| January 16, 2002 | Wednesday | Ziqa’ad 1, 1422 |
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A futile exercise
Municipal services
Action against leaders
Aeronautical engineering
A hundred kicks, a hundred onions
Undue pressure
Conspiracy theory
Power fluctuation
Let’s talk peace
Horrors of war
OIC’s role
Suggestions for water conservation
THE speech of President Musharraf could be termed a historic speech to the nation which came at a time when it was most needed. It was in response to the Indian leadership’s belligerent attitude towards Pakistan. The President announced some radical decisions which included imposing a ban on five militant outfits and obtaining NOC prior to the establishment of any mosque or a religious school.
But, the best part of the speech was when he addressed the Indian leadership as the Supreme Commander of Pakistan Armed Forces without mincing any words. He warned them saying “let there be no attempt to crossing the border in any area as it will be met with full force and the enemy should not have any illusions on this count”. It was a strong message to India that Pakistan would respond with full force if any misadventure was launched from across the border.
He also urged the world community to play an effective role in resolving the long outstanding Kashmir dispute. Actually, the world community is not serious in resolving this problem. When the problem of Hong Kong can be resolved, the two Germanys can be re-united, and so many other outstanding problems can be settled, why can’t the problem of Kashmir be resolved.
Let’s hope that the speech of the President, which was the need of the hour, acts as a catalyst in urging India and moving the world community in taking cognizance of this contentious issue and deciding it once for all. India will never have a better chance of doing so as it has now!
AIR COMMODORE (R) AZFAR A. KHAN
Rawalpindi
WHILE President Musharraf’s bold initiatives to curb sectarianism and terrorism announced in his televised speech (Jan 12) are commendable, he has stopped well short of eradicating the root cause of the problem.
The electoral system provides for separate electorates and the penal code awards stiff penalties, even death, for violation of draconian laws enacted by earlier governments which in a way encourage sectarianism and religious bigotry.
The President should have gone all the way to eradicate the problem from its roots. The draconian laws must be repealed, the electoral process changed, and the constitution modified to guarantee the individual freedoms articulated by Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah. Only then will the country be on the track to recovery.
ARIF HUMAYUN
USA
PRESIDENT Pervez Musharraf has outlined a new policy to reform religious schools or Madrassahs which are perceived to encourage militancy.
A “new Madrassah strategy” is being introduced in Pakistan to regulate the functioning of the schools and bring their students into the mainstream.
The President also strongly critized some religious leaders who, he said, were misleading Pakistanis and turning mosques into breeding grounds of sectarian violence.
He outlined several new measures governing the regulation of mosques and madrassahs.
“Pakistanis are fed up with religious extremism”, he said. Religious intolerance had led to a situation where “we started slaughtering each other in mosques”.
These acts, as well as violent religious demonstrations, had led to a negative international image for Pakistan which was being seen as an intolerant and “mediaeval” nation.
Ahead of his speech, the Pakistani police carried out raids across religious schools and mosques and arrested more than 200 activists.
IMTIAZ A QURESHI
Karachi
“THE Security Council next appointed Dr Frank Graham, an ex-Senator as United Nations Representative, whose task was to secure implementation of the two resolutions of the Commission. But by that time India had made up its mind that Security Council or no Security Council, Graham or no Graham, it would under no circumstances relax its military hold on Kashmir.”
Thus writes the first Foreign Minister of Pakistan, conducting the Kashmir negotiations until 1954, to describe the attitude of India which, unremittingly, continues until today, and was the cause of the UN Resolutions remaining unimplemented, at the cost of the happiness and prosperity of the peoples of South Asia.
A leopard never changes its spots. As such, as I, and some other correspondents, have belaboured on several occasions, Pakistan would be well advised to stop this endless wild-goose chase of phony bilateral negotiations and look at reality squarely in the face within the totality of its present geo-political situation.
The only sensible and cost-effective option to pursue is first, to continue giving the Kashmiris our full moral, political and diplomatic support in their ever-continuing (since 1932) struggle against oppression. Secondly, to make it our core mission to set our own house in order in every respect, particularly law and order and the economy.
Thirdly, to mount a sustained and imaginative international campaign, managed by professionals, to bring home to the international community the injustice done by Indian arms and chicanery to the rightful aspirations of the people of Kashmir.
And lastly, to bide our time for a 1962-like opportunity to present itself when, remaining within the UN framework, India is forced to concede the inalienable right of self-determination to a valiant people.
This is not far-fetched. History is witness that such opportunities appear rather sooner than later.
M. J. AS’AD
Karachi
THIS is in reference to the Rawalpindi Municipal Administrator’s pronouncement that “corruption is continuing in the sanitary staff of the municipality since 1932”.
I do not know about corruption but I have experienced myself good sanitation in the town during the British days. Early in the morning, there used to be sprinkling of water in the streets followed by sweeping, washing, cleaning, collection of refuse etc., with each and every person of the department performing his own duties thoroughly.
