| November 30, 2002 | Saturday | Ramazan 24, 1423 |
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Findings about edible oils
Renewal of passport
‘Down with US’: why?
‘Rocking the CPLC boat’
Islam in Arab countries
Parliament’s press gallery
Exploiting art for political gains
PTCL charges
First person singular
Plight of seafarers
Parking for the handicapped
MQM: factional fighting
IN a recent development of Washington’s war against Al Qaeda, the latest news is that two of the Sept 11 hijackers were funded by the Saudi government.
According to FBI officials, Saudi ambassador’s wife in Washington donated money to two hijackers either intentionally or unintentionally (yet to be known). So the question is, does Al Qaeda have links in the Saudi royal family? What is Al Qaeda? Why did we not hear about Al Qaeda before the 9/11 attacks in the US? If Al Qaeda was such a big threat, why did the policymakers in Washington wait so long in taking any action?
Another important thing is the timing of these latest allegations (if they are allegations at all). The US is stepping up pressure on Iraq and constantly talking about war, and Bush needs support of the Muslim world (by hook or by crook) as was the case when the war against Al Qaeda in Afghanistan started (either you are with us or against us).
Now what surprises the writer most is that the US is not defining or locating the enemy properly. Why? Sometimes enemy surfaces in Afghanistan, sometimes in Pakistan, sometimes in Iraq, sometimes in Yemen, in Indonesia, Iran, Somalia and now the links of the “enemy in Saudi Arabia, meaning what?
Does this mean that the US has the right to take action entirely on its own within any nation at any point of time? (Like the way, the FBI arrested Mir Aimal Kasi in D. G. Khan, Pakistan, or like very recently in Yemen, where they fired a hell missile from one of their spy planes killing six people, claiming they were Al Qaeda).
Sometimes the US authorities say that their enemy is highly sophisticated and cruel and has links all over the globe, and then their president laughs and says: “It’s a new kind of war, it’s a war against sophisticated weapons and people on horse backs”, and, on other occasions, he says: “We are going to hunt them down one by one. (Is he talking about individuals or nations?). They hide in caves, We’ll smoke them out.”
Another question arises as to how can people living in caves execute such a sophisticated operation like that of the 9/11 attacks? And if they were so capable at all, then how come they never predicted that what is going to happen to them? And how come they never prepared themselves against Bunker busting bombs, Daisy cutters, Cluster bombs, Smart bombs, etc? After all, all they had were AK47s and or a bunch of rocket-propelled grenades and a few outdated tanks and anti-aircraft guns. So, the question is, if Al Qaeda was so sophisticated, why did they never think of the consequences?
M. MOIZ BIN SAJJAD
Karachi
THIS refers to the news items about edible oils (Nov 20 and 21). One can understand the contents of the Nov 21 report and convince the household to act accordingly.
However, the Nov 20 report invites the following questions:
1. What class of readership is this report addressed to?
Let’s be realistic and practical. I am sure most readers would be anxious to know the names of the two (largest selling, ‘locally-made’ and non-conforming) “harmful” brands in order to avoid them rather than learning the edible oil chemistry, which may more suitably adorn a science journal.
Research associated with the highest levels of academic achievements, such as PhD and MPhil, demand an equally superlative level of integrity and courage. So please name the culprits at the earliest for the sake of public health.
2. Does Nizamuddin Siddiqui imply that the “cheap” palm oil is detrimental to health? The use of palm oil is quite widespread worldwide. The whole Far East consumes it and we have been importing it by the tankerloads from Malaysia for decades.
Now it sounds as if it is an impurity of some sort. A similar controversy about the virtues of soyabean oil as against the palm oil erupted about 10 years ago, which turned into a debate of international proportions. I do not remember as to what the outcome of the debate was but the motive then was purely commercial rather than concern for public health.
3. Now, according to the report (Nov 23), the PSQCA plans a swift action against manufacturers of substandard ghee and oils.
Seriousness of the matter demands an immediate action. Formation of a long chain of committees can take place in due course. Also cultures and tastes, etc. are not tangible factors. These are always subject to evolution.
Are we really willing to jeopardize public health for the sake of these variables, whereas the findings of the KU researchers in respect of the oils are definite and quantifiable. A recent commendable, though thus far not so successful, campaign against Supari and Gutka (a deeply-embedded part of our culture) is a case in point.
AHMAD SAEED
Karachi
I WISH to draw the attention of the concerned authorities to the procedure for the renewal of a passport by a Pakistani consulate in the USA through an application submitted by post.
The Pakistan mission asks the applicant to submit his original NIC, with the expiring passport. Many applicants live hundreds and thousands of miles away. There is always a chance of mail being lost. In the case of such an unfortunate eventuality, the applicant would be left without any means of original Pakistani identification and this would create a major problem for him.
I, therefore, urge the concerned authorities to accept a notarized copy of the NIC, instead of the original, from applicants who mail their applications.
I request the Pakistan consulate to increase the passport renewal fee by two to three dollars and send all passports to the applicants via certified mail, keeping in view the importance of the enclosed documents.
