| April 28, 2002 | Sunday | Safar 14, 1423 |
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President’s powers
Playing with people’s health
Public document
Internet connectivity
Recalling Viva Zapata
Under-trial prisoners
Mismanagement at KU
A fatal disease
To curb smoking
Public property
Eradicating corruption
More provinces to save Pakistan
A NATION’S fate rests on its leader. And who is a leader? He is some one you can trust. Unfortunately, we have suffered because of an absence of true leadership for so many years that we have given up all hope of ever finding one.
We have seen the faces of our corrupt politicians exposed again and again. Yet we were naive enough to forgive them and restore them back to power, only to be betrayed a second time.
These politicians plundered the wealth of the country and are now living a life of luxury outside the country. Surprisingly, they still have the face to pass comments on the policies of the present government and on the future of Pakistan. They have no right to play any role in the politics of this country.
Today, we finally have a leader and we must recognize this fact. Gen Musharraf has gone through the most difficult times that could test the skills, determination and perseverance of any leader in the world.
We have all seen his honesty and dedication. We need to give him more time and while we remain critical of some of his policies, we also need to encourage those beneficial to the country.
A lot needs to be done but the first requirement is the eradication of corruption and the development of a clean and just democratic system in the country. At this critical juncture, the nation has to rally behind him in the struggle to bring democracy and prosperity to the country.
IMRAN ILYAS
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
AT present, the political parties are facing a dilemma. From the days of Junejo to Nawaz Sharif’s ‘democracies’, both PML (in different forms) and the PPP “ran the country’s affairs”. Although all these elected regimes were not allowed to complete their full terms, they participated in every election thereafter. It is also true that all the elected leaders of the then houses had to make a ‘deal’ with the powers that be before reaching the coveted position of prime ministership.
Now millions of Karachiites, especially from the middle and lower middle classes, feel that their dignity and honour is being restored after a long period of repression. Those who had considered themselves above the law are being caught and prosecuted.
Those who plundered the city in the garb of operation, are being questioned. Karachiites were expecting a fair deal from the democratic governments but instead bravery medals were awarded to those who indulged in extra-judicial killings. The past elected governments failed to provide justice to the citizens during their tenures.
The bottom line is that the people of Pakistan are being directly asked a question: whether to continue or discontinue certain policies representing the mediaeval era? So there should not be any interference by any religious or political party. People, the silent majority, should answer the question.
KUNWAR KHALID YUNUS
Karachi
IN his article, Dr Farooq Hasan has observed that operational democracy emanates from the ethos of a constitution and that we should not lose the vision of the Quaid-i-Azam about the character and significance of such matters.
He then says that emphatic and conclusive answer about the Quaid’s vision can be found by looking at the basic structure of our state during the year when he lived after the creation of Pakistan because that is the exact format he personally accepted to work with.
However, we should not forget that under the Government of India Act, 1935, the Governor General (Quaid-i-Azam) had full powers to dismiss the prime minister and dissolve the federal legislature at his ‘pleasure’. If the Quaid-i-Azam had lived longer and decided at any time to exercise this power, nobody would have questioned his wisdom and patriotism because he was the acclaimed leader of the people.
Thus, it is quite clear that the head of state should have overriding powers to dismiss the prime minister and dissolve the National Assembly if the national interest so demanded. However, it is essential that such a head of state should not be a mere nominee of legislatures as provided in the 1973 Constitution, but should derive his authority directly from the people through election held on the basis of adult franchise.
The proposed amendments to the 1973 Constitution should, therefore, clearly demarcate the powers of the president and the prime minister and provide for direct election of the president. Thus, there will be no overlapping and sharing of power.
Since the president will be supreme commander of the armed forces and as such will enjoy their confidence, there is no need for a national security council having a constitutional role. This, however, does not mean that the president will be from the armed forces. A presidential candidate should be a person who commands the respect of all, including the armed forces.
M.G. HASAN
Karachi
IT has been reported that adulterated vanaspati ghee is being sold in the market (April 25), and that this practice is in the knowledge of the government functionaries.
This vanaspati ghee is being produced by mixing low grade palm oil, meant for use in the manufacture of soap, with proper grade palm oil and addition of the essence of desi ghee.
The use of this oil is injurious to health because it does not contain vitamin A & D and can harm the eye sight and teeth of the users.
It cannot be digested easily because its melting point is much higher than human body temperature. And that results in an increase in the cholesterol level.
Will the minister for health take notice of this and adopt remedial measures?
The persons involved, who are playing with the health of the nation, must be punished.
