| March 29, 2002 | Friday | Muharram 14, 1423 |
To send a letter to the Editor
Click here
CNG stations on motorway
A farmer’s woes
Underpasses for Karachi
Plans for Gulshan
More taxes on medicines
Failure of Nadra
Saindak project
Liaquat National Library
Procession money
The freedom of the press
Language classes
ON March 21, over 150 federal agents raided the offices of several prominent Muslim organizations and the homes of some of the most respected members of the American Muslim community, located in Northern Virginia. For over 20 years, the Muslim leadership associated with the International Institute of Islamic Thought (IIIT), one of the targets of the raid, has been at the forefront of many progressive, moderate, intellectual and liberal initiatives taken by American Muslims.
The raids, according to authorities, are investigating alleged links between IIIT and terrorist organizations. No one has been arrested and no charges have been made yet. The terrorism task force is hoping it will find some evidence in the material, computers and files, it has confiscated from the Herndon offices of IIIT. The IIIT is a research institute that has invested two decades and millions of dollars in search of “the Islamic epistemology” — a magic wand that when discovered would instantly restore the lost glory of the Islamic civilization.
The raids on IIIT and the Graduate School of Islamic Social Sciences are an attack on the most moderate, most pro-American of Muslims. These raids have sent a shiver down the spine of the American Muslim community. If people like Dr Taha Al-alwani are also targets in the war on terrorism, then this war is indeed a war against Muslims and not terrorists.
In the last few months, the Bush administration has systematically disengaged itself from the American Muslim community. In the immediate aftermath of 9/11, President Bush was indeed heroic in making several statements, and appearances with Muslim leaders, to protect the civil rights, properties, businesses and places of worship of American Muslims. Muslims recognize that if he had not been so supportive, the backlash against the community would have been very severe. But that was in 2001. Since the beginning of this year, the White House has become completely inaccessible to Muslims. Things are so bad that even public relations contacts, such as Eid celebration in the White House that were routine in the past, are now on hold. Even the American Muslim organizations that endorsed the candidacy of George Bush and campaigned for him in 2000 now have no access to their President.
One of the most debilitating effects of raids on moderate Muslim institutions is the power it gives to those conservative Muslims who are critical of the US and see the war on terror as essentially a global war on Islam. These raids weaken the position of moderate Muslims who are inviting the global Muslim community to do its best to undermine extremism and intolerance within the Muslim world.
This was supposed to be a war on terrorists, the radical extremists who advocate violence against the US, not against moderate Muslims who promote democracy, education and interfaith relations. More and more Muslims are feeling that if moderate Muslims become as much a target as extremists then perhaps the war on terror is slipping into a war on American Muslims.
M.A. MUQTEDAR KHAN
Adrian, US
THIS is with reference to the letter by Dr Najma Afzal Khan (March 23), which was in response to the National Highway Authority’s invitation for proposals to operate CNG stations on M-2 Motorway.
Being an engineer and one exposed to the energy sector I would like to bring some more facts to the knowledge of the general public.
CNG stations, to be installed on the motorway, will not be typical and simple CNG stations. Due to the unavailability of Natural gas throughout the motorway, CNG stations will be installed with the concept of mother-daughter station. In this concept, a mother station is installed at a place where natural gas is available. This mother station is used to compress natural gas which is then filled in large containers. These CNG filled containers are then transported to smaller stations, called daughter stations. In this manner filling can take place at various daughter stations in spite of the fact that natural gas is not available at these points.
Nowadays, similar concept is widely used throughout the world to supply natural gas to domestic consumers in remote areas, where laying pipeline is not justified because of heavy initial cost.
The concept, technicalities, installation, operation and working of mother-daughter stations are entirely different from normal CNG stations that are usually installed and operated in cities. Mother-daughter station concept requires thorough engineering, technical and financial studies.
I completely agree with Dr Najma that the advertisement seems to be ‘a cover up for some thing already cooked’. The National Highway Authority in its March 13 advertisement asked prospective operators to submit their proposals maximum by March 25, 2002. These sort of proposals cannot be made in 12 days time because they require extensive technical and financial studies. Without ample time, no professional operator can make and submit a ‘genuine’ proposal to the NHA.
Then there is the fact that the government gave all the rights of Motorway Service Areas (MSA) to Daewoo Pakistan Limited. Now, how can the NHA enter into the process of subletting or leasing the sites for the purpose of installing and operating CNG Stations? To the best of our understanding all these rights are with Daewoo Pakistan Limited.
Keeping all these facts in sight, I request the NHA and other government authorities to look into this process again and try to make it more transparent and fair.
ENGR AHSAN SARMAD
Karachi
THE letters written by Mr Ramzan Jokhio and Fazal Ahmad about the shortage of water and food prompted me to join the chorus because I am a farmer and I am facing both the problems.
