| August 17, 2002 | Saturday | Jamadi-us-Saani 7, 1423 |
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Criterion for jobs
Kashmir problem
A spicy window for Pakistan
PML: new or old role?
Education
Reading is not study
Postal dept & lost documents
Motor vehicle tax refund
A busy road needs repair
Relief to pensioners
Mixing sports with politics
Embarking on adventure in Iraq
I HAPPEN to witness Independence Day celebrations in some foreign countries, which usually comprise colourful floats and parades and a special ‘thanksgiving’ fireworks.
However, in Karachi, the blaring and much abused public address system playing a medley of patriotic and ‘Bhangra’ lyrics around the clock didn’t do much to stir up one’s level of patriotism besides exaggerating the fact that we have the freedom to violate each other’s right to live in peace.
Then there is the flag fetish that involves mounting the largest flag possible on the vehicle regardless whether it may be a road hazard to fellow citizens.
Adding insult to injury on this auspicious day are the youngsters riding motorbikes, without silencers in it, all day and all night oblivious to the extreme pain and torture the rest of the community maybe going through. This is not an expression of patriotism, it is sheer hooliganism.
For a change, let us remember the great Quaid’s words “Work, work and work” before we go on to celebrate the next Independence Day.
M. A. BAIG
Karachi
I WAS in Muhammad Ali Society where there were some celebrations inside the roundabout on Aug 14 but the songs they were playing were not suitable. I heard a kid was asking his dad what’s the purpose of playing ‘Brazil’ and ‘I want you in my room” on Independence Day? And people there were dancing.
My roaming nature doesn’t let me stay at home so I went out to see the celebrations by myself at midnight. Shahrah-i-Faisal was blocked and road to Seaview was not just blocked but maybe not acceptable for people of good families. Young guys riding their bikes without silencers were making a lot of noise.
And not just this if they see a woman in any car they stayed, shouted, made improper actions that a good family can’t think of. We were celebrating our independence day. And it’s our new generation celebrating it in that undignified manner.
It’s not proper to celebrate the day like this. Yes, going out and make celebration is good but teasing someone and doing anything that harms anyone is not good. It must be avoided.
S. ADEEL A. SHAH
Karachi
I WAS amazed to see the maddening atmosphere on the eve of Aug 14 as well as the following day at Clifton and could not even willingly ignore the inrush of hundreds of motorbikes flocking around the Clifton beach with barely a break throughout the day.
And to make matters worse, the drudging noise from those fuming sound machines reflected an atmosphere that could test even the most self-possessed.
I cannot help but condemn such irresponsible and heartless way to celebrate the nation’s independence. I hope that the city administration makes a serious note of this and places a ban on such so-called patriotic masses resorting to insanity before somebody’s health gets affected.
KAMRAN SHAH
Karachi
I WANT to draw the attention of the Chief Justice of Pakistan to the illegal and unconstitutional decision taken by the Punjab Public Service Commission (PPSC) by debarring the candidates from Islamabad from applying for all the jobs announced by the Commission.
Previously the PPSC had been considering candidates having the domicile of Islamabad as the candidates of Punjab. If the Federal Public Service Commission (FPSC) has still been considering these candidates as those from Punjab, why PPSC has been adopting a different policy?
Last year I applied for the post of lecturer (Political Science) through the PPSC. I was shocked to know through the Secretary, PPSC, that at a meeting on June 30, 2000, the PPSC had made a decision that only the candidates having the domicile of any district of Punjab would be consider for all the posts announced by the PPSC and that those having the domicile of Islamabad would not be regarded as applicants from Punjab.
This is a clear clash between a federal law and a provincial law.
This may also be mentioned here that there is no separate job quota for the candidates of Islamabad like one for the candidates of Northern Areas.
Even the civil and additional session judges, appointed by the PPSC, have been performing their duties in Islamabad whereas the candidates from Islamabad are being deprived of such jobs even to serve in their own city.
I request to Chief Justice of Pakistan to take cognizance of the situation and take appropriate action.
ABID SATTI
Islamabad
IN line with the government’s policy of the reorganization/ downsizing of all government departments, FATA Development Corporation was recently dissolved and its staff merged with the newly established Governor’s Secretariat.
As things stand today an insignificant number of tribesmen are employed in the new set-up. The overwhelming majority of the employees is from the settled areas of the NWFP and even Punjab. Those at the helm of affairs are requested to give priority for employment to the people of FATA in the governor’s Secretariat.
GULZAR WAZIR
Peshawar
PAKISTAN was created for the well-being of the Muslims of the subcontinent, and a truncated Pakistan came into being leaving behind millions of Muslims at the mercy of the secular idealism of the Indian National Congress.
Fifty five years have passed since we achieved Pakistan and it will stay permanently as long as its military is strong — with or without Kashmir.
Many suggestions have been made for the solution of the Kashmir problem. Many supported the view of Kashmiri leader Shaukat Maqbul Butt, chief of the All Parties National Alliance (APNA), who advocated complete independence for Kashmir envisaging the establishment of a secular sovereign state of Kashmir.
