| March 16, 2002 | Saturday | Muharram 1, 1423 |
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Doctoring the Quaid’s views
Nadra cards and SOPs
Police reforms
In the mirror of history
The car boom
Thal canal project
Prestigious schools
Saluting Ghalib twice
Secularism without prosperity
Rickshaw silencers
Killings
KWSB’s open defiance of law
WITH reference to reports in your esteemed newspaper about the election for the national and provincial assemblies by October this year, I, on behalf of the senior citizens, appeal to the leaders of the political parties to include in their manifestos specific provisions for promoting the well-being of older citizens (60 and above).
I also urge the senior citizens to ensure that their names are duly registered in the voters’ lists throughout the country and to promptly take up with the Election Commission staff any discrepancies they notice about them in these lists. They should also go to polling stations on the polling days and cast their votes in favour of parties and candidates who pledge beneficial measures for the elderly citizens.
Some of the demands and needs of senior citizens, who now comprise over 8 per cent of the country’s population, are:
1. The package of reliefs and benefits for senior citizens announced on Oct 1, 1999, on behalf of the Government of Pakistan in Islamabad by the then prime minister should be expeditiously implemented;
2. Investments made by senior citizens in the National Savings Scheme upto one million rupees individually, be exempted from the levy of income tax in the present and next budget;
3. Senior citizens should be given at least 50 per cent rebate in property taxes in respect of at least one house;
4. The government and private pensions should be reviewed annually with a view to enhancement in the context of rising cost of living and inflation rate;
5. Senior citizens should be given due representation in government consultative bodies, especially those set up by the local governments;
6. The government and private hospitals should give substantial rebates in medical treatment charges to senior citizens;
7. As the PIA and the Pakistan Railways have begun showing profits, a substantial rebate in fares be given to senior citizens.
As Nadra’s issuance of computerized National Identity Cards continues to be delayed and flawed, the validity of the old NIC cards for Pakistani citizens be extended at least upto Dec 31, 2002. This is essential if voters will be required to produce NIC cards at polling stations for vote-casting. Nadra should give special consideration to the applications of senior citizens for computerized NIC cards.
QUTUBUDDIN AZIZ
Acting President, Pakistan Senior Citizens’ Association
Karachi
I HAVE been obliged to recall for the umpteenth time the historic undertaking given by the Quaid-i-Azam on August 11, 1947, in the Constituent Assembly, in which he had stated that “it was the first duty of a government to maintain law and order, so that the life, property and religious beliefs of its subjects are fully protected by the state”.
He further went on to reinforce this statement by saying: “You are free; you are free to go to your temples, you are free to go to your mosques or any other places of worship in this state of Pakistan. You may belong to any religion, caste or creed. That has nothing to do with the business of the state”. Could there be a more unambiguous and categoric statement of future policy and undertaking given by the founding father of the nation?
It is a different matter that even in his lifetime, this statement was ‘doctored’ and watered down by the officials of the information ministry. I have this knowledge based on the authority of my brother-in-law, Mr Hamid Jalal, who rose to be additional secretary, information.
Whilst we are busy clamouring against the recent killings of the Muslims in the so-called ‘secular’ State of India, our own record in this field is a pretty dismal one. What makes me extremely sad, to the extent of being ashamed, is the fact that in a Muslim state proclaimed to have been established in the name of Islam, even Muslims are being butchered by fellow citizens while saying their prayers. Can there be a more dastardly crime?
In the entire last half a century of our existence, our police have not been able to pinpoint the criminals, including the murder of our first prime minister, Liaquat Ali Khan. Since then, we have continued this record, by killing philanthropists like Hakim Saeed, and a host of doctors who have spent a lifetime in the service of humankind.
Incidentally, our own government chooses to ignore these killings by looking the other way, it has taken a distinguished member of the minority community, Mr Ardeshir Cowasjee to hold the mirror to our government by giving the full details of the numbers of Shias and Sunnis killed during the last many years, in Dawn (March 10).
ZAHIR-UD DEEN KHWAJA
Lahore
AT long last, I received my Nadra Card (NC) on March 12, which was exactly five-and a-half months after the RG4 Machine No. 30762 delivery date. Being a great day, I asked others about their NCs.
Surprisingly, I learnt that delivery could be made in three ways: by post (no receipt required) or by the postman personally (signature required on a listed sheet of paper) or by postcard telling the NC-awarded to collect it personally from one of the NCs offices.
