| February 15, 2002 | Friday | Zilhaj 2, 1422 |
To send a letter to the Editor
Click here
Indo-Pakistan relations
Police reforms
Cotton committee’s problems
PMDC and medical colleges
Zebra crossings and traffic signals
Compressed natural gas
NAB’s role
Mobile phones
Misleading ad
Pakistan consulate meeting
Karzai’s visit
Evening study programmes
Death of Princess Margaret
THE Americans never cease to amaze the world. After the unfortunate events of Sept 11 (about which no one is sure about the perpetrators), the US government has persistently been over-reacting and creating more problems for itself around the globe then it is solving.
Its categorization of Iran, Iraq and North Korea as the “evil axis” has alienated the US not only from its NATO allies but has also earned a mild rebuke from a steadfast ally like South Korea besides, of course, the usual murmurings from docile Muslim governments. Recommendations of Messrs Donald Rumsfeld and Dick Cheney (reported by a senior Israeli official) about their not minding “one bit” should Ariel Sharon hang Mr Yasser Arafat have added a dastardly dimension to this self-damaging rhetoric.
The US President has repeatedly criticized Mr Yasser Arafat about not doing enough to control Palestinian extremists, and threatened to withdraw US recognition of the Palestinian authority. The question is what good has the US recognition of the Palestinian authority done, anyway? It didn’t deter Ariel Sharon from a year-and-a-half long rampage of the Palestinian territories destroying every institution of the Palestinian state, crippling it to a point where it virtually exists no more. It has now reached a point where Israelis have banished Mr Yasser Arafat to the confines of a house, making him practically powerless.
Controlling or influencing extremists to desist from violence is now a far cry for the Palestinian authority. In this scenario, admonishments being doled out to Mr Yasser Arafat for behaving irresponsibly and not doing enough, by the US President — the most powerful man on earth, at least for now — seem no more than a bad joke.
It is amazing that the Israelis can’t see what everyone else can, that violence begets violence, that what Ariel Sharon is doing to unarmed Palestinians using the enormous might of the Israeli defence forces is defaming the Israelis around the world, that the current cycle of Israeli violence and counter-violence by Palestinian extremists is inflicting deep wounds on the peace prospects that may become impossible to heal.
Half a century ago, Israelis were the targets of hate; they are turning themselves into one yet again. Whatever has happened to the saner elements in Israel? Even Shimon Peres doesn’t go beyond doling out empty threats of withdrawing Labour’s support to Sharon’s fragile coalition government.
The most baffling part, though, is to see the US President supporting naked state-terrorism by Israel while he makes US forces scan virtually every inch of the globe for locating and bashing anyone and everyone even remotely resembling an Al-Qaeda terrorist.
Whatever has happened to the saner Americans? Or, like the US government, has insanity taken the better of their senses too? Does the US still symbolize a government of the people, by the people, for the people? Or it is a government of the President, by the President, for the President? One certainly hopes not.
A.B. SHAHID
Karachi
I have read with interest Shahid Javed Burki’s article entitled ‘Moving towards West Asia’ (Feb 12). The article focuses on the future strategy for Pakistan and suggests that it should reorient itself towards West Asia away from India and South Asia.
There are several arguments against Mr Burki’s point of view:
Mr Burki has suggested that Pakistan could train its large population to service the requirements (labour? technical? managerial?) of West Asia. In fact this is being done already, certainly in the Middle East. However, here again Pakistan has to contend with Indian competition. The quality of Indian management and technical education is manifestly superior and has led to the senior positions going largely to the Indians.
While unpalatable from the Pakistani point of view, this will only intensify as India develops and it will become increasingly difficult for Pakistanis to compete in West Asia. I would also respectfully submit that employers there are relatively unconcerned about the fact that Pakistanis are Muslims. In the ultimate analysis this matters less than being competent and qualified for the job.
I would like to submit that if Pakistan acknowledges that India is developing rapidly, it would be folly for Pakistan not to take advantage of its geographical and cultural proximity to India. Allying itself to a tenuous ‘West Asian’ strategy would be to deny reality.
In a more civilized world, we would have Pakistani students in our universities (as indeed we have from all other parts of the developing world). The burgeoning IT sector can offer many opportunities for bright young Pakistanis while the mega-sized Indian entertainment industry would be a natural destination for all of us with a shared cultural heritage.
Pakistan can be a complementary economy and it can draw upon India’s strengths to uplift its capabilities and provide products and services for India’s growing markets.
RAJIV SHARMA
Mumbai, India
I want to draw the attention of the police authorities, the home department and the ministry of interior to the police reforms 2002, according to which separate wings of watch and ward, investigation and prosecution would be created in the police department. This step would definitely lessen the burden on investigators, prosecutors and other public-dealing police officials.
