| July 8, 2002 | Monday | Rabi-us-Sani 26,1423 |
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Footballers or philosophers?
KU’s examination department
Why condemn Aisam?
A false allegation
Dumping Karachi into garbage
CNIC and purdah
A tribute to Omar Asghar Khan
Punjabi films and violence
Gen Rani’s death
Meeting of minds
Cricket: looking deeper
Wheat growers’ problems
IT is gratifying to note the growing awareness of the need for libraries. In this connection, the letter ‘Book lovers’ plight’ and the report of the symposium on promotion of book culture (July 4) and many other letters published earlier may be cited.
What we need is an organized and sustained effort to promote libraries all over the country, in small towns and big cities. The establishment of a Pakistan Society for the Promotion of Libraries is, therefore, suggested. I request the people who may be interested in the project to join me in this endeavour. I can be reached on telephone number 537-7240.
I would also suggest that among other things we may consider the establishment of presidential libraries and presidential centres through an act of parliament, establishing a system of privately-erected and federally-maintained libraries. The act would encourage presidents to donate their historical materials to the government and ensure the preservation of presidential papers and their availability to the Pakistani people.
These libraries will have all the papers, documents, notes, summaries, correspondence addressed to the president or sent by him all over the world. They would be scientifically sorted, categorized and catalogued. Confidential papers will be made available to the public after a given number of years when they will be open for public viewing. A researcher from any part of the world would have access to this great treasure of information and knowledge. This of course would be helpful in bringing about transparency in governance in Pakistan.
There are a dozen or so such libraries established in the US. In each case, money from private and non-federal public sources provided the funds to build the library. On its completion the private organization that helped building it turns over the library to the National Archives and Records Administration to operate and maintain.
Researchers from all over the world gather at these presidential libraries in America. I myself have over the years done research at the Jimmy Carter Library, in Atlanta. Apart from the library, there is the Carter Centre which houses the Carter Museum where the gifts presented to president Carter by foreign heads of state are displayed. Among the donors to establish the Carter Centre, apart from big American corporations, were leading enterprises of Japan, donors from Saudi Arabia, and our own late Agha Hassan Abidi.
Such libraries established in Pakistan could have close collaboration with educators to encourage the use of primary source materials by students and scholars. Public lectures may be sponsored, films and events of historical or current interest will be shown. Conferences could be held to examine a wide range of topics from public affairs, domestic policy to foreign affairs.
HAFEEZ R. KHAN Former Secretary, Pakistan Institute of International Affairs,
Karachi
WORLD Cup Football every four years not only brings out the very best in the game’s skill in the Brazilian team, but the finest qualities of the head and the heart among the immensely talented players.
A week before leading Brazil to a historic fourth win at the World Cup football in 1994, the captain Romario said: “Brazil is politically and economically in bad shape. The danger is that if Brazil become champions of the world, many things will be left behind, football will take front stage. But these problems must be sorted out and resolved. If Brazil wins we will have to celebrate and go out into the streets because Brazil hasn’t won for 24 years. But one week later we will have to forget everything and go back to work.”
This year, even in the midst of reports regarding corruption and mishandling of FIFA finances, inept umpiring and support to the home team, South Korea, by the referees, there is at least one positive sportsmanship act. Brazilian striker, Ronaldinho, who spearheaded the scoring of the first Brazilian goal against England and then shot one of the most amazing goals seen in football, told a newspaper: “I really was very sad when I saw those images of Seaman (England goalkeeper) crying on the television. I have been a great admirer of him for a long time. He is a great player with a great past. It would be a terrible mistake if people changed their thoughts about him because of one isolated moment like that. I don’t want to be responsible for lowering his reputation because he doesn’t deserve that....”
He smiled away the umpire’s red card, given totally unfairly, seven minutes after he all but sealed Brazil’s advance to the semi-finals even though the smiling footballer will not be there to regale the fans with his skill.
The Brazilian footballers have lessons both in sportsmanship and statesmanship for all who have the mind and the heart to understand them. Do we?
ANWAR ABBAS
Karachi
I WANT to draw the attention of concerned authorities towards the working of KU’s examination department.
The delay in announcing the results of BA/ BSc/ BCom reflects on the poor working of the examination department. But there is another problem, which is more serious than this. Errors in the compilation of results have become more frequent and much more grave.
