| August 4, 2002 | Sunday | Jamadi-ul-Awwal 24,1423 |
To send a letter to the Editor
Click here
Silence of the religious scholars
Russia and Chechnya
Ex-govt servants and polls
Postal dept’s efficiency
Pakistanis’ future in US
Musharraf’s statement in Dhaka
Tax on phone card
Karachi traffic
New Hajj policy
Appeal to SBP
Student visa
US and world peace
M. M. Ahmed — a rare gentleman
DO the articles contributed to newspapers merit some weight for the writers planning to do their PhDs? And are articles published by research journals more important than the those carried by a prestigious newspaper?
I am raising these points to elicit the views of a cross section of public opinion and the relevant government functionaries in the light of a personal experience I have just been through.
A few weeks ago, a test was given to candidates desirous of doing their PhDs in business administration by the Punjab University. Those who qualified their written test were called for interviews.
I was shocked when one of the interviewers put aside articles I had written for various newspapers during the past 30 years, saying that they were of little value for him. He also said that I should have got my works published in some research journal.
I told the interviewer that there was no research journal published either by the Punjab University or the Hailey College in IBA.
I want to point out that there are only a few research journals in the country with a very limited circulation.
They are also not regular in their publication. No journals can carry more than a few articles. This means these journals cannot, even collectively, accommodate more articles than can be counted on one’s finger-tips provided they are published regularly.
If articles published only by such journals are made a yardstick, people desirous of doing PhD will have to wait for ages to get through. Neither will they get space in such journals. Nor will they qualify.
I appeal to the relevant authorities to give serious thought to the matter, accord due importance to articles published in newspapers (as they certainly have larger circulations than research journals).
KHALID MAHMOOD HASHMI
Lahore
THE recent incidents in Meerwala and Mianwali have brought to light the fact that the state has failed to ensure rule of law and prevent the brutal custom from superseding it.
It was in a strife torn tribal society that the Holy Prophet (PBUH) first preached the message of justice and equity, and elevated women to a respectable status.
It is sad to find such inhuman acts being committed in a Muslim society. It seems that the people of the subcontinent have failed to reject the pagan custom and traditions of their forefathers even centuries after they entered into the fold of Islam.
Many of the custom repugnant to the teachings of Islam are still being followed as components of our religion.
Our ulema have let majority of Muslims ignorant with regard to their rights and responsibilities under Islamic laws. They should have been the first to raise their voice forcefully against these utter violations of Shariah.
NUSRAT BOKHARI
Islamabad
THIS is in response to Mr Vladimir Mikhaylov’s letter (Aug 1). Firstly, I would like to praise his statement about the ongoing successful development of bilateral relations between Pakistan and Russia.
In regard to Chechnya, I think the acts committed by Russia speak more than any words I can write here.
History reveals the lack of respect Russia has shown towards its neighbours and the world community at large in the past. It is one of the few countries in the new world order which has attempted to occupy a sovereign country, namely Afghanistan. And as history has shown us time and again, that oppression anywhere in the world has no long-lived victory.
As for the so-called lack of facts to point towards the human right abuses committed in Chechnya by Russia, may I ask Mr Mikhaylov to avail himself of the services of the Internet and read reports of any of the reputable human right groups around the world which cover Chechnya and he will get plenty of facts and figures.
As for terrorism, let us consider the recent Western media reports that Mr Mikhaylov has urged us to consider. In regard to the alleged terrorism committed by Chechnya rebels on Russian soil, the most famous of which was the apartment building bombings, recent confirmed reports point towards a direct link to the Russian intelligence agencies.
It is yet to be seen whether this link was just in regard to facilitating or masterminding these acts.
But all said and done, once again I thank him for his kind comments on the development of bilateral relations between Pakistan and Russia.
DR BEHRAM KHAN
Indianapolis, Indiana,
USA
THE graduate condition for the candidates of an assembly seat is indeed a revolutionary step. However, the number of graduates in our country is very small, particularly in the rural areas.
I, therefore, suggest that the government servants who are graduate and have just retired or resigned from service should be allowed to contest in the forthcoming elections and the two-year bar under the prevailing rules be eliminated.
Such a relaxation was given to Sardar Anwar Khan for the presidential elections in the Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
The ministers and Nazimeen also draw their salaries from the government treasury and would be allowed participation in the next elections if they resigned. Why the government servants should be barred?
Maleeha Lodhi, the former ambassador to the US, is reportedly willing to contest. Does she qualify as she is bound to wait for two yours after her resignation? Syed Abida Hussain’s case was similar and she was not allowed participation in elections.
NYLA PERVEEN
Member District Assembly,
Rahimyar Khan
I WOULD like to place on record my appreciation for the good work that the postal department is doing, most of which unfortunately goes unnoticed and unacknowledged by the general public.
