| March 7, 2002 | Thursday | Zilhaj 22, 1422 |
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Wastage of taxpayers’ money
Religious processions
Women’s police stations
Zakat and Ushr committees
Overseas students
Kalabagh dam
A British investor’s experience
Polio eradication
Gulshan-i-Iqbal post office
Poverty alleviation
Quranic verses
Congo fever
Israeli spy ring in America
Pakistan has a high birthrate; each month there are thousands of new children who must start receiving polio vaccine. Routine immunization coverage in Pakistan remains below accepted standards and many of these children will not receive any or all of their schedule vaccine doses through the routine immunization programme. Despite the massive efforts to reach all the children under 5 years of age during the national polio campaign there are still many unvaccinated and under-vaccinated children who were sometimes missed or not reached at all.
DR AMARTYA Sen, while presenting a paper at the conference on “Including the excluded” arranged by South Asian for human rights in New Delhi on Nov 11, 2001, described some of the classical concepts of injustices of “unfair inclusion” rather than exclusion in our society.
In an article written by Irfan Hussain in Dawn (Feb 16) some unfair inclusions in the history of Pakistan have been described as economic miracles. Evacuee property, Korean War windfalls, the invasion of Afghanistan by Soviet forces and now the reversal of its policies by the present regime has brought some unjust inclusions in these categories whereby, the unfavourable inclusion was done.
The story of the economic prosperity in Pakistan has been the story of unjust inclusions in the privileged classes of the society who have never allowed the equitable inclusions of excluded members of society.
However, I do not consider that the persons who earned the hard available foreign exchange and brought money to this country after the nationalization of oil in Gulf areas can be regarded as unjust inclusion. They added to the resources of Pakistan economy by their hard work. The regimes of Pakistan excluded unprivileged individuals, as there has never been a society with equal opportunities as most regimes never worked for providing conditions for equal opportunities to its citizens residing in the remote areas of this blessed land but an unfortunate country.
The classical example of unjust inclusion can be determined when in an article written by the well known journalist Nadira Alvi from Bahawalpur at the time writing about Zarb-e-Momin, she pointed out that the canal which were breached, irrigated the lands allotted to the army generals. Does it mean what Irfan Hussain said in his article that Manna from Heaven is only available to the privileged classes, who even deprived the unfortunate tillers of soil to get the land preempted, through law during Mr Bhutto’s period, which was declared un-Islamic by the Federal Shariat Court and so upheld by the Shariat Appellate Bench of the Supreme Court of Pakistan?
A large number of ejected tenants were granted proprietary rights on the lands tilled by them but were later on purchased by the privileged elite and thereby they were again ousted from the small pieces of land held by them. The allotment of lands in barrages is another story. Unless the Manna from Heaven is not stopped to the privileged classes and the excluded members of society are included in the mainstream of developments of economy of this country, the uneven conditions would continue in this country.
The advantages of geography cannot last for all time to come. Geography can be beneficial but has also hidden dangers. Afghanistan is the worst example of the geography and Pakistan was only saved from going to the stoneage by surrendering its sovereign rights after Sept 11. Something has to be done for the rights of the unprivileged citizens of this country and provide them with conditions of equal opportunities.
S.M. MASUD
Former Federal Law Minister
Lahore
THE government has ordered the Trading Corporation of Pakistan (TCP) to start purchasing one million bales of cotton. With the present depressed market situation the TCP will incur a huge loss of Rs 3 billion.
About 95 per cent of the cotton crop has already gone out of the hands of the growers and the unsold cotton is now lying with the ginners. When the market was at higher levels, the ginners purchased phutties but refused to sell cotton and as in the previous year also, speculated for a higher price.
If this cotton had been sold earlier, it could have been exported or purchased by our mills and less cotton would have been required to be imported. Now vide their advertisement appearing in the press, the ginners are forcing the government to buy this cotton and incur huge losses. At the same time now they are threatening the government that if cotton is not lifted by the TCP, they will not be able to pay the farmers and the banks.
Ginners are middlemen and if the ginners purchased phutty at higher prices, it was for them to see what would be the prices in the future. We, the taxpayers would hold the government responsible if our money is thrown away to protect the interests of speculators.
UBEDULLAH KHAN
Karachi
THIS is with reference to Ms Khadija Karamali’s letter of March 4 on the subject. She has rightly pointed out that no religious activities should be permitted by any sect or community which causes inconvenience to others.
Religious processions, apart from disrupting the normal life in the city causes a lot of hardship to the community at large and, may also impose hurdles on those seeking emergency medical help, etc, due to blockage of roads.
Another dimension to this issue is the element of security. In view of the religious militancy that exists in our society, it would be appropriate that all religious sects should voluntarily restrict their activities in secured enclaves rather than exposing the participants to the insane elements who, by any standards, cannot be called Muslims.
