| February 1, 2002 | Friday | Ziqa’ad 17, 1422 |
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Accountability process
Where is merit?
Appointment of teachers
Derecognition of medical colleges
Media co-operation in South Asia
Entry test for politicians
Computerized ID cards
Jinnah’s famous address
Scania bus project
Manufacturing industries
NA seats
Problems of pensioners
Electricity bill: inequitable charges
IN his article “Glocalization not globalization (Dec 31), Yusuf H. Shirazi has referred to the role of civil bureaucracy starting that they “have delivered the goods quite well wherever relied upon”. I wonder if the statement is based on facts.
Since the days of Ghulam Muhammad, an officer of the Audit and Accounts Services, who became Governor-General, the civil bureaucrats have been largely controlling the political and economic affairs of the country.
M. M. Ahmed, a CSP (ICs) Officer, who held the post of Vice Chairman of the Planning Commission, was responsible for the devaluation of the currency to 131% in 1972 at the behest of the IFIs which, in fact, never expected the government to agree to such a high-pitched proposed devaluation. That was the start of the mounting deficit finance, inflation and trade imbalance.
Mohammad Shoaib, another officer of the Audit and Accounts Services, who represented Pakistan in the World Bank, rose to the rank of Vice-President of the World Bank and was brought in as Finance Minister in 1960 by Ayub Khan, replacing Abdul Qadir, an officer of the Audit and Accounts Services. He laid the foundation of this country’s economy on the advice of the Harvard economists’ group. Since then the country has relied on the export of import-substitution-based simple manufactures like yarn and textile made-up goods. The hi-tech value-added industries have fallen prey to lack of investment, production and export and entrepreneurial ineptitude which Mr Shirazi has conveniently omitted to discuss.
The fact of the matter is that every head of state has been advised by a top civil servant and, therefore, the role of bureaucracy has always been predominant.
The present economic team of the government also includes several bureaucrats, whose performance may be seen from the sluggish investment climate. They take credit for the record foreign exchange reserves which, in fact, rose because of the dollar movement due to the war in Afghanistan and the Sept 11 events in the US much less by their policies in the normal course.
Where is then the bureaucracy which Mr Shirazi claims “have delivered the goods quite well wherever relied upon”? Mr Shirazi, however, insists that wherever there is a strong civil bureaucracy, there is a strong economy. It may be so elsewhere, but not in Pakistan.
However, the role of the IFIs needs to be evaluated, so that Pakistan may not suffer the fate of the countries with dilapidated economics, for which these IFIs are being obviously held responsible. It is only in this context that Mr Shirazi’s article is relevant which the government must take seriously. Let there be no globalization at the cost of political, economic and social deprivation of people at large anywhere, much less in Pakistan.
DR SHARAFUL ISLAM
Rawalpindi
ANWAR Saifullah, ex-federal minister, has been acquitted by the Accountability Court, Rawalpindi, in a corruption case. He is the brother of Salim Saifullah, President of the NWFP chapter of Pro-Musharraf Muslim League (‘Hum Khyal’). His acquittal was not a surprise as it was widely anticipated.
Similarly, Azam Hoti, a central leader of the ANP and brother of Begum Nasim Wali Khan, was released on bail on medical grounds though he is, by the Grace of God, healthy. It is also expected that he will be acquitted by the Accountability Court and also in his appeal pending in the High Court against his conviction - thanks to the support of the ANP to President Musharraf. Previously, Faruq Sattar, a central leader of the MQM, was let off on his appeal in the High Court against his conviction of 14 years due to a patch up.
It is also believed that Aftab Sherpao would be freed in the near future. The only sufferers at the hands of the NAB are those spineless government officials who have no forum or platform.
Under such pathetic circumstances, I can only request the superior judiciary (not the Accountability Courts) to come to the rescue of the hapless officers by deciding their appeals on merit without fear or favour.
ABDUL SAMAD
Peshawar
AN award-giving ceremony was held at the Chief Executive Secretariat in Islamabad, on January 28, for the distinguished achievers in the Secondary and Higher Secondary School Certificate Examinations, 2000.
The President distributed certificates and scholarships among the students of 16 educational boards of the country who had topped in the said examinations. He awarded Rs50,000 each to the position holders in SSC examinations and Rs200,000 each to the position holders in the HSC examinations.
Speaking on the occasion, he emphasized the need for developing a society where merit would be the only criterion. He said that a society which did not recognize merit could never progress, rather this has a demoralizing effect and eventually results in brain drain.
Now, I would like to inform the President and other authorities that I am one of the distinguished achievers and had secured 1st class 1st position (93.18%) in my SSC examination, 2000, in the Board of Secondary Education, Karachi. Why have I not been called for the award and why was I ignored? What has been the criterion of merit? Had merit been adhered to in my case?
I hope that keeping in view the “recognition of merit”, as emphasized by the President, he would probe the matter and I also be honoured with the award that I am entitled to.
