| January 18, 2002 | Friday | Ziqa'ad 3, 1422 |
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Toll collection on motorway
Need to upgrade NIBAF
Hundred kicks and hundred onions
PTCL customer service
Tribute to Anil Agarwal
Line rent goes up
Religious extremism
Distortion of facts
Mauripur roundabout
Acting under pressure
Objectionable programmes
A murky view from Margalla
IN underdeveloped countries, the interests of the government and of the people are normally diametrically opposed to each other. A country remains economically backward for as long as its private sector is not mature and it is then really living on borrowed time (and money).
The governments of such countries usually spend more than the nation can spare and therefore resort to oppressive taxation which only goes to suppress private businesses, ultimately resulting in reduced tax paying capacity of the people. A vicious cycle thus begins and the country stays weak.
Outside help has to be sought and the nation ends up being exploited strategically by foreign friends. The situation becomes all the more serious if the nation is confronted with an intractable external problem.
In essence, when the government sector is strong and corrupt (because power is always corrupting), the private sector—the nation’s economic foundation—will remain weak. An example may serve to clarify this point.
Agriculture is the backbone of our country’s economy but now the farmers have been subjected to further financial burden and bureaucratic control through the new policy of tax returns. With our dismal literacy rate, the farmers have been asked to file income tax returns with their respective assistant commissioners (now called deputy district revenue officers).
Already under threat of bankruptcy due to adverse pricing, the illiterate tillers will now be exposed to extortion mostly going into private pockets. The Jatoi (Muzaffargarh) tehsil authorities have issued notices to the local agriculturists to file their returns by January 31 or be prepared to go to jail.
This is really sad, because the patwaris are already assessing and recovering farm tax regularly. The new order will only prove to be the last straw breaking the farmer’s back and resulting in reduced farm output.
AHMAD KHAN
Muzaffargarh
IN a number of letters which have appeared in various newspapers during the last couple of weeks, it has been maintained that one of the reasons contributing towards the loss being incurred by M-2 is that the civilian clerical staff of the Frontier Works Organization (FWO) is skimming off money from the toll collection. However the system being used by the FWO, provides foolproof safeguards against the eventualities mentioned by these writers. The procedure is mentioned below to remove any misgivings in this regard.
A vehicle entering the Motorway (M-2) is issued a magnetic card through the Ticket Issuing Machine (TIM) of the computer on which date, time and place of entry of the vehicle is recorded. This card is carried by the driver and handed over to the computer operator at the exit point who passes the card through the sensor/card reader. The entry/exit date, time, place, toll amount, registration number and type of vehicle is checked. Thereafter, a printed receipt is handed over to the commuter for payment of the toll. Concurrently, all the data is automatically fed to the main server located at the Toll Operating Centre, manned by Pakistan Revenue Automation (Pvt) Limited (PRAL), which is a company appointed for this job by NHA. The computers of all the tollbooths are interconnected through Local Area Network (LAN) and Wide Area Network (WAN) with the main servers at Lahore and Islamabad. PRAL is responsible to verify the entry/exit of vehicles and carries out daily audit of the toll collected by the FWO and sends a report, directly to the NHA.
The electricity provided by WAPDA is backed up by standby generators available on each toll plaza. However, in an extremely rare case of double failure, a comprehensive system of manual entry tickets/toll collection receipts has been chalked out in the Standing Operating Procedures (SOP) including stamping and signing of receipts.
The noting down of the vehicle registration number by military personnel is an additional check against any possible pilferage or corruption such as wrong entry of the type of vehicle in the manually issued toll collection receipts.
In the presence of such an elaborate and foolproof electronic checks by the FWO and the PRAL, the chances of pilferage are almost zero.
LT COL TAJAMMAL RAZA BUTT (RETD)
Ddpr, fwo,
Rawalpindi
THIS letter refers to the article “SBPBSC: was it really necessary?” by Mr A.M. Talha (Jan 14). He has found it irrational to have a separate training institute in the State Bank of Pakistan.
The State Bank being the regulator of monetary and banking sector, plays a pivotal role in fostering and streamlining the economic development of the country.
The SBP envisaged a dynamic and state-of-the art training centre called “NIBAF” (National Institute of Banking and Finance), which not only caters to the needs of SBP officials but participants from 102 countries attend courses on banking and finance. In view of its high standards, the IMF proposed that it be established as regional institute in South Asia.
The rationale behind the training at NIBAF can inevitably be justified as it has graduated sound professionals for the SBP capable of overseeing and monitoring two-thirds of the economy.
It has also collaboration with partner institutes like PIDE, LUMS, IBP, regarding latest studies and teacher-trainers. By outsourcing the training capabilities, the SBP has cut considerable cost of training.
It is worth noting that the management of NIBAF has an extensive training experience. An institute of banking in Uzbekistan has been named after one of the pioneers of NIBAF due to his excellent training services in that country.