ALI ASHRAF KHAN
Karachi
THIS is with regard to a public notice that appeared in the Dawn of April 24, by Sindh Environmental Protection Agency.
According to the notice, a report for Sawan Gas Field Development Phase-2 has been submitted by OMV (Pakistan) Exploration GMBH and that the report is available as a public document for views and comments.
However, when we contacted the SEPA, based in Korangi, Karachi, we were told that the report, consisting of two large volumes, can only be read within the SEPA premises and that no copies would be allowed for taking away even on payment of the cost involved.
One wonders if this conduct is in conformity with the spirit of what is called a ‘public document’.
SAFDAR JAFRI
Karachi
THE residents of Seaview Township are facing difficulties in using the internet due to the excessive rusting of DPs. The rusted connections in these DPs hinder normal connectivity to various ISPs, resulting in extreme frustration and excessive billing.
The engineers of the exchange openly admit that there is a fault in these DPs but they express helplessness on account of non-availability of funds, required to change the DPs.
To top it all, the DHA is not allowing computer cable networks to operate in DHA, though no logical explanation has been given.
I appeal to the bosses of PTCL-Misri Shah Exchange, to release funds for early replacement of damaged DPs, and to the boss of DHA, to allow the cable companies to sell their TV and computer cable services to the residents of the DHA.
DR JAMAL NASIR MEMON
Karachi
MY telephone, in the non-digital exchange of ‘47’, has been shifted to the new digital exchange of ‘482’. But since then my bill has increased manifold, though my use of the telephone remains the same.
I am a regular user of the internet. The only reason for this sudden increase in my telephone bill that I can think of is that perhaps I am not getting the concessional connection to internet through the UAN ‘131’.
I request the PTCL to see that UAN number ‘131’ is working in exchange ‘482’.
ASIF RAZA
Karachi
MANY years ago, probably in the late 1950s, some friends and I went to see a movie called Viva Zapata. Zapata was a Mexican brigand who fought against oppression, tyranny and corruption of the Mexican government against its people.
Zapata became, in time, a sort of ‘Robin Hood’ because of the help he extended to the poor and the illiterate Mexicans. With their support, he became so powerful that he defeated the Mexican government and became the president of Mexico.
In no time, Zapata too, became a tyrant and his government was more corrupt and oppressive than all the previous governments. Soon a time came when the same poor and illiterate people who had brought him into power, threw him out.
Can we learn some thing from this ?
A. REHMAN
Hyderabad
I AM directed to draw your attention to the news item published in connection with alleged maltreatment/ beating of under-trial prisoners in Larkana District Jail on April 10, which appeared in your issue of April 15. The contents of the report were not based on facts.
The two prisoners, Sajjad alias Sajoo and Ghulam Kambar, had climbed over the roof of their barrack and demanded day-long opening facilities, which is against the rules. The jail superintendent and the medical officer tried their utmost to persuade them to give up the illegal demand but, refusing to surrender, they jumped from the roof and sustained injuries. The entire jail staff and the prisoners were witness to the incident.
Both the inmates were immediately provided medical aid and a case was registered with the concerned police station for the unlawful conduct, which is under investigation by the police.
ASHRAF ALI NIZAMANI
Asstt. Inspector General of Prisons,
Sindh, Karachi
THE incident at the University of Karachi on April 24 has received severe condemnation from the students of the university.
However, it calls for an immediate need of a student body that could represent the feelings of the students at large and keep violent elements from maligning the image and tarnishing the prospects of their alma mater.
It is disappointing to see the educated lot of our society resort to uncivilized and undemocratic means to serve their political interests.
Worse is the realization that the whole affair, whereby Imran Khan was forced to leave the university, occurred under the very noses of the rangers.
True to their tradition, the rangers were once again unable to maintain order. Failure to contain riots among student wings of rival political parties in the past indicates the helplessness of these security personnel.
One hopes that the concerned authorities would take serious note of this event and ensure a safe and healthy political environment, if any, within the university.
On the other hand, it is also expected of national leaders of Mr Khan’s stature to respect the sanctity of an educational institution and not use the opportunity for political gains.
ZAIB ZAHEER
Karachi
IT has been observed that most of the patients coming from the Pat-feeder area of Balochistan are suffering from the enlargement of spleen and anaemia.
A few patients, when investigated, revealed some alarming findings of leukemia and fatal haemoglobin deficiency.
Even after repeated blood transfusions, they could not recover and died of bleeding from mouth and nose.
The government of Balochistan is urged to take steps to ascertain the nature of this disease and prevent its spread.