MUNIBA ZAFAR
1st class 1st position holder, SSC examination 2000, BSE,
Karachi
AFTER a gap of about six years the Education Department, Sindh, invited applications for appointment as primary, junior and high school teachers against vacant posts through Public Service Commission in the early months of 2001.
After a written test and interviews, the final list of successful candidates was issued from the concerned departments for appointments. The process was very slow and took about nine months to complete.
Initially appointment to primary teachers were started followed by high school teachers. In the meantime the learned City Nazim asked the concerned officers to stop the appointments and keep the remaining appointments of PSTs, JSTs and HSTs in abeyance.
The education department also remained mum and did not even issue a notification. This situation has caused the incumbents frustration and agony.
We therefore appeal to the authorities to take remedial steps to save these unfortunate candidates from mental agony.
THE SUFFERERS
Karachi
THIS refers to the news item about the cancellation of recognition of some medical colleges of Karachi, run in the private sector (Jan 17). In spite of this announcement in the press, the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) has not as yet informed the concerned medical colleges anything in writing.
The management of these colleges hold the view that they were asked to rectify their deficiencies in a given time period, as per decision taken by the PMDC in its 97th council meeting and that there was no suggestion of derecognition at all. They also feel that this announcement of the PMDC is irrational. All these colleges are conducting their examinations as per scheduled.
This current state of conflict between these colleges and the PMDC has created confusion among us, the students, and has put our careers at risk. The question of prime importance at this time is, what will be the status of the doctors being produced by these colleges now?
So far, three batches of MBBS doctors have passed out of the Hamdard College of Medicine and Dentistry, and all of them were recognized by the PMDC. The fourth batch is due to appear in their final exams in March / April, 2002.
If any decision has been taken by the PMDC, then it should inform all the concerned institutions in writing, as early as possible, to safeguard the future of hundreds of students.
FINAL YEAR STUDENTS
Hamdard College of Medicine & Dentistry
Karachi
THIS refers to the letter on media co-operation in South Asia from Syed Tariq Ali (Jan 27).
In addition to the valuable work rendered by the South Asian Media Association (SAMA) from 1991 to 1996 in the training of young and mid-level working journalists, SAMA rendered a valuable service by improving media law in the region in the second half of the 1990s.
With the support of the Asian Media Information and Communication Centre, Singapore (AMIC) and the South Asian offices of the German Foundation, Friedrich Ebert Stiftung, a series of consultations were organized by SAMA in Colombo (Sri Lanka), Kathmandu (Nepal), Dhaka (Bangladesh) and in Karachi to study the existing state of mass media laws and to identify specific areas and rules in which improvements are required to make laws more democratic and to facilitate the freedom of expression.
These consultations were attended by eminent media scholars, lawyers, editors, media specialists, government representatives and social activists. All the consultations between 1996 and 1999 were conducted by the founding chairman of SAMA, Mr Javed Jabbar.
This attempt to harmonize media laws of the seven South Asian countries was an adjunct of the UNESCO / AMIC project by which individual handbooks on mass media laws of each South Asian country were researched, compiled and published. The book: “Mass Media Laws and Regulations in Pakistan,” the first of its kind, was published in 1998 with Mr Javed Jabbar as chief compiler and Barrister Qazi Faez Isa as co-compiler.
Recommendations for improvements in the media law were circulated to governments and other organizations in the SAARC countries. Several progressive changes in the media law and policy have taken place in the region during the past five years.
ABDUL SAMAD KHAN
Karachi
THE imposition of the condition of graduation for legislators could have a moral ground if every constituency had a degree college within its limits.
Besides these days we don’t consider the degrees and certificates issued by our educational institutions good enough for admission to professional colleges, like the medical colleges. We have, instead, opted for entrance tests. Why not have an entry test for politicians, which the Election Commission might conduct and whoever qualifies can get the permission for contesting elections.
MOIZULLAH TARIQ MALIK
Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
IN July 2001, I had applied for the computerized ID Cards for my wife and myself and was issued receipt No. 118356 on July 26. The date of delivery of the cards given on the receipt was 26th September.
During the first week of October 2001, when I personally contacted NADRA’s Baloch Colony office, I was advised to come after a month. On my second visit, some time during November last year, I was told not to contact the office again as NADRA has made arrangements and the cards will be delivered at the given address by the end of December 2001.
Although the month of January is now almost over, we have not yet received the cards. Will someone from NADRA please let us now when can we expect to get the ID Cards?
S.A.K. NAQVI
Karachi
THIS refers to S. I. Malik’s letter “Demand for a secular state?” (Jan 27).
I was deeply shocked when I read in the letter that Mr Jinnah did not want Pakistan to be a secular state. I entirely agree with what Mr Iqbal Akhund said in his article (Jan, 23) that “Once Pakistan came into being” Mr Jinnah made “his views clear” that Pakistan would be “a democratic secular state”.
