| September 28, 2002 | Saturday | Rajab 20, 1423 |
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Targeting Christians
What has India gained?
Education officers’ promotions
Senior citizens’ wait for relief
Those not remembered
The myth of forex reserve
Image vs character
Indian music
Rosy promises
Heeding advice
PTV awards ceremony
A pensioner warns government
Imparting education — an uphill task
THE people of Pakistan in quest of democracy are for the fifth time in nearly 13 years preparing for a general election. Once again we hear political activists crying hoarse for a free and fair election, alleging that the October polls would be rigged.
Ironically, the loudest are those who ruled over us, by turns, through the four rigged and manipulated elections. Never before did the country and its people suffer so much at the hands of so few.
The present military government — the fourth in our history (and more than our share of military rule) — has certainly made mistakes (referendum for one) but they have also done some good work during the last three years.
Constitutional amendments envisaged by the present government have received the severest criticism. No doubt, it is the business of parliament but then one may ask: which of the 14 amendments was made through discussion or debate in the then parliaments? All these amendments were proposed and approved in hours, if not in minutes, to serve the interests of one person who happened to be at the helm of affairs.
This government has had, at least, the decency of inviting representatives and leaders of all sections of our society also (allowing them unprecedented freedom of expression on the electronic media) to seek their opinion and in the process agreed to drop some of the proposed constitutional amendments.
I will not venture to discuss the National Security Council. A lot can be said both in favour and against. Only time will decide whether its inception is going to be worthwhile.
It was hoped that the coming election will bring forth new faces from the grassroots level by weeding out the discredited ones through the process of accountability. We know, by now, that this is not going to happen. Eliminating the bad eggs has only been partially achieved. A large number of them or their kin will be contesting and thanks to the unending feudal culture and family influences, especially in the rural constituencies, most of them will still be sitting pretty in the future assemblies.
IT is so disappointing that BB and MNS and their party leaders have been receiving support and sympathy in the press, forgetting that they, in their two terms, nearly destroyed the country.
As for the leaders of western democracies, their press and the gentlemen from the European Community countries who are here to ‘monitor’ the elections, I have only one question to ask: would they have in their own country tolerated even for a day the likes of BB and MNS and the kind of ‘democracy’, loot and plunder Pakistan endured for 10 long years?
I am all for democracy and firmly believe that military rule is not good for any country but then I do not wish to see the day when, God forbid, the kind of sham democracy of those 10 years stages a comeback.
M. H. JAFAREY
Karachi
IT does not require much of intelligence to figure out that the only reason that the Christian establishments have been targeted is to draw the attention of the West and get worldwide media coverage for the purpose of tarnishing Pakistan’s image in the comity of nations.
There are several convent schools in Karachi alone in which both Muslims and Christians have been studying together since ages. There has never been any discrimination on either side or any ill-feeling between the two. These attacks have been made only to destabilize the country.
Such acts are against the teachings of Islam and to call the people behind it Pakistanis or Muslims, is an insult to both.
SAIMA ABBAS
Karachi
SINCE I read about the killing of seven innocent Christians in Karachi, I have felt nothing but shame.
The Sindh police chief, after visiting the scene of the crime, predictably said that the involvement of a “foreign hand” could not be ruled out. But we must have the courage to speak the truth and should acknowledge that most probably our so-called Jihadis are responsible for it.
We must also recognize the fact that Christians are a peaceful community and have never interfered in the Muslim way of life. Their contribution in the health, nursing, education and social work sectors can never be ignored.
And what has caused these peaceful people to receive such a ghastly punishment? There are several factors: the wrong notions of martyrdom preached by some crazy mullahs which has confused our youth, an undue sense of superiority on being a Muslim and, most recently, a reaction to the American bias against Muslims in the name of ‘war on terrorism’.
I offer my condolences to the relatives of the victims.
SITARA AKRAM
Lahore
I WANT to ask the Indian intellectuals and saner elements there as to what India has achieved by positioning her almost a million strong troops in a threatening posture on the borders of Pakistan.
Did it help BJP win elections in Uttar Pardesh or elsewhere? Has the cross border terrorism - as they call it - ceased in Kashmir? Has Pakistan been coerced into yielding any concessions beneficial to India? Has it helped India promote its case of ‘fighting terrorism’, in the comity of nations? Has it really done any good to India, except incurring colossal expenditure on the forces and denying Air India’s 23 flights much shorter routes by flying over Pakistan territory?
The negative fallout of this senseless act has cost India both in terms of economy and world opinion. Pakistan, on the other hand, has played its cards admirably well and has cashed upon this Indian belligerence to the maximum advantage.
It is time the Indian leadership realised its folly and came to the negotiating table for talks with Pakistan.