I mention here the case of my friend, Umair, whose BCom result was announced some weeks ago.
When he got his marksheet, he was shocked to see that he had been shown as absent in two papers, although he had not only appeared in those papers but was expecting good marks in them.
When I lodged a complaint for this dreadful error on behalf of my friend, they gave me the complaint No. 3001. This meant that there were already 3,000 similar applications lying there.
I learned that there were some applications which were one year old. This only shows how they, at the examination department, are playing with the future of young men and women.
S. ALI JOHN NAQVI
Karachi
IT is sad that the Pakistan Tennis Federation condemned Aisamul Haq who achieved a remarkable success at Wimbledon.
I don’t think that religion or politics should be taken into consideration while participating in sports. Pakistanis in general, and the PTF, in particular, should congratulate Aisam for his success. I think that this would also help in improving Pakistan’s image abroad, something which is badly needed. FAWWAD SHAFI
Karachi
I READ in the papers that tennis player Aisam was being given a hard time by Pakistani officials because of his partnering with an Israeli boy, Hadad, at Wimbledon.
According to sports officials here, they have “a policy of not mixing sports with politics”, which is why it’s okay for Pakistanis to play ‘arch-rival’ India.
However, they go on to say: “But Israel is a sensitive issue for Pakistan.” Do they mean to say that India isn’t?
Forgive me if I am wrong but I always thought India was Pakistan’s greatest worry, even though Pakistanis have no problem watching their films, listening to their music and playing with their sportsmen.
NOSHI ASIF
Wah Cantt
THE figures provided by the so-called Foundation for the Preferment of Pharmaceutical Sciences about the prices of products supplied in Pakistan by members of the Pharma Bureau of Information and Technology, Overseas Investors Chamber of Commerce and Industry as compared to the prices in Bangladesh seem to be a deliberate attempt to mislead all concerned and do not provide an accurate account of the position of the pharmaceutical industry in this region. The FPPS has made some irresponsible and baseless statements, perhaps to achieve some vested commercial interests.
The list released by the FPPS at its recent press conference in Islamabad, comparing 105 top selling medicines in Pakistan and Bangladesh is actually a list of much smaller number of drugs and each drug is mentioned several times. For example, a drug Velosef is listed five times. So only 68 products and not 105 are actually present on the list.
The price comparisons are factually incorrect and many of the pharma member companies’ brands mentioned are not even manufactured or sold by them in Bangladesh.
It may be pointed out that in Pakistan, the price of each and every drug in every single dosage form is controlled. However, in Bangladesh only 117 drugs are price controlled and in India 74 drugs are price controlled, which the Indian government is likely to reduce further.
There is generally a direct correlation between higher prices and overly regulated markets as open markets create competition, which leads to reduction in prices. The fact that Bangladesh has much less price control as compared to Pakistan (117 drugs under price control in Bangladesh vs nearly 900 in Pakistan), coupled with the FPPS’ claim of lower prices prevailing in Bangladesh makes this fact self-evident. The Pharma Bureau welcomes policies that encourage competition and provide a level playing field for all.
The Bureau made several attempts to contact the Punjab Chemists and Druggists Association and discovered that no such body appears to be registered whereas Pakistan Chemists and Druggists Association exists but it showed no presence at the press conference. It may be prudent for the participants of such seminars to verify the credentials of other co-participants who take up arms on their behalf.
ZAFAR MOORAJ
Executive Director,
Pharma Bureau,
Karachi
PRESIDENT Musharraf had said that the system of city governments is working more efficiently than the earlier system. This may be true in isolated cases.
But in Karachi and most other cities, it has not been efficacious. In fact things are deteriorating.
And it is being asked that if these people cannot handle simple jobs effectively such as garbage disposal, water supply etc, how can they tackle complex issues like beautifying and modernizing the city and the enforcement of law and order.
The city of Karachi seems to be turning into a series of garbage dumps. The only way the municipal staff knows how to dispose of the garbage is to burn it, being oblivious of the fact that this increases air pollution which is a health hazard.
ARIF KHAN
Karachi
I DID not believe in the complaints appearing every day in the print media against Nadra for failing to deliver the goods till I myself fell victim to it.
As purdah-observing, I got my NIC No 34101-2393485-01 without my photograph and applied for a passport as I wanted to perform Umrah. The passport office, Gujranwala, admitted my application, telling me that it would only be given to me on production of my computerized NIC with my photograph.