In his historical and inspiring presidential address to the Constituent Assembly of Pakistan at Karachi on August 11, 1947 the Quaid-i-Azam had said:
“You are free. You are free to go to your temples, you are free to go to your mosques or to any other place of worship in this State of Pakistan.
“You may belong to any religion or caste or creed — that has nothing to do with the business of the state”. Does not this prove that the Quaid wanted Pakistan to be a secular state?
At a press conference held at New Delhi on 4th July, 1947, the Quaid was asked as to whether Pakistan would be a secular or theocratic state. He sarcastically replied: “You are asking me a question that is absurd. I do not know what a theocratic state means?”
When the correspondent clarified what a theocratic state meant, the Quaid replied: “then it seems what I have already said is like throwing water on a duck’s back. Pakistan will be a modern Islamic democratic state”.
AHMED F. JIVANJEE
Karachi
THIS is with reference to the news “Scania bus project, foreign ventures fail to deliver “(Jan 28).
Myself and many others who use public buses frequently for going to school, college, work etc, are well aware of the defective transport system of Karachi. We are all aware of the poor condition of the buses. Moreover, due to the limited number of buses operating and the absence of a circular railway in Karachi, it is difficult for the people in general and women in particular to find any room in the buses, especially during rush hours.
The launching of the Scania Bus Project was a real need of the hour. This project will definitely diminish some of the problems of the commuters.
I, therefore, urge the concerned authorities to take appropriate action to end this standoff between the Federal government and the company so that the buses are shipped.
DR AYESHA WAHEED
Karachi
WE are grateful for the broad coverage on “Census of manufacturing industries” (Jan 23). There is one small matter that needs correction. CMI questionnaires are mailed out by the Provincial Directorates of Industries and not by Federal Bureau of Statistics as indicated in the news.
NAZEER AHMED DIRECTOR
Statistics Division, Federal Bureau of Statistics,
Karachi
THE increase in the National Assembly seats is apparently based on the provisional results of 1998 population census, except in the case of FATA which has been rewarded with four extra seats at the expense of three NWFP seats and one Islamabad seat. Perhaps they have been rewarded for not paying any taxes. Should they not be told “no representation without taxation”?
SYED J. AHMAD
Karachi
IT is about two months since the federal government notified an enhancement in the monthly pensions of its retired officers. The management of the National Bank of Pakistan, on the other hand, is still keeping mum on the subject which is causing concern among its pensioners.
The hapless retired officers and other employees of the NBP, who are already suffering heavily due to ever-rising prices, are very keenly waiting for their monthly pensions to be increased without further delay.
It is hoped that the head offices of the NBP would make an early announcement in this regard so that the pensioners don’t have to wait for much needed relief.
S.A. HASSAN
Lahore
I HAD the shock of my life when I received an electricity bill for Rs 19,200 for the month of December, 2001, as against Rs 6,800 for November. The bill showed a sum of Rs 8,609 as ‘bill adjustment’ despite all the bills having been promptly paid. On checking up, it transpired that the tarrif had been increased in such a cruel manner that the sliding rates of electricity consumption were now only applicable to consumers who used electricity to a maximum of 1,000 units per month.
For those who used power in excess of this limit, the whole consumption was charged at the highest rate of Rs 6.70 per unit. Since the increase was allowed to take effect from a back date, the so-called ‘arrears’ (accrued due to no fault of the consumers) were termed as ‘bill adjustment’ and added to the bills sent in January, 2002.
This is sheer lootmar on the part of WAPDA/NEPRA and the government of Pakistan which approved such a stupid plan of increase. What made the authorities believe that all those consuming more than 1,000 units of electricity per month were big industrialists, rich business magnates or otherwise affluent citizens of our poor country? Visualizing large-scale public resentment on the issue, WAPDA has very conveniently taken its hands off this increase by saying that the tarrif had been unilaterally restructured by NEPRA. “They had, in fact, contacted the President’s secretariat for withdrawing the NEPRA decision but to no avail,” said a senior WAPDA official while talking to a group of newsmen. There is a common feeling among the people that while the Afghanistan issue has raised President Pervez Musharraf to the position of a top class statesman, he certainly has no hold on the country’s administration.
Was NEPRA created to regulate electric power in the country or to suck the blood of people by committing such inhuman acts? Let us disband this organization if it cannot work for the betterment of the people. Rather than taxing the consumers beyond the limits of their endurance, measures to reduce the expenditure and cutting down the shamefully high line losses should have been adopted. Instead of popularizing the use of electricity, the dreadful raise in tarrif is bound to push the people back to the era of candles and kerosene oil lamps.
President Musharraf has expressed the desire to keep the top slot for another five years. He is welcome to do so but it will not be a bed of roses if he continues to ignore the welfare of the people. Would you call it a comedy of errors or intent that the government gave me a raise of Rs 866 per month in my pension but has in return taken away a minimum of Rs 2,225 per month on account of the wonderful ‘restructuring of the electricity tarrif’? What a commendable step towards making Pakistan a welfare state.
LT-COL. (RETD) RAFI NASIM
Lahore
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