Delving further, I found that the validity period varied capriciously from five to eight to 10 and to 15 years. It appears the oldest is given the longest validity period or is the logic convoluted? Does the NC’s left hand know what it’s right hand is doing?
All this points to dismal planning. The reason? Given the best of intentions military thinking is creative in war. Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) can be thrown out the window, but in peacetime not following SOPs can lead to a court martial.
Civilians have to be creative in peacetime generating new SOPs for new situations whereas in war, the civilian does what he’s told to do. This contradiction of roles has led to a number of unfavourable outcomes, the least being the infestation of a more virulent type of corruption which resultantly appears out of the much touted one-window and that, too, after several visits.
Incidentally, the NC has been made, inadvertently or otherwise, photocopy-proof. The photocopier picks up the wavy pattern on the glossy surface but not the photograph underneath it.
MASOOD HASAN
Lahore
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 the provision of residences to police officials of the ranks from constable to inspector, good salary package as is being given to motorway police and fixed duty hours — eight 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 should be upgraded to meet the international standards.
QAZI NAZIM NAEEM
Hyderabad
THIS is with reference to Ahsan Iqbal’s article ‘In the mirror of history’ (March 7). He was deputy chairman of the Planning Commission in the government of Nawaz Sharif, so it’s no wonder that he is trying to create a favourable atmosphere for his party to return to the corridors of power.
But he has overlooked the fact that Nawaz Sharif had no political roots. He was a lateral entrant to the corridors of power. But for Zia’s kindness, Nawaz Sharif would have remained one of the unknown businessmen of Pakistan.
Ahsan Iqbal thinks that Gen. Musharraf is trying to weaken the national parties, marginalizing their leaders and promoting dummy leaders who have no political roots. “What this augurs for the federation of Pakistan needs no explanation,” he says.
But the situation is not what Ahsan Iqbal has portrayed. If we take into account Gen. Musharraf’s steps towards stabilizing the country since Oct 12, 1999, his stand at the Agra summit and his policy since Sept 11, 2001, there is no doubt that if a referendum is held on whether he should continue as President for a term beyond Oct 2002, the voters will give him an overwhelming mandate.
He may also ask the voters to let him change the Constitution to introduce the Presidential system and to hold assembly elections under the system of proportional representation so that the past musical chairs do not bring back the same old leadership to the corridors of power.
JALAL AHMED
Karachi
THANK you for the timely editorial on the subject (March 7).
Incidentally the situation is worse than what has been described. In addition to seven-time arbitrary increase in car prices over the past two years, the present artificial shortage of cars has been created to further increase the prices. This is evident from the exorbitant premium being demanded by the dealers and companies’ agents for bookings for which deliveries would be made in Sept/Oct 2002.
Unfortunately, the import of used cars has been banned since 1994 and on the other hand, local car manufacturers have been given a free hand to extort extra money.
It is time that the Commerce Minister, A. Razak Dawood, announced the lifting of ban on the import of used cars.
MUSHTAQ AHMED
Karachi
DESPITE the opposition of politicians, intellectuals, experts and the people of Sindh in general, the federal government has approved the controversial Thal Flood Water Canal Project. The proposed project has opened a floodgate of hostility between Punjab and Sindh because Thal (the canal) has a potential for turning Sindh into Thar (the desert).
Gen. Musharraf wants to remain in power, as he often says, even after the coming elections. How come, by alienating the Sindhis? He must consult his advisers again or sack them immediately. General Sahib, please have second thoughts over the Thal canal.
MUSTAFA MAHESAR
Karachi
I FAIL to understand why wrong standards are set for admission to prestigious schools for a level as junior as nursery.
The pre-requisites stand in total violation of the laws of nature governing a child as young as three-and-a-half years. In no way can he understand the strategy of fusing sounds so perfectly as to spell and write his name with his not-so-well-set hand.
Let me apprise those responsible for setting such standards, be it the parents or the educational institutions, that forcing a child to master the art of writing or even reading at an early age of three years is violating the laws of nature.
In fact, the personality of the child is crippled if an adult forces his choices and decision upon him. The vital period from three to four years during which he should explore and perfect himself, is lost forever as parents are busy forcing him to learn the art of writing which the child ultimately would learn on his own when he is around four years old.
Our policymakers must make laws restricting schools from committing such a gruesome act on young children. They should instead provide children with guidance along with opportunities to enhance intelligence and other psychic abilities.
