| May 31, 2002 | Friday | Rabi-ul-Awwal 18,1423 |
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Threats from extremists
Give him a break
If or when
Preaching intolerance
A fair bargain
Tour of Australia
Promoting IT
A union for medical patients
Dialysis patients, beware
Perpetual leadership
A case for sales tax on medicines
I AM writing these few lines in memory of my dear husband, the late Ali Akhtar Mirza. He died on Feb 18, this year. Akhtar Mirza was introduced to me by Muhammad Shafi known as ‘Meem Sheen’ when I was working as a lecturer in English in Islamia College for Women, Cooper Road, Lahore. Meem Sheen and Akhtar Mirza were colleagues working for the Pakistan Times, an English language newspaper published by Progressive Papers Ltd financed by the late Mian Iftikharuddin.
We were married in April 1948 and spent more than half a century of a very happy and successful married life.
Akhtar Mirza was a well known Lahore journalist and had a good command over written English. He was a very humble and unassuming person and never talked high about his God-given gifts. He was the chief district correspondent in the paper and edited reports received from his district correspondents.
During Akhtar Mirza’s service in the Pakistan Times he was elected president of PPL Workers’ Union for three or four terms. He was very popular with the workers and considered himself as one of them. Now as I look at his album I see a number of his photographs standing amidst workers with garlands around his neck. The workers included rotary mechanics, trash collectors, peons, clerks, chowkidars, reporters,etc In one of the photographs he is standing with Minhaj Barna, president of the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists, on one side and Badarul Islam Butt on the other side. In another picture he is addressing a huge gathering of those working in the PPL including the late Zahir Babar, at that time editor of Imroze. One of the pictures is about Akhtar Mirza along with the late Ms Talat Ahmad leading a procession.
Akhtar Mirza was a regular reader of Dawn ever since his friend, the late Nisar Osmani, was its bureau chief. I too have become a regular reader of this paper and especially enjoy the letter’s page full of public opinions and comments. Myself, I am an educationist, a teacher trainer, and believe in the maxim “we receive to give”. I retired as principal of the Lady MacLagan Training College, now the Government College of Education for Women.
We have two daughters and six grandchildren.
MRS SURRAYA P. MIRZA
Lahore
EVER since the present regime introduced joint electorates, the mullahs have lost their sleep. At the same time, the old politicians, too, are flexing their muscles to try their luck to cheat our people once again in the name of democracy and grab power to plunder our national wealth once again.
The mullahs are truly worried and perturbed because in a true democracy there is no room for sectarianism to flourish and thrive and on which depends their livelihood. That is why they do not like democracy.
On the other hand, the old politicians, some of whom are in exile, think that they will be once again able to cheat the people and grab power and eat up the national wealth.
At this critical juncture what is to be feared is that these politicians will use the services of the mullahs to incite our illiterate masses against the present regime. The mullahs, therefore, have already started threatening the government of dire consequences if it touches the clauses of the Constitution pertaining to the Ahmadis.
Under these circumstances, it is incumbent upon the government to warn the mullahs not to use the mosques for political ends. If such an important step is not taken in time then I am afraid the mullahs, as in the past, will once again become a tool in the hands of the politicians.
The politicians will offer their purses and spend lavishly upon the mullahs. This has already happened in Pakistan. So let the government beware of this danger and warn the mullahs and the politicians alike not to use religion for political purposes. Anyone who ignores this warning he must be disqualified from contesting the elections.
MOHAMMAD ISHAQUE SOOFI
Rabwah
I would like to request Mr Ayaz Amir to please take a break, at least till the war clouds have blown over. There was a time we all liked reading him and admired his courage in criticizing the Establishment so openly. But now that we face an external threat, such freedom of speech is beginning to jar one’s nerves.
This is the wrong time for a dose of demoralization and Pakistanis are jittery enough right now. The last thing we need is the Indians reading his articles, chuckling in glee at the perceived weaknesses of our government and getting trigger-happy.
In testing times such as these days, let us for once forget our individual differences and rally behind the general. The time for unity is here and if we so much as falter or waver in our resolve, we may end up being divided after all.
Mr Ayaz Amir, I echo the sentiments of many of our country people. Could you please get off the general’s case for the sake of the country — at least for a while?
ZAINAB HAQ
Abu Dhabi
I WISH to second Col Riaz’s letter ‘Preparing for all eventualities’ (May 24). I have yet to come across a detailed analysis of what will happen in the eventuality of a conventional or nuclear war between Pakistan and India.
By playing down the threat of such an eventuality, the Pakistani media is reneging on its responsibilities to inform and educate.
To me personally, the matter seems to be more of ‘when’ than that of ‘if’.
SYED AZMAT ALI
Karachi
I SAW the live telecast of President Pervez Musharraf’s impressive speech while inaugurating the annual seerat conference in Islamabad. The focal points of his largely extempore speech were:
(1) An appeal to the different segments of society to forget their political and other differences and unite as one patriotic entity in this time of crisis.
(2) A call to the religious groups for sectarian harmony, tolerance and respect for one another’s beliefs.
