| October 25, 2002 | Friday | Sha’aban 18,1423 |
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Import of used machinery
PTCL version
Indian troops pull back
We will not leave our country
Arrest of Dr Aziz by FBI
Aptitude tests
Endangering life of citizens
Smile, you look better
MMA and co-education
KESC is blind
Polls drama in held Kashmir
It carried a picture on Oct 23, showing a “Kunda” at a police quarter equipped with an airconditioner. How can a policeman afford an airconditioner and why is the KESC not doing anything to stop electricity theft which is being committed so openly and, reportedly, on a massive scale?
WHAT the nation is mourning is the worst disaster not only in our cricket history, but also in the history of Test cricket. Never in Test history was a team routed in both innings with such paltry score as we did in the second Test at Sharjah. Please note that in the third Test in both innings the first three wickets went cheaply; in the second innings we were three down for 18. Hurrah!
PCB chief Tauqir Zia’s resignation was in the fitness of things, though its timing could be faulted. However, that he stays in the hot seat on the advice of President Musharraf is some relief. He knows so much and, it appears there is so much more that he either does not know, or has condoned for reason best known to him alone. One can sympathize with him because he has a mountain of problems, quite a few of his own making. And on top of it, the agony of shame.
First, some very senior and established players just did not go to Sharjah. Whatever the truth about their explanations, the people of Pakistan find it very hard to ward off grave misgivings. It is for the PCB to establish the truth and help the nation restore trust in the word of their celebrated cricket stars.
There are all manner of disquieting reports that, even if half of them were true, would cast grim shadows on the standard, indeed absence, of discipline in the team. For this who is to blame if not the manager, the captain and the coach? All three must take the blame, but first of all, the manager. Team discipline is the manager’s chief responsibility. Reports reaching Pakistan reveal ‘late-nights’ by at least some of the players. This is grave indiscipline, to say the least.
How is one to explain sending out Shahid Afridi at the last moment? And when he arrives in Sharjah he declares himself unfit, with his typical Afridi bravado. Why was he not tested for fitness before being dispatched? Why was he allowed to stay on after declaring himself unfit to play? Was this a paid holiday for him? In reward for what?
One question that will remain to haunt all sensitive Pakistanis is about the defeat of Pakistan at the hands of Bangladesh in the last World Cup tournament. Wasim Akram laughed it away as he saw no harm in “losing to brothers”. Such high-level competitions are played to fraternize but to defeat the opponent, even if he were a “brother”.
The nation has been trying to consign that shame to oblivion but Sharjah has not only caused new wounds but has also opened several old ones. The deepest of them is the defeat that Wasim Akram would need many lives to live down.
President Musharraf has done well to ask Gen Tauqir Zia to stay on. But this should mean that he stays on to conduct a relentless job of cleaning up the stables. If the price is that some heads must roll, so be it. There is no shame in defeat. What has happened is not defeat. It has shades of mischief. If this impression is not correct, let the PCB chief demonstrate it to be incorrect.
A. B. S. JAFRI
Karachi
IT is understood that the federal government has decided to allow import of used machinery from the United States, Europe and Japan. The decision has been taken in order to enhance industrial activity in the country.
It is stated that different kinds of machinery, specially that of textiles, has become inoperative due to high cost and labour problems in the United States and in other Western countries and that the import of this machinery would help in generating new jobs at comparatively low prices.
There is nothing wrong with the objective set out in the scheme for allowing import of used machinery, but it is feared that rather than helping in generating new industrial activity, it may lead to many problems.
If after some use and this is very likely, the used machinery starts developing faults, large imports of spare parts may become necessary involving huge additional expenditure of foreign exchange by the government.
We already have had a bitter experience of the imports of used machinery and reconditioned cars. We should not utilize our foreign exchange on the imports of used machinery, which may also result in having more sick units on our hands. In my opinion, the remedy lies in trying to set up our own textile machinery making plant. It is not advisable that we depend all the time on the imports of new or used machinery for our needs. We should develop our own engineering industry for making machinery.
Some attempts have been made in the past to develop textile machinery-making capacity, but it appears that, for one reason or the other, it did not receive any support from the local entrepreneurs. Maybe, they can be persuaded now to show some interest in this field. We need to develop their interest in making machinery for our other requirements also.
It is hoped that the decision in regard to the import of used machinery would be reviewed. No foreign manufacturers may be interested in transfer of technology or in collaboration for joint manufacture of machinery and equipment if the country gets flooded with import of used machinery.
MOHAMMAD ANWAR KHAN
Karachi
This refers to the two letters “PTCL advertisement” and “New phone connection” (Oct 16).
At present, the capacity of the Gulshan-i-Maymar Exchange is 2,000 lines but the working connections at the exchange are 1,720.
There are only 14 demands relating to three cabinets having no network area, while demands for new telephone connections within the jurisdiction of the Gulshan-i-Maymar Exchange are met daily in 12 other cabinet areas.