Tubewell is one solution but one well costs four to five lakh rupees. The depth of my tubewell today is 400 feet, which needs more electric power to pull the water. I paid Rs10,000 in electricity bill for a month but was not able to recover this money from the water I drew from the well. This problem is being faced by all the farmers in Gadap area. Thousands of families in the lower Sindh have migrated because there is no water for irrigation; the water has gone saline, destroying crops and making farming impossible.
All over the world, electricity for farmers is subsidized by the governments. Pakistani farmers also enjoyed this facility in the shape of flat rates till Nawaz Sharif’s government stopped it. Other concessions and facilities like fertilizers and supply of improved seeds are also not available to the farmer easily or on cheaper rates. In short, the government does not know how to manage its agriculture sector. In fact, it is ruining it. It consults landlords and feudal lords, who have never touched a tiller themselves. It is the farmer working in the fields who is aware of the actual problems.
The policy makers return to their offices after a briefing by landlords, who misguide them by advocating policies that benefit them, not the farmer, not the agriculture and not the country.
QADIR BUX BALOCH
Tando Jam
LAHORITES have done well by developing several underpasses on the Canal Bank Road. This is more commendable as the underpasses are next to the canal and there are no signs of water seepages in them, as yet. The traffic flows smoothly without hindrances at crossings.
Why can’t we have them in Karachi, too. Construction of overhead bridges is not only costly but also time-consuming. We have seen the pace at which the Liaquatabad flyover was constructed and the inconvenience it caused to the people.
We can consider making the top cover in steel sections, because it can be developed in shops and can be quickly assembled at the site. The underpass portion and the foundations required for supporting the top steel portion can be made in parallel. Piled foundations should be considered as they take little area and can be completed without effecting the existing traffic. A good example of steel usage in such an application is the Clifton flyover made by our Iranian brethren.
Such underpasses can be made for Hasan Square, Hino Roundabout, Schon Circle, Quaidabad, Shahrae Faisal intersections, M.A. Jinnah Road intersections and other such crowded locations.
S. NAYYAR IQBAL RAZA
Karachi
THE development plan for Gulshan-i-Iqbal Town should include the repairs of roads in Blocks 1, 2, 5 and 13-D. Many roads in these blocks have almost disappeared and the houses on both sides of the roads are exposed to dust, and slush in rainy days.
The Nazim and his staff are requested to take a look for themselves and decide further action in this regard.
Also, the unauthorized inter-city bus terminal being operated from the Gulshan bridge leading to Aisha Manzil should be removed, as it is fast expanding and creating unnecessary traffic jams. Illegal encroachments are also on the rise in nearby areas.
SYED ABRAR HUSSAINI
Karachi
I WANT to draw the attention of the concerned authorities to the rise in taxes on medicines. Being a doctor at a government hospital, I see a number of patients everyday who have no breadwinners or earn only a few hundred rupees every month. When we advise them a CT scan, MRI or even an X-Ray, which costs a hundred rupees at government hospitals, they often say that they can’t afford it. They cannot afford even a tablet that has to be taken on a long-term basis.
So which class of people would be affected by these taxes?
The class that can go to London for treatment? The class that can afford dinner at five-star hotels everyday? Not at all. The affected would be the common people.
Another issue which I’d like to mention is denationalization of the good colleges of Karachi where merit counts and the fee is reasonable. Denationalization would hit the poor, even the lower middle class.
A good student of an average family would be deprived of admission to a good institution, only because his father doesn’t have the money for that. This is a serious issue. It would indeed shatter the confidence of our hardworking youngsters.
I would request the concerned authorities to look into the matter and do the needful.
DR AISHA WAHEED
Karachi
IN May 2001, I submitted completed forms for new identity cards for myself and three members of my family at the Nadra registration office at G-8/I, Islamabad. I was told that the cards would be delivered to me at my house by June 12, 2001. Nine months have passed but I have still not received them.
On enquiry from the Nadra headquarters I was informed that my forms might have been returned unaccepted, probably because they had been filled out in English and not in Urdu. This specific condition was not stated anywhere on the forms, nor did the staff receiving my forms and fees cared to point this out to me.
I contacted the district registration office, and asked them to return the form so that I could make them out again, but they were unable to trace the same. I made repeated visits to the office, but no one seemed able to find the missing forms. I have a feeling there is no organized system for accounting of submitted forms.
I have offered to submit fresh forms, but the registration office keeps insisting that they are still searching for the returned ones and refuse to accept any new ones. It is absolutely frustrating that no one seems to be in a position to help me out of my difficulty, and no one appears able to tell me what I should do.
Numerous cases of such inefficiency are being brought to light daily in the newspapers. It is evident that the Nadra has completely failed in its task. Top officials of the organization must be made to explain the causes of this huge failure and the colossal waste.
WG-CDR (R) S.A. RAOOF
Islamabad
THIS project is located in Balochistan at Saindak, Chaghai District, 670 km west of Quetta and 1,275 km from Karachi. The project comprises ore reserves of 410 million tons that contain vast quantities of gold and silver. It has been estimated that an annual production of 15,810 tons of blister copper will be achieved that will include 1.5 tons gold and 2.8 tons silver.