They should do away with the existing practice of asking applicants to send a self-addressed and stamped envelope as, at times, the weight of the envelope exceeds that permissible with the stamps pasted on it, causing problems in its delivery.
S. K. MASOOD
Pine Bluff, USA
RECENTLY, I saw a slogan scrawled under a US flag, “Down with the US.”
I do not know which party or individual did it, but may I ask it or him why we must write such slogans? What wrong has the US done to Pakistan? America is a friend, and Pakistan has helped this old friend in its hour of need following the 9/11 incidents. There are no disputes between Pakistan and the US. Instead, the US is helping Pakistan economically, and there was an agreement recently that Washington would start selling weapons to Pakistan. Then why should we be “down” with the US?
Friendship with the US must be the cornerstone of Pakistan’s foreign policy. India feels frustrated over the growing ties between Islamabad and Washington. We must stay friends with the US, just as we must be friends with all nations of the world — except that this is not possible with India.
KHALIL SUHAIL
Karachi
I WAS horrified to read the editorial, ‘Rocking the CPLC boat’ (Nov 26), which says that there are extremely disturbing reports of moves to oust the chief of the highly-respected CPLC and to replace him with a former colleague.
There are very good reasons for Jameel Yusuf, chief of the Citizen Police Liaison Committee, to be highly respected. We, as the citizens of Karachi, rich and poor alike, owe gratitude to Mr Yusuf for his dedication, professionalism and commitment to maintaining law and order in the city. Without him, our city would have been burning with the scourge of kidnappings for ransom. Karachi would have been a city unbearable and totally unsafe for us and for our children to live in.
I have been a beneficiary of Mr Yusuf’s intervention in the kidnapping-for-ransom case of my seven-year-old nephew. I am witness to the fact that, without charging us a single penny, he put his entire time in his efforts at recovering the child safe.
We will always owe him our deepest gratitude for something which was not his duty and which he did with such immaculate planning, care and precision that puts to shame the supposedly-trained police and other law-enforcement agencies.
Now, about his former colleague. Everyone has a right to express his differences with Mr Yusuf. But for his former colleague, Nazim Haji, to intrigue with the ‘master intriguer’ in the Governor House for personal ambitions and personal gains, totally ignoring what is good for the city, is despicable and most unfortunate, to say the least.
To the overwhelming mandate of the 11 members of the CPLC, please add the mandate of the vast majority of Karachiites, who want the CPLC not to fall victim to intrigues. The city people wish to strengthen it by strengthening the hands of Mr Yusuf.
SAMI MUSTAFA
Karachi
THIS is with reference to Rafi Ahmad’s letter, “Islam in Arab Countries” (Nov 25).
Islamic laws are based on what is in the holy Quran and Sunnat, not on what other people do or what is practised in Arab countries.
In our country, even with all our problems, we can still say things against the government. Our newspapers can still publish almost whatever they want but in the countries, whose names Mr Ahmad has mentioned in his letter almost everything is government-controlled and many people, who want to speak out against corruption and un-Islamic customs, are unable to do so.
A READER
Detroit, USA
PRESS gallery is a vital component of parliament. It is a link between legislators and their constituencies, as the coverage of the proceedings of day-to-day sessions of parliament helps the electorate keep a watch on legislators’ performance. Indeed, parliament would be reduced to a debating society without a press gallery.
The public relations department of parliament should ensure fair and objective coverage of the sessions of parliament by competent and experienced media representatives.
In order to achieve this objective, exclusive accreditation for the media may be necessary so that the press gallery is not packed by spectators in the garb of journalists.
SYED AFZAL HUSAIN ZAIDI
Islamabad
THE roots of indigenous art are deeply ingrained in our culture. Logically, a learner is expected to become skilled at originals before amalgamating knowledge with strange traditions. Any other approach would create a bewildered generation groping in the darkness.
A lobby, active in our society, wants this uncertainty to prevail, and encourages vulgarism in the guise of liberalism.
Certain groups are promoting European modernism (which virtually borders on absurdity) in many ways but the misuse of art for this purpose is incredibly cruel.
An instance of such a misuse was a lecture delivered a few days ago at the Central Institute of Arts and Crafts (Arts Council, Karachi) by a Westernized woman of Pakistani origin.
She introduced herself to teenaged girls as a ‘political artist’; she must have meant propagandist because art and politics are two different things. Propaganda loses its value with time.
This propagandist abused Muslims (specially the Taliban) for mistreating women.
Although art is superior to the confines of time and space, students must commence by identifying self and then the surroundings.
Bypassing this path our institutions are making students representatives of others at a time when nations the world over are trying to ascertain their individuality.
M. M. ALAM
Karachi
THE Pakistan Telecommunications Company (PTCL) deducts a fixed amount of Rs100 as withholding tax and sales tax at the rate of 15 per cent. The sales tax is supposed to be deducted on the charges incurred for the calls made.
