| December 4, 2002 | Wednesday | Ramazan 28,1423 |
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‘Rocking the CPLC boat’
Education, the first priority
Respect for human life
Extension in service by president
Pakistani ‘suspects’ or scapegoats?
Commission on Sept 11 incidents
‘Down with US’: why?
Advice to car owners
Harsh truth
Earthquakes in N. Areas
Once again...
‘Window-dressing’: PIA rejoinder
Islamabad
GOVERNMENT formation in Sindh has taken too much time. Power has been transferred in the Centre and in the three provinces. But Sindh is still without an elected government. The assembly was not even called to session. If the assembly had met, the newly-elected members could at least have taken the oath, and the government formation then could have taken place later.
Once again, the issue revolves around the province’s two major parties, the PPP and the Muttahida Qaumi Movement. The PPP is the largest party, followed by the MQM. Between them, they command a majority. But unfortunately their past experience in running a coalition government has been bitter.
The MQM failed to work in a coalition not only with the Pakistan People’s Party but also twice with Nawaz Sharif’s party in Sindh. I regret to say, as an Urdu-speaking