Need for non-partisan government

PAKISTAN has suffered from corruption and violence most under the so-called elected governments. Democracy is not simply about elections. It is also about democratic institutions, such as an independent judiciary, a free and responsible press and a professional public service. Without these institutions, democracy is like a carriage without horse and cannot function. Pakistan inherited these institutions at its inception, but it has squandered them with elected leaders governing like worst autocrats. Elections alone are no guarantee of democracy.

Failures of consecutive elected leaders in Pakistan cast serious doubts about reinstating such leaders through fresh elections. Unless they have changed drastically, they are likely to repeat their old performance turning to partisan warfare at the expense of the national interests.

But this does not mean Pakistan should remain under military rule on a permanent basis. It can have a government, at least for a transitional period, which can be an effective alternative between the two. In 1993, Pakistan briefly enjoyed the most successful period of governance in its recent history. The government was neither elected nor authoritarian, but a cross between the two. The non-elected Prime Minister Moin Qureshi was chosen by the civilian President who, in turn, was backed by the military. Because Mr Qureshi had no political parties to please, he made bold moves that restored political stability and economic growth.

Before Qureshi, there had been chronic violence and instability under the elected governments of Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif. When Qureshi handed over the country back to politicians, election returned Benazir to power and chaos resumed.

Finally, in November 1996, Pakistan’s military-backed President deposed her. The sigh of relief throughout the country was almost audible. Elections in 1997 brought back Nawaz Sharif to power and a return to autocratic rule. In 1999, General Parvez Musharraf intervened to depose Sharif’s inept regime.

Since then, Pakistan seems to be slowly recovering from chronic political instability and economic bankruptcy. However, with President Musharraf under pressure to return some form of civilian rule, Pakistan must find its way back to a system like the one that worked so well in 1993.

President Musharraf should find someone like Moin Qureshi and appoint him as prime minister to run the country on a non-partisan basis. Parliamentary elections on a non-partisan basis can take place and President Musharraf should appoint a prime minister from the elected members on the basis of qualification and merit. President Musharraf should be in overall charge, but the country should be run by technocrats under the prime minister. To give democratic legitimacy, Musharraf should go for a referendum on his rule and I am sure most Pakistanis will back him.

In this way, Pakistan can have a civilian government without the instability of letting the highly undemocratic politicians to run the country. The alternatives-democratic autocracy and military dictatorship are hardly viable options. A non-partisan government may be able to help rebuild the democratic institutions, which might pave the way for eventual return of a liberal democracy in Pakistan.

MAHMOOD ELAHI

Ottawa, Canada

Pursuing right policies

THIS refers to the speech on “Foreign policy and religion” (Feb 2) by Mr Mansoor Alam, director-general of the Pakistan Foreign Policy Academy. He has spoken up on issues that had progressively been taken away from the ambit of public debate.

There is too much of evidence to suggest that the Quaid-i-Azam wanted to see a progressive Pakistan that was democratic and offered equal opportunities to members of all religions, communities and classes. Nothing new. Such a Pakistan will be in fact following in the footsteps of the greatest secular empire that ruled over India — the Moghal Empire. Emperor Shah Jahan made a clear distinction. Said he, “We are Muslim and not Islamic kings”.

Muslim people themselves had for centuries practised a highly tolerant form of Islam often called Sufi Islam. They could recite Bhagat Kabir, Amir Khusrau or Guru Nanak with equal relish and competence when making a moral or social point.

The question about the ideology of Pakistan was first raised in the West Pakistan Assembly by Chaudhri Fazal Elahi. But such an ideology does not exist. Read the seminal papers of Muslim League the party that created the country. Go through Iqbal’s address at Allahabad, Jinnah’s 14 points or the Pakistan Resolution itself and search for a hint of what came to be flaunted as the ideology of Pakistan. The contribution of the author of “Khilafat aur Malookiat” to the Pakistan movement was, if anything, negative. Thanks to Zia-ul-Haq that he came to wear the mantle of spiritual godfather of Pakistan — much to the dismay of a huge majority of Pakistanis who knew better but remained silent for fear of blackmail.

With a surfeit of hypocrisy and deliberate misrepresentation of facts of history the state of Pakistan was increasingly burdened with responsibilities and agendas that were well beyond its capability to address. We only ended up as a drifting, bankrupt and eventually a pariah state. God has given us a chance to correct our direction and a leader who can deliver. It is time to speak up not only on the conduct of foreign policy but on state policies as a whole.

M. ZAFAR

Karachi

Award for Christopher Lee

WE are a few weeks away from Pakistan Day and I would suggest that a national award be conferred upon Christopher Lee, the actor who played the role of the Quaid-i-Azam in the film ‘Jinnah’. His acting in the film was really outstanding and he was acclaimed by all the film critics.

He is really one of the giants of the film industry. A number of pictures are classed as classics only on account of his marvellous acting. But Mr Lee believes that his performance as Quaid-i-Azam in the said film is the best.

