| May 21, 2002 | Tuesday | Rabi-ul-Awwal 8,1423 |
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A climate of purposeful politics
The need to change advisors
It’s no use blaming others
Doctors and US visas
Morality laid to rest
Modernity and liberalism
Non-availability of textbooks
Speak for yourself
Dignifying the election
What is true?
Shocking and shameful
A FEW years ago, an army officer sold some of his agricultural land in Rahimyar Khan to a havaldar belonging to the same area. Later, it dawned on the army officer that the market rate of the land was higher so he demanded more from the havaldar which was denied. The army officer went to the deputy commissioner for help. The deputy commissioner humbly told the outraged army officer to seek relief from a court of law as he had sold the land himself to the havaldar. This answer infuriated the army officer and he threatened the DC that he would make sure that the whole institution of bureaucracy was destroyed. That army officer today is a big shot in the present government, while the DC is serving as a secretary to the Punjab government.
The purpose of narrating the incident was to apprise the general public of the mindset prevailing behind the so-called civil services reforms. On May 16, Dawn reported a plan for rightsizing ministries demanded by the chief executive. Does this rightsizing also include the overly obese elephant of the ministry of defence? Probably not, as it would undermine national security and we don’t want to listen to those who claim that this security risk has been created by the very same ministry.
The report also mentions the development of a public sector management university which would be an excellent step but where is the catch? The catch comes as one gets to know that the only training academy for civil servants will be abolished.
This step would serve at least two objectives. One, it will deprive the civil servants of their parent institution, an institution they have great love and respect for, and second, it may provide enough land for another army housing colony as the land available elsewhere is shrinking against the needs of our ever expanding coterie of generals.
How would the junta feel if tomorrow a political prime minister abolishes the Pakistan Military Academy for building a school or a hospital?
So the NRB is doing a fine job. It is engaged in destroying the very fabric of our political, judicial and civil institutions steadily and very systematically in the name of progress and development. Whom are we fooling, by the way?
OMAR MALIK
Lahore
“WE are a group of professional men and women. Our lives are given to pursuing our professions, caring for family and friends, and to serving this country and its people the best we can. Politics has not been our business and the attainment of power not our ambition. Yet, we are moved today by the alarming state of the confrontation and polarization in the country and especially in Karachi.
“As professionals, we meet people from various strata of society, and witness their pain and loss of faith in the promise of justice, in laws and institutions. Civil strife persists in the commercial capital of Pakistan causing enormous human and economic losses. Violence and reign of terror prevail widely endangering citizens’ lives and property, inflicting lasting wounds on society. Successive governments have failed to rein in corruption, which is eating into the vitals of the society. The continuous criminalization of politics is widening the gulf between the state and the people.
“We believe that it is time for concerned citizens to step into the breach, erect obstacles along the path of violence and warfare, and contribute to creating a climate of ‘purposeful politics’. Else, the jeopardy to state and society in Pakistan shall augment. We must insist that Pakistan’s leaders embark on a process of peace and civility, abjure confrontations and embrace compromises by negotiation, and take a decisive turn toward progressive and democratic reforms for a humane and prosperous future. Karachi is the appropriate starting point. It is Pakistan’s economic jugular, melting pot of its workers, professionals, and industrialists, the largest taxpayer to the nation, its biggest metropolis and currently, the locus of its deepest wounds.
“We know that this city is ready to serve again as a beacon of Pakistan’s future. It must be held hostage no more to the politics of the past. Karachi is a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, and cosmopolitan metropolis. It must not be burdened with sectarian agendas. It is a modern city. It cannot be governed through colonial structures or in feudal style.
“The problem of peace in Karachi is organically linked to the necessity of reform. It is essential to equip Karachi and other cities of Pakistan with statutory representative governments empowered, as are the world’s other metropolis, for effective governance. Social peace and urban reform is our agenda. It shall be realized only when we have persuaded the warring parties to cease fire, start serious and fruitful negotiations and decisively end the fratricide in favour of a planned and participatory march towards mobilizing citizens’ support, and of persuading our decision makers to enter a process of peace and reform.”
The above statement was drafted in 1995 by no other than the late Dr Eqbal Ahmed, being one of the founder members of the Citizens’ Voice.
How I wish the so-called ‘silent’ majority becomes a ‘responsible’ majority and plays an effective role in creating a climate of purposeful politics in Pakistan.
NAZIM F. HAJI
President, The Reformers, Karachi
THIS is with reference to the letter ‘An unpleasant experience’ (May 5). I, like many others, have supported and seconded the strong actions taken by President Musharraf, especially after 9/11. He had come out as a leader with strong determination and the capability to take quick and right decisions.