By incorporating versatile training, the SBP is now able to build the pyramid of truly professional management hierarchy. We disagree with the writer that training in the SBP is meaningless. The SBP is a central bank where training should always be the premier strategy so that the SBP ever retain the trust of the people with capable managers. The need of the hour is to upgrade NIBAF and its doors be opened for every banker in Pakistan.
GHULAM RUBBANI and ANWAR HASHMI
Islamabad
ONCE again, Ayaz Amir has written a good piece (Jan 10). His analysis of the current situation, a product of criminal follies committed in the past, portrays a true picture of our society that has suffered time and again at the hands of our self-styled civil and military rulers and agencies.
With his insight and powerful prose, he has shown the mirror to the rulers and the agencies that bear the main responsibility for the present state of affairs. Certain ‘learned’ columnists maintain that Pakistan had no alternative except to comply with the directives given by USA.
True, but then what is the justification for writing columns in praise of so-called ‘statesmanship’ of our rulers?
The agencies continued to patronize the Taliban’s obscurantist regime even during Musharraf’s tenure. And it is no secret that the so-called ‘Mujahideen’ from Pakistan were actively involved in the freedom struggle in Kashmir.
In Agra, when the Indian rulers pressed that the ‘Mujahideen’ should not be given access to occupied Kashmir, Musharraf chose to call an early morning press conference to ‘explain’ the difference between terrorists and freedom fighters.
For this, he was declared ‘Man of the Match’ by certain Pakistani columnists.
And now again, after his recent proclamations, embracing an entirely different stance regarding the whole scenario, he is being declared ‘Man of the Match’! In fact, this could have been done in Agra with a sense of pride, at least.
AHFAZ-UR-RAHMAN
Karachi
THIS refers to a letter (Jan 15) regarding PTCL customer care. As a step towards customer convenience the PTCL has made elaborate arrangements to provide new telephone connections within 48 hours.
The provision of facility is however subject to the capacity and network in certain major cities including Lahore, Karachi, Peshawar, Gujranwala, Faisalabad, Multan, Quetta and Islamabad / Rawalpindi. The prospective customers no longer have to wait more than the specified time in most areas of the country.
Keeping in view the customers’ needs and to improve the inquiry service, the PTCL has established computer assisted Centralized Director Assistance System (CDAS) and is working efficiently at Lahore.
It is also providing this service to PTCL customers of Gujranwala, Multan, Sialkot and Faisalabad for Islamabad / Rawalpindi customers.
The same facility will soon be extended to Karachi and Peshawar as well, based on the state of the art technology. Work in other cities is also under consideration.
The PTCL has been focusing on other services like connectivity, improvement in fault redressal, with special emphasis on customer care and value added services. PTCL fully realizes the importance of modern fault and redressal system. Karachi, Hyderabad, Mirpurkhas, Islamabad / Rawalpindi already have computerized fault management system (CFMS), while the spade work for Lahore, Peshawar and other major cities is near completion. In Rawalpindi / Islamabad the system has already been made operational.
SULTAN AHMED HASSAN
PTCL,
Islamabad
ANIL Agarwal, the visionary founder and leader of the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), passed away on Jan 2, 2002, after a seven-year battle against cancer. Anil Agarwal, who once visited and lectured on environmental issues in Pakistan in 1990, was famous as an eminent third world thinker for his research work on global environmental issues. He challenged western based analysis of blaming southern countries for contributing to global warming in climate change conventions perspective, with his scientific reasoning and asked them to pay for their unsustainable consumption and production pattern that has damaged the global environment.
Anil Agarwal singlehandedly fought to put environment at the top of the political agenda in India. “Down to Earth”, a magazine published by CSE and edited by Anil Agarwal, is one of the popular environmental magazines in the world. Anil Agarwal has also pioneered in documenting indigenous local knowledge of communities in water harvesting and published several books on this subject. He was a respected environmental activist and was represented in most international committees and boards of reputed organizations.
We have not only lost a rare thinker and advocate dedicated to improving the environment, but also a staunch supporter of the rights of the poor, and of social justice.
TANVEER ARIF
Karachi
The PTCL has again enhanced telephone line rent, now raising it to Rs 300 per month with effect from January 2002. There was no justification for this in view of the huge profit earned by the PTCL.
Call charges in Pakistan are already on the high side, compared with any other country in the region. The idea of multiplication of one local call into many calls, if it exceeds the duration of three minutes, is perhaps prevalent nowhere in the world.
With this raise, the PTCL has added to the financial worries of a common subscriber. Will the PTCL please review its decision?
Z.A. ANSARI
Karachi
THE era of obscurantism initiated by Ziaul Haq may finally be coming to an end. Pakistan, which was founded as a homeland for the Muslims of South Asia, had been hijacked by the same Islamic extremists who opposed its creation.
After the landmark speech of General Pervaiz Musharraf (Jan 12), now the biggest test would be to rein in the infamous ISI, which in the view of the majority, has impeded the progress of this country.