In one of the interviews he says that ‘I think the most important film I have done, and in which I had the greatest challenge, was a film made in Pakistan.

I played the founder of the nation and the name of the film is the name of the man, Jinnah. I think that was probably the best thing I have ever done’.

At some other place he has said that he felt honoured to play Jinnah, one of the century’s remarkable men. This is his own assessment of his performance in the film. Those who have seen the film would also agree that the actor is at his highest in that film.

I would suggest the government to consider Lee for the award, ‘Pride of Performance’. This suggestion reflects the opinion of a large number of Pakistani Americans.

PROFESSOR M. ALI NAQVI

Orlando, USA

Military takeovers

THIS refers to Ayaz Amir’s article “A banana republic without the bananas” (Feb 1), in which he has bemoaned the state of the nation in his usual inimitable style — long on his beautiful English but often short on ideas.

His implication that the Quaid never visualized army takeovers and, therefore, “never spoke out against military dictatorships” is historically wrong. In 1945 at the time of the mutiny by the naval ratings, he was the only political leader to denounce it and predict that if this was allowed, then after independence the same will set an example for indiscipline in the defence forces.

Again, he talks of no chance for national revival “unless the political class improves its hitherto depressing performance”. Instead of the political class he should address the opinion-makers, the middle class, the so-called educated. Ayaz Amir should know that since Ayub Khan and his successor generals entered the arena, there has never been a political process for 46 years (since 1954). Hence the absence of the political class.

ZAFAR OMAR

Lahore

Better human beings

TO those who are arguing endlessly about whether the Quaid envisaged a secular state or an Islamic state I would simply ask the following: Are we going to get better as a people if we conclude that he wanted an Islamic state — whatever it is that we mean by that?

Our people have not yet learned to pray together in the same mosque or study the same syllabus in their Islamiat class — surely that is a pre-requisite to an Islamic state. Recently, I read about the killing of one Sadiq Ali Humshery for sectarian reasons. The menace that seemed to be retreating is upon us again and we must all fight and unite behind the government to resist it. We seem to be doomed to fighting over whose “version” of Islam is “better” rather than focusing on becoming better human beings.

Mr Khalid Hasan’s article “A Taliban story” made me want to weep with anger and frustration at the brutality and rampant ignorance shown by those calling themselves Muslims. One could argue that they are not fit to be called human leave alone Muslim.

So let us first learn to fight for the rights of others to have opinions and beliefs different to ours. Let us first learn not to fear when a child of ours greets “Namaste” (another phantom fear that seems to be haunting one of the readers).

If our belief in our faith is strong and based on solid, rational thinking nothing can shake it and therefore one never fears diversity in opinion or belief. It is only those whose faith is weak and who believe without knowing why they believe who want to stamp out anything different for fear it might weaken their faith.

F. MOWJEE

Karachi

Pensioners’ problems

RECENTLY, the President was considerate enough to increase the minimum pension to Rs 750 per month. But one category of pensioners have been completely overlooked. These are the so-called “Indian liability pensioners.” By force of circumstances they had retired on proportionate pensions instead of a gratuity.

During F.M. Ayub Khan’s presidency in the sixties, an agreement was signed with India that Hindu and Sikh pensioners who had migrated from here would be paid their pensions there while Muslim migrants from India would be paid by Pakistan and the amounts would be balanced and adjusted between the two countries.

A former benign President and Finance Minister had included such pensioners for the grant of minimum pensions in the nineties. It was then Rs 300 (vide Finance Division circular No. F. 10(12)-Reg.7/83-D.1332-D).

The handful of such persons still living, are now in their eighties and granting them this new rate of minimum pension would not cost the Government of Pakistan anything as it can be adjusted against the payment by India to Hindu and Sikh migrant pensioners. These it is learnt are being paid there at inflation-indexed rates.

I therefore appeal to the President and the Finance Minister to kindly rectify this glaring omission and grant these neglected pensioners the minimum rate, as was done earlier.

MIGRANT PENSIONER

Karachi

Saladin and Richard

MR M.J. AKBAR, an Indian Muslim writer of considerable standing, has, in his “Notes from Delhi” (Jan 27), dilated upon the period of interaction between Sultan Salah-ud-Din Ayubi and King Richard.

The historical data produced by the writer contains some inaccuracies.

The writer’s version of Salah-ud-Din’s ‘coalition’ having troops from India in the Crusades against Richard is not supported by any reliable source. Also the conflict between Muslims and King Richard was not of five years’ duration. King Richard landed in the territory of the Franks in June 1191 and left in October 1192.

The other minor discrepancy was that it was Richard I, and not Richard II, of England who fought in the Crusades and that the time in reference was the end of the twelfth century A.D. and not the 11th century. The story about the two Arab horses is also not available in the Muslim records of the Crusade period pertaining to the limited sojourn of Richard I. In fact, contemporary Christian writers have wrongly attributed many such stories to Saladin, as the great general was called by them affectionately.

