| March 5, 2002 | Tuesday | Zilhaj 20, 1422 |
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Police psychologists
Windmill farms
Chitral and Rawali tunnel
Computerized ID card
Dull textbooks
Karachi Treasury Office
Tribute to Atta Muhammad Marri
Double standards
Ban on doctors’ private practice
Decisive role
Telephone directories
Silence in the media
Carnage in Gujarat
Garbage dump
Perks after retirement
PIA and Engineering Council Act
THIS refers to Mr Saalim Salam Ansari’s letter, “Proposal for more provinces” (Feb 23). He has advocated an increase in the number of the existing provinces of Pakistan to 12 and has quoted examples of some countries, including Algeria, Afghanistan, Iran, Nepal and Malaysia, which have more provinces than has Pakistan. It may be pointed out that examples of these countries are not applicable to Pakistan as none of them, except Malaysia, has a federal setup.
Provinces therein are merely administrative units and are comparable to a district or, at the most, to the erstwhile division in Pakistan whereas the provinces in our country are full-fledged constitutional and political units under the 1973 Constitution, having elected governments responsible to elected legislatures. Therefore, to make a comparison of the provinces of the above mentioned countries with those of Pakistan is a fallacy.
There is no harm in having more provinces provided they are justified on the grounds of popular demand and economic viability. But to impose the division of the existing provinces upon their people without their consent would be totally undemocratic and not in the national interest. In fact, it is likely to give rise to more problems than it would solve.
The writer has made a queer suggestion. This is to override the restriction contained in Article to 239(4) of the Constitution with regard to provinces by binding the candidates for parliament not to oppose a constitutional bill altering the boundaries of provinces. It is doubtful if this is a correct approach legally. Such a restriction on candidates is likely to be thrown out by courts.
R.R. ALVI
Lahore
A FEW days ago a policeman killed six people and then committed suicide. Questions arise why he committed such acts? Was he mentally disturbed, before or after his appointment? The issue needs a thorough discussion.
Police psychologists play an important role in law-enforcement agencies all over the world today. They not only help improve the performance of the department but are involved in consultation for the selection of candidates and treatment of those who suffer psychological distress as a result of their law-enforcement duties. They also assist and advise the police with special forms of criminal investigation and suggest ways for strengthening police-community relations.
The utilization of the services of police psychologists has proven to be an extremely valuable asset for a civilized society.
One could argue that merely changing the structure and powers of the police may not be sufficient for police reforms. Research studies show that sustainable and long lasting reforms can only be achieved by focusing on the individuals. Thus, there is a dire need to utilize services of psychologists in matters concerning the selection, training and counselling of policemen.
NAZAR H. SOOMRO
Jamshoro
IN continuation of the subject in the letter titled, “Conservation of natural gas,” by Commander (R) Munir A. Varraich sent from Sweden (Feb 26), the point to be considered is that since a long time there exists a crying need to encourage the establishment of ‘windmills farms’ in lower Sindh, in general, and in Thatta district, in particular. Plenty of wind power is available in this region, so much so that in places like Jherruck the wind is so strong that one has to literally hold on to one’s hat!
In this behalf, some basic aspects remain to be clarified for the benefit of the people of the area:
Cost per unit (of a windmill);
Running cost — both normal repairs and maintenance of staff like operator, security-man (‘Chowkidar’), etc;
Availability of parts and arrangements for technical repairs;
The unit-period in which the said windmills can generate the stated 150 MW of power;
The address of the stated ‘Swedish technology’.
The addresses of the other companies, if any — unless the Swedish firm holds a monopoly;
Any facility or incentive from any agency, whether international agency or government, in view of this technology being completely new in the region.
Let it be noted here that a government farm (‘seed farm’ is what they call it) exists in the Dhabeji area near Pakland Cement Factory with a windmill of Australian origin which is practically non-operative for the last few decades.
RAFIQ HUSSAIN AGHA
Karachi
ALTHOUGH Chitral remains cut off from the whole world for six months in winter, travelling in summer is also not safe for the people. Due to poor condition of the road in Rawali pass, travelling is a risk in this area.
The people of this area have always been ignored. Every political party assures before elections that the Rawali pass route will be made safe.
The present government promised that the construction work of Rawali tunnel will start in 2002.
PTV has also shown a documentary in this regard, but the people of Chitral are still waiting for the good news when the work will start on Rawali tunnel. If this road is built it would have a positive impact on the economy of Pakistan.
It is a short cut to Central Asian countries and with them we can improve business relations.
I urge President Musharraf and the governor of NWFP to take personal interest in this regard.
ABDUL REHMAN
Karachi
I APPLIED for a computerized ID card on July 18, 2001 (Receipt No. 2844889) at the old ID Office at Baloch Colony, Karachi. The date of delivery was Sept 18, 2001.