DR JAMAL NASIR MEMON
Karachi
A programme on current affairs is telecast daily by the London-based ARY television channel. In its earlier days, knowledgeable and educated people were brought in for discussions. However, of late the programme has deteriorated to mudslinging and ‘Paki-bashing’.
There are a few so-called experts on the panel who not only distort facts but seem to be openly hostile to Pakistan. They often resort to blatant lies. It is a matter of deep concern and anger to all Pakistanis that these people are encouraged by ARY Digital to present anti-Pakistan comments which are not based on the truth.
We all know that India is spending millions on the media war. My request to ARY Digital is to please ascertain if these so-called ‘experts’ have been bought off by the Indians.
My request to the Pakistan government is to send a list to Tony Blair for the return of our convicts and absconders.
ABDUL HAMEED KHAN
Karachi
I WISH to draw the attention of the concerned authorities to the traffic jam that develops daily at the Mauripur roundabout located at the junction of roads coming from SITE, Hawkesbay and Mauripur. The roundabout is so large that it obstructs the flow of traffi after 5 p.m. every day.
Why can the roundabout not be removed and a traffic signal system set up there? In the meantime, the traffic police should man that junction since it is one of the busiest spots in the city. All approaches to the main industrial areas (SITE/Korangi/Landhi) need to be very well maintained so that the economic activity in this city is not hindered.
We also need to consider the impression being made on foreign buyers who visit our factories.
How is it possible to take them through such roads and still convey an impression of being a modern/developing nation capable of meeting their business needs? The city government and the IG police both need to take these facts on board and prioritize the roads that need improvement and get on with the task urgently.
F. MOWJEE
Karachi
THERE have been lots of comments in reaction to the President Pervez Musharraf’s speech last Saturday. I firmly believe in whatever he said about the extremist religious parties, but the point to ponder is: why do our rulers only rectify the problems when pressurized by the US or the international community? Don’t we have our own views?
YUSUF AHMAD
Lahore
IT is sad to see that our local media is also showing objectionable programmes. We used to criticize the Indian channels for vulgarity and obscenity but the domestic media is leaving no stone unturned in copying them.
The PTV and PTV World used to be absolutely safe channels. No more. And the Indus Vision has crossed all the limits. Indus Music is so ‘liberal’ that it is hard to believe that it is a Pakistani Channel. I don’t know why we forget our own values and culture.
SYED NEHAL ALVI
Karachi
THE Onlooker’s “view from Margalla” (Jan 7) is pretty murky. After reading it the impression becomes inescapable that everything about Pakistan was wrong from day one, that Pakistan was inherently never capable of doing anything right, nor is it now.
This is a free country and everyone is free to say and write what he wishes, subject to certain specified and generally acceptable conditions. The pages of Dawn itself bear testimony to this freedom. But this “view from Margalla” is so full of animus towards Pakistan and misrepresentation of doubtful signals that the only view left of the “view from Margalla” is of its having been written elsewhere.
It is not possible to review this “view” sentence by sentence in this brief letter. But some of the more conspicuous misrepresentations could be mentioned. It is a universal diplomatic practice for the resident head of mission to hold a reception on the occasion of a state / official visit of his head of state / government, to which leading personalities from different walks of life and different schools of thought of the receiving state, diplomatic representatives, members of the envoy’s country’s community, and any other important persons who may be present in that capital at that time are invited.
There was nothing unusual or exceptional about Ashraf Jahangir Qazi’s inviting the Hurriyet leaders to the reception for the President or the no objection to their meeting him. For that matter, Farooq Abdullah was also invited to the reception and most cordially received by the President. But that reception was not the place or the occasion for settling the Kashmir dispute or even for paving the way for a movement towards settling that dispute.
I do not know the source of the rules, written or unwritten, for meetings of editors with a visiting head of state government, hinted at in the “view”. It also seems to have been overlooked that President Musharraf had offered to himself arrange any number of such meetings with editors for Prime Minister Vajpayee when he visited Pakistan.
Of course, some interviews are given in camera but that is no secret. There is a difference between questions and debates. It is a well known practice between states that messages exchanged or contents of discussions held are not disclosed to the public without the consent of both sides.
Nor did Pakistan offer the videotape in question or suggest its use in India. It had been made for airing in Pakistan where people would be interested in the activities of the President of Pakistan on such a historic visit. People in India were not the target. The video maker complied with the Indian Star TV editor’s request for lending it for a few minutes as a gesture of goodwill towards a brother member of the media fraternity.
It is also not clear why it has taken seven months to unearth and parade this “exercise in low cunning on the part of Pakistan”. The timing of this disclosure is no less interesting.
Finally, people of my generation who have been following the course of events in the subcontinent ever since the revitalization of the All India Muslim League in 1937, cannot easily recall the existence of any “small and very powerful Pakistan lobby” of editors at any time in Congress circles before, or in India, after independence.
S. IRTIZA HUSAIN
Karachi
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