| February 22, 2002 | Friday | Zilhaj 9, 1422 |
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Pakistan standard time
Privatization not in national interest
Rebuilding of Afghanistan
Planting trees: a suggestion
Speed breakers on RCD highway
Misuse of loudspeakers
Pakistan exporting wheat
Injustice to pensioners
A faux pas
Control of leishmaniasis
Private practice of doctors
Delivery of Nadra cards
Lesson from Enron scandal
REFERENCE a news item in Dawn (Feb. 19) “EC unhappy over NA seats distribution”. It is gratifying to note that even the Election Commission of Pakistan is not satisfied over the distributions of NA seats.
In this process Balochistan is the main sufferer. Our political leaders and analysts have repeatedly brought it to the notice of the concerned authorities, but they have shown no response. According to the latest census Balochistan population is 6.3 million. It has been allocated fourteen general seats in the National Assembly, reflecting an increase of only three seats whereas the FATA with the population of only 2 million has been given 12 seats.
The population of Islamabad is not more than that of Quetta but instead of 1 seat it has been given 4 seats. The EC has also not mentioned Balochistan. Again the same neglect and apathy has been shown even by this august federal institution of Pakistan. It is certainly not a good sign to constantly neglect this important province of the country.
We are not sure as to how the seats of Senate will be distributed by the NRB. Anyhow the present distribution is reflective of the same bias, which the policy makers in Islamabad have been harbouring toward the minority provinces, particularly to Balochistan.
Pakistan is a federal structure according to its Constitution but federalism has never been made a cornerstone of policy making or in developing the political institutions with a view to ensuring a real federal status to it. In the federation all the units must be given equal representation but in the Senate of Pakistan, Balochistan and Sindh have been given 19 seats whereas NWFP has been allocated 27 seats (19 provincial and 8 FATA) and Punjab 22 seats (19 province + 3 Islamabad). This is clearly done to make the other provinces even more ineffective in an already ineffective Senate.
We do believe that no areas should be unrepresented in the national legislative institutions. The tribal areas of NWFP should be merged with its adjoining province as has been done in the case of tribal areas of Balochistan.
Therefore the Senate should be made the equal representative of the four federating units of Pakistan i.e. Punjab, Sind, NWFP and Balochistan. It will not be impertinent to suggest that the re-allocation of the seats of the NA should be made on the basis of a political formula which should be based on equity with minor provinces.
Therefore 50% of the seats should be equally distributed among the four provinces and 50% should be distributed on population basis. We do not mean that Capital area or FATA should be deprived of their due share either in the National Assembly or Senate but they ought to get it as a part of a province and not as separate political entity.
This present system makes a mockery of the concept of federation and runs counter to very spirit of the Constitution itself.
Therefore, I appeal to the Chief Executive and Chief Election Commissioner to ask the NRB to examine the whole scenario in its real political context and help lessening the already pervading sense of deprivation among the smaller nationality of Pakistan.
MIR SHAI MAZAR BALOCH
Quetta
THE experiment of introducing “Summer Time” had failed earlier. The repeat decision to modify the time is therefore not understood at least by me.
Moving the clocks forward in summers is usually considered advantageous in high latitude countries like the UK, USA and some others, where sunlight is a sought after natural phenomenon for various cosmetic and other reasons. By moving the clocks the workers in such countries get home an hour earlier in relation to the sunset and are thus able to enjoy an extra hour of sunlight. Correspondingly the changed time is also known as Daylight Saving Time/Sunlight Saving Time.
In Pakistan we have no real need to suntan. Even the Caucasians while in our country try to stay away from the blazing sun in the summers lest they get sunburnt. So why change to a time which does not correspond to our geographical location on the globe.
India and Bangladesh lie to our East and logically must stay ahead of us in time, but with the changed time we would be ahead of India and the same as Bangladesh - a rather unnatural situation.
Please note that when UK switches to summertime, the whole of Europe also maintains the same. I remember that last time the change had caused a lot of confusion because some decided to put the clocks forward while others decided to advance time resulting in inconvenience and missed trains and planes.
To avoid uncertainty may I suggest that the government publicize the fact that Pakistan Standard Time (PST) wef 1st April would be GMAT (UT)+6 and shall revert to GMT+5 on 1st October.
Given the above arguments the government may like to reconsider its decision and if the same can’t be reversed for some reason it must vigorously advertise the change to familiarize the not so knowledgeable amongst us.
The reasons for the change would also be of interest to many.
A. WAJID SALIM
Air Cdre (Retd)
Lahore
THIS is with reference to Manzoor Ahmad’s observations regarding privatization of the PSO in his article, “ Prelude to privatization: Foreigners ready to pounce on PSO”, (EBR Feb 18). I fully agree with the writer’s view that privatization of companies such as PSO, PTCL, OGDC, WAPDA, etc, is counter to our best national interests. Companies like these are the heart of our country’s economic infrastructure.