I was student at Aligarh Muslim University when the late Sheikh Abdullah, an Old Boy of the University, visited us in 1948. We shouted at him: “traitor go back.” In response he said that what he was doing was in the best interest of the Indian Muslims, and through Kashmir, he wanted to strengthen Indians secularism.
Fortunately or unfortunately Kashmiris have rebelled against the merger of Kashmir with India, and most of them want to join Pakistan.
If an independent, secular Kashmir is not feasible as solution, Mr Farooq Abdullah, constitutional head of held Kashmir, should spell out that kind of autonomy he has in his mind. A few months back when he put forward the idea of autonomy Mr Advani said that the Indian Constitution does not permit autonomy.
I would urge the Indian rulers to step down from the pedestal of extremism and accept the kind of autonomy which is in the mind of Mr Farooq Abdullah, paving the way for real freedom of the people of subcontinent.
M. W. Z. ADENI
Karachi
WHENEVER the Independence Day approaches, every Pakistani takes stock and sees where our country of origin stands in the world.
It should not surprise us to note that there are people from our community in the United States who have not only been helping us to establish our identity but also making money while doing so.
And one window to this situation opens in one of the most beautiful cities in the world, San Francisco.
More than 28 years ago, when I first came to the US and landed in San Francisco, halal food was a real problem. Boiled eggs were the only solution.
San Francisco did have a few restaurants serving South Asian cuisine but nothing like today. Now, within the walking distance from the commercial centre and economic heart of San Francisco’s downtown, there are a number of restaurants offering finest Pakistani cuisine at reasonable prices. The dishes include aromatic Nihari, Kababs and Tikka-boti and Tandoori Naan.
All this area needs now is Mithai, Faluda and Kulfi shops and it could become a match for New York and Chicago as a serious hub of Pakistani food in the USA.
On this Independence Day, I just want to pay a tribute to the successful Pakistani businessmen and workers at our community restaurants all over the US and other parts of the world who present our positive image via our culinary heritage.
And certainly this window of Pakistan in San Francisco is one very good reasons that our food is the biggest crowd-puller at Golden Gate Park where we celebrate Independence Day with our community.
RAS H. SIDDIQUI
San Francisco, USA
THE military government is quietly preparing to use the PML as a counter-PPP party in the coming elections. The PML already has this unsavoury reputation of aiding and abetting military governments and it appears that we are about to witness the most remarkable turnaround ever of arch adversaries coming together against a common threat.
Not unlike when BB joined hands with ‘go-Baba-go’ and the Baba’s crony in uniform, to checkmate the elder Sharif. Will he now play into the hands of the self-same establishment in return for some dubious favours? If so, he can rest assured of being confined, along with his clan, to the dustbin of history. The faithful can be very unforgiving.
If the PML has to survive as a viable political party in its own right, it has no choice but to enter into a principled electoral alliance with the PPP to put up stronger candidates in the more winnable constituencies.
It is better to be His Majesty’s honourable opposition than to be His Majesty’s bootlicker.
The nexus between the establishment and one political party against another has always been the bane of principled politics in Pakistan. Let us hope that the PML will not lend its name, yet again, to the continuation of this perfidious trend.
KHURSHID ANWER
Lahore
WE often compare the standard of education in private schools with that in government schools and wrongly reach the conclusion that the private schools maintain a better standard.
We are, therefore, convinced to pay higher fees. But I would like to point out that many of the private schools do not have competent teaching staff. In some cases there is no difference at all between the standards of government and private schools where the Cambridge system has been adopted.
I request the concerned authorities to look into the matter.
TEHREEM ASIF
Hyderabad
GLOBALIZATION and liberalization have rightly made a good academic record a necessary entry condition to get into any worthwhile career. Unfortunately, mediocrity continues to bedevil academic education. This is a matter of great concern. Also, subordinate clerical types of job opportunities have become redundant. Thus the number of those who have become unemployable is galloping.
The need now is to understand what the words ‘reading’ and ‘studying’ mean.
‘Working hard’, meaning ‘reading for long hours’ is no answer. Such parental satisfaction has often been short-lived, when results are out.
It is time we realized that ‘reading’ is not studying at all. ‘Reading’ is something mechanical and distorts the understanding potential of a student. He becomes a human tape-recorder.
‘Studying’ with ‘awareness’ and in a relaxed environment hold the key to excellence. Awareness is at its best, only when the mind is relaxed. ‘Awareness’ means training your mind to do only one thing at a time, not by forcing it to stop from its natural tendency to wander, but by allowing it to relax and effortlessly immerse itself in the particular activity of the moment.
This results in ‘understanding’ what is studied. You will even develop immunity to external noise or disturbance. It is difficult to forget what has been studied.
