| July 7, 2002 | Sunday | Rabi-us-Sani 25,1423 |
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Bush’s plan for Palestine
Save our fish
Thank you Madadgar
What India really wants
Intra-party elections
Failure of question papers
Abolition of reserved seats
Car tax stickers
Cat’s eyes
PTCL clarification
Bush vs Arafat
Sanctity of womanhood: does it exist?
APROPOS Dawn’s editorial (July 4) captioned ‘Cut in NSS profit rates’, the small investors, such as pensioners, widows and disabled persons, who have put their life’s savings in the government’s NSS, have a right to demand fair treatment from the government in respect of their investments in NSS.
The government’s rationale for slashing the profit rates on NSS every now and then for the past three years, as mentioned in the editorial, is flawed. If the government wishes to continue cutting NSS profit rates, it should at least consider: first, withdrawing Withholding Tax on NSS profits; second, withdrawing income tax on the falling NSS profit rates; third, allowing NGOs to invest in NSS schemes; fourth, streamlining the work of NSS organization so that some incentives and facilities are offered to small investors in NSS.
As Pakistan’s fiscal fortunes are now being managed by some Pakistani technocrats with foreign banking experience, perhaps they can ask NSS to take a leaf from the incentives offered to investors in government bonds and other savings schemes in countries such as the UK, the USA, France and Germany. All these countries have huge public debts.
In spite of the encouragement given by the government to the banks, the small investor usually does not get a fair deal in borrowing from them. While the net profit he gets from a bank on Rs100,000 invested for a year is generally around 8 per cent, he still has to give about 14 per cent in interest and service charges if he borrows Rs100,000 for a year from the bank.
The State Bank of Pakistan neither has the time nor adequate number of personnel to look into the working of all the banks in Pakistan. The appointment of an effective ombudsman for the banking and DFI sector is urgently needed. In some cases, banks have deducted zakat from Muslim account holders despite their Fiqh Jafria or Fiqh Hanafia declarations and the aggrieved account holder rarely gets relief.
The creation of banking cartels in the private sector (such as the purchase of one bank by another) is a dangerous trend in a country like Pakistan where looters have ‘robbed’ banks and taken away the loot to foreign countries to live in luxury for the rest of their lives. If the government cannot run the NSS organization, it should auction it to the highest bidder, possibly another blue-eyed bank. Has the government ever sought the views of the NSS investors vis-a-vis their investments?
QUTUBUDDIN AZIZ
Karachi
THE Bush plan for the Middle East is a complete disappointment. First of all, it remains either totally silent or reasonably vague on several important issues — for example, the issue of definition of the actual boundary of the promised Palestine state has not been concretized. The plan leaves sufficient room for varied interpretations and indeed, the way the axis of international power is currently organized, presents itself with enough room for arm-twisting and manipulation of the weak by the stronger parties.
The second disappointment is its unprincipled incongruity on the subject of democratic election and choosing its leader. The plan expects the Palestinians to undertake democratic elections, but emphasizes that if they want to benefit from it they must not choose Yasser Arafat as their leader — a great fallacy, indeed! This particular provision of the plan has not only angered the Palestinians, but has equally made many democracies in the world, uncomfortable.
Thirdly, the plan is far from being even and fair. Many see the plan to be significantly biased towards Israel, especially towards Sharon and this is unhelpful for brokering meaningful negotiations. However, the plan has come good on one thing. For the first time, through this plan the US has given its seal of approval for the establishment of a Palestinian state, but its lack of fairness, concreteness and in case of Arafat’s position its highhandedness, renders it as nothing more than what Simon Perez, the Israeli Foreign Minister, called “a grave mistake”.
Unfortunately and not quite unexpectedly, we could be paying grievously for these mistakes. It is more than likely that the carnage in the Middle East will continue.
More lives will be lost and more properties will be destroyed on both sides and ironically, the world community may end up attributing the US the same blemish as Arafat has been endowed within recent years — “not doing enough”.
ADIL KHAN
Brisbane, Australia
IN his letter ‘Save our fish’ (June 25) Syed Aziz Agha while commenting on the statement of Mr Shafi Muhammad Jamote, vice-chairman of Fishermen’s Cooperative Society Ltd, raised a few question which show his incomplete knowledge about FCS.
It is hereby reiterated that FCS is an NGO which deals with the welfare of fishermen belonging to the Sindh coastal area. It is run through a 15-member board of directors amongst whom eight are Sindh government nominees and seven are elected for a period of three years by fishermen members of FCS. It may be pertinent to mention here that in the last three years, FCS has undertaken the following welfare projects/works:
Free medical facilities at the Fish Harbour, Baba Island, Shamspir Island and K.T Bunder.
FCS has been bearing expenses for major surgeries of fishermen and their families.
FCS has been providing monetary help to needy fishermen, monthly stipend for religious teacher, computer education in villages, and free books, uniform and scholarships to children.
Accidental death compensation insurance scheme has been implemented.