During trial operations from Nov 1995 to Jan 1996, 1,550 tons of blister copper was produced and exported for US$ 4.3 million. But the work could not be sustained due to the non-availability of funds. The funds have now been provided by the Chinese government and the project has been restarted.
There would be numerous advantages of this project. It would play a crucial role in the socio-economic development of a backward area like Chaghai. It would also lead to the development of downstream industries such as copper refinery, mini-steel mill, etc.
This project can be called the gold mine of the country. One hopes that the present government would also take steps to untap other sources of mineral resources so as to bring a quick economic turnaround in the economy.
AIR-CDR (R) AZFAR A. KHAN
Rawalpindi
ONCE a beautiful, tranquil and pleasant place, the Liaquat National Library, Karachi, has acquired an unkempt and ugly look, mainly because of its collapsed sewerage system.
As far as I can remember, the sewerage system of the library has been out of order for at least ten years. The resultant stink has eventually filled the entire building and also the surrounding park. The access road and the walkway are frequently flooded by the waste matter that keeps coming out of the sewerage system.
The library director and other senior staff have often approached the relevant authorities during the last ten years but their requests have always fallen on deaf ears.
Would someone in authority in the PWD come to help save this library building from further damage and deterioration?
MEHMOOD AZIZ
Karachi
I HAVE been following the ongoing debate in these columns regarding processions on various religious occasions. There is no indication in history that our Holy Prophet took part or encouraged this kind of activity.
The inconvenience caused to the general public during these processions is another relevant point. Over the years, we have witnessed a sort of competition amongst various sects to out do each other in a show of strength through processions. Phenomenal amounts of money are spent just to impress the others.
The best thing to do would be to spend these holy days at home reading the Quran and praying to Allah. The money normally spent on the processions should be used for providing food and water to the drought stricken areas such as Tharparkar. This I am certain would please Allah Almighty more than anything else.
DR JAMAL NASIR MEMON
Karachi
MR Ayaz Amir and Mr Ardeshir Cowasjee have referred to my resignation from The News in their recent columns and quoted from my article in the Wall Street Journal. Both have claimed with great authority that the press in Pakistan has never been as free as it is today under General Pervez Musharraf. I wish to put the record straight.
It is generally known and accepted by everyone in the profession in Pakistan that Mr Amir and Mr Cowasjee are two ‘islands of freedom’, permitted by the government media managers, to be presented to the world as show pieces of ‘press freedom’. But can they, or should they, speak for the entire press in Pakistan? I think, as I have experienced for 15 months, the ground reality outside these two islands is very different, not very stunning, often ugly and despicable.
I can quote numerous examples of how the media is managed, how journalists and reporters are intimidated, bribed, coerced and even physically ‘handled’. I remember all the ‘night calls’ that I received to either stop a story, play it down or at least give it a mild headline. Shakil Sheikh of The News was pulled out of his car, blindfolded, thrashed with jackboots and abandoned to lick his black and blue body. Masood Malik (Nawa-i-Waqt) and Faraz Hashmi (Dawn) asked awkward questions in press conferences and faced the consequences.
When I wrote an editorial on Faraz Hashmi, the media managers were furious as, they argued, he was a Dawn guy and not an employee of my newspaper. Ghulam Husnain (Time Magazine) was repeatedly ‘kidnapped’ for days and was so scared he would not even talk about his ordeal.
In all these cases, even in those where criminal action was involved, like physical injuries and kidnapping, not once did the police register an FIR, not even against unknown culprits. Press advice on phones is a daily routine and who in the profession can deny that.
Cutting down and totally stopping all government advertisements is the standard punishment for erring newspapers. Is it not going on now? So if no one calls up or touches Mr Ayaz Amir and Mr Cowasjee, it does not mean the entire press in Pakistan is totally free. It is free to the extent a journalist or newspaper can take the risk. The moment the threshold of tolerance is crossed, the well rehearsed and well defined ‘staff solution’ comes into effect.
I would wish and pray that the leash given to your esteemed columnists is long enough and they are never asked to go or see or explain or apologise to the ISI or any other super bureaucrat for what they write. They should thank the government for the freedom they have and also try and help others get only a part of it. That will be great national service.
SHAHEEN SEHBAI
Virginia, USA
IT has been learnt that the Vice Chancellor, University of Sindh, Jamshoro, has hired the services of extra teachers to teach basic English language to undergraduate and postgraduate students at the Jamshoro campus.
Hyderabad is one of the major cities but unfortunately there are no language institutes of quality in the city.
I request the governor of Sindh and the VC, University of Sindh, to facilitate the people of Hyderabad by launching such basic and advanced English language courses at the Old Campus Hyderabad.
ABRO NAZIR AHMED
Hyderabad
You can also send letters to the Editor
Just send your message to the following address:
Make sure you include your full name, postal address, e-mail address, and in the case of Pakistan your day-time telephone number.