According to a dependable account, on receiving a request from King Richard for a personal interview, Saladin declined the meeting saying that “It was not appropriate for kings at war with each other to meet in a friendly converse until a treaty of peace was actually afoot”. The writer has, instead, given a different version to Saladin’s words: “After kings meet, they should never again have a reason for war”.

A.Q. ANJUM

Rawalpindi

Universal literacy

UNIVERSAL literacy can be achieved through a comprehensive action plan, activating every literate person in the country. If literacy promotion is taken up as a national priority and dealt with on a war footing, we can work wonders in a couple of years.

A comprehensive strategy with simultaneous and effective change can give us a sound and dependable political tradition, otherwise our old habits will keep us in the vicious circle of “trial and error” which will further distance us from our destination.

TAHA HUSAIN

Lahore

Delay in the delivery of letters

IT has been about 6-1/2 years since I came to Canada from Pakistan. I live on the same street, same apartment, and have the same telephone number.

It is my experience that a letter takes 7-12 days between Pakistan and Canada. But when this period stretches to three weeks, I feel, there is a problem somewhere. In this fast paced world, I think even 7-12 days period is too long between Pakistan and Canada.

When I was 12-14 years of age, I was living in one of the most remote areas of the province of Sindh near Thar desert. At that time, I had dozens of penfriends in many countries. I remember the mail from the Untied States would take 5-7 days to reach my village. I don’t understand why after 38-40 years the mail delivery system has gone worse when the world has developed considerably?

Currently, I am waiting for at least five registered letters from Pakistan, mailed to me by my family and friends from Mirpurkhas (Sindh), Hyderabad (Sindh) and Karachi in the last of December 2001 after Christmas.

I realize that after Sept 11, the postal administration in the developed countries has become extraordinarily cautious, but this it is too much. Five weeks... and the mails have still not arrived.

The above-mentioned registered letters which carry very important information and papers are still awaited. Who will let me know when those will reach me?

SHAFIQ KHAN

Mississauga, Canada

Need for a bridge

UNIVERSITY Road is one of the busiest roads in the city. As has been done on M. A Jinnah Road and near the Empress Market (Saddar), a bridge should be constructed across this road at some suitable point, to help the pedestrians cross the road.

The portion of this road heading from Hassan Square to NIPA requires at least one bridge.

It is seen that due to the digging of the road for installing water pipeline or for laying the telephone cable, the incoming traffic flow is obstructed, and only a single road serves for the two-way traffic.

District Nazim of Gulshan-i-Iqbal should take an immediate action in this regard.

ZIA UR REHMAN RAZWY

Karachi

Repair of road

HALF of the Sambrial-Majra Road which runs for about six kilometres has been repaired but the remaining portion is still in a shambles.

People belonging to about 15 villages use this road every day at great personal inconvenience.

The Nazim and Naib Nazim of Union Council, Habibpur, and other respectable people have requested the officials concerned to repair the remaining portion of the road as soon as possible so that the travellers in the 15 affected villages, can heave a sigh of relief and farmers can transport their produce to the markets.

MIR AMJAD MIR

Majra Kalan, Daska

Hill Park ducklings

I TAKE a daily walk at the Hill Park and enjoy the early morning cool breeze there. There are many other men, women and children, who also go there, specially on Sundays. A great attraction for the children is feeding the ducks and swans which seem to be waiting for this moment.

What is missing from the scene are ducklings which the children would be delighted to see swimming with the ducks. It is rather intriguing that ducklings have never been seen, though there are plenty of ducks and swans, both male and female. The question arises as to why they are not breeding? Or perhaps, to be more to the point, what happens to the eggs that are laid?

Will the authorities concerned look into the matter and do something so that we can see our children and grandchildren enjoy the ducklings swimming across the lake.

WAQAR ALI KHAN

Karachi

Qualification for NA membership

THIS is with reference to the article “BA or be out” written by Mohammad Akram Shiekh. I fully endorse his views.

Formal academic qualification can never be used as a yardstick to gauge the leadership qualities of a prospective public representative nor can such a measure serve as a safety valve to check the elements who have been polluting our body politic with the menace of corruption.

I would, however, express my concern over a new set of suggestions, currently being contemplated by the NRB, wherein a minimum period of 15 years’ experience shall be required for the seats reserved for technocrats in the Parliament.

Our Constitution stipulates the minimum period of legal practice required of a lawyer to qualify to take oath as a judge of the High Court as 10 years. The qualifications required of a judge of the High Court are also used as criterion to make appointments to other important offices in the country, as well.

So requiring a work experience for a period of more than 15 years, especially in case of lawyers and jurists, as minimum qualification to contest reserved seats for technocrats would be wholly out of proportion. After all the judges of the High Courts shoulder responsibilities no less than those by the parliamentarians. Even the law as developed by the superior courts has also leaned in favour of 10 years’ legal experience requirement for legal technocrats seats in the Parliament.

I hope the government would not jump over the parameters already set by the Constitution and the superior courts and will perhaps seek guidance from the Supreme Court’s judgement in the famous Waseem Sajjad Case.

MASROOR SHAH

Islamabad