With the month of Moharram approaching in the next couple of days, the government should make all necessary preparations to ensure peace and security. The recent happenings in India should also be kept in mind as it would be in their interest to provoke and instigate sectarian violence anywhere in Pakistan to cover up their own failings. Needless to mention that killing of Muslims by Muslims would be a disgrace for all of us, nationally and internationally.
NAZIM HAJI
Karachi
FROM Feb 28 onwards, several newspapers have reported that the likely closure of all Women Police Stations (WPS) as they have failed to deliver. In Dawn (March 1) Zahra Syed has drawn attention to the necessity of improvement of the WPS for the benefit of all.
In fact, all police stations need to improve their performance. If at all men and women’s police stations are to be compared, then a level playing field is a pre-requisite. Simultaneously some woman-specific needs including training and protection, need to be addressed.
The WPS have been in existence for less than a decade. With appropriate management techniques and encouragement from higher authorities, the women in charge of police stations can perform better.
GULZAR BANO
Lahore
MY experience as the administrator of a local Zakat and Ushr Committee has taught me two important things. First, the system of Zakat is by far the best one for the dispensation of social justice. Second, the way it is conducted in our country can only destroy the image of this system all over the world.
Our Zakat and Ushr system is riddled with nepotism, favouritism and lack of commitment. There are several reasons for this plight. The most important is that the selection of Zakat committee is made on political grounds. When a person gets elected with the help of a Biraderi system, he is bound to reciprocate by giving money meant for Zakat to those who do not qualify for it.
Another reason for this system not being a success, is that so many unnecessary formalities are there to inhibit any deserving person from getting a benefit from this fund. For example, a needy person who cannot walk, is required to get a photograph and references to open a bank account. Only then can this whole process move further.
Like other taxpayers, the contributors of Zakat have at least the right to hope that the money they pay will reach the right person. However, experience points to the opposite and hence is bound to disappoint everyone.
The institution of Zakat needs to be given to an organization without political concerns that can perform the job. Since the bureaucracy has already failed, I suggest that this task should be handed over to some non-controversial religious organization.
Meanwhile the process for Zakat should be simplified. Failing this, the institution will only breed further corruption and whosoever, like me, wants to do some serious work, will have to quit after some attempts.
QAISAR KHAN PITAFI
Muzaffargarh District
THIS is with reference to the letter from Barkatullah Marwat (March 2), who has rightly pointed out that there is no arrangement for higher education for students who study higher secondary level in Kuwait.
I came across as lot of parents who are hesitant in sending their children to Pakistan for further studies. The parents fear that thier children may indulge in wrong activities due to lack of proper care. The concerned quarters should pay attention to this matter.
But let me add one thing more. Last week, I happened to meet a mother whose daughter wants to appear in the BA examination as a private candidate. Obviously, to take the examination she will have to move to Pakistan. What’s worrying the parents is the demand of the examination authorities asking the candidate to ensure her appearance just for signing the admission forms. Is it not an unreasonable demand? The concerned quarters can facilitate the candidate for this through the embassy here in Kuwait.
I am sure there must be more such cases over here. Why is the examination staff in Pakistan bent upon creating problems for the candidates? I would also like to ask: will not a bond duly signed by the candidate through the Pakistan embassy be considered valid?
MAHA EMAD
Kuwait
MIAN Azhar says he will not support Kalabagh Dam because our brothers in Sindh do not want it. This is good enough reason for him. He is not bothered that water shortage will severely hit, progressively, not only Punjab but also Sindh.
Also the whole country will continue to pay heavily for expensive power generation. He is only offering to scratch their back, hoping they will scratch his. Some leader!
KHURSHID ANWER
Lahore
I am a private investor visiting Pakistan to examine and evaluate possibilities of investment in Pakistan and Afghanistan. I came equipped with my business tools, that is, mobile phone with International Roaming (IR) facility and Note Book computer to remain in touch with my businesses abroad.
On arrival in Pakistan, to my great disappointment, I discovered that my roaming facility stopped working. When I inquired from the service provider in Pakistan I was informed that the country’s monopoly network which controls IR provision has failed to provide connectivity. As a result, IR facility with the UK has not working for the past one month or so.
This is unfortunate, as this seems to be contrary to what I was told in the UK that Pakistan government agencies are fully tuned to help and promote foreign investments.
I have concluded my visit to Pakistan. I would like to advise candidly that if Pakistan wants to capitalize economic opportunities provided by the Afghan situation with Europe and USA, it must improve upon its telecom facilities. Mobile phones with IR facility play a vital role in European economy. It can do so for Pakistan as well as it has done for the Gulf States.
If negligence of this nature continues, let me say that Pakistan might miss the unique opportunity for economic recovery.