DR GHULAM MUHAMMED CHANNA and DR KHALID HUSSAIN BHANGER
Jacobabad
PAKISTAN is facing many health problems and smoking is one of the important ones.
All over the world, governments are taking steps to curb smoking. While prices are being increased, a ban has been put on advertising.
We have, on the contrary, reduced the prices of cigarettes to such an extent that now it is being afforded even by those living below the poverty line. And there is no ban on its advertising.
The World Health Organization has asked law-makers all around the world to discourage advertising of tobacco and tobacco products in order to protect the health of the citizens.
The WHO figures in this regard are nerve-racking. In 1999, WHO estimated that tobacco killed 4 million people per year.
Estimates for the year 2000 put that figure at 4.2 million deaths per year. One billion people will die from tobacco use in this century, about 150 million in the first two decades, with the developing world accounting for seven in ten of those deaths. Of the 300 million Chinese males currently aged upto 29, 100 million, or one third, will eventually be killed by tobacco.
A World Bank-WHO study has found that interventions like complete advertisement ban and price increases have resulted in a sustained decline in the use of tobacco.
SAEED KHAN
Karachi
IN the mid-’50s, the Karachi Airport manager, Mr S. Hassan Shamsie, purchased several paintings of Sadequain which were hung on the pillars of the foreign departure lounge. The most significant of them was the mural (about 40 ft long) on display on the railing of the departure hall of the old airport. They remained there till the ‘80s.
These paintings are now in the house of a former DG Civil Aviation Authority in Islamabad. This mural and the paintings are public property and must be returned to the Karachi Airport. The relevant government authority should take note of this and arrange for the return of these paintings to the Karachi Airport.
INAM KHAWAJA
Karachi
ONE of the main claims of the present regime and perhaps, rightly so, is that it has unearthed and recovered billions of rupees of ill-gotten wealth. But a question that haunts the mind of the common man is whether the existing arrangement will really succeeded in arresting and weeding out corruption from society? Every noble soul in the country is still crying for justice, good governance and a fair deal.
For the corrupt elements, grabbing wealth, by any means, is a business which is profitable and does not involve any monetary investment.
Corruption can be eradicated from society if we proceed with strong determination, will and commitment to do so.
It must be borne in mind that nothing less than exemplary punishment of the criminals can deliver the goods.
S.A.H. ALAVI
Quetta
MR Anwar Syed has learnt nothing from history (Dawn, Mar 31). India has carved out more provinces for better economic development and political cohesion quite successfully. The loss of East Pakistan was due to this economic and political disparity that exists to date.
Today, the situation on our borders is extremely dangerous and everyone knows how India wants to benefit from the post-9/11 situation. India has three corps (around 10 divisions) facing Sindh. Our deserts are our killing grounds and we are ready to receive them here. But the Indians are no fools to enter them for a pitched battle. That is why when Lt-Gen Kapil Vij moved his formation ahead in the desert area, he was dismissed from service.
And here we have strategists like Brig Ismat who suggest on ARY TV strange ideas of using low-yield nuclear devices on the Indian forces when they are locked up in battle with us on our own soil. Does he know that even depleted uranium shots on Iraq are still causing deaths of thousands of Iraqi children and the affected land has gone to waste.
He should have not suggested this ‘novel idea’. What worse would India like for Pakistan? Even America does not commit its troops on ground and use low-yield nuclear devices on enemy territory.
Gen Musharraf has done well by hammering in Indians’ heads the idea that any small military adventure by India is not going to be a love affair of low-yield nuclear devices; it is going to be a total nuclear holocaust.
Musharraf had a hold on Kargil where 8,000 Indian troops were killed but Nawaz chickened out, otherwise the Indian forces in Siachin would have been adequately destroyed having been cutoff by snow and Vajpayee requesting Pakistan not to use the air force.
Now the grand Indian design is not to enter, as far as possible, Pakistan’s killing grounds of deserts and Sialkot areas, but to enter Punjab with full force and achieve two aims: destroy Punjab, which it considers the chief trouble-maker, and the nuclear facilities of Pakistan.
I request all Pakistanis to read the Ansari Commission Report, and if not 26 then at least have 12 provinces for better national cohesion, political and economic development, and for curbing the aims of splinter groups.
Let the Indian army rot on the borders. We have short lines of communications and face less problems logistically. The morale of our troops is high. Let the Indians take their own time to initiate a meaningful and peaceful dialogue on Kashmir and the timings for their withdrawal from our borders and finish this exercise in futility.
MAJOR (RETD) M. ANWAR ALAM
Karachi
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