SALMA HARIS
Karachi
I QUITE agree with Attul Barry (Feb 28) and offer my apologies for the hurt he felt by the attempt to confine Ghalib within geographical limits by some of us in Pakistan. They ignore the fact that if Ghalib had been alive at the time of Partition, he would have, perhaps, opted for India like many other prominent Muslim men of literature such as Hasrat Mohani.
The fact is that Ghalib is for everyone who loves him and his poetry. My own fascination with Ghalib is that I have developed a great liking for Naseeruddin Shah who played Ghalib in a TV serial some years ago.
M.M. KHAN
Karachi
KARL Marx called religion the opium of the masses. This seems to be true to a great extent because man having evolved from and being made of matter is bound to be materialistic and the psychological void created by material deprivation can be best filled by some kind of spiritual ideology. Thus, it may be dangerous to introduce secularization without first allowing the people to develop economically. But unfortunately, the West is bent upon secularizing us through quick-fix means without giving us the opportunity to attain a measure of prosperity.
NOGs have sprung up in the country not least because of the lure of foreign aid they all normally receive. Their aim seems to be to accelerate westernization through holding of mixed-sex activities such as seminars, melas, musical concerts and some kinds of pseudo-welfare projects.
A Punjab government minister who, being unmarried and thus not a good role model for the Pakistani female who should be encouraged to hold a job as well as run a family, is operating an NGO of her own and is using her position to promote its activities. For example, she was recently the guest of honour at an eye-camp in Muzaffargarh which was actually used by the participating doctors to book patients for their own private hospitals.
The government must keep a close watch on the activities of such NGOs.
AHMAD ALI
Muzaffargarh
THIS is with reference to a report that the Sindh Ombudsman has directed the DIG Police to work out a plan to replace the silencers of rickshaws in Karachi (March 9).
If I recollect correctly, some months back the same Ombudsman had issued similar instructions. However, as everyone knows, the situation has been getting worse. Perhaps, will is lacking on the part of the police and other relevant agencies.
In view of the grave consequences of this mounting noise pollution, it is felt that some strong action should be taken to get the Ombudsman’s directive enforced.
P. SUKHIA
Karachi
IT is a matter of great concern that doctors of a particular religious sect are becoming victims of violence almost every day. They might be following any belief in their private lives, but they were serving humanity without any prejudice of creed and sect.
Furthermore, they were not the activists of any political party, they were simply humans trying to serve humanity.
It is regrettable that the law enforcing agencies have failed to catch of any of the killers. Who is accountable for this?
NASREEN ZAIDI
Karachi
THE Karachi Water and Sewerage Board is continuing to send water bills to the residents of the buildings along the Sea Beach Road in Clifton’s Block 2 without supplying even a drop of water to them. In fact, there is no functional water pipeline at all that could bring water to these buildings.
In sending these bills, the board is going against the Supreme Court, Sindh High Court and the Sindh Ombudsman. All of them had decreed that “water tax is to be levied only if the supplies are provided to the buildings and localities concerned.” Thus, the tax under the order of the highest judiciary of the country is not applicable to the residents of these buildings who are buying water at an exorbitant price from water tankers.
Moreover, the residents of these building filed a suit in the Sindh High Court challenging the right of the board to collect water dues from those who are not getting water from the board’s supply network. This has made the issue sub judice, and unless a decision is taken by the court, sending water bills amounts to contempt of court.
The water board maintains that under a notification issued by the provincial government in 1978, the tax must be paid by anyone who is using water — no matter how he gets it. The board’s theory is that all water in the city is the property of the board, and it does not matter whether you get water through the board’s pipe network, through the private tankers or any other source.
However, the notification on which the water board is relying goes against sections 99 and 100 of the KMC Act, which clearly states that water and conservancy taxes are imposed only when the services are provided. As the KMC Act is a legislative action, the courts have examined the complaints against the Water and Sewerage Board in the light of the KMC Act which, in practical terms, renders the notification invalid.
The residents of the buildings hold the view that under the natural law, they cannot pay twice for the same service — one to the water tankers and the other to the water board. So, collecting water taxes from those who are not supplied water by the water board amounts to a violation of basic human rights.
The residents are in a bit of a quandary what to do — pay the bill in violation of the law or not to pay the bill to respect the court order. They are facing a difficult situation because non-payment means an accumulation of dues.
Will someone in the judiciary come to the aid of the residents — the victims of Water Board’s unlawful action.
RESIDENTS
Of Hawaiian Homes Towers A and B, Block 2, Clifton,
Karachi
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