At 5pm on July 22, a packet of some important business documents was posted to me by a friend from Ville di Pietrabugno in Corsica, France, by surface mail.
I could not believe my eyes when the same was delivered within three days — exactly at 11am on July 25, to me in Lahore.
I appreciate the efficiency of the postal department and encourage my friends abroad to send documents by normal postal mail, as it often gets to me earlier than it would have been handled by expensive courier services.
IFTIKHAR KHURSHID
Lahore
OF late, Pakistani society in the US is going through a lot of soul searching to identify a strategy for our future in this country. We are gradually working towards understanding the subtleties of American culture.
Generally, these values are acceptable to the Pakistani-American society. We value the diversity and the plurality of opinions that is embedded, in an immigrant community.
The Pakistani-Americans form an industrious community having a positive attitude towards American society. We have always worked for the betterment of our host country. We volunteer our time in promoting general welfare. Being highly qualified in the areas of science and technology, we are successful in various professions.
Having strong work ethics, we are respected in the business world as well.
All this makes a sound foundation for a successful immigrant society. Our future depends on our continued strength, which lies in the ingrained values that we have accumulated over the years. Strategically our future is intertwined with that of the American society. We should continue our future generations to be adequately educated in areas of science and technology.
This strategic path will bring most of us into the mainstream of Americana.
Our future in the United States also depends on how we continue interacting with the society at large.
BEHRAM B. ATASHBAND
Austin, USA
THIS refers to President Pervez Musharraf’s statement in Dhaka regarding the 1971 atrocities.
Regret and apology can be true expression of deep understanding about the horrendous crime committed against the people by the rulers in 1971. But the magnitude of torture and violence must be felt by heart and truth about the atrocities must be known to all. Confessions about the crime and true guilt feelings can lead to reconciliation for which we are looking forward.
But reconciliation for whom? If some perpetrators confess their crime and sincerely suffer from guilt feelings, we may think about reconciliation and forgiveness, provided the crime is not grave and the victim wishes to forgive.
We understand that confession, reconciliation and dialogue are essential for heeling the scar for trauma to ensure peace, stability, justice, human dignity and civilization in this part of the world.
We believe that President Musharraf, who is doing a lot to curb terrorism in Pakistan and squeezing the extremists, fully understands the real meaning of reconciliation.
On our part, we hope to start a process of truth and reconciliation regarding ‘71. For a joint investigation regarding the atrocities, the documents recorded in our two books titled War crimes, genocide and quest for justice and War and woman may serve the purpose.
At the moment, it is only President Musharraf who can do a lot for truth and reconciliation.
DR M.A. HASAN
Convener, War Crimes Facts Finding Committee,
Dhaka
ON a brand of calling cards, the company has suddenly started deducting 10 per cent of the card value as withholding tax. This is being done through recorded intimation over the phone when a newly purchased card is used for the first time.
No prior warning is given to users about this new practice. There is also no proof of deduction as no receipt is provided which can be used to claim adjustment in income tax returns.
Besides, this deduction is being made even where the affected person is not liable to pay any income tax. How can he claim refund of the withholding tax that has been charged to him since he has no proof of payment to substantiate his claim?
Will the company as well as the authorities clarify the position?
Proof of deduction of withholding tax should also be provided in each case.
S AHMED
Lahore
EVERYONE is sick of persistent traffic problems in Karachi. Despite all types of seminars and colourful campaigns, no improvement is visible.
However, it is a pleasant surprise to see a remarkable improvement on the Karachi-Hyderabad Super Highway due to the efforts of the highway police.
I have been travelling to Hyderabad, my home town, through the highway for long. Over the last few years, myself and other travellers have noticed a great change in terms of traffic sense and discipline.
I want to ask the Governor of Sindh and other relevant authorities that why the traffic control in Karachi should not be entrusted to the highway police.
MUHAMMAD ARSHAD
Karachi
I WANT to draw the attention of the ministry of religious affairs to the anomalies in the recently announced Hajj policy which, if not removed, will cause great hardships to the intending pilgrims.
According this policy, all powers rest with the ministry’s secretariat at Islamabad. The work of the provincial headquarters or the Haji camps is only the distribution of passports to the pilgrims under the sponsorship scheme.
It has been made mandatory for the pilgrims of both sponsorship and open Hajj policy schemes opting for self-accommodation to provide relevant certificate of accommodation for the period of their entire stay duly attested by the ministry of commerce in case of hotels and agreements with owners of the buildings on the prescribed format of the National Establishment for Pilgrims, South Asia, and the Ministry of Hajj, Saudi Arabia and also produce receipt showing entire acknowledgement of rent by the owner of the building.