But it seems that some other important reforms are still awaited such as provision of residences to police officials (constable to inspector ranks), good salary package as is being given to motorway police and fixed duty hours — 8 hours per day or day and night shift system of 12 hours. These reforms are also necessary to improve police efficiency.
There is also a need for better police-press relations. The press generally highlights the shortcomings of the police but seldom mentions their genuine problems such as non-availability of proper conveyance and lack of equipment. Mostly the police stations / posts are without proper buildings or are in small rented houses.
So it is time the government allocated sufficient funds for this important department. Furthermore the training institutes of the police be upgraded to meet the international standard.
ALI RAZA
Pakpattan
THE Pakistan Central Cotton Committee (PCCC) is the only federal government cotton research organization in the country. Working under the control of the Ministry of Food, Agriculture & Liverstock (MINFAL), Government of Pakistan, the committee’s past role in the development of this important commodity is laudable. Pakistan has come on the world’s cotton map because of the PCCC.
It is sad to see that an organization which generates funds for cotton research under the Cotton Cess Act has now landed itself into an unprecedented financial crisis.
This is in spite of the fact that none of the vacant posts has been filled and medical facilities to the staff have been cut down.
The staff is not getting their salary in time, nor the pensioners their pension for some time. The spectre of lack of adequate funds is always haunting the workers.
The MINFAL is requested to rescue the PCCC by special grant-in-aid to tide over its financial problems and also to see that unproductive expenditure does not exceed its income. What is actually needed for the PCCC’s salvage, is strict financial discipline, efficient administration and more productive performance at all levels.
M. SHAFIQUE AHMED
Karachi
RECENTLY, the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) took action against some private medical colleges and de-recognized them until such time that they rectify their shortcomings. One of the main points for taking this extreme action was that these private colleges did not have adequate teaching staff and properly structured departments.
I would like the PMDC officials to note that if they indeed are serious in their decision and are not just being biased against the private medical colleges, then they should expand their inspection to the public sector medical colleges as well. In many cases there is a dire shortage of professors and lack of structured departments in these public sector colleges also.
In this context, I would like to give the example of the Dow Medical College where at least three important departments—those of Physiology, Biochemistry and ENT— are without any full professors. Then there are some other departments where a number of teaching positions are lying vacant.
The PMDC should not have double standards and different sets of policies for public and private medical colleges.
A STUDENT
Karachi
A report (Jan 28) indicates that the authorities are contemplating the re-painting of the zebra crossings in the city. Well and good, but even more essential than this is the need to educate the public about the importance and use of zebra crossings.
Most people do not know why a zebra crossing is painted on the roads and what are the rights of the pedestrians vis-a-vis a zebra crossing. I wish the authorities should undertake to educate the people on the use and utility of zebra crossings, that the pedestrians have a right of way when crossing roads through a zebra crossing, that motorists should slow down while approaching a zebra crossing.
Short TV shots of our roads may be shown at prime time and the misuse and correct use of zebra crossing should be pointed out. Let there first be awareness about zebra crossings. Mere re-painting will be of little good.
These days almost half of the city traffic signals are out of order, even on busy roads, at the NIPA crossing, for example. This traffic signal was damaged during the wave of lawlessness which the city witnesses every now and then.
Working of traffic signals should be monitored round the clock and they should be repaired and replaced within the shortest possible time — within 12 hours at the most. It may cost money but it is worth all the money.
They should not only be in working order but should be properly painted and should appear neat and clean. Only then they can command the respect that is necessary to ensure a smooth flow of traffic.
JUSTICE (R) SALAHUDDIN MIRZA
Karachi
THIS is in continuation of Qazi Nazim Naeem’s letter (Feb 11) on the subject. Here is some more information about compressed natural gas (CNG):
It is risk-free if a genuine and new cylinder has been installed. The car can be driven either on gas or on petrol at driver’s convenience.
CNG reduces pollution.
No modification is required in the car’s carburettor or engine.
The pick-up of the car remains just as when petrol is used.
Gas being locally available saves valuable foreign exchange.
Petrol expenses can be saved up to 50% as petrol costs Rs 32 per litre whereas CNG is commonly available at Rs 16.20 per litre.
ABDUL SALAM DADABHOY
Karachi
I have seen with interest a PTV drama serial Saaza-o-Jazaa. It has been prepared under the direction of the National Accountability Bureau and reveals how civilian officers of the government have looted the nation. I sincerely believe that Nab is impartial and unbiased in its war against corruption.
It is time Nab also concentrated on corruption in the armed forces and exposed the people in uniform involved in such undesirable practices.
I understand that it is difficult to find any corruption in our armed forces but I believe I can help NAB by pointing out a few shady deals.
OMAR MALIK
Lahore
Though there are a number of advantages of mobile phones, they also have some nuisance value. For instance, recently, during the Jumma prayers in my neighbourhood mosque, while the Imam was going into the ‘raku’, someone’s mobile phone started ringing. Since we were in the middle of our prayers, the person couldn’t switch it off and the phone kept on ringing disturbing all the ‘Namazis’, till after the ‘salam’.
