| April 2, 2002 | Tuesday | Muharram 18,1423 |
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Missionary services
Before summer
Selling our soul
Looking back at history
The use of terror
Transporters’ strike
Pims’ poor working
The Muslims of Gujarat
Hospital strike
To salvation
Gas tariff
Appeal
Distance education
THIS is with reference to Babar Sultan Hasan’s letter ‘Saviours of Pakistan’ (March 21). He indicates that our people do not have any option other than following General Musharraf’s policies and concludes with the hope that the General would continue to move towards the goals he has set for himself.
Unfortunately, it has become fashionable in certain quarters to hail and reinforce the statements and actions of the ruling elite. What makes one wonder is that even the educated class of our society falls prey to this tendency.
Democracy and election bring into power ‘a bunch of hypocrites from the PPP or Muslim League’, says Mr Babar. This, in my opinion, is taking a narrow view of our political spectrum. ‘Bunch of hypocrites’ from any political party do not represent the spirit of democracy. I am no fan of PPP or Muslim League. However, as a citizen of Pakistan, I could see a range of possibilities which could give superior image to our country.
We can benefit a great deal from the views of Amartya Sen, Nobel Laureate 1998: “The question itself, whether or not a country is fit for democracy, is wrong. A country does not have to be deemed fit for democracy — rather it has to become fit through democracy.”
The question before us all is: has the institution of democracy been allowed to take root in our country so far? Has the political process been allowed to continue? The ‘Saviours of Pakistan’ are ready to take over the reins of the country at the slightest provocation. They (the saviours) have no hesitation in derailing the democratic process.
Looking at the stream of our more than 50 years of history, no doubt there is evidence to indicate that democracy has been let down, in fact abused, by the politicians, parliamentarians and those controlling the national mechanism of the country.
If any elected government has not been functioning well or not delivering goods to the public, does it mean that the institution of democracy should be thrown out of the window? One couldn’t agree more with former US President Bill Clinton: “Successful democratic government takes time, patience and hard work. The answer to flawed democracy is not to end democracy but to improve it.”
It is time we learnt lessons from our history. Let us develop a vision rooted in tomorrow’s promise. Let us, together, develop a system which could steer the country out of the present turmoil. Let us evolve a higher democratic order which could bring stability to our country.
AKHTAR KHAN
Karachi
A COUPLE of days after the Islamabad church massacre, I was passing by the Lahore Cathedral School when I noticed that the main gate of the school was closed, and two security guards behind the gate were arguing with a young man who was apparently either requesting entry or seeking some other information.
In view of the fact that all my three sons had received high school education at this institution to my entire satisfaction, I thought that it would be a great pity if, as a result of the repercussions of the Islamabad incident, the selfless services being provided by such missionary institutions were to be closed down to the general public.
In retrospect, I consider that one of the biggest disservices done by the Zulfikar Ali Bhutto government was to have taken over all mission schools after nationalization and ruining the quality of education in these institutions in the process, which ultimately and belatedly are now being considered for denationalization.
In this context, I still recall my childhood memories, when we were living in the interior of Kenya in East Africa, and my younger sister suddenly developed diphtheria which was at the time considered a serious disease, with very few chances of survival. As during those days, we were living in a small town, Karatina, in the jungles of Africa, where hardly any medical facilities were available, we had to turn to the services of a missionary doctor functioning from a small dispensary in the interior.
It is indeed remarkable and almost miraculous that in that emergency, he operated on her in his make-shift dispensary resulting in her recovery. Ever since we have been eternally grateful to that unknown missionary doctor and still value his services in those primitive conditions.
ZAHIRUDDEEN KHWAJA
Lahore
I belong to Mianwali district, where there is an acute problem of drinking water. I would like to bring to the notice of the authorities concerned just two schemes.
The rural water supply scheme Karak Luddokhel was completed at a cost of Rs4.5 million in 1998, but it has not functioned for a single day. The money spent on it appears to have been misappropriated.
Similarly, in order to facilitate the people of Chappri, a water supply scheme was sanctioned under the Khushal Pakistan Programme. The tubewell installed under this scheme does not give a single drop of water, but the contractor has received his ‘dues’.
Our efforts to contact the departmental authorities have failed. Therefore, I request Gen Mohammad Tariq, Minister of Public Health Engineering, Punjab, to personally visit the area and take corrective steps so that our problems are tackled before the summer hots up.
JAMAL KHAN KHATTAK
Chappri, Mianwali
THE US government is now asking Pakistan to extradite Sheikh Omar and, to add insult to injury, the apologetic reply given by our government is that he ‘preferably’ will be tried in Pakistan. The question agitating all Pakistanis is: “Isn’t Pakistan an independent and sovereign state with its own law to try such crimes?” Shouldn’t a person accused of a crime in Pakistan be tried in our country? Will the US ever consider handing over to us a British citizen who murders a Pakistani in New York?