I rushed to the Nadra Swift Registration Centre, Lahore, and moved my application on May 17. Though my passport is now ready, it is being withheld for want of my computerized NIC with my photograph on it for which I am still waiting for the Nadra Swift Registration Centre, Lahore, to do the needful. I request the authorities concerned for help.
SURREYA BATOOL
Gujranwala
“GIVE me as many proposals as you think can be helpful in addressing the issues concerning human resource development and utilization in Pakistan,” were the words coming from Omar Asghar Khan when I congratulated him from Singapore on his joining the cabinet as federal minister for labour, manpower and overseas Pakistanis.
Soon we saw experts giving directions to the labour and manpower ministry. Many were hired and others motivated to provide further inputs. He seemed bent to utilize the opportunity afforded to him and also to accomplish his dreams.
How can we imagine meeting the challenges of globalization and enhance global competitiveness against the backdrop of confrontational labour-management relations and lower productivity?
The answer. He helped in establishing and strengthening a unique experience in the developing world — Workers’-Employers’ Bilateral Council of Pakistan. WEBCOP is fast emerging as a platform being used jointly by the workers and employers for a policy dialogue. It was, for example, instrumental in getting a mutually agreed minimum wage approved and announced by the government of Pakistan. It has established chapters in all the major cities and intends to have a chapter in each plant/enterprise.
Meeting him in June 2001 at the ILO annual conference in Geneva was the last time I talked to him at length. During a dinner at the residence of the ambassador of Pakistan, he found time to talk on employment and related matters. But what is this?
He soon in his usual soft way was saying: “I am thinking of leaving the cabinet and concentrating more on the field work.” What’s wrong, are you disappointed? He preferred only to smile.
Indeed, his passing away is a great loss to the country, especially to the labour movement.
SABUR GHAYUR
Singapore
SOME film advertisements were published by a national Urdu newspaper on July 2. Out of a total of 24 such ads, 16 were of Punjabi films and the rest were English and Urdu. The names of the Punjabi films are a reflection on the decrepitude of our society. I must quote a few:
Dada Badmash, Ik Gujjar 100 badmash, Badmash tay qanoon, Lahori Ghunda, Ghunda Tax, Ishtihari, Behram Daku.
All the photographs in these advertisements show the hero or the villain brandishing an axe, a Kalashnikov or a dagger. While the names of other films are not directly threatening, such as Budha Sher, Humayun Gujjar, Majho da veer, Billa, Kalu, Baboo Khan, Chan Mahar, Ghazi Ilmdin Shaheed and Sholay, the pictures nevertheless depict weapons, blood and violence.
While many of us are extremely critical of American and western films because of their scenes of violence, blaming them for the shooting accidents that take place in the West all too often, involving children and adults alike, we turn a completely blind eye to our own culture of brutality which is inculcated by almost all our institutions and promoted by the media.
I would like to ask a simple question: why is it that only the Punjabi films are violent and crude?
Does it mean that we Punjabis have no finer values? There seems to be no link between this land and Bulleh Shah and Baba Fareed.
MRS R. SHAH
Lahore
THIS has a reference to the news item ‘Gen Rani dies of cancer’ (July 2). It is strange that a newspaper of the stature of Dawn, being aware of her role in corrupting the top military brass headed by General Yahya Khan, should have found it fit to publish this news. At least the generation, which still survives the disintegration of Pakistan in 1971, will never forgive her.
LT-COL NAJMUDDIN MIRZA
Lahore
PRESIDENT Bush’s proposal, the PLO without Arafat, is like General Musharraf’s idea that envisages Pakistan’s political system without Benazir and Nawaz Sharif.
It’s really amusing that the minds of these two gentlemen work at the same interesting wavelength.
MUSTAFA MAHESAR
Karachi
IN his letter ‘Cricket: time to take action’ (July 2), Umer Haider has criticized two national cricket players whom the cricket experts (both in the country and abroad) undoubtedly call “the backbone of Pakistan’s batting line-up”. I am referring to Inzamam and Saeed Anwer.
It is an extremely bitter aspect of our national behaviour towards our cricket heroes that we praise or condemn them on their performance of last two or three matches only. Mr Umer writes that ‘Inzi’ takes 8 to 10 overs to warm up. Well, what would you say about the final and semi-final of World Cup 1992? How many overs did he consume before he started his unforgettable slaughter of the bowlers? If that seems to be long-ago to you, I would refer you to Inzamam’s batting average. His average reflects the true calibre of a batsman. Inzamam has always managed to keep his average right on top among those of his most relished counterparts.