The purpose of this live telecast was to convey to the world the resolve of Gen Musharraf’s government to continue its anti-extremist and anti-terrorist policies. I congratulate the president on his efforts in this regard. But I congratulate twice those mullahs who, at the end of the President’s speech, conveyed another kind of message to the whole world and especially to India. Their effort was much more effective than that of the president’s. Taking advantage of the opportunity of a live telecast, these mullahs criticized the government’s decision to abandon the separate electorate system for the minorities of Pakistan.
The specific targets of those mullahs were the Qadianis. As per their nature, after flattering the President, they used harsh words about the Qadianis. The President tried to avoid the situation, but at last uttered the words the mullahs were dying to listen. Everything went as planned by them (the mullahs) and their patrons who had planted themselves in the gathering on this sacred occasion.
The president’s speech, which he used to preach tolerance and religious harmony, came to nothing after he publicly endorsed the views of militant sectarian elements.
The mullahs very vividly conveyed their message to the whole world that the messengers of extremism and terrorism in the guise of religion will never relax their stranglehold on this country.
And lastly but most loudly, a message to India. Be happy Indian friends! And don’t worry about the unity and strength of the people of Pakistan which you had once experienced in 1965. We are fully awake this time and well armed with sectarian ammunition. We will always keep this nation divided and fighting in the name of faith, belief and sect. Don’t worry, and do whatever you want to do.
M A MAHMOOD
Sargodha
BENAZIR Bhutto continues to harp on her one-point itinerary — that she would return to contest the coming elections and that nobody can stop her from landing amid the rousing applause of her party workers. She is welcome to return any day she likes. To stay a few steps ahead of the corruption charges levelled against her, she bolted the country.
According to Farooq Leghari, she swindled $ 1.5 billion of the poor masses and she is now determined to ‘serve’ again. People would welcome BB only if she returns this stolen money. Other looters have done so, as they had little choice, but Benazir remains adamant because she thinks she would digest the pickings once she acquires power.
The wealth in her Swiss bank accounts belongs to the people of this country and they are its rightful owners. Alternatively, she can give an undertaking to the Swiss bankers that all the money in her accounts with them may be remitted to the Pakistani exchequer. The Surrey Palace, too, should be donated to the people of this country. She could then come and participate in elections. Is that not a fair bargain?
MEHRAN LEGHARI
Lahore
With the sad end to the New Zealand tour of Pakistan, all eyes are now on the Australian tour where Pakistan will meet the world champions.
I hope the team will prepare enough to provide daunting opposition to the Aussies. Pakistani batsmen have to work hard on their technique and foot movement since they don’t appear comfortable on fast and bouncy pitches. Running between the wicket also needs to be improved. There is also lots of room for improvement as far as fielding is concerned, especially when it comes to hitting the stumps. The bowlers on the other hand should bowl with discipline and on a good line and length. One hopes that the players will learn something from their last tour to Australia and will not commit the same mistakes.
The team announced is a balanced one with a good blend of youth and experience. Well, one will definitely miss the all-round performance of Abdul Razzaq, but his absence might be offset by Azhar Mahmood who will hopefully continue the good form he has shown in county matches in England.
My prayers and good wishes are with the team. Let’s all hope that they disappoint their fans.
SUROSH RESHAD
Karachi
THE present government is taking measures to promote information technology in the country. For this, it could simply rent out the buildings of government colleges which are free in the evening.
The revenue thus generated could be spent on the upkeep of colleges, and also to buy computers and promote IT education.
MUHAMMAD SHAHID HUSSAIN
Lahore
FOUR persons lost their lives at the Nishtar Hospital some time ago due to the negligence of some highly-renowned doctors. An inquiry report proved them guilty, but there was no show of remorse, regret or moral compunction. Instead, the honourable men stood firm against the inquiry officer and ultimately came out unscathed.
I was forced to undergo an unnecessary “bypass” operation at a hospital in Lahore. I sacrificed my free treatment by the army, spent a lot of money, faced the risk of losing my life and suffered great physical and mental torture. The operation failed because of the professional negligence of an internationally renowned cardiologist and surgeon. Similarly, Col Akhtar Ali Shah lost his life due to sheer negligence at the same hospital in Lahore. An incorrect injection in Rawalpindi incapacitated a young man. An overdose of anaesthesia followed by professional negligence at a government hospital in Burewala cost a woman her life and still there was no accountability.
I tried to seek justice but the government of Punjab failed to initiate action against these influential doctors. The Pakistan Medical and Dental Council also refused to listen to me. To keep silent on this would amount to encouraging and protecting such crime. I, along with some other victims, have thus decided to form a Patients Welfare Society to protect our rights against all excesses committed by the doctors.
People unjustly victimized by the doctors anywhere in Pakistan are requested to please send me the details of their suffering with complete addresses and telephone numbers. They will be informed of our future course of action.