I was, however, disheartened and shocked by the publication of news reports and letters such as this one, which suggest that President Musharraf is surrounded by advisers who are bent upon tarnishing his image. President Musharraf should expeditiously look around and regroup his political advisors, before the stain on referendum turns into a stain on his own personality.
S. ASIF ALAM
New Jersey, USA
I DON’T know why we are always complaining about PTCL, KESC, Nadra etc. Why don’t we seriously consider our shortcomings?
I would like to share some of my experiences with these government institutions. My parents called at the UAN for a CLI installation in Lahore, and within 24 hours the CLI was operational.
Secondly, we stayed in Karachi, not in posh Karachi but in a real slum; it was a compulsion to do so because of my husband’s job. There we used to have unannounced loadshedding in summer, and especially at night, and you know why? Because most of the people had unauthorized multiple connections and an extensive kunda system. So whose fault it is? The KESC’s or ours?
Thirdly, Nadra. Two of my brothers and their families are living abroad. For their CNIC, we collected the forms and sent them there. They filled them and sent those forms back to us. We deposited them with Nadra. All this happened early in December, and after three months everybody in my family had their CNICs.
In all these experiences we gave space and time to these institutions, just by being patient and by honestly contributing to accelerate the process.
MRS SAIMA ZAHID
Okara Cantt
THE United States has been a good friend since our independence, notwithstanding the opinion to the contrary of certain non-savvy segments of our population. With an incurably hostile neighbour on our borders, US support has been vital for our continued survival. Our vast silent majority realizes this fact and is, if the truth be told, exceedingly beholden to that great country. That is why all the right thinking Pakistanis were genuinely shocked at the dastardly terrorist attacks on the US cities in September last.
Being a world economic and technological super-power, the US has never ignored the call of its conscience to provide a chance to talented individuals from the poor countries to receive higher education and training in its institutions. The health personnel of our country have especially benefited from this benevolent policy of the United States. Every year, those Pakistani doctors who qualify the tough medical competitive examinations conducted by the American ECFMG are given residency jobs in the US to receive higher medical training.
This year, too, several Pakistani doctors have been selected for residency training after passing the tests held by the ECFMG. Their residency now starts in the US hospitals by the middle of June. However, after the unfortunate Sept 11 terrorist attacks, the process of vetting by the FBI in the US embassy in Pakistan of such visa seeking doctors has become quite prolonged and it is feared that the selected doctors may not be able to start their residencies in the US in time.
It may be noted that Pakistani doctors already serving in the United States have a spotless record of service, and this is largely because those who qualify the ECFMG examinations and US hospital interviews are so well disciplined in their profession that they can never become terrorists. The same goes for the newly selected doctors.
The ambassador of the United States in Pakistan is requested to issue special order for speedy visas for Pakistani doctors holding residency contracts for the US hospitals to enable them to resume their residencies in time.
SHAHID KARIM
Multan
DURING the BBC Hard Talk programme, an Israeli spokesman when asked whether his country was in agreement with the Mitchel plan, which asked for a ceasefire, negotiations and a stop to the building of settlements, had this reply to make:
“Israel is all for the Mitchel plan, but since a ceasefire has not yet been effected
and negotiations have not started, Israel is going ahead with the settlements”.
This is chicanery of the highest order, right under the benign gaze of the US. International morality has been laid to rest, good and proper, by the much vaunted New World Order. And yet Mr Bush wonders why the Americans are so hated.
KHURSHID ANWER
Lahore
IN order to go anywhere and not be humiliated, it is most essential that Muslims embrace and develop two most important things: modernity and a liberal frame of mind. We have allowed ourselves to be manipulated by bigots who possess a strange vision of Islam.
President Musharraf has taken the correct step of reforming the madressahs. We have 39,000 of these, catering to hundreds of thousands of young men, mostly from poor families who are educated in the rudiments of Islam. Fine, but let us also teach them what the real world is all about.
SYED SAJID ALI
Karachi
I WISH to draw the attention of the chairperson, Punjab Textbook Board, to her press conference published by almost all leading papers on May 8. I am sorry to point out that her claim about the availability of textbooks is absolutely incorrect.
The actual situation is that only 600 copies of Chemistry Part-I (English-medium) for class 9 were made available recently to the booksellers in Multan against their demand for 23,000 copies. So these 600 copies were sold secretly at an exorbitant price. Books on Biology and Computer Science for English-medium schools are still awaited. According to the booksellers, they would be available some time by the end of May and even that is not certain.
The present situation is very bleak. Books on Chemistry, Biology and Computer Science are not available in all of southern Punjab, including Multan. Parents and students have to visit all the bookshops almost daily but they always return disappointed. Much of the precious time of students has already been wasted and nobody knows when these books would be available. We don’t even know how many parts each book has. So far it seems to be a top state secret to which we ordinary mortals are not privy.