REYMOND S. JONES
London, UK
The polio campaign was launched after the decision of world health assembly, the governing body of World Health Organization, in 1988. At that time, the world had 350,000 polio cases annually in 125 countries. Due to mass vaccination, there were 2,881 cases in 23 countries, i.e’ 99% reduction of polio cases in the year 2000. In 2001 the situation improved and polio virus survived only in 10 countries of the world. In Pakistan, there has been 42% reduction in polio cases.
Pakistan is celebrating national immunization days from 5-7 March, so it is our duty to vaccinate every child of under 5 years against polio.
DR NASIR JAMAL
Hyderabad
WE, some residents of Gulshan-i-Iqbal, have observed that the staff of the Post Office located near the Nipa chowranghi, is charging rates higher than those fixed by the government for the various categories of overseas mail.
Once, one resident of the area wanted to post Eid cards to Canada. He was told that it would cost Rs 95. He went to the Saddar Post Office where he had to pay Rs 65 only for the same envelope.
It has also been found that postage stamps are often removed from the letters and the same are thrown away.
The matter has been reported to the Post Master concerned but it appears that he has taken no action and these activities still continue.
It is, therefore, requested that the higher authorities of the Postal Department should look into the matter.
CONCERNED
Karachi
I am a retired pensioner surviving on my meagre pension and life-long savings. It was very encouraging to learn that a lot of money is coming into the country for poverty alleviation.
However, instead of bringing financial relief to the common man, I find that the rates of telephone calls, electricity, Sui gas, petrol, transport fares, medicines and day to day commodities have increased.
FAROOQ DAWOOD
Karachi
I want to bring to notice a very serious issue regarding the publication of Quranic verses by newspapers. Newspapers are found at all odd places and they are thrown here and there. They are certainly not treated as something sacred.
These Quranic verses should be published in separate pamphlets and be treated with the utmost respect.
SAMIA KHAN
Lahore
THE tragic death of Dr Farzana at Rawalpindi due to Congo fever has highlighted the professional risks the doctors are always exposed to.
Congo fever also called Congo-Crimean haemorrhagic fever (CCHF) was first observed in the Crimea by Russian scientists in 1944.
In Pakistan the first CCHF case was reported from Balochistan. Humans get infection from tick bite or from contact with infected fresh blood or infected tissue with broken skin, coming from other patients or other animals commonly sheep and cattle. It usually occurs in stockmen and farm dwellers or those working at abattoirs.
The incubation period is 2-3 days. The onset of illness is sudden, with fever, chill , severe muscular pain, headache, vomiting and pain in the epigastric and lumber region. In serious cases death from massive haemorrhage and cardiac arrest occurs usually 7-9 days after the onset of illness. In patients who recover, the temperature falls and bleeding stops.
DR ABDULLAH JAN PATHAN
Hyderabad
ALEXANDER James’ article captioned, “America blackmailed by Israel” which was published by an English language newspaper on Feb 23 is an-eye opener for the people of the US as well as for other political elements in the world who have unjustifiably dubbed the Muslims terrorists.
The article reminds President Bush that “he has been ignoring the discovery of the largest Israeli spy ring in North America, because he is perhaps being blackmailed.”
The story that originated from Fox News exposing the existence of an Israeli system that could tap any phone in America was later removed from the website under some sort of pressure. Evidence had, however, surfaced that Israel compromised the telephone system at the highest level of the US government.
The belief was substantiated by the fact that 90 per cent of the American phone companies including the ‘spy phone’ company called Converse Infosys were owned by Israeli interests. This company is now buying the Instant Messaging business through Odigo, the largest Israeli company of its type whose employees received a two-hours’ advance warning to leave their offices in the World Trade Centre when catastrophe struck on Sept 11, 2001.
The article highlights the fact that while USA instantly pointed its finger to blame Osama Bin Laden and the Arabs in general for the act of terrorism on the evidence that was only circumstantial, self-contradictory and to some extend faked, it completely ignored the fact that Israel knew about the Sept 11 attacks well ahead of time.
Although the foreign press had accused Mossad of taking part in the Sept 11 episode, the American media was instructed not to cover these accusations. It indicates that someone has persuaded the US government and the media that the American people are only supposed to see the theme evidence that points to a certain direction and must never see the evidence leading elsewhere.
The author is quite vocal in his opinion that “all the American politicians and media leaders have secrets to hide. In such a corrupt society, only the corrupt can reach the heights of power. Having secrets to hide, they are all vulnerable to blackmail.”
Under the circumstances, as long as the US remains under such an overwhelming influence or blackmail by Israel, we should not hope that it will help us in solving the Kashmir dispute or find a solution to the Palestine problem.
RAFI NASIM
Lahore
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