The lesson we should have learnt long ago is that whenever we bend over backwards for the Americans, they will walk all over us. The US and the west will start respecting Pakistan only when we learn to stand up, and say ‘No’ whenever required.
Sheikh Omar should be tried and punished in Pakistan only, as he has allegedly committed a crime on Pakistani soil. Handing him over to anyone outside Pakistan in return for a few dollars would be a disgrace to the nation.
SAEED WAZEER BUTT
Lahore
THIS is with reference to the article ‘Looking back at history II’ by Brig (Retd) A.R. Siddiqui (March 25).
He writes that March 23, 1971, was observed as Resistance Day by the Awami League, and Bangladesh flags alongside black flags were hoisted on the rooftops. Further, he says that the only Pakistani flags seen were at the Flag Staff House in the cantonment, the MLA HQ and the President House in Dhaka.
I was then in the former East Pakistan, studying at the Dhaka University, and putting up in a locality named Mirpur.
The residents of Mirpur were mostly immigrants from various parts of India, and the total population stood roughly at about 0.5 million.
Another locality, Mohammadpur, also had an overwhelming non-Bengali population of approximately 0.2 million.
All the houses in Mirpur and Mohammadpur hoisted
the green Pakistani flag at their rooftops, and the residents celebrated the Pakistan Day and not the Resistance Day.
Later on, many of them were repatriated to Pakistan by the International Red Cross.
The unlucky ones are still rotting in camps in Dhaka and living in sub-human conditions. They still proudly call themselves Pakistanis, even after languishing there for 31 long years.
All this is just to convey to Brig (Retd) A.R. Siddiqi that his intelligence sources in those days were probably not performing at their best. The hoisting of thousands of Pakistani flags could not have gone unnoticed.
This fact would be confirmed by those several thousand former East Pakistanis who were somehow able to come here.
SYED ABRAR HUSSAINI
Karachi
TERROR has been used most effectively by the powers that be in our country to achieve their own ends. When a civilian government is in place, terror is used to destablize it. When the powers that be themselves are in the saddle, it is used to prolong their rule.
The Daniel Pearl and the Islamabad church episodes were perpetrated to prove to the ‘patrons’ the vulnerability of their regional interests and to impress upon them the necessity of continuing the present political status quo.
Another form of terror was the slogan of accountability which purported to root out corruption from the government sector. For the last two-and-a-half years, there have been no politicians left to beat up. So, instead of bringing to book the corrupt government employees who embezzle at least 30 per cent of the national budget and rob the common man of about Rs10 billion annually in bribes, the weapon of accountability has been turned against the people themselves.
It is common knowledge that the ADBP officials have become millionaires through unfair means but not a single one has been caught by NAB. Even foreign colonial powers were sympathetic to our cultivators’ plight but it is very sad that our own government should turn against them.
MUHAMMAD ALI
Muzaffargarh
THE transporters went on strike in Karachi on March 30. The reason the transporters gave for the strike was they wanted release of the driver of the 5-C route bus driver who had taken three lives while driving rashly at Karimabad a few days ago.
The transporters’ demand is totally unreasonable and the government should resist. It is a common practice for bus drivers to drive rashly and they have been responsible for many deaths on a daily basis. It is time they were reined in. A bus driver driving irresponsibly is as good as a terrorist and should be dealt with as such. Bus drivers must be made to pay for the crimes they commit.
I a concerned citizen, who has had several near brushes with the demons of the roads. I urge the government to dispense exemplary punishment to rash bus drivers. I also urge the government to restart the Karachi Circular Railway. The KCR would break the transport mafia’s monopoly and prevent them from paralyzing the city.
I think it is about time that the concern of the citizens be taken into consideration over that of a handful.
SYED JAVAID HYDER
Karachi
THIS is with reference to the report ‘Discrepancies, apathy mar Pims working’ (March 22). If I am right, it is the fifth report, including two by the army monitoring team. All of them have similar findings.
One fails to understand as to why successive governments review these review reports. It is a waste of money and time. One after the other these reports have proved that the situation at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims) is getting worse.
The higher authorities either have no time or have their own personal interests in keeping Pims in its present state of affairs. No remedial measures have been taken — at least this is what the successive reports indicate.
The situation in almost all the hospitals in the public sector is pathetic. Except for the consultation fee, everything is paid by the patient. He has to spend five times the amount by repeatedly hiring a taxi to get medicines and other items, including even thermometers and bandages.
I suggest that an experienced administrator be appointed at Pims and he/she should be given clear targets.
The performance should be monitored and his/her services reviewed on the basis of regular evaluation, based on the satisfaction of clients (patients).
The bottom line is that instead of spending money by hiring expensive consultants for review of reports, it is high time to act and correct the situation, otherwise we will lose Pims and other such institutions.