Those who think that the IMF and the World Bank have the best interests of Pakistan at their hearts, must be blind to what the Western news media and anti-globalization campaigners have been saying about them for a while now. In at least six editorials, the prestigious US newspaper, The Wall Street Journal, has cast its vote against both the IMF and the World Bank as well as their respective chiefs, for their mismanagement of affairs of practically all countries that the two have interfered in, starting from Indonesia.
I expect that Finance Minister Shaukat Aziz would fully know where such privatization would lead to. He must have been privy to such secretive wheeling and dealing during his tenure at New York’s City Bank. Now that Mr Aziz is serving the people of Pakistan, I would further expect that he would keep the interests of Pakistan and Pakistanis dear to him, and would work against the handing over of these assets to foreign companies.
SHAMS NAQVI
Richmond,
California
THE richest and the most advanced country in the world, the US, attacked the poorest and the most backward country in the world, Afghanistan on October 7 last year and the bombing of that ruined country still continues even after the ouster of the Taliban government.
Now the US says it will rebuild Afghanistan. But would they do so?
An estimated amount of $ 15 billion will be required to reconstruct Afghanistan.
However, the commitments made so far are: Iran $560m, Japan $500m, the European Union $487m, the US $296m, the UK $295m and Pakistan $100m. So, the US and its protege the UK, are only ahead of the heavily indebted Pakistan, in contributing towards the reconstruction of a poor country destroyed mainly because the world’s only superpower had so desired.
MAQBOOL MOMEN
Turbat
IN my view the problem of deforestation can be tackled effectively if the government and Nazim involve the school community (teachers and students) in tree plantation and its regular upkeep.
What I suggest is a pilot project at Karachi. In case the project is successful, it may be extended to other areas. The town Nazim may allocate a street or a road to a school located on the same street or nearby, for planting trees.
The schools may, in turn, allocate a particular space on the roadside to each of its senior secondary students for planting a tree.
The concerned student should be made responsible for looking after the tree by watering it and erecting a fence for its protection.
In case the student fulfils the responsibility of nurturing a tree for a certain period of time, he/she may get incentive in the shape of grades / marks in the annual report card at the end of the term.
In this way the school and the student community would have a sense of ownership.
The boys would start participating in nation-building activities right from their student days. On the other hand, the problem of deforestation would be addressed to some extent.
Every school has hundreds of students at the secondary level and with their participation, large areas would become green within a few years.
AMIN VALLIANI
Karachi
THE RCD highway, especially its segment from Shershah to Gadani, is one of the busiest roads carrying heavily loaded trucks. Long 14 wheelers bring cement from Attock Cement at Hub and iron scrap from Gadani.
But there are a number of speed breakers on this segment which have been made poorly. Because of these, the heavily loaded trucks often tilt side-ways, resulting in the breaking of their leaf springs.
The authorities concerned are requested to kindly get the speed breakers rebuilt in a graded fashion like they are all over in the Defence Housing Authority.
Before inviting foreign investors, it would be better if we keep our house in order, comfortable, hospitable and safe.
IBRAHIM SUTTAR
Karachi
I AM a student and a resident of Garden East, Karachi. The reason for writing this letter is to complain about the use of loudspeakers.
Every Thursday night, a majlis is held, na’ats recited and ‘wa’az’ delivered. This lasts till the early hours of the morning. We can no longer rest in peace. I request the authorities to please look into the matter.
NAUREEN ALI
Karachi
REFERENCE a news item in Dawn (Feb 20) in which it has been mentioned that Pakistan exported over 700,000 tons of wheat last year.
It may be mentioned that previously we only used to import wheat and could not think of exporting it. The tables have now been turned and export of wheat is a reality! The export of this commodity could further be enhanced through utilization of best work practices, training of farmers, use of modern agricultural equipment, high quality seeds, high quality fertilizers, better water management, incentives to the growers and export friendly government policies.
The tempo should not stop here. Efforts should now be made to identify other crops whose quantity could be enhanced for export purposes so that more foreign exchange is earned for the country.
AIR CDRE (R) AZFAR A. KHAN
Rawalpindi
I FULLY endorse the views expressed by retired Lt-Col Mukhtar Ahmed in his letter “Injustice to government pensioners” (Jan 1, 2002).
The two decisions taken by the government in respect of pensioners would adversely affect particularly those who had retired prior to December 1, 2001, i.e. prior to the date from which new pay scales have been introduced.
The first decision that the benefit of restoration of surrendered portion of pension in lieu of commutation / gratuity shall be withdrawn w.e.f. December 1, 2001 and the second that the nominal increase in pension ranging from 5 per cent to 15 per cent shall be reckoned as net pension are against all norms of justice.
It may be pointed out that despite the government claim of spending billions of rupees on poverty alleviation and ‘Khushhal Pakistan’ programmes, the poverty graph is rising.