It is said that an early bird catches a worm, but it is otherwise in the case of a Nadra applicant. One neither catches a worm nor gets a smell of it being around.
Reports say that Nadra has set up an express service in the town and is also planning to launch an Umra Prize Scheme to attract further applicants. Naturally, those who have already applied can not re-apply through the express service centre nor can they hope for an Umra ticket. However, my only concern is to get my ID card as early as possible.
Nadra should have followed the principle of first come first served.
M. ILYAS PAREKH
Karachi
OUTSIDE a swanky hotel in Karachi there are several cloth banners in which “Gaureented success” is assured in O/A level crash programmes as well as TOEFL / IELTS on behalf of an organization called “Success factor”. How can a teaching body which is unable to spell ‘guaranteed’ correctly make any promise of success and how gullible are our youngsters who fall for such a bait?
Yet, this comes as no surprise. A British education consultant who is in Karachi is appalled to see the dull and unfocused textbooks written in faulty English that are produced by textbook boards and must, compulsorily, be prescribed in all schools.
I would suggest that, in the interest of the pupils, all good schools must put their foot down and refuse to introduce such poorly written published material on their school’s syllabi even if it means having the schools de-recognized by the government agency concerned. It is much better to have well informed and truly educated youngsters than those in possession of certificates that are not even worth the paper they are written on.
Of course, this would require courage on issues such as fee enhancement requests, ‘punishment’ in being made public examination centres every year and ‘rewards’ like appointment as head examiner and co-ordinator for the Board’s activities. It is better to be a good school than to be a ‘goody-goody’ school head.
ANWAR ABBAS
Karachi
SOME 8,000 lady pensioners draw family pensions every month from the Treasury Office, Karachi, and there are only two clerks to deal with their cases.
These old, ailing, feeble and, in some cases, crippled women turn up in hundreds per day during the first ten days of the month.
They have to remain in that office, where seating arrangement is highly inadequate, for the whole day. The two clerks have to not only work for the whole day but also have to listen to the shouts, howls and scolding of these desperate old ladies.
This situation can be eased by bifurcating the existing Treasury Office at Karachi into five offices district-wise or, alternatively, additional staff may be posted in this section from the surplus pool.
Will the City Nazim or the Chief Secretary Sindh kindly make a visit to the Treasury Office at Karachi in the first week of any month incognito, and see the miserable situation himself?
M.A. MIRZA
Karachi
POWER has the ability to corrupt the best of us, and politics is the ideal platform to gain it. But not everyone who enters politics, does so for personal gains. Some enter with the insane idea of helping the motherland and its people! One such man was Atta Muhammad Marri.
The son of respected politician, Ali Muhammad Marri, he preferred not to live under the shadow of his illustrious father. Instead, through resilience and integrity, he carved a name for himself. A name that is revered by many, even four years after he left this world for his heavenly abode.
Friends and foes alike were witness to Mr Marri’s inexhaustible hospitality. His door was always open for anyone who was in need, regardless of his personal relationship with that person, and his / her social status. His quiet strength was a source of support to many.
Though he hailed from a feudal family, calling Mr Marri a feudal would be a grave injustice, since nothing was farther than the truth. He was a man who firmly believed in progress.
In his political life, Atta Muhammad Marri always practiced tolerance and honesty. Even his harshest critics find it impossible to accuse him of fraudulence.
Today Pakistan desperately needs honest people like Mr Marri to put this country back on its feet.
He was taken from this world far too soon, but then good people don’t stay too long, do they?
ALI GOHAR KHUHAWAR
Karachi
THE caption of the front page picture of Dawn (Feb 28) is just another example of the double standards observed by Reuter and other Western news agencies and also the other sectors of the Western media.
Adjectives like fundamentalist, extremist, radical, militant, terrorist, gangster, etc., seem to have been reserved exclusively for Muslims. Non-Muslims are merely activists, nationalists, conservatives, orthodox or just right-wingers.
Hindus who destroyed the 16th century Babri mosque in Ayodhia, India, and who are agitating to build a temple at its place in violation of the observations of India’s Supreme Court, have been described in the caption of this Reuter photograph, simply as ‘activists’.
Is this fair ?
SHAMEEM AHMAD
Karachi
THE decision to impose a ban on private practice of doctors in the government service, is a timely step to curb an undesirable trend.
Though these doctors are receiving salaries from the tax payers’ money, they do not provide them the service they need. And in this manner, the government’s claim of providing healthcare facilities to all, becomes a fallacy.
On the other hand, these very government doctors, while practising privately, fleece poor patients and also collaborate with the owners of the pathological laboratories and the multinational pharmaceutical companies by prescribing unnecessary tests and medicines.