DR WAQAR AFTAB MALIK
Islamabad
THE drive to launch a new campaign of economic boycott of Muslims by extremist Hindus in Gujarat is quite a serious matter (March 22). The distribution of a leaflet seeking further help in this vicious campaign is the beginning of another holocaust in Gujarat. Such a sinister move should be nipped in time to save its serious consequences.
Thousands of non-Muslims including Hindus are living peacefully and have thriving businesses in Islamic countries, without any threat to their lives or properties.
The hardliner Hindus should take a lesson from this. They should desist from fuelling further hatred against Muslims.
The OIC should take note of this new development in riot-ridden Gujarat, where the extremists have still not stopped burning and killing defenceless Muslims, despite steps taken by the Indian government.
It is high time that the chief minister of Gujarat be sacked for his failure to protect the lives and properties of the Muslims.
Gujarat should be handed over to the military for maintaining law and order, as the civil government has completely failed to do so.
The Indian government should come down hard the Hindu extremists who are hell-bent upon destroying the fabric of secularism worn by India.
Countries having cordial relations with India are also requested to rush to the aid to the Gujarat Muslims, and use their influence to sort out this problem. If Hindus want Muslims to respect them, then as a majority they should take the first step and learn to respect the Muslims and their religion.
M. SHAFIQUE AHMED
Karachi
ACCORDING to press reports, four patients died recently in Nishtar Hospital, Multan, due to a defective anaesthesia machine and doctors’ negligence. Following a departmental inquiry, the governor of the Punjab took action against the doctors responsible for the sad incident.
The action of the governor is, no doubt, commendable. These days all the doctors of Nishtar Hospital are on strike. Even emergency cover is not being provided to the patients. They are condemning the action the governor taken against the doctors who were found negligent.
The strike observed by the doctors is highly deplorable. It indicates that all the doctors have united against the destitute. They are also not ready to accept the findings of the departmental inquiry which is highly unjust.
JAM MUKHTAR HUSSAIN
Multan
A SUICIDE bomber does more damage to Israel than the sundry UN resolutions or for that matter a hundred Arab League declarations. The road from slavery to salvation must cross a river of blood. This is the dialectics of all the liberation struggles of human history.
MUSTAFA MAHESAR
Karachi
THIS time the big bosses of Sui Northern Gas Pipeline Limited have increased the tariff, back-dated to Jan 2002, and have added this amount in the bill for March 2002.
As a result, the consumers will have to pay almost double the amount which they would have otherwise paid. How very callous of them.
I, as well as my family members, have decided to vote in the coming elections for that political party that promises to set right the Wapda and the Sui Northern.
PROF DR ASLAM PIRACHA
Islamabad
NEARLY seven years ago, the Federal Shariat Court accepted the principle of ‘one rank, one pension’. The Nawaz Sharif government filed an appeal in the Supreme Court and obtained a stay order against the ruling of the FSC.
During the last seven years, in spite of repeated efforts of the Veterans Association, the Supreme Court has not been able to constitute a bench to hear the appeal against the stay order. What is preventing the court from constituting the bench?
BASHIR AHMAD
Lahore
THE governor of Sindh issued a directive to the vice-chancellors of Sindh universities lying outside the jurisdiction of Karachi. These included Mehran University of Engineering and Technology, Jamshoro; Shah Abdul Latif University, Khairpur; and University of Sindh, Jamshoro.
Under the directive, all affiliations/ collaborations/ linkages that existed with institutes, and educational institutions in Karachi were terminated with immediate effect because of various irregularities, even though thousands of students were enrolled and courses were continuing and some of them were half way through. This resulted in total confusion and chaos at these institutions, as they were not provided any instructions or policy regarding the continuation of the remaining academic programmes, holding of examinations and issuance of degrees/ diplomas/ certificates. The students and parents are worried as valuable time is being lost.
In this connection, the following is worth considering:
With the advent of information and communication technologies the world has become a global village where boundaries and physical locations of organizations and universities are of no consequence; as such there will not be any restrictions on affiliations. Universities do need collaboration and partnership even with the universities located outside Pakistan. It is estimated that in the near future, 60 per cent of all courses would be virtually conducted through distance education. International collaborations and linkages are therefore essential, as we do not have DL technology and contents in Pakistan.
If the education department failed to monitor these linkages between universities of different locations, we should have evolved a better system in consultation with the private sector rather than taking the easy way out and terminating the natural alliances and thus slowing down the spread of education.
We believe that in this era of ICT when the sound, space and time barriers have been demolished, the universities and educational institutions should be left free to associate and cooperate with any university anywhere in this global village.
It is suggested that the government provide quality education in the province through devising an appropriate policy on distance education by consulting all the stakeholders and taking into account that education in the new millennium would be conducted in a free, borderless environment. If we do not do this, the day is not far when we would be left far behind.
ENGR AFTAB MOHAMMED KHAN
Karachi
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