Simple meditation helps to calm down quickly the seemingly perpetual or wandering nature of mind. Before settling down to study, close your eyes for a little while, and observe what is going on in your mind. You will also experience your mind moving towards tranquillity on its own.
N. NARASIMHAN
Bangalore
SIX months ago, a cheque of Rs400,000 was sent to me by my sister from Germany along with account opening papers which were lost in transit and only a small piece of paper was delivered to me.
Similarly, examination ID cards (computerized) were twice issued by the Association of Chartered Accountants, Scotland, to my son which were again lost in post.
Now I have sent a registered letter to my sister in Germany vide GPO Sialkot, registration No. 55 dated July 16. It has not been delivered to her so far.
This state of affairs in the postal department is highly deplorable. I request the concerned federal minister to order an inquiry into the matter.
JALALUDDIN SHAD
Sialkot
THIS is with reference to the notification by Excise and Taxation Department, Sindh, directing the motor vehicle owners to pay the motor vehicle tax for the period up to Dec 31 as per the existing practice.
The tax would be abolished and the ‘road users charge’ would be levied in its place. Although late, the notification has removed confusion on the issue.
However, there is no clarification with regard to those who have already paid this tax for a period beyond Dec 31, 2002. To avoid hassle, many vehicle owners pay the MVT for two to more years in advance.
The department should clarify whether it would refund excess amount or exempt the concerned from road user charge to adjust the paid up amount.
BRIG (R) MASHHOON AHMAD
Karachi
THE Park Road linking Rawal Dam Chowk and Shahzad Town is in a dilapidated condition. It has become bumpy and uneven due to the rapidly growing number and size of potholes.
Traffic on this road is heavy as many government offices are located along it. Besides, it gives access to many others.
The dilapidated condition of this road poses a serious threat to the lives of commuters and the vehicles that include heavy ones.
The drivers, in their effort to avoid the potholes, move their vehicles in a zigzag manner often going the wrong side and thus risking accident.
I request the authorities concerned to take immediate action to repair the road.
ARIF-UL-ISLAM
Islamabad
THE finance minister, while presenting the budget for 2002-03, announced that government servants who retired before December 1, 2001, or those opted to remain in the pay scales of 1994, would be entitled to the restoration of the surrendered portion of pension in lieu of commutation and gratuity.
In this respect, repeated requests were made to the government by the old septuagenarian pensioners to allow them to utilise the commuted portion which has now been accepted and allowed but the necessary notification has not been issued so far.
I request the authorities concerned to issue the necessary notification to enable needy pensioners to benefit from the relief offered.
M. AMIN MIRZA
Lahore
THIS is with reference to a letter by Engr. Aamir Salaria (Aug 8), about mixing sports with politics between India and Pakistan. Even though the majority of citizens in both the countries do not believe in ‘infiltration’ and ‘cross border terrorism’, it is the Indian government which thinks that its neighbours are responsible for some of the violence in India.
But it is unfair on the part of Mr Aamir to say that the Indian sports ministry is not sending its teams to Pakistan, fearing a defeat. India did play with Pakistan in 1999 World Cup cricket, when the two countries were heavily involved in Kargil. Pakistan have yet to win a match against India in the 28 years of World Cup history.
We all know that Pakistan has got world class bowlers in Shoaib Akhtar, Wasim Akram and Waqar Younas and India has batsmen of the same calibre in Tendulkar, Ganguly and Laxman. So, it is not fair to say that one team fears the other.
BHASKAR CHALLA
Indianapolis, USA
THE US is once again preparing to attack Iraq. During the Gulf war, some Muslim countries had supported the US in the hope that the super power would, in return, solve their problems, particularly those related to financial matters.
But what we saw was the destruction of Afghanistan and killings of the Afghans in the name of ‘war against terrorism’. And now Saudi Arabia is being branded as a potential enemy of the US.
If the US is not happy with Iraq only because the latter is not obliging the UN inspection teams, then this is not a very big crime. If it is, then the US should wage wars against many other countries that just don’t care a dime about the UN and its charter.
If the US is truly sincere about peace, then it should remove the disparity between its words and deeds.
Another adventure with Iraq will bring no peace even if the US wins this war by dropping every type of lethal bombs. The only outcome of such an action would be a further widening of the gulf between the East and the West. And it might trigger fresh ‘terrorism’ inside the US itself.
It is good that many of the states like Germany and Jordan have been acting in a responsible manner at this moment and have not become a prey to the US policies.
Muslim countries should come forward and forge unity among their ranks to avoid further bloodshed and destruction.
FAIZA AMIN
Rawalpindi
WHEN the UN wanted to send an investigative team to Jenin, the Israeli government refused permission despite several requests made by Kofi Annan and the matter ended there.
But, in the case of Iraq’s refusal, the response from the UN was diametrically opposite. It seems that the UN cannot do anything against the US wishes.
It is time Kofi Annan picked up courage to say ‘enough is enough’ to the US and restored the lost honour of the UN.
SAEED WAZEER BUTT
Rahimyar Khan
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