Last year, the regional headquarters/Haji camps were allowed to process the applications and the entire process was successfully completed by the respective Haji camps. The ministry should continue the same policy or at least for Sindh and Balochistan, Karachi should be the venue for receiving and processing the applications.
Furthermore, the cost of the forms which has been exorbitantly raised from Rs100 to Rs500 should be brought down to Rs50 as application forms of all other schemes are available free of cost from the designated banks.
It is hoped the ministry will take the necessary action in this regard.
M. YOUSUF
Karachi
We are exporters of different items. Our capital is very small and our company gets finance under the re-finance scheme of the State Bank of Pakistan.
Our exports were growing up satisfactorily but, unfortunately, after the Sept 11 event in New York, it has gone down.
We were ready with our supplies for deliveries in March through June But the orders were cancelled and stocks are piled up with us. The has brought us under a huge financial burden.
We had to suffer another blow when the State Bank imposed a fine and our banker charged us an interest of 17-18 per cent. We request for a refund because it was not our fault.
MUHAMMAD IQBAL
Karachi
THIS is with reference to the letter written by Fahr Ahmed (July 30), regarding British student visas for Pakistanis.
I had applied for a student visa for the ACCA courses in London on Sept 12, 2001, that is the day after the WTC tragedy. I was refused entry into the UK.
It has been almost a year now since I and hundreds of other people have been waiting for the British High Commission to resume its operations.
The British government should come up with a solution to this problem and I agree to the option that it may provide such services in a country neighbouring Pakistan.
ABID ZAIDI
Karachi
AFTER the fall of the USSR, the US has become the sole super power of the world. This is an established fact that Afghan Mujahideen defeated the Russians by sacrificing their 1.5 million people. Literally speaking, the benefit of this victory went in the basket of the US who should be thankful to Almighty God and the Afghan martyrs.
The Americans say they trust in God. That’s good and they should do such tasks which are appreciable in the eyes of God. The Americans must realize their responsibility and make honest and sincere efforts to establish peace in the world. No doubt, God will be happy, if they perform this good deed.
It is sad that there has been terrible bloodshed in Palestine for the last 53 years, thousands of people have been killed, wounded and paralysed. India and Pakistan have fought three wars on the Kashmir issue and thousands of people have lost their lives. The economy of both countries has suffered hitting the poor people.
Being the supreme power of the world, a great responsibility lies on the US, to come forward and mediate between the countries engaged in war.
The US has declared a war against terrorism. But there is dire need to search out the real causes of terrorism which raises its ugly head when justice and rights are denied.
The US should seriously try to solve the Palestinian and Kashmir issues in the interest of world peace.
WAHEED A. SIDDIQUI
Arlington Heights, Illinois,
USA
MIRZA Muzffar Ahmad served Pakistan in many capacities. Munir Ataullah has listed them in his tribute to him (Aug 2).
He was Deputy Chairman, Planning Commission, when I met him for the first time in 1968. I was working in an honorary capacity as an economist. I would proceed to the old building in front of the railway station where the commission was housed. I would go there after finishing the day’s work as director education. I was under the control of the Punjab education secretary.
As Principal of Government College, Lahore, I pleaded strongly for the grant of autonomy to the institution. The secretary opposed the proposal. I pressed on. He solved the tangle by abruptly transferring me to Rawalpindi as director, education. It was a punitive measure. I took it in my stride. Life went on from day to day.
The United Nations Asian Institute for Planning and Development selected me for appointment as an educational planning expert in Bangkok. The papers were processed in the Economic Affairs Division. These were sent to the Punjab government for approval.
The education secretary tried to sabotage the offer when M. M. Ahmad found out, he reprimanded him for the conduct unbecoming a secretary.
Finally, I was allowed to take up the job in October 1968. M. M. Ahmad was a perfect gentleman. He was committed to the welfare of the downtrodden. He had complete grasp of economic and financial issues. This was recognized at home and abroad. He was a rare human being.
Of late, I have been musing over the days gone by. Presumably, old age compels one to seek solace in reminiscence and solitude. In proportion as the mind contemplates the moments of void, it begins to dredge up the buried past after a long exile in the wilderness of life.
M. M. Ahmad’s act of kindness in 1968 stands out. In the twilight years, weighed down by anxieties, ironies and ambiguities, I feel like ‘a tattered, coat upon a stick’ to recall Yeat’s disturbing line. It is difficult to fathom the tormenting truths of life.
After a passage of 34 years, the stately figure of M. M. Ahmad is etched on my mind. In declining years, early memories send the message that ‘the wheel has come full circle’.
Those lines are in tribute to M. M. Ahmad’s dignity.
M RASHID
Lahore
You can also send letters to the Editor
Just send your message to the following address:
Make sure you include your full name, postal address, e-mail address, and in the case of Pakistan your day-time telephone number.