Free supply of fresh water to fishermen villages.
FCS has nothing to do with making fishing policies, registration of boats and training of fishermen. These are federal subjects. However, since Pakistan Navy has been looking after the affairs of Karachi Fish harbour, FCS has started a one-week training programme for fishermen in collaboration with the Marine Fisheries Department (a federal department). So far, more than 15,000 fishermen have been trained through this ongoing training programme.
As far as the use of destructive fishing nets i.e. bhullo, gujjo and katra, in the Sindh coastal area creeks is concerned, it is stated herewith that FCS has always raised its voice at every forum against the use of these catastrophic nets and is ready to extend full cooperation to all governmental organization/agencies in the implementation of the ban on use of these nets.
MUHAMMAD ALI PRO, FCS
Karachi
ON July 2, four bandits entered my neighbour’s house in Mominabad, Orangi Town, at 3:00 pm. His younger son noticed strangers going into his house and, peeping through the door, saw that his family members had been taken hostage at gunpoint. He then informed the neighbours and telephoned the Madadgar force on 15.
A mobile van of Madadgar reached the spot within five minutes and they were followed by the mobile of the area police. The neighbours had already surrounded the house and the Madadgar force fired some rounds. Finally they were able to arrest the four dacoits with the help of the people of the area.
Undoubtedly, it was the prompt action taken by the Madadgar force that prevented a robbery and probably the loss of some lives. We, the residents of the area, feel that the higher authorities should express their appreciation of the Madadgar force’s performance in a suitable form.
ZAKI ALAM
Karachi
SHAHID Javed Burki’s article, ‘What India really wants’, (Dawn, July 2) has very beautifully exposed the Indian design and technique of bringing Pakistan to its knees. He says:
“Continuing uncertainty caused by the massing of troops by India will not produce a lack of interest in the Pakistani economy on the part of the foreign investors.
“India’s real motive for its continuing confrontation may not be to settle the Kashmir dispute in its favour. It may well be to weaken Pakistan to the point where it would be forced to become an Indian satellite”.
Now when India’s design and technique has become clear, it will be appropriate for Pakistan to unilaterally withdraw its forces from the borders with India with a clear announcement that Pakistan would surely react with its nuclear weapons if India ever dares to attack Pakistan or tries to occupy any part of Azad Kashmir.
It was Pakistan’s nuclear threat that restrained India from attacking Pakistan during the last six months and the same would be its only shield against Indian aggression in future. Nevertheless Pakistan must always remain prepared with its conventional as well as nuclear arms.
LATIF QURESHI
Lahore
I AM surprised at the hue and cry being raised by the political parties over the government’s requirement that intra-party polls be held before August.
It is a worldwide democratic practice which should be strictly adhered to. One of the main reasons for incompetent political leaders in Pakistan is that they don’t emerge through a genuine political process within their party. Most of them rise on the strength of their wealth and social connections. A prime example is that of Nawaz Sharif.
As leaders are not politically strong-willed, when they enter the corridors of power, they become fascists, because it is said that everyone in power has fascist leanings. The politicians should understand that a strong political and democratic culture within the political parties would strengthen democracy and ensure its uninterrupted existence in the country.
M. QANBAR RAZA
Rawalpindi
THERE are several factors responsible for mass examination failures in the country, but the wrong setting of question papers and unscientific division of marks overweigh all of them.
Shockingly enough, even the Public Service Commission examination papers are not error-free. First, without intimation to the students, the pattern of the question papers is changed. Second, sometimes there is a marked difference in the morning and evening papers.
Third, unnecessarily superfluous words are used in composing the questions and a lot of the students’ precious time is used up in reading them. Fourth, at times, important punctuation marks are omitted, badly affecting the coherence or continuity of a sentence and throwing the examiners into a state of utter confusion.
Fifth, no distinction is being made between Intermediate and BA papers in regard to questions about English idioms. Intermediate students are asked to use such idioms as can hardly be used by BA students correctly.
Sixth, for the last four years, the intermediate students are being asked to translate English passages into Urdu; these passages are selected from one of the prescribed books and are so idiomatically worded that it is well-nigh impossible for our intermediate students to translate them into idiomatic Urdu.
Seventh, a penetrative study of the current question papers shows that the examining bodies think that to arrest the falling standard of education in the country, it is vitally necessary to set difficult question papers. Different boards and universities in the country are clearly seen vying with each other in setting tough question papers, to the great detriment of our students.
Eight, previously, students were to summarize a given passage but now, without increasing the time allotted or marks, students are asked not only to make a precis of the given passage but also to answer at least three questions concerning the passage. This is sheer injustice. Only one question should be enough.
If the percentage of failures among students of different classes is to be checked, the question papers will have to be set more sensibly and carefully.
PROF MAZHAR ALI ADEEB
Lahore
IT is very disheartening to note that the seats reserved in colleges for students active in the field of sports and engaged in cultural activities have been abolished. Can the authorities justify this policy?