COL (R) RIAZ JAFRI
Rawalpindi
THE timely action by the Sindh Education Minister, Mr Daheri, has been acknowledged by all the employees of the provincial education department, especially by the gazetted officers.
The minister has issued letters to the provincial education secretary regarding the completion of promotions before Sept 30. He has also directed the secretary to complete the relevant record, the service books, ACRs, etc., before Oct 15 so that the teachers may not run from pillar to post for ACRs.
This may be mentioned here that women officers have been facing a great deal of trouble in this regard as their promotion cases have been withheld for want of ACRs.
This is evident from the working paper prepared by the Department of Female Officers, Schools Cadre Grade 17-18. Out of 168, 57 cases will be withheld for want of ACRs only.
We request that their promotions should not be withheld on the basis of ACRs. The remaining cases of promotions, grade 17-20 school cadre, be also made simultaneously.
BALK IRSHAN
Sanghar
THE revised basic pay scales and fringe benefits for Sindh government employees (BPS-1 to 22) came into effect on Dec 1, 2001.
The employees generally welcomed the package because it was fair but it shocked the pensioners who were hit hard suffering loss of some concessions they were already enjoying.
Their frustration is evident from press reports and letters published during the past many months in different newspapers with pleas for scrutiny, redressal of grievances and sorting out problems and anomalies so as to restore justice to the once strong and now weaker section of the society.
The pleas resulted in the federal finance minister announcing, in his recent budget speech that the government servants who retired before Dec 1, 2001, or those who have opted to remain in the pay scales of 1994, would be entitled to the restoration of surrendered portion of pension in lieu of commutation/gratuity.
According to the minister, the government had also decided that all other benefits available in the basic pay scales 1994 would continue for those who had opted to remain in the 1994 pay scales.
He had acknowledged the old pensioners’ appeals to the government for the restoration/review of their right to the disbursement of the commuted portion to them (which was already due to some of them but withheld by the government).
I visited many a times, as did other aggrieved pensioners, the office of the Accountant General, Sindh, to get necessary entries made in the pension payment order book. However, we were responded every time with instructions to furnish the relevant sanction order, notification or office memorandum issued by the federal or provincial finance ministry.
It seems that the concerned department hasn’t yet received the notification/order despite passage of more than four months. Isn’t it enough time to test the patience of the senior citizens?
Many of the pensioners have turned over 70 and not keeping good health.
The authorities are requested to take measures for the implementation of the ministry’s policy at the earliest.
M. ALI AKHOOND
Karachi
THE letter, ‘Those not remembered’ by Qassim Hameed (Sept 24), was an excellent piece. Yes, what happened on 9/11 was a tragedy, but so were these which are not remembered. It is time that the world realized that human life is precious, no matter what is the colour, nationality or religion of the victim of terrorism.
And how true was the lament of the writer on the insensitiveness of the 1.2 billion Muslims about these tragedies.
DR SABAHAT ATHER
Karachi
THE government is highlighting its foreign exchange reserve of around US$7bn as an indication of its good performance in respect of the country’s economy. However, such a claim is far away from the truth.
The true story is that our exports have greatly declined after 9/11 and imports have remained stuck up. Pakistan still has to beg from the IMF, the World Bank and others.
The present government started bringing difficulties for the masses by imposing sales tax on 4000 items. Oil, gas, and electric charges have been raised by about 300 per cent. Around 4000 industrial units have been closed during the present regime and 0.4 million people have lost their jobs.
Merely talking about good governance and holding elections will not solve the problems of the masses, 40 per cent of whom are living below the poverty line.
S. K. JAMALI
Hyderabad
THIS refers the letter ‘Image of a general’ (Sept 17). The writer seems to be gripped with the idea of defending someone whose image thus far remains controversial. To my knowledge, neither the government nor the NAB has issued him a ‘clean bill’.
The writer, it appears, has closely followed the general’s profile and thus knows his ‘traits’ fairly well but his unnecessary leaning gives an impression of being an unofficial spokesperson for him. Let the law prevail and take its course. But for now, the image stands tarnished.
Here, I wish to remind the writer about the ineradicable imprints that some earlier ‘clean’ mortals left on the landscape of this country. Many still eulogize Ayub’s image but history is a testimony to his machinations in gaining power. Yahya, too, had an impressive record and Zia excelled all his predecessors in being a ‘practising Muslim’; an ‘unassuming officer’ whose humility, at least on paper, remains unparalleled to this day. The verdict on their legacy and insatiable appetite for power can safely be left to the wisdom of the common man and posterity.
Yes, it is the current press sovereignty, ‘modest allowance for freedom of expression’ coupled with investigative journalism and universal electronic media role which, despite abysmally low access to defence-related issues or its functionaries, have aroused some sense of responsibility and fairness among those who matter.