The officials, like the sanitary inspectors and the health officers, used to make frequent rounds to supervise the work. The DCs would make surprise visits. There was a system in place, working to keep the environment clean. Nowadays, refuse is burnt in the streets and along the roads, thus polluting the environment all the more.
Before partition there were community libraries and dispensaries everywhere, to provide services to the people. Taxation was minimal. Now services are virtually non-existent and corruption rampant.
One expects at least some corrective measures to eradicate the growing corruption prevailing everywhere.
M. AHMAD
Rawalpindi
I completely agree with the views of Bakhtiar M. expressed in his letter, ‘Time for action against leaders’ ( Jan 10).
All those leaders who incited the young and the uneducated to take up arms and cross the border into Afghanistan should be tried for treason and charged for multiple counts of manslaughter. Furthermore, they should be made to financially support the families of those Pakistanis who died after trespassing into foreign land.
Pakistanis, too, should learn to differentiate between genuine and sincere leaders and hypocrites and opportunists.
WAQAR AHMAD
New York, US
MY name is Bisma Nasim. I am 18 years old and have just passed intermediate science in pre-engineering from St Joseph’s College, Karachi, scoring 83 per cent.
I am very interested in aviation and that is why I want to become an aeronautical engineer and serve the PAF. But I cannot get admission just because I am a girl. The College of Aeronautical Engineering (CAE), which is one of the campuses of the NUST, is situated in the PAF Academy, Risalpur. CAE is the only institution in Pakistan, which offers internationally accepted curricula for both undergraduate and graduate programmes in the fields of Aerospace and Avionics Engineering. But, it does not enrol female students.
The reason that NUST usually gives in their admission ads is the absence of a female hostel. Here, I would also like to mention that even for the male cadets of the CAE, there is no hostel and they share the rooms with the GD(p) cadets. Then, why can’t girls share the rooms with the female cadets of the ground branches in PAF Academy?
Why are girls always discriminated? Many countries, including some Muslim countries, employ girls in their flying and aero-engineering branches and they go through the same military training as the male cadets do.
Besides, one can also quote an example even from our own country where a female aircraft engineer of PIA has been recently promoted to become a Manager Engineering, for the first time in PIA’s history.
We must have the right to study our chosen subject and should be given the opportunity.
BISMA NASIM
Karachi
I refer to Mr Ayaz Amir’s article (Jan 11). Would Mr Amir really like us to go to war with India, which is what he volunteers his services for, in the last paragraph. If so, he must be in a minority of 1 against 140 million.
The rest of us want two square meals, a roof over our heads and a good future for our children — none of which is made possible by fighting expensive and inconclusive wars.
I have rather sadly been led to the conclusion that Mr Amir is nothing more than an armchair grouser — he will grouse about the state of every government and every decision, and that too from the comfort of his armchair.
Mr Amir does not seem to grasp the fact that we need to confront the contradictions in our policies and resolve our internal problems, once and for all. I believe the government is trying to use the fact of international pressure to set their own house in order — something that needs to be done if we are ever to progress.
Perhaps they could not have done it prior to September 11 due to a (misplaced) fear of a fundamentalist backlash. But full marks to them for seizing the opportunity to get things moving in the right direction, the minute an opportunity presented itself.
It is time to sort out our thoughts on Kashmir and decide once and for all, what we can do and what we cannot if we are to grow economically and socially.
Maybe the government is trying to do just that in the long term interests of the country. The current mess is not of their making after all and cannot be cleared up overnight.
Mr Amir can be helpful by writing once again about literature, music and wine, on which his opinions were appreciated, rather than rushing in to foster an unnecessary war effort.
F. MOWJEE
Karachi
HAVING joined the coalition and done everything to fight terrorism, Pakistan continues to get under more and more pressure, both from its coalition partners and its neighbour on the east.
Americans know too well that there is a limit beyond which Pakistan may not accede to pressures, particularly in the context of the Indian demands.
A showdown between the two adversaries seems to be a part of a greater plan. Palpably, the aim is to let Pakistan suffer some territorial loss and then to tell the Muslim world of what can happen to the “bastion of Islam”, if it did not act on the dictates of the West.
In this scenario, the US would neutralize Pakistan’s ability to use nuclear arms. With Pakistan embarrassed and neutralized, a stark signal would be sent to the Muslim world to mend its ways.
This is one of the future objectives of the coalition against terrorism. Let us not be caught unawares.
SHAHRIYAR NAWAZ
Chaklala
THE Sept 11 incident in the US shocked the people around the world people started coming up with various theories regarding those responsible for the event with all types of sensible and wild guesses.
The media power controlled by a particular group jumped in to quickly scavenge the terrorist sources and immediately branded Muslims as terrorists responsible for these acts. All others with a history of crimes and terrorism were excluded from investigation.
