| March 12, 2002 | Tuesday | Zilhaj 27, 1422 |
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Not based on facts
Killing of doctors
Iqbal on Haj
Essence of religion
Vision of Pakistan
Foreign observers during election
Compulsory education
National savings schemes
Public buses
Amnesty for banned religious groups
What sparked the Godhra incident
FIELD Marshal (self-appointed) Ayub Khan, after his despotic rule of over ten years, had to admit that the people wanted direct elections and parliamentary form of government. It appears that the significance of this great “admission” (which gave the lie to all that Ayub had stood for) has been completely lost on our present military rulers.
It is because “the brains” are again busy in the corridors of power to devise procedures for the perpetuation of Gen Pervez Musharraf’s rule after October, 2002. It would obviously be extra-constitutional. No lesson is being learnt from such experiments of the past.
In fact, the rulers seem to have refused to learn. A cursory look at our country’s history will show that whenever there were deviations from the parliamentary system, the same were sooner or later ditched.
Governor-General Ghulam Muhammad arbitrarily dismissed the Nazimuddin ministry but parliament retaliated at the first opportunity by curtailing the GG’s powers. Of course, the attempt was aborted resulting in the dissolution of the Assembly itself. But the assembly clearly opted for a parliamentary system. Ayub, before his forced exit from power, admitted his mistake.
Gen Yahya Khan held the fairest elections but did not accept their results and brought disaster on the country. After him the rump Assembly of a ‘new’ Pakistan again decided to adopt the parliamentary system although Mr Bhutto desired the presidential one.
Gen Ziaul Haq foisted himself through the 8th Amendment but had to face resistance from his chosen prime minister, the late Mr Junejo. The Zia system was finally buried by none other than his own protege, Nawaz Sharif, with the opposition’s full support.
It is evident that an elected parliament has always asserted itself whenever it gets the opportunity. Then, why to impose individual will when the same is always rejected by the people? With utmost humility, may one quote from a former soldier and great politician-statesman, Winston S. Churchill? He said once:
“It is always dangerous for soldiers, sailors and airmen to play at politics. They enter a sphere in which the values are quite different from those to which they have hitherto been accustomed.”
M. NAWAZ QASMI
Multan
THE chief of Jamiat Ulema-i-Pakistan, Maulana Shah Ahmed Noorani, gave a talk at Lahore on ‘Issues of the day’ but it was devoid of facts.
He said the government’s intention was to secularize the country under Western pressure. The statement is without any basis. Gen Musharraf has only taken action against those religious groups which have been playing havoc with the image of Islam and the economy of the country, and he has taken action on the demands of the silent majority.
However, what is wrong with being secular? Do the Mullahs know the meaning of the word secular? The Oxford Dictionary states that secular means “concerned with the affairs of the world”. Is there anything wrong about it?
Again the Maulana made a wild statement that “under pressure from foreign mentors the Constitution is being amended to change its Islamic character.” Nothing can be further from the truth. The supremacy of Islam is part of the Constitution which has declared Islam as the State religion.
For his information the US Congress has not passed any resolution asking for the annulment of blasphemy law. Of course, the majority of Pakistanis and the legal community have suggested that the blasphemy law should have proper checks to prevent its misuse. Again blaming the Qadianis for trying to secularize the country does not hold water. Has the Maulana any facts in this regard? Can the Maulana enlighten the people of Pakistan as to how the Qadianis are secularizing the country?
The Maulana’s diatribe against the NGOs is without any substance. The NGOs are doing a great service to the poor people, especially in the rural areas, in the fields of education, health, agriculture, etc. Can any religious parties show what they have done in these fields? All that they have done is to create hatred and sectarianism.
The Maulana claims that the US has massacred innocent Afghans. Yes, a few hundred Afghans were killed, but what about the thousands of Afghans and Pakistanis killed when the religious parties sent their followers to Afghanistan to kill Muslims? Is this Islam?
No Maulana Sahib, 99% Pakistanis do not hate the US. Would he give details of the family members of those belonging to religious groups who are living and studying in the US? If the Pakistanis hate the US, can he explain the long lines of Pakistanis outside the US embassy?
A. REHMAN
Hyderabad
DOCTORS are being murdered in cold blood almost every day. During the last two years, 88 doctors have been killed.
The protectors of law are watching the carnage helplessly, without doing anything. The Police is able and efficient but only for foreigners. The Karachi police, without much effort, apprehended the killers of Wall Street Journal staffer, Daniel Pearl. But unfortunately, they have been totally unable, for one reason or the other, to catch a single killer of out of those who killed the 88 doctors.