In addition to the sales tax on the charges for the calls made, PTCL deducts sales tax on other heads, such as line rent. If anything, it is the PTCL that should deposit sales tax to the government treasury for the amount collected from clients under this head, instead of taxing the customers. After all the line rent charges stay with the PTCL, for which it should pay the sales tax.
For my 635 local calls, Rs1,276.35 was charged, but the total, with unjustified charges like the one mentioned above, was made to shoot up to Rs2,600.
AMIR ALI ESMAIL
Karachi
SHAHID Javed Burki’s latest marathon piece on the economic fate of Pakistan (Nov 25) may or may not tell us much about what is going to happen to us, but it does tell us something about the writer; his use of the first person singular 29 times, give or take a few, my counting ability not being my strong suit.
KAHLID HASAN
Washington DC, USA
BEING a professional navigator, I am a member of the small but neglected community of seafarers who have been bringing home millions of dollars in foreign exchange and silently, but, steadily, contributing to Pakistan’s economy.
However, after the Sept 11 attacks in the US, visa restrictions and immigration clearance for Pakistani seafarers have become stricter in many countries. As a result of this, ships having Pakistanis in their crew are often held up at various ports for long periods, causing financial losses to the shipowners. Consequently, highly professional and respected Pakistani seafarers are becoming a “burden” on shipowners and many of us have seen the axe and are becoming unemployed.
It is saddening to see that Pakistan cannot influence even a tiny state like Singapore where we have to face stringent immigration laws. Whereas, seafarers from other countries, including India and Bangladesh, just walk out through the turnstile as they do not require any visa.
Our foreign office, in collaboration with the ministry of communications, should intervene and act to protect the seafarers from this new visa regime before the small seafarers’ community becomes extinct.
K. K. NIAZI
Karachi
I WAS surprised to note that no space is reserved for parking for handicapped persons even in prestigious hotels.
I request the managements of all hotels, restaurants, commercial establishments and mosques to provide the handicapped with parking facility at the most convenient points, nearest to the entrance.
I urge the government to make suitable rules in this respect and not to permit any future construction without the provision of such a facility.
LT-COL (R) ZAHEERUDDIN KHAN
Islamabad
THE Muttahida Qaumi Movement’s re-entry into the formerly Haqiqi-held ‘no-go’ areas may be interpreted as a decisive reversal of fortunes.
The party’s long-time insistence on ‘liberating’ these areas has always been valid as an end. The use of military coercion towards this end, however, confronts us with the spectre of means.
The Muttahida’s desire to return violently evicted resident-workers to these areas is certainly justified. Equally justified is its wish to re-link with its poorer constituencies and improve their access to the party, the government and the municipal services.
Whatever the goals, the matter should have been taken up deliberatively with the Haqiqi in the assemblies and court of law.
Historically, non-transparent (army-sponsored) attempts to create or reclaim ‘no-go’ areas legitimize territorial control as an end. A testament to militarism’s limiting effect on political imagination, it is widely believed that only the army could undo these areas.
Quite obviously, these areas represent the army’s political ‘chips’ in Karachi and, as the current debate over Sindh’s next chief minister indicates, the Muttahida has cashed in on its deal with the army. It has made territory its end.
Somewhat understandably, the democratic objectives behind access to these areas get lost along the way. This is not for any lack of political or democratic sense on the part of the either party. As was the case with the previous operations, these everyday political objectives become eclipsed by the army’s violation of human, political and civil rights of the workers.
If the Muttahida is to have a democratic future in these areas, it must cease to rely on the army’s extra-constitutional force, and assert its coalition authority towards further access.
ZAFAR IMDAD
San Francisco, USA
I WAS kind of disappointed to read the editorial, ‘Factional fighting’ (Nov 24). However, I share your concern about future infighting between the Muttahida Qaumi Movement and the Mohajir Qaumi Movement (Haqiqi) if this issue of the so-called “no-go areas” is not sorted out at the earliest.
The editorial has rightly said that it is very clear that it all happened because of the Muttahida’s support to the PML(Q). But it is unfortunate that it has condemned the Haqiqi’s political stand by claiming that the party is being supported by intelligence agencies, a Muttahida’s rhetoric.
The fact is that the Muttahida is responsible for most of the MQM’s miseries. In short, it was this party’s top leadership who never liked disagreement in the party lines and got innocent workers and local leadership killed when the latter opposed the idea of renaming the party as Muttahida Qaumi Movement in early 1990s.
Now as the Muttahida is itself using the army and the rangers for reclaiming the same areas and trying to control them against the will of the people in those localities, it can safely be said that whatever support the Haqiqi took from the army, it was logical at that time.
No one has any right to stop others from entering any street anywhere in Pakistan. I suggest that all illegal offices, belonging to any party, be vacated, and there be a ban on flying any party flags anywhere in the city, so that there is no apparent conflict.
No political worker or activist should be allowed to open an office unless the authorities concerned are convinced that he abides by the law and is a responsible citizen. Leaders should be condemned when they use threatening language.
SYED RIZVI
St. Louis, USA
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