The Sindh government should not hesitate in enforcing this decision though a minority group of doctors might pressure them not to do so.
Dr MUNEER BHURGRI
Badin
FOR too long has the BJP been trying to sell the idea of a temple at the disputed site of Ayodhya, just to appease their voters. This caused a lot of communal tension and had threatened the high ideals of secularism espoused by the founding fathers of the nation.
Mercifully, democracy has stepped in to stem the rot. Once again, the true bread and butter issues of the common folk have played the decisive role in the voting. The new government will have to pay attention to these issues as well as maintain communal harmony. This, in itself, is a great victory for secular minded policies enshrined in the Indian constitution. Democracy, has won once again.
MADHU CHAMPAT
California, USA
THE 800,000 subscribers of the PTCL were informed through the press months ago that, after a much awaited period of four years, the telephone directory for 2001 has been printed and the same will be distributed among the residential as well as commercial subscribers of the PTCL, in due course of time.
Though the PTCL started distributing the directories soon after its publication, to the VlPs and the ClPs, till date an ordinary telephone subscriber is still waiting to receive the same.
In the past, telephone directories published in 1996 were not distributed among the ordinary subscribers until the end of 1997.
But copies were seen in bulk at the various pan shops. Perhaps these were sold by the PTCL staff to them, possibly against some amount, for use as wrappers.
SYED A. MATEEN
Karachi
THE former Navy Chief, Mr Mansoor-ul-Haq, has been convicted on charges of receiving kickbacks in a defence deal. However, a strange silence prevails in the media in identifying those who paid these amounts.
The factual position that the amounts were paid with the full concurrence of the government of France. So much for the morality of the West. What action has been taken against France and the French firm involved?
S.I. WASTI
Lahore
OUR hearts go out for the loss of life and property suffered by the Muslims of Gujarat at the hands of extremist Hindus there. If we can send money and relief goods to Afghanistan, why not to our Muslim brethren in India also?
I urge the government to arrange immediate dispatch of relief supplies to them.
COL RIAZ JAFRI (RETD)
Rawalpindi
IT seems that following the publication of my letter, “Garbage dump” (Feb 3), the concerned authorities proceeded to construct a concrete kuchra-kunda around the trash already present on one side of the empty plot which is adjacent to Bilqees Edhi Boys and Girls Primary and Secondary School, near Al-Hilal Society, University Road.
But the real problem has not been tackled. The entire plot has yet to be cleaned. The filth and stench seem to be increasing by the day, especially since the entire society now dumps trash there. So this construction was pointless. It seems senseless to construct a Kuchra-kunda right in front of a school where children have to spend almost the whole day. The entire plot is full of garbage and the presence of the kunda does not make any difference to anyone. The least that can be done is that a garbage disposal truck come every day and collect the trash.
I request the concerned authorities, again, to firmly address this problem. The society does not need half-hearted favours. We need to see some real work done.
MARIAM MAHMOOD
Karachi
OUR President deserves all the additional emoluments and perks allotted to him because he works so hard for this very poor country, with a very rich elite.
We only request that the pension and perks on retirement be given to an elected president and not to anyone who “pleases to appoint himself” as president.
DR. BALIGHA ARIF
Lahore
PAKISTAN International Airlines Corporation (PIAC) has failed to implement the Pakistan Engineering Council Act passed by the highest law making body of the country, the National Assembly, 25 years ago.
Graduate engineers are inducted in the PIAC at Group 5 of the organization which is equivalent to grade 16 of the government scale. This is in violation of the PEC Act that says that a graduate engineer should be given at least grade 17 or the equivalent, in any government or non-government organization at the time of induction.
In the PIAC, technicians are always given preference over graduate engineers for promotion because of a biased PIAC engineering management. Technicians have been redesignated as ‘Aircraft Engineers’ in spite of the fact that they are inducted at intermediate level education. And the graduate engineers are designated as ‘Trainee Engineers’ in spite of their engineering degree.
Due to this attitude of the engineering management, there are numerous cases of graduate engineers being kept as ‘Trainee Engineers’ for more than 10 years. There is no organization in the world which keeps graduates at ‘trainee’ level for such a long period of time.
Since the graduate engineers are given the status of a trainee, they remain deprived of facilities like provident fund and other company benefits. This is again a violation of the PEC Act.
Several appeals have been made to the Pakistan Engineering Council, but it has totally failed to get its regulations implemented in the PIAC.
We the graduate engineers of the PIAC appeal to the chairman PEC, chairman PIAC, the MD PIAC, and the director engineering PIAC to intervene in the matter and safeguard the rights of graduate engineers of the PIAC.
GRADUATE ENGINEERS, PIAC
Karachi
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