These killings have caused a lot of anguish and fear among the physicians. A good number of doctors have already left the country. If the authorities still fail to maintain law and order, to apprehend the killers and provide justice, the city would soon be left with hardly any doctor, to provide services to the ailing. For example, after the assassination of Dr Zaidi, there was no kidney diseases specialist to look after the patients at the hospital he worked at. A doctor from another private hospital was called to attend the emergencies.
It is high time that saner elements of the society make a serious attempt to impress upon the authorities to provide safety to the citizens, especially the doctors and apprehend the killers of the 88 intelligent and dedicated citizens of our country.
CONCERNED DOCTORS
Karachi
THIS is with reference to Air Cdre (Retd) Wajid Salim’s letter,‘Iqbal on Haj’(March 2). It seems difficult to disagree with his assertion that if anyone, on official business elsewhere, made a detour to visit the holy places at no extra expense to the state, it should not become anyone else’s business. And indeed if there were some who did so we, in the Pakistan missions in the Holy Land would not know (unless of course, at a small expense to the state, they decided to inform us). We are, however, aware of a large number whose devotion en-route costs the state plenty of money and hassle.
Consider, for example, the case of a senior bureaucrat who dropped in to hand over “silver cards” (or were they golden?) all four of them, to a few of our compatriots who, now that the Hawala rates were down, sent some money through the banks. After the ceremony, he quickly changed into an Ihram and apparently prayed very hard for the continued strength of our currency.
Or, we may like to find out who paid for the trip of that district nazim who was in Saudi Arabia during the Haj season on “semi-official” business, when no one here has anytime for any worldly business.
In other times, even some of our businessmen, travelling at the EPB’s expense, spend more time and energy working out their Umrah schedule.
The good news is that some of might change for the better. The Haj Minister has, in principle, decided that in future no one on Haj duty will be allowed to perform Haj. There are hundreds of them who turn up here at the state expense to serve the Hajis, but only a few are able to do so adequately during all that atonement.
The decision may have come just in time. Come October, and we might find plenty of our representatives seeking collective penitence, obviously expecting that we will chip in for our share of sins.
Iqbal may have had a point after all.
ASAD DURRANI
Ambassador of Pakistan
Saudi Arabia
I MUST say that the article “The essence of religion” by Prof Ghayur Ayub (March 8) is a beautiful analysis of religion.
Like all good things, religion lends itself to abuse by the clever and crafty. One sees an instrument of emancipation perpetrating slavery of the worst kind. It is a ready handle in the hands of mischief-mongers. Areas of conflagration on the globe today have religion at the root of the turmoil. Alas, there are no pockets of enlightenment to reflect its glory.
Man, more than other species, testifies to nature’s law of constant evolution. Advances in science and technology have given us unlimited destructive capability. A religion with uptodate philosophy is needed to provide adequate restraining influence. But dogmatic preachers drive reason to its grave. With reason gone, goes rational behaviour too. Religion begins to foster hysterical emotionalism and love of ignorance.
Ideally, religion should be like an ocean of thought, allowing everyone to drink to satisfaction and add according to capacity. It should be an ongoing debate in search of better social norms and institutions. Religion’s basic aim should be to encourage people to think for themselves. It must strive to promote nobler conduct without encouraging communal sentiment. Humility and inclination for selfless service show enlightened religious fervour.
ASHOK MALIK
Santa Clara, CA, USA
I GOT an opportunity to watch a talk show, “Vision of Pakistan” on PTV. There were a number of students and teachers who participated in the programme and portrayed their vision of Pakistan. But it was a pity to find that all the students and teachers belonged to elite institutes and none from a government-run educational institution. It was ridiculous to see those well-to-do people discussing poverty! Who could believe them as they have never experienced poverty. And who gave the right to those students driving their own four wheelers and carrying mobiles to speak on behalf of the poor youth of this country?
The talk show gave an e-mail address at the end of the programme. Now this e-mail could have been good only if it wasn’t at an Indian site. I feel melancholy that PTV can’t find a single non-Indian site to have their e-mail account opened.
NOOR BAKHT NIZAMANI
Hyderabad
ONE felt wiser after reading the article by Kunwar Idris, “Elections and lackeys,” (Dawn March 3,). I keenly hope that not only our ruling elite but also the newly appointed chief election commissioner will find time to read and think over its contents to ensure that the forthcoming national elections yes national and not communal elections based on separate electorates, are held in a fair and transparent manner so that our national hopes and aspirations are revived and find expression through democratic voting.
The outside world should also see, accept and respect the final verdict of the people as genuine. The desire to seek international endorsement is very basic in the present day global village concept.
In this connection, we may learn a lesson from Bangladesh where the ruling party of Ms Haseena was defeated and its first reaction was not to accept the election results. But the foreign observers present in the country emphatically declared the election results were fair and transparent. This ‘worldwatch’ aspect gave much-needed political stability to the newly elected government of Begum Khaleda Zia.