The resultant frustration, agony and disappointment among students, parents and the teachers can be well imagined. This non-availability of books has proved a welcome bonanza for the publishers of key books and the private science academies. The students are left to be fleeced by these people at will and the PTB is responsible for all this.
It is also ironic to note that the PTB and particularly its chairperson, who is herself a great educationist, are ignorant of the actual position. People controlling the destiny of Pakistan must not make such statements to the press without confirming facts.
SIKANDAR KHAN BALOCH
Multan
THIS is in response to Mr Raza Khan’s letter which appeared on May 6. The writer congratulates General Musharraf on his landslide victory ‘on behalf of the educated youth of Pakistan’.
What I want to ask is, who elected Mr Raza Khan as the representative of the youth of this country? He further exclaims lopsidedly that the youth are with General Musharraf. Is he unaware that many educated young people of this country voted against General Musharraf in the referendum?
Mr Raza Khan should speak only for himself and avoid such absolute statements.
NOREEN NUSRAT
Lahore
GEN Musharraf was moving ahead in a quite dignified manner though his being at the helm of affair was disliked by many. His decisions were timely, correct and strategic. But I don’t know who advised him to hold the referendum.
All has fallen like a house of cards. Total nosedive. Had he gone to an elected parliament for his election, that would have been an extremely dignified and prudent move. Everybody would have welcomed it as a lawful decision. Even now, he should go back to parliament and seek election with grace. In case the parliament refuses to vote him president, he should quit, play golf and enjoy life.
ANEES AHMED KHAN
Lahore
THERE was a news item in Dawn under the heading ‘Lashkar chief Riaz Basra arrested’ (Jan 22).
And on May 14, the PTV tells us that Riaz Basra has been killed in an encounter. Which of these two is true? And if both are true, then is it an extra judicial killing?
MAZHAR ALI KHAN
Quetta
THE eviction of the Nawab of Bhopal’s family from, of all the places, the Bhopal House, is disgraceful and scandalous. That it was done as the family was preparing for the ‘qul’ of the late Princess Abida Sultan, only bears out what she had herself said once: “There is no place for a decent person in Pakistan.” The government agencies have only proved that this applies to the dead as well.
In view of the recent international events, thousands of expat Pakistanis have been asking themselves as to what they can do for their country? What kind of a message do incidents like these send to them?
Let there be no doubt in anyone’s mind that if true reform and real development is to come to Pakistan, it would be through the expats’ money and expertise. This has been the case in China, India and in so many other countries. We are no exception, and the sooner we rid ourselves of the notion that the Bretton Woods Institutions are going to lead us to Utopia, the better.
But one incident of the above kind not only sends thousands of Pakistani professionals packing their bags to leave Pakistan, but it also sends hundreds of millions of dollars flying out of the country. Worse than that, it totally discourages the expats to want to have anything to do with their homeland in spite of their extreme love for it.
President Musharraf is concerned about reforms and he cannot have a better chance to prove that he means it. He must swiftly restore the honour and dignity of the Nawab’s family and order the sternest possible action against those responsible for this outrage. Such an action would send the most wonderful message to all those around the world and in Pakistan who truly want to turn the fate of their beloved country. The ball is in the President’s court.
NAELA HASAN
Ontario, Canada
IT was indeed a shock for me to learn about the eviction of the residents of the Bhopal House who were forcefully pushed out of their residence just one day before the ‘qul’ of the late Begum Sahiba.
As every one knows, the property was owned by the late Nawab of Bhopal, whose family sacrificed everything they owned for the sake of this country. And our Intelligence Bureau treated them in such a manner.
This raises two questions: first, does this particular agency own the country and happens to be free to do whatever it wants, disregarding the law and the norms of decency? Secondly, if they can treat the family of one of the founders of this nation with such highhandedness, do the people in the agency really love the country and care for its citizens?
MEHDI ANSARI
Toronto, Canada
I WAS shocked to read of the treatment meted out to the family of Princess Abida Sultan within 36 hours of her death. The very close relationship which the Quaid had with the House of Bhopal and the valuable contributions made by the latter to the cause of Pakistan are a matter of record.
It is said that this shameful and high-handed action was carried out at the behest of an intelligence agency. It only goes to show that our agencies have become a law unto themselves. There is nobody to rein them in and keep them within the limits of law or decent civilized behaviour. In civilized countries, such agencies protect the citizens but in our country they have become predators and prey on us. The sooner this jenei is put back into the bottle the better would it be for all of us.
The eviction raid was a shameful, callous and absolutely unnecessary show of brute force against a family which had served Pakistan so well and which had been grieved only the other day. The government could have, at least, let them grieve in peace for a few days.
MIRZA SAMAR AHMAD
Rabwah
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