Admissions were always given to the students who performed brilliantly in the fields of sports and culture. This enabled the colleges to create a healthy cultural and sports atmosphere. I have been a student of Government College Lahore for six years and I can say that a college also earns distinction because of its cultural and sports environment.
Talent in any field must not be wasted. The authorities should withdraw their order.
MUHAMMAD WALI ASLAM
Lahore
IN the past, a sticker used to be issued by the motor vehicle tax department, in token of the receipt of tax. This sticker was meant to be pasted on one corner of the front wind screen of the vehicle. The sticker was visible to traffic cops from a distance and there was no need for them to stop a vehicle to check whether vehicle tax had been duly paid. Issuance of stickers has come to be discontinued from this year.
As a consequence, vehicles would be stopped at every check point by traffic cops who would demand that the paid tax challan be produced to them as proof of payment. If there were more than one check point on one’s route, the hassle of stopping at every one of them for this checking could be imagined. More so, if one had to catch a flight or was rushing to an important meeting.
The discontinuation of the issuance of tax payment stickers forebodes nothing but uncalled for hardship to motorists. One wonders why the bureaucracy in Pakistan is busy all the time in devising ways of adding to people’s hardships.
BASEERUL HAQUE
Karachi
I AM writing about the fixing of cat’s eyes on the median line on the rather narrow road liking Kashmir and Egerton roads. Nothing special here except that the cat’s eyes are virtually the size of bricks.
This small road also houses the Sui Gas head offices and the Consumer Service Centre, which are visited by hundreds of people every day. The government may not be able to reduce the gas tariff but the SP Traffic can certainly give some relief so that repeated and painful bumps are avoided by the gas consumers.
A personal visit by the SP Traffic is suggested.
SI WASIT
Lahore
THIS refers to the letter by Mr Sohail Matin (July 2) captioned ‘PTCL procedure’. In this regard, PTCL would like to clarify as under:
The telephone number 663-8058 was installed in the name of Mrs Habiba Siddiqui. Mr Sohail Matin applied for change of name on 22.01.02 and after completing departmental formalities for change of name, the divisional engineer, Customer Service, Nazimabad, issued a demand note on 28.02.02. The customer submitted the paid copy of demand note on 06.03.02.
The information was sent to senior revenue officer, Nazimabad, for necessary amendment and issuance of bill in the name of new customer. But due to a huge targeted task of conversion of analogue numbers into digital in the month of April 2002 and issuance of bills of converted numbers accordingly, the change of name of the customer remained unattended due to rush of work.
However, the necessary amendment against telephone number 663-8058 for change of name has been processed and will appear in the billing month of June 2002. The concerned officials/ officers have been warned to be careful in future.
ATHER JAVED SUFI Media Coordinator, PTCL H/Q,
Karachi
AMERICAN President Bush doesn’t want Yasser Arafat re-elected as chairman of the Palestinian Authority. There is only one way this can be done: send the Florida judges to supervise the Palestinian Authority elections.
They’ll ensure that only a Bush-favourite is elected. The Florida judges can then be sent to Indian-occupied Kashmir to get only India-friendly candidates elected in October
SHAKIR LAKHANI
Karachi
MY heart bleeds in agony over the barbaric act of gang-rape of a young girl on the orders of a panchayat in the village of Meerwala.
And it was disgusting to learn that, as stated by the district police chief Malik Saeed Awan himself, the authorities came to know about it several days after the incident had taken place. This reflects sadly on the performance of those who are custodians of the honour, life and the property of the citizens.
Action against the barbarians (the rapists and the members of the panchayat) must be taken at the earliest. No harm in hanging them to death publicly.
SHAHZAD LODHI
Islamabad
DAWN’s editorial of July 3 titled ‘Shocking beyond belief’, regarding the incident of Meerwala Jatoi, where an innocent girl was subjected to gang-rape under the decision of a tribal council, deserves appreciation.
One would like to know why the imam of the mosque of that village did not rush to the spot to prevent this un-Islamic act. I am also surprised as to why the various religious leaders of Pakistan have not yet condemned this shameful incident.
I appeal to the President of Pakistan to personally visit this village and make sure that appropriate action is taken against the culprits. His visit would show to the nation and to the entire world, the shame that we feel on this incident and also our determination to wipe out such barbaric acts from our society.
A. MAJEED
Karachi
IT has been reported that a local tribal jirga in Kot Adu village near Muzaffargarh ordered the gang rape of an innocent girl by four members of a so-called aggrieved tribe, as a punishment for the ‘crime’ committed by the girl’s brother of having an affair with a woman belonging to a family of a higher social status.
To say the least, this action is wholly un-Islamic and a serious crime under the laws of Pakistan. It is the duty of the present government not only to punish the perpetrators of the crime but also the abettors that were present in the jirga. As a matter of fact these jirgas must be banned and entire Pakistan should be governed under the laws of Pakistan.
ALI ASHRAF KHAN
Karachi
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