The way Muslims as a nation were targeted and maligned provides ample reckoning to believe that conspiracy against Muslims was the goal of the Sept 11 attackers. We alone as a nation and religious segment have suffered the most for of the Sept 11 attack based on unsubstantiated findings. We lost one Muslim nation to allied forces, thousands of Muslims were killed in a campaign to get hold of two persons and thousands of Muslims have lost their homes and have been displaced.
Finally it conspires that the theory was well implemented with perfection. And we failed to even protect ourselves against a crime which we never committed. Muslim countries with all their wealth and resources failed to counter plan.
Strategically located bases are being planned, a Diego Garcia was too far to control the resources.
WASIM I KHAN
Karachi
WE would like to highlight a perennial problem faced by Ittehad Chemicals Ltd. The factory is entirely dependent on power supply from WAPDA. We are one of the major consumers of electricity in the country. However, we are beset with the problem of voltage fluctuation which continues the year round.
These voltage fluctuations not only result in partial or complete shutdowns of the running plants but are also responsible for loss in production. The loss in production is not only loss to the company but results in a loss to the government as well in terms of reduced taxes due to lower production because of plant shutdowns.
Loss of the material in process is a direct loss to the company and it is also a contributing factor towards environmental pollution. We have brought this thing to the notice of the WAPDA authorities for necessary rectification.
These voltage fluctuations resulting in plant shutdowns are very pronounced during the Basant festivities because of the use of metallic wire for kite flying. This often leads to power failure which causes running industries to breakdown.
In the larger national interest we would like to make an earnest request to all concerned to refrain from using metallic wire for kite flying. We also appeal to the authorities to look into the matter.
ITTEHAD CHEMICALS
LIMITED
Lahore
WAR is not a solution and can never be a solution to anything. Pakistan and India have fought three wars in the past 50 years. But the issue is still unsettled. If we really want to resolve the issue of Kashmir, both countries have to resume dialogues. This is the only solution.
President Musharraf has taken a bold step addressing his own people to root out terrorism from their own country. Now, it is India’s turn to appreciate what the President has said and done so far and not to play politics.
I am a Pakistani and believe me, or not, every Pakistani wants to have peace with India. We don’t want war in our region nor do we want terrorism in India. Let’s shake hands and work for enduring peace.
ZAKI AHMED
WI, USA
A renowned journalist once asked Z.A. Bhutto, what would happen in the case of a Third World war? He replied, the victor’s dead body would fall over the dead body of the vanquished.
The war-mongers in both Pakistan and India should realize that only a dialogue can lead to results.
War would bring only dead bodies on both sides and victory for none.
RAFIQ MANGI
Sehwan Sharif
AS a matter of fact, all the unions, associations and pacts have been functioning very actively except for the OIC.
Why is it so? Lack of a will to unite or the lack of leadership?
If so, when is it expected to find these? Next year, next decade or never?
MAHA EMAD
Kuwait
During the water-scarce days before the last monsoons, boring for water was undertaken within many embassies compounds in the Diplomatic Enclave. Several bores turned up dry! Sadly, the heavy monsoon rains did not significantly recharge the ground water table and Islamabad will continue to face water shortage. Rainwater needs to be harnessed and grey-water recycled to supplement the water supplies.
Pakistan has recently been declared a future ‘desert region’. This fearful information has encouraged some Islamabad based individuals and groups to start campaigning for rainwater harvesting and gray water recycling, which has gained considerable importance in the USA and elsewhere. We have found the “texas guide to rainwater harvesting” - available on the Internet at:
www.twdb.state.tx.us/publications/reports/RainHarv.pdf
And similar information on the Net of relevance to our conditions. Such work has been undertaken in 40 American states with climate and water conditions not dissimilar to our’s. Transfer of this know-how to our conditions should be easy. Japan, Canada and Australia too have extensive experience with water conservation.
With the USA at an advanced stage in rainwater harvesting, it is best that its embassy would take the lead, also they are big water users. This would help provide enough water for their own needs as well as become a model, not just in its vicinity but for other parts of the city as well.
Most embassies represent countries that are signatories to the Convention of Combating Desertification and it is their duty to reduce water usage in Islamabad where there is water shortage.
The CDA on its part should see the folly of opening up new sectors such as G-11 and F-11, where each new house or plaza being constructed requires a tubewell to be dug. The city doesn’t even have enough water for existing needs and should therefore stop further development until ground water supply is guaranteed. Merely turning a blind eye to the extraction of ground water for the construction and later use will lead to further lowering of the water table.
The CDA should also start imposing heavy fines on the wanton use of water in the grand houses of the capital. As for house and plaza tubewells, there should be a significant but fair tariff imposed on the volume of water extracted. Electricity and gas are metered, so why not water?
ISA DAUDPOTA & HELGA AHMED
Islamabad
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