It has also perhaps deterred many others in society from committing excesses, violating law or overstepping the given authority. Had that not been so, everyone amongst 144 million would be ‘as clean as grass is green’ — and I can swear on that.
MUHAMMAD AZAM KHAN
Lahore
FOR once, Ayaz Amir’s ‘Islamabad diary’ was a delight to read (Sept 20). But why does he persist in calling the music of the subcontinent ‘Indian’? He needs to study the history of classical as also of light music of the subcontinent in order to learn and appreciate the contribution of Muslims and now Pakistanis to our musical heritage.
SURAIYA HAFEEZ
Lahore
IF election manifestos of political parties are any indication, the people of Pakistan are in for good times. All the political parties have promised to make this country a paradise.
Maybe, this is the reason why there appears to be no special enthusiasm for any one party because whichever party wins, people are going to be in the pink.
Three cheers for all the parties for their rosy promises.
H. U. HASNAIN
Islamabad
THIS refers to Dateline New Delhi, ‘Smoking the peace pipe in Kashmir may not be a daydream’ by Mr Jawed Naqvi (Sept 17). It is good that Mr Naqvi is concerned about Mr Imtiaz Alam Gilani’s health and has advised him to stop smoking. If the Gilanis and Naqvis of India and Pakistan start accepting mutual advice, I am sure 99 per cent problems of South Asia will be solved soon.
ZAMAN KHAN
Lahore
ON an invitation, I went to watch live the PTV awards ceremony held recently at Bahria Lawn, Karachi. It was a great disappointment.
The presentation of the programme was very poor and looked like a rehearsal. The comperes were not well-prepared and committed many mistakes during the live telecast even though they were reading from a script.
The programme, as a whole, lacked warmth and was utterly unimpressive.
DR QAISAR SAJJAD
Karachi
THE latest cut of 2.5 per cent on various National Savings Schemes has finally broken the back of all retired government servants, widows, mandatory retrenched employees and others as the cost of living has increased uncontrollably.
Fuel, gas, vegetables, meat, cooking oil, transport etc. have attained sky-high prices, beyond the reach of the common man. But our finance minister continues to reduce the profit rate on NSS and has now brought it at par with that of the commercial banks. I am sure, with this kind of policy regarding the rate of profit, all national savings centres would soon be closed down.
We want it to be known to the President and the finance minister that if the cut of 2.5 per cent is not restored immediately, the poor people of Pakistan would vote for the parties of Nawaz Sharif and Benazir Bhutto in the coming elections so that all the imported and unpopular ministers and advisors, who have no feeling for poor Pakistanis, are thrown out of Pakistan for ever.
WAHEED KHAN
Karachi
THE government is creating impediments in the opening of private educational institutions and thus hampering the process of promoting education.
Every educational institution up to middle level has to obtain a registration certificate from the Executive District Officer (education) and the high schools and colleges are bound to affiliate themselves to the education boards.
However, the process of registration and affiliation has been made extremely cumbersome besides being expensive.
The registration for the middle class level schools has been raised from Rs200 to Rs5,000 and the owner has to deposit another Rs1,000 as inspection fee. To register a high school, the owner has to pay Rs35,000 and an additional amount of Rs10,000 as inspection fee.
After paying such an exorbitant amount, the owner of an educational institution has to undergo anther ordeal — dealing with corrupt government officials. Certain administration officials demand illegal gratification for the issuance of registration certificate.
The school/college owner has also to obtain a fitness certificate from the district health officer (DHO) and there happen to be more officials to be ‘appeased’.
The Building Department comes next. The building which will house the education institution has to be certified by the department as ‘habitable’ and everybody knows its currency notes that makes any building habitable.
Obviously, for the process of registration and affiliation, a lot of money and time is required. And, after clearing all these hurdles, the government comes up with demand of taxes.
Owners of all the education institutions do not come from affluent class. Nor they intend to minting money. Majority of them are unemployed youth who play very important role in the uplift of the society and promotion of education. At the same time, they provide job opportunities to their fellow teachers and support staff.
I myself have observed that some highly-educated and hardworking villagers, after failing in finding a government job, have established educational institutions in the rural and far-flung areas and are busy educating the poor who cannot afford even a reasonable amount as fee.
Ironically, the government’s discouraging attitude indicates that it wants illiteracy to stay.
It is astonishing to note that the government has been providing financial assistance to certain educational institutions which are already keeping a high earning graph.. This is injustice.
If the government is sincere in removing illiteracy from the country, it should cooperate with those institutions which have been established with the sole purpose of combating illiteracy especially in rural areas.
The cost and process of establishing educational institution may also be made affordable to the middle-class and honest people.
JAM MUKHTAR HUSSAIN
Multan
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