I therefore urge the Finance Minister to have mercy on government pensioners who also fall under the category of senior citizens and review the decision for God’s sake.
S. HASHIM RIZA
Karachi
‘LAHORI’ has got it wrong (Feb 18). This is one faux pas too many, for one of which he seeks the readers’ indulgence in the same column. Historian K.K. Aziz is not the son of Abdul Aziz Falak Paima. His son, the one-time cricket commentator, was Rashid Aziz. If ‘Lahori’ does not believe this, all he has to do is phone Farrukh Nigar Aziz, the distinguished daughter of Abdul Aziz Falak Paima who lives in the same city that ‘Lahori’ claims to be his home.
KHALID HASAN
Washington, US
CUTANEOUS leishmaniasis is spreading in Sindh. The disease is caused by the bite of an infected sandfly. At the site of the bite a scar is formed after healing. As the scars are usually on the exposed parts of the body, such as the face and hands, they are a cause of great psychological trauma to the patient, especially young girls.
Leishmaniasis has been controlled in a number of countries where it was endemic. Why can’t we control the spread of this disease? Prevention as we know is better than cure.
Besides treating the disease we can prevent it by killing the infecting vector, the sandfly. For this we request the government and non-government agencies to come forward and help. Insecticidal spraying would be of great help in controlling this epidemic.
Concerned Dermatologists
Karachi
THE decision of the government to impose a ban on the private practice of doctors working in government hospitals has been welcomed by the general public.
At Nawabshah, many doctors at government hospitals have established private medical centres, adjoining hospital premises, and spend most of the time there. The patients who are admitted in government hospitals are not treated there properly and are compelled to visit the private clinics for treatment. For this, they have to pay high fees.
It is urged that the government’s decision should be fully implemented.
MIR MOHAMMED SOLANGI
Nawabshah
MY family applied for the new identity cards in August last. The delivery date was fixed for two months later but the cards have not yet been received although over five months have elapsed since we first applied.
Nadra had promised delivery at the doorsteps. After several visits to Nadra’s office, I was told on Feb 1 that the cards were now ready and intimation was being sent which we would get within eight days. We should come with the intimation to the office to collect the CNICs, we were further told.
No such intimation has been received even after a lapse of more than 15 days. Now no one at Nadra’s office is prepared to give any definite indication when the CNICs (all ready for delivery) will actually be delivered.
If this is not gross mismanagement, what else is it?
A SUFFERER
Lahore
I AM writing with reference to Prof Huck Gutman’s interesting piece; “Enron scandal: the long winding trail,” (Feb 16). Aristotle once remarked: “A democracy exists whenever those who are free and are not well-off, being in the majority, are in sovereign control of government, an oligarchy when control lies with the rich and better-born, these being few.”
By this definition, the world’s so-called greatest democracy, the United States of America, is an oligarchy. With both Republicans and Democrats beholden to the largesse of the big corporations, political power now belongs to the rich and better-born and ordinary people have little access to the decision-making process. The latest scandals surrounding the giant Enron Corporation only confirm this.
The New York Times reports that of the 248 members of the Congress, no fewer than 212 were on the Enron’s handout list. It is, therefore, not surprising that the same lawmakers, who are making noises about Enron’s improprieties, were actually enjoying the corporation’s favours and did nothing when the big bosses virtually swindled the shareholders and the public. It will be naive to expect that politicians can take corporate money without being bought.
Both concentration of wealth (the richest one per cent of Americans have almost 50 per cent of the nation’s wealth) and domination of a few huge corporations have made American democracy extremely vulnerable. Plato also warned about such concentration of wealth and power in a few hands. It was the controlling influence given to wealth that Plato found particularly disturbing. He had the deepest distrust of what today is called the profit-motive and of the public influence of private wealth. He draws a picture of growing disregard of public welfare by political leaders met by growing bitterness leading to unrest and chaos.
Given the power of big money, the Enron bosses may go away scot-free. But the lesson of this must be clear that private corporations are for private profit, especially for profit of small groups of people that controls the corporations and not for those who have no voice in the management. It is absolutely disgusting that Enron bosses poured money into the coffers of politicians while robbing ordinary shareholders and employees. The politicians who are interrogating Enron bosses had no qualms about benefiting from Enron’s largesse.
The remedy lies in comprehensive campaign finance reforms. Firstly, there should be strict limits on spending. Chequebook politics is no democracy. Secondly, there should be a limit of $1,000 as maximum contribution from individuals or corporations and candidates must provide full disclosure about donors.
Thirdly, public funding should be increased so that candidates would not have to depend on corporate doles for their campaign financing.
Finally, the Enron scandal also underscores the great fragility of the democratic norms in the so-called world’s greatest democracy and its implications on democracy around the world. If the political leaders in the United States could not resist the corrupting influence of big corporations, who can?
MAHMOOD ELAHI
Ottawa, Canada
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