On verification of the exchange records, it has been found that there is no demand registered in the name of the complainant.
However, the complainant is requested to contact the director, customer services zone-VIII, Azizabad customer service centre, Karachi, with relevant documents for the redressal of his complaint or
e-mail information on gmstr3@khipaknet.com.pk to the general manager, STR-III, Karachi.
PRO Southern Telecom: Region-III
Karachi
AT long last India has decided to pull back its troops all along the border with Pakistan. It was almost a year back when following an attack on its parliament it had heavily deployed troops along the border with Pakistan. The purpose was to take a decisive action against Pakistan.
Instead of getting overawed by the threatening statements issued by New Delhi, Pakistan also moved its troops to the border to cope with any eventuality. Now India has decided on its own to withdraw its troops. In fact it is a sign of victory for Pakistan.
With the troops deployed on border both countries suffered a great financial loss. Instead of giving in under hard circumstances Pakistan preferred to absorb the economic and financial loss but military and politically it outwitted India.
The point is what did India gain from all this useless exercise? Nothing except another defeat and loss of face at national and international levels.
RAFAT MAHMOOD ANSARI
Islamabad
THIS refers to the letter by Mr Zamir Ajmal “I will leave Pakistan” (Oct 18) and the letters by Safia Siddiqui and M. Ahsan Hafeez “We shall all leave Pakistan” (Oct 23).
I completely disagree with their views and wonder why we should leave our country. My family, as tens of thousands of other Muslim families, sacrificed everything during the Pakistan movement and the migration to Pakistan. For them, it was a dream come true.
I did not think of leaving my country when Gen Niazi surrendered with 90,000 troops, when an elected prime minister was hanged, when the elected government of Mohammad Khan Junejo was dismissed, when innocent citizens died at the Ojheri camp, when the “Nero” of Pakistan was playing cricket while the Supreme Court was being attacked and when the Senate chose not to condemn the so-called “honour killings”, let alone outlaw them.
I did cry and cried like a baby, but I carried on and never thought of leaving Pakistan. It’s my country. I was born here. Pakistan is a gift from my parents, a gift for which they virtually sacrificed everything. I cannot forget their sacrifices and that, too, only because one particular person is being named as a candidate for the prime minister’s slot.
Whatever I am today is because of Pakistan. I have lived here and will die here. Very soon this country will be a country our fathers and mothers had dreamed of. Insha Allah.
AAMIR AQIL
Lahore
I ask Mr Jamil Ajmal and those who have supported his views as to why they had not raised any hue and cry when the two former so-called liberal and moderate prime ministers played havoc with the economy and the democratic process of this country?
Despite being elected prime ministers, they did nothing to promote the culture of democracy and tolerance in the country, but none of the electorate said they would leave Pakistan.
So give Maulana Fazlur Rahman a chance and see if he does something for the welfare of the people. Where shall we go if we all decide to leave the country? And which country will accept so many Pakistan immigrants while many countries, specially the Western countries, have been deporting illegal Pakistan immigrants as part of their crackdown on international terrorism?
OMER AHMED
Karachi
I AM writing with reference to the arrest of Dr Aamir Aziz by the FBI. That was a very sad and frustrating day in the history of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.
The Pakistani nation has a right to know what was the crime of Dr Aamir Aziz and also if any independent investigation was undertaken by the Government of Pakistan about the alleged charges. Arresting a citizen of Pakistan, who is a professional, a philanthropist and a God-fearing person, is very distressing indeed.
We have gone too far in the so-called war against terrorism. We should remember that Dr Sultan Bashir-ud-Din Mehmood had also undergone great humiliation but was found innocent. Now it is the turn of Dr Aamir Aziz. We Pakistanis are not safe in our own country.
What is happening to our fellow Muslims and Pakistanis in the US prisons? They are confined there without any charges or a trial. According to Amnesty International, “these prisoners are kept under very poor circumstances”.
I request the chief justice of Pakistan to take a sou motu action in this regard and make a ruling that no Pakistani should be handed over to any foreign country without an independent assessment by the superior courts of Pakistan.
We must behave like a dignified sovereign people.
MUBASHER GILL
Islamabad
THIS refers to Qamar Shahbaz’s letter “Aptitude tests” (Oct 16).
To keep the record straight, it is submitted that the Sir Syed University of Engineering and Technology was the first to announce in Dawn and other newspapers on Aug 31 that it would hold its aptitude tests on Oct 27.
Later, when the University of Karachi announced the same date for the aptitude tests for the BBA and BCS programmes, the Sir Syed University promptly pointed out the inadvertent overlap. Hence, as a result of consultations between the two universities, the time for the tests for the BCS programme at the University of Karachi was changed from morning to evening.
TAHIR HUSAIN Registrar, SSUET,
Karachi
A few days back my sister had a major asthma attack. Panicked I took out my car to rush her to the hospital and had covered only two streets when I found myself face to face with a board that read “the road is closed ahead”. Frantically I reversed my car into another lane only to find myself at other dead end. Cursing my luck I had to reverse from three more lanes when I finally found myself on the main road and rushed to the hospital. I dread to think what would have happened if I hadn’t found an opening soon!