He is a match winner and provides much-needed strength to an otherwise unpredictable Pakistani batting. On countless times, he has come to the rescue of the team and has acted as an anchor, bringing the team right out of some horrible crises to fetch memorable victories.
About Saeed Anwer, I was astonished to go through Mr Umer’s remarks. Saeed has currently gone through a most awful mental turmoil after the death of his only daughter. He has somehow managed to come back to the team on the unending pressure from his fans and the cricket authorities.
I am sure that it won’t be long before we see ‘the Saeed Anwer’ who used to give nightmares to bowlers from all over the cricket globe. Macgrath, Shane Warne, Shaune Pollock, Srinath and Anil Kumble... You just name a world class bowler and you would find him among Saeed’s past victims.
Saeed is definitely the batsman whom Pakistan needs on top of the order to give our batting a boost in the world cup. While in form, there is no stoppage to his flowing cover drives, magnificent pull-shots and wristy flicks. On a given day, he can literally murder any bowling side of the world.
At the end, I would suggest to Mr Umer and all other critics like him to look deeper and analyze closer before they pass such remarks about our national assets. Without Saeed and Inzamam, Pakistan does not, I repeat, does not stand a chance in the coming world cup. And about their current form I am sure they would come out of it very soon. We should remember that “the form is temporary but the class is permanent”.
M. MUTI-UR-REHMAN
MUMTAZ
Lahore
Pakistan is an agriculture country. Around 65 per cent of the Pakistanis are linked with agriculture sector. Being an agriculture country, we should produce marketable surplus agri-products. Unfortunately, due to bad policy making of the government we could just meet the domestic demands. As far as wheat is concerned, recently we were importing wheat, but by the grace of Allah, we are producing exportable surplus wheat for the last three years.
Previously, Pasco used to procure wheat from traders in ‘mandi’. In that system, the poor farmers were getting their proper dividends. But surplus wheat production caused change in the procedure for procurement. In the first year of surplus wheat 1999-2000, Pasco refused to take more stocks of wheat as imported stock was available. The traders also did not buy wheat from peasants. At that time, the price was Rs300 per 40 k.g. So the peasants had to sell their wheat at Rs230-240 per 40 k.g to eke out their existence.
In the second successive year 2000-2001, the wheat crop was surplus again. Then the government decided to intervene in this matter in order to protect the rights of the poor peasants. But the string of ‘bardana’ aggravated the problems of the masses to a great deal, because the influential people could squeeze the maximum benefit out of that policy. Ultimately, our country cousins had to throw the wheat at 240-250 Rs per 40k.g on average.
In the successive third year 2001-2002, wheat crop was abundant enough. The government again modified the policy of ‘bardana’ to facilitate the farmers. The procedure of wheat procurement consisted of some flaws, which are as follows:
First, ‘bardana’ was available on the condition of generating a documentary proof from the landowner. For this purpose, our villagers had to bribe the ‘patwaris’ to get a documentary proof ‘ferd’. Second, the people were directed to deposit money as per guarantee for bardana. It was very difficult for our poor country cousins to deposit money as per guarantee, because they don’t have extra money to spend for these unusual expenses. Therefore, they had to borrow money from others to meet the desired condition. Third, the charges of loading and unloading of wheat to a truck or trolley coupled with transportation of wheat from the fields to the regional Pasco office increased the input cost to a great extent. As if a spate of peasants do not have carriage to take the wheat to the regional Pasco office. Fourth, the checking system of wheat was not based on honesty. Farmers have to grease the palms of Pasco officials for getting their crop into the godowns. Moreover, they have to wait for two to three days for their turn outside the office. Fifth, the poor farmers have to get the cost of their yield proceed through cheques. But it is very difficult for the illiterate people to open a bank account for this purpose. Three successive years have passed, but the peasants are not getting fair price for their toil. This is promoting frustration among our country cousins.
If the present condition persists then the government should keep on subsidizing the agriculture sector with its policy of intervening into the gap between demand and supply. However, wheat procurement system should be changed by taking into account the present problems in the interest of the poor peasants.
Engg. Fahd Rehman, Lahore.
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