People using a mobile should at least have the sense to maintain the sanctity of the mosque.
TOFIQUE S. NIZAMANI
Karachi
Recently, I saw an advertisement by the PTCL that says that you can get a new phone installed within a week or so. I am trying to get my old telephone transferred from the building across the road and within the same exchange, Central III, for the last one year and till the time of writing this letter, I have not succeeded.
I request the PTCL highups not to waste the customers money on such expensive advertising which is misleading.
S. ABBAS
Karachi
I JUST read the news on your website; it was a big surprise to me that someone wrongly reported the meeting held at the Pakistan Consulate in New York (see the link http://www.dawn.com/2002/02/12/top11.htm).
I myself was present there along with about 200 people from various organizations. The federation along with a lot of Pakistani Americans living here in Tri State area is trying hard to build a positive image about Pakistan among the local Americans.
The efforts of these community leaders who have worked day and night for the last five-months in order to restore the dignity of Pakistanis and Muslims should not be undermined by such reports.
The Consulate General here in New York has helped, facilitated and worked very hard to unite all the credible Pakistani American organizations of TRI state area. I think we should appreciate him.
IMTIAZ AHMAD RAHI
General Secretary, Pakistani Americans Society of Long Island NY,
USA
NO doubt, rapprochement between Pakistan and Afghanistan is not easy. But President Pervez Musharraf and Chairman Hamid Karzai have made a positive start. Pakistan and Afghanistan need to mend fences and work on improving their ties.
Despite problems between the two countries, there is much that they share and Karzai’s visit would pave the way for establishing closer links.
The two countries need each other. It is in the interest of both the countries to live in harmony than to doubt each other’s intentions.
DR JAMIL AHMED KHAN
Rawalpindi
The public sector universities offer evening programmes for those students who cannot attend classes in the morning because they are job-holders. However, some of the study programmes such as the ‘PGD in Statistics’ at the Karachi University and the ‘PGD in Computer Sciences’ at the NED University of Engineering, start their classes at 3 pm. But almost all the private sector and a number of public sector offices close at around 5 pm.
On the other hand, all private sector universities offer their evening programmes after 6 pm. But these universities are too expensive for a student of average means.
The question is why can’t the public sector universities have their classes after 6 pm? Would the concerned authorities look into the matter?
ARIF
Karachi
THE death of Princess Margaret, younger sister of Queen Elizabeth II, in London on Feb 9 at the age of 71, will sadden the hearts of millions of those who retain the memories of the 1950s and 1960s when she was the heart-throb of the young generation of Britons and her 8-year-long romance with Group Captain Peter Townsend of the Royal Air Force was headline news in the newspapers.
The world was shocked when the Princess tearfully announced on October 31, 1955 that she had decided not to marry him because of her duty to the Royal family, the Church and the Commonwealth. The Royal Establishment, the Church of England and the British Prime Minister had strongly advised Princess Margaret against marrying a divorced commoner.
In 1936, her Uncle, King Edward VIII was compelled to give up the British throne when he insisted on marrying an American divorcee and a commoner, Wallis Simpson. Princess Margaret’s marriage in May 1960 with Lord Snowdon, a high society photographer, ended in a divorce in 1978.
Princess Margaret took considerable interest in the Commonwealth, including Pakistan, and she was pleased when Pakistan returned to the Commonwealth fold in 1989. In that year, she agreed to be the President of the London-based Commonwealth Trust and I became the Trust’s honorary representative in Pakistan. My periodic reports about the Commonwealth activities in Pakistan were seen by her.
In March 1991, the Happy Home Secondary School in Karachi held an Inter-School Science Exhibition to celebrate the Commonwealth Day whose theme for that year was “Science in the Commonwealth”. As the President of the Commonwealth Trust, she read my report on the science exhibition in Karachi.
In a letter dated April 4, 1991, Princess Margaret’s Private Secretary, Lord Napier, informed me on her behalf. “Her Royal Highness is well aware of all the hard work involved in organizing such an event, and feels it must have been a happy and memorable occasion for all those taking part since this is the first time that Commonwealth Day has been celebrated publicly since Pakistan’s return to the Commonwealth after an absence of so many years.”
I met Princess Margaret on a number of occasions between 1978 and 1998 (when the Commonwealth Trust was merged with the Royal Commonwealth Society, London,) and she evinced interest in Pakistan. She helped more than a score of well known charitable and social service organizations, including the Girl Guides Association of UK, having been a “brownie” during her childhood years.
QUTUBUDDIN AZIZ
Karachi
You can also send letters to the Editor
Just send your message to the following address:
Make sure you include your full name, postal address, e-mail address, and in the case of Pakistan your day-time telephone number.