| April 9, 2002 | Tuesday | Muharram 25, 1423 |
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Makran deserves better
Exploiting car buyers
WITH Israel continuing its massacre of Palestinians, at least Europe has had the conscience to stir itself. Speaking to reporters at Venice, where he had gone to attend the Aspen European Dialogue conference, Spanish Foreign Minister Josep Pique said the European Union could consider slapping sanctions on Israel for its refusal to withdraw from Palestinian territory. The problem was complex, he said, but the immediate issue was enforcing a ceasefire. More blunt was Romano Prodi, European Commission president, who pleaded for a joint approach by the US, EU, Russia and “moderate” Arab nations. In what was clearly a dig at Ariel Sharon, Mr Prodi said anyone who wanted to impose his own views on the issue “will never have peace.” This was in sharp contrast to statements from American diplomats, who continue to have faith in Israel.
Hours before leaving for the Middle East, Colin Powell said in a TV interview he was “pleased” that the Israeli prime minister was “expediting his operations.” Seen against the background of Israeli pronouncements with regard to the on-going blitz, Powell’s hope for “expediting” the operations will give Israel the kind of message it wants. In fact, in spite of all the resolutions passed by the United Nations and President Bush’s own call for an Israeli pullout, Tel Aviv has given no indication that it intends to withdraw. On Sunday, for instance, the Israeli army chief said the campaign would continue for at least four more weeks. Thus, when Mr Powell hopes for “expediting” the operations, one prays he is not hoping for Israel to expedite its military operations. What was missing from the American secretary of state’s statement was a clear warning to Israel to obey the Security Council’s call and withdraw from the Palestinian towns it has reoccupied.
It is significant that, in his statement, Mr Prodi correctly observed that Europe and Russia had to be part of a Middle East peace effort, because Israelis did not accept Europe as an interlocutor. Obviously, Israel has reason why it does not want American monopoly of Middle East diplomacy broken: American policy-making institutions are in its pocket. Congress, especially, is what Pat Buchanan, who once ran for a Republican ticket for presidency, called “occupied territory.” Such is the Zionist lobby’s hold over the Capitol Hill that if it wants — to quote Edward Said — it can call to session the Senate within half an hour and have the right kind of resolution passed. In the present situation, in which the West Bank has become one big concentration camp, the US has confined itself to mere calls for an Israeli withdrawal; there has been no condemnation of Israel’s massacre of civilians, its virtual destruction of Yasser Arafat’s headquarters, or of its sequestering of the Palestinian president. On Saturday, in Jenin alone, the Israelis massacred 50 civilians in the refugee camp, and each day its army moves into new towns and villages. None of this finds a mention in American pronouncements on the Middle East. Instead, Mr Bush chooses to make a meek plea for Israel to withdraw, followed by the mandatory criticism of Mr Arafat. No wonder, realizing the American administration’s diffidence on the issue, Israel rejects Mr Bush’s call for withdrawal, saying there will be no withdrawal unless the “job is finished.”
BALOCHISTAN remains a disadvantaged and neglected province, the coastal Makran region doubly so. The people of the area have long suffered because of economic stagnation and lack of development. Hot and barren, the region is abysmally under-developed: its sea resources have not been exploited, even though a scientifically developed fishing industry could bring prosperity to the area and earn foreign exchange for the country. There are little or no public education and health care facilities and no metalled roads, while the telephone remains an unknown phenomenon in many remote areas. The banks, where they do exist, do not have enough currency notes in stock; even coins are hard to come by. In recent years, people returning from the UAE and Oman have brought some money with them, but they have no investment opportunities and few jobs.
It is only recently that the government has shown any interest in developing the region, which, given Makran’s proximity to the Gulf and its long coast line, can achieve much more — for both its people and the country. The construction of the Gwadar deep-sea port, the Pasni fish harbour, Makran coastal highway, and the revival of the Saindak project are a ray of hope for the economically depressed region. Surely, these development projects can create jobs and conditions conducive to bringing this area on a par with the rest of the country. But, while the government pursues these multi-billion rupee projects, their economic benefits to the local communities must be ensured. It is they who should become the primary beneficiaries of the development plans, and not manpower and settlers from outside the region. As the plans to tap into Makran’s natural resources and to exploit its economic potential move forward, the government must ensure that local people benefit from the new burst of economic activity. The people of Makran have far long felt neglected by Islamabad and resented the meagre allocations made for the area’s economic development. Now that some development is finally reaching their region they naturally expect to get preference in matters of jobs and other economic opportunities.
A SURGE in demand for new cars, coupled with a delayed response in supply on the manufacturers’ part, has created a black market, with customers reportedly paying as much as Rs 300,000 extra for some of the more fancy models. The government unfortunately seems unable to prevent this exploitation. It has, no doubt, asked the automobile manufacturers to increase production, but the effect of this directive will take some time to be felt. In the meantime, consumers continue to be charged between 20 and 30 per cent extra. Even the All Pakistan Motor Dealers’ Association has stepped in, accusing the car manufacturers of collaborating with show-room owners to make a windfall out of the shortage.
Unfortunately, the consumers are again at the receiving end. The premium and the actual price are both paid in advance, though delivery does not take place for several months. This means that the automobile dealers must be making a killing on just the interest that they earn by placing the amount received as advance in a high-return savings account. This is another bad business practice. The commerce minister had warned the manufacturers last month that if production did not double by May 10, the government would allow the import of reconditioned cars. On Saturday, though, he seemed to go back on it, saying that such imports would not be allowed. One hopes the government is sufficiently sure of the repercussions of its actions. Perhaps, the minister feels that the threat of importing used cars is no longer needed, because production is expected to pick up. Nevertheless, official action is called for to ensure that this wholly unethical and exploitative business of charging customers a premium for prompt delivery ends.