitate houses construction by allowing use of standardized designs / maps.
The building control authorities may develop proper maps for plots of different dimensions and declare them to be standard and approved maps. For each category of plot and location up to five designs / maps may be standardized and approved. Any builder constructing a house as per standard design / map may not need any formal approval.
The house builder, before starting actual construction, may simply inform the civic authorities of the design / map selected for his / her house. The authorities may note this for future reference. This may also relieve the authorities from much of the paper work. In case the actual construction is not in conformity with the selected map, the house owner may be dealt with as per rules.
There may be certain house builders who do not like any of the five standard maps. Let them apply for approval of the special map. The authorities may process the special map as per procedure and give the final approval within a specified period, say 15 days.
M. BASHIR CHAUDHRY
Karachi
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