I live in Federal B. Area, Block 13. Every other road in our area has been blocked because as my neighbours say “it is for our safety”. But I would like to ask these people what gives them the right to put the other people’s life in jeopardy? To travel on these roads is as much the right of the other citizens as of those who reside on these streets, then how come they have blocked these roads?
They claim they have done this for the security of their houses, but I wish they would understand that by blocking these roads they are just jeopardizing their own lives as well. Just imagine if there was a burglar in one of these houses and the police are called, and however much they try to get there on time they cannot make it just because they are faced with blocked roads. Or what if they are faced with a situation like mine? Do they think that by blocking their roads, in any way they are safeguarding themselves?
Everyone wants their safety, but there is a proper way of doing everything. If these people want their safety by having their roads safeguarded with gates, there is absolutely no harm in it but the right way would be to have proper checkposts with security guards who are present at all times to open and close the gates. Leaving the doors closed and troubling the citizens is no way to protect yourself.
NADYA NAQVI
Karachi
OUR recent election may become a harbinger of many good tidings, but the best it has achieved so far is to bring smiles to the faces of our religious luminaries.
It was a real pleasure to see an ear to ear grin on the face of Qazi Hussain Ahmed, Maulana Fazlur Rehman, Maulana Sami-ul-Haq and many others who had, till now, always looked serious, sad and stern, while facing a camera.
Keep it up, sir. Believe me, you look better.
MUSHTAQ MADNI
Rawalpindi
THIS is with reference to Qazi Hussain Ahmad’s statement that Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal will not allow co-education and will set up separate universities for women.
Could he explain where the money would come from? It costs five to six billion rupees to establish, furnish, and equip a small university campus and another two to three billion rupees annually for staff salaries, utility bills and maintenance.
It should be remembered that we have to repay an external debt of $36 billion and the internal debt is even higher.
Will the MMA also have separate medical universities for men and women and would the male doctors not be allowed to treat female patients and vice versa? And what would happen in far-flung rural areas where female doctors refuse to be posted? Would there also be separate nurses for male and female patients?
Qazi Saheb should not forget that the government has to remain within the budget allocations where only four per cent is available for education and 0.4 per cent for health.
A new social setup does not need to be invented to create more chaos and further deterioration of standards resulting from gender discrimination.
If women could fight in battles along with their men during the days of the Holy Prophet (PBUH), why can’t they study with them?
Dr ZARINA KHAN
Islamabad
One picture is worth a thousand words they say, but the KESC seems to have gone blind.
DR KHALID BUTT
Karachi
IN his article “Ten days to disillusion” (Oct 20), Kunwar Idris, referring to the recent elections in Indian occupied Kashmir and in Pakistan, says “The Economist of London chose to comment on them together in one essay. Its title ‘One election that wasn’t rigged’, to the lasting shame of all of us in Pakistan, referred to the election in Kashmir. It also viewed the turn-out figure of 44 per cent amid assassinations and disorder as respectable.” This observation by Mr Idris is rather unfortunate. It fails to take into account — as far as our elections are concerned — the reports of the foreign observers who closely monitored the elections here. With a few exceptions, the observers found that the elections were generally held in a fair and free manner. The statement of the US State Department spokesman was also generally positive as it noted that “these elections are an important step in the restoration of democracy in Pakistan”.
As regards the contention of The Economist that the election in Kashmir was not rigged, and that the voter turn-out was 44 per cent — a view which Mr Idris seems to endorse — amounts to unqualified support for the official Indian propaganda line. The fact is that the majority of Kashmiris, responding to the APHC’s call for boycott, stayed away from the elections. TV coverage, including that of the BBC, vividly showed deserted streets, the Indian security forces forcibly dragging people out of their homes, and poor turn-out at the voting booths. Furthermore, fearing international censure of its farcical drama, the Indian government banned international observers from covering the elections.
I would urge Mr Idris and persons of his persuasion that the next time they read anything about Pakistan (or, for that matter India) in The Economist, they should do so with a pinch of salt. This so-called “independent and respected journal” is notorious for its anti-Pakistan and pro-India views. It will resort to all kinds of crude tactics to malign Pakistan, including distortion of facts, suppression of facts, disinformation and, even, outright falsehood.
I will cite one example. In its issue dated January 19-25, 2002, The Economist in a special report on India, Pakistan and Kashmir observed, among other things, that in 1947 Muslim Kashmir “opted for India”; that “Pakistan does not share Kashmir’s culture”; that Pakistan sponsors “terrorism” in Kashmir (and there is not even a hint of state terrorism and acts of brutalities by the Indian authorities), etc.
In a hard-hitting letter to the magazine, I refuted these points most vehemently. Needless to say, the letter never got published.
SALAHUDDIN K. LEGHARI
Lahore
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