LT COL (RETD) SIKANDAR KHAN BALOCH
C/o Pak Askria Model School,
MDA Road, Multan
I AM a renal failure patient who has been on dialysis treatment for over three years now. I am also a qualified medical doctor (although now retired). Over the last three years I have become aware of information which I feel is important for every renal failure patient to know. Approximately 120 litres of water are used during the course of one haemodialysis session, which lasts on average four hours. The water required for use in dialysis is not normal water, i.e., it must be properly treated through a process of reverse osmosis to make it suitable for dialysis.
This reverse osmosis water, or RO water as it is commonly called, should not contain any unwanted salts, chemicals, metals, viruses or bacteria which are to be removed by the RO system. However, to my shock I have seen that the water commonly used for dialysis in dialysis centres in Pakistan is either tap water or RO water that has not been properly treated.
Most people are not aware that if the water used in dialysis is not upto the required specification, then the dialysis patient may suffer from a wide variety of side-effects and ailments, ranging from headaches, nausea, vomiting, itching of skin, gastro-intestinal discomfort, muscular cramps to viral infections, hepatitis, conjunctivitis, carditis, fluctuation of blood pressure, pneumonia, intravascular haemolysis (which may lead to anemia) hepatitis and brain haemorrhage.
Even more disturbing is that the patients suffering from the above ailments do not realize, nor are they told, that the reason for their side-effects or lack of progress is the poor quality of the water used in dialysis. A large number of patients are undergoing unnecessary pain and discomfort as a result of this. The above ailments may also lead to the pre-mature death of the patient.
My advice would be that all dialysis patients should get a sample of the RO water being used in their machines tested at a government institute, preferably the Pakistan Council of Scientific and Industrial Research. In Lahore, the telephone number of this institute is 042-5757323.
DR TAHERA MANUR
Lahore
Ayaz Amir has painted a perilous picture of the state of the nation in his article on May 24. While some of the points are well considered, other points are debatable. However, it is preposterous to propose that Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif should be courted and brought back on board by President Musharraf.
Whatever, happened to the age-old fable “once bitten twice shy”. In any case it is already twice bitten. Instead of being shy the people should now be extra cautious, or else the third time around might be totally disastrous.
It is inconceivable as to how parties claiming to be the champions of democracy have never practised what they preach, both when in power and within their own organizations. Whenever an entity, or a party or country, becomes centred on a single personality, it will nurture forces counter to good business practices, forces that will be inherently dictatorial. The world’s leading multinationals like IBM, General Motors, General Electric, Exxon and Shell all have a corporate structure and system of succession, whereby the chief executive grooms his or her successor.
Several years ago, IBM brought in Lou Gerstner from Nabisco. He was hired for his management credentials and expertise. Lou Gerstner restructured IBM, turned it around and moved IBM back to its industry leader position.
In business as well as in politics, there can be no perpetuality of leadership. In the US, the office of the president is limited to two terms for a total of eight years. As such, both the Republicans and Democrats are forced to bring up new leadership and new candidates every eight years, or sometimes sooner. Both the PML(N) and the PPP have failed to create their own alternate leadership. How can they be expected to lead the nation?
What Mr Ayaz Amir could do is advocate that the PML(N) and the PPP first restructure their parties, evolve new leadership and then join mainstream politics without Nawaz Sharif and Benazir.
MUNAWAR BASEER AHMAD
Lahore
THE primary objective of levying sales tax on pharmaceuticals and other items is to include all citizens of Pakistan in the government’s attempts to expand its revenues base.
A country where out of 150 million people less than one per cent pay taxes, it is essential for the government to prefer indirect taxation and gradually build a culture where every citizen feels responsible to contribute to the exchequer.
All pharmaceuticals are essential whether aspirin, steroids or biochemical products. It would be extremely difficult to argue in favour of one class against the other to be omitted from the sales tax net. Therefore, every pharmaceutical product must be included in the sales tax net; however, the tax should be levied gradually in stages, perhaps over the next five years, in order to gradually raise the burden on the taxpayer.
All countries in South Asia include pharmaceuticals when it comes to sales tax. In India, it is 15 per cent on the retail price; however, in order to cover the investment expense of the retailers, the margin for the chemists and druggists is 18 per cent on their purchase price.
Those pharmaceuticals, which are close to cosmetics, health and beauty aids, are also being developed locally. However, some pharmaceutical companies through their influence have gotten these products registered with the Ministry of Health as drugs in order to avoid sales tax. Examples of this are toothpaste containing chlorhexidine, anti-acne gel, medicated soaps, and products for people suffering erectile dysfunction.
In the past two months since the government imposed sales tax on drugs, in a number of cases pharmaceutical companies, through connections in the CBR or the health ministry, have managed to get their products included in categories which were not “life saving” so as to evade taxes.
Therefore, in order to be fair to everyone, it is vital that all drugs where essential, non-essential or sold over the counter, must have sales tax levied on them. Failure to do so will create unnecessary favouritism and opportunities for exploitation. It is strongly recommended that market forces should be allowed to determine the prices. The government’s primary function should be to ensure that companies maintain a high standard of quality.
INTESAR A. SIDDIQUI
Lahore
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