Kunwar Idris rightly reminds us that the president, Gen Musharraf, has the right to pick and choose for accountability, but in democratic elections, this privilege is exercised by the people through a free vote. One hopes that the noble suggestions made by the author, if accepted in letter and in spirit,........... will give credit to the present government for holding the second general elections after 1970, which history could call fair and transparent.
Z A SHEIKH
Rabwah
THE promulgation of an ordinance, making primary education compulsory, is an appreciable step by the present government and should be welcomed by all. To begin with, it is being enforced in Islamabad immediately, and I hope that other regions, especially the remote areas of all the provinces will gradually be covered at a later stage.
Judging by the living standards, I personally assume that the number of children residing in Islamabad and its vicinity, are already attending schools, and as there are no slums or kutchi abadis nearby, the number of children netted by this ordinance may be negligible. Moreover, due to strict enforcement of law in the area, working children may also be very few.
SYED ABRAR HUSSAINI
Karachi
THE National Savings Schemes are an avenue for investment with 100 per cent safety for the common man, particularly retired persons. The procedure is simple: you fill up a form and hand it over with your I.D.
Card copy and the money. No introduction or certification is required. Encashment is simpler. Just sign the coupon, go or send somebody and collect your profit or principal.
But you had it, if those certificates are lost. You are required to complete so many unnecessary and overlapping formalities.
These are:
1. An application detailing the circumstances under which the certificate was lost.
2. Indemnity Bond, duly signed by you and accompanied by a surety of class I government officer, with four witnesses. Copies of the ID Cards of all these persons, duly attested by a notary.
3. The Indemnity Bond should be attested by a first class magistrate.
4. A legible copy of FIR duly attested.
5. A certificate from a first class officer that the applicant, the surety and their four witnesses are known to him for the last five years and residing in his area (note the condition of ‘his area’.)
Most claimants have to run from pillar to post to complete these formalities. Cannot the authorities make it simpler?
AFFECTED
Karachi
THOUGH buses are supposed to be a service for the convenience of the public, almost everything about them contributes to public inconvenience.
The buses don’t ever follow a specific timetable. This causes delay for the passengers in reaching their destination.
Complaints have often been lodged regarding the insufficient number of seats for the ladies which are often occupied by the males, but to no avail.
SADAF KHAN
Karachi
THE government has taken a positive measure by announcing a general amnesty for activists of banned religious or political groups who tender a written undertaking not to continue with the group or party. Additional measures are needed to engage these people because they are not outsiders but the citizens of our own country.
Pakistan has seen too much bloodshed in the name of religion and the end-result is that nothing has been achieved save loss of precious lives.
The country needs an atmosphere of peace and mutual understanding.
At present, unfortunately, religious groups see themselves as an embattled lot and think that a struggle is at hand against the people who do not agree with them and also against the government. Understanding each other and accommodating each other, is the need of the hour.
MEHWISH KHANDRANI
Islamabad
THE incident which led to the burning of a bogey of the Sabarmati Express carrying Hindu ‘karsevaks’ and resulting in the death of around 50 passengers has not been fully reported by the media. The facts collected through reliable sources are given here:
At about 5.30 in the morning, the said train stopped at Daahod, 70km away from Godhra. The Hindu ‘karsevaks’ took tea and snacks at a railway stall owned by a Muslim but did not pay.
At about 7, the train reached Godhra. There, too, the ‘karsevaks’ (volunteers) had refreshments at a stall owned by an elderly Muslim and picked a quarrel with him by not making the payment. They beat him and raised the slogan: ‘Mandir ka nirmaan karo. Babur ki aulad ko bahar karo.” (Start construction of the temple, throw out the sons of Babar). Hearing the shouts, the young daughter of the stall-holder came out to rescue her father.
The ‘karsevaks’ forcibly carried away the young girl to the train and locked her inside their compartment. As the train started moving, the elderly man and two stall vendors jumped onto the last bogey and pulled the emergency stop chain. The train came to a halt at about one kilometre from the railway station.
The two Muslim stall-holders pleaded unsuccessfully with the ‘karsevaks’ to release the girl. People from the vicinity also gathered. When all the pleas to get the girl back from the Hindu volunteers failed, the infuriated crowd pelted stones at the bogey. The compartments on either side of the one in which the girl was locked, also carried the volunteers of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), many of whom descended from the train and used the bamboo sticks from their banners to attack the assembled crowd.
Some young men in the crowd ran off to bring diesel and petrol from trucks and rickshaws standing at the nearby garages and torched the compartments. After learning about this incident, members of VHP living in the area went on a rampage burning down Muslim property and the Badshah Masjid. What happened after that has been covered by the media, all the world over.
Now you decide who is responsible for the whole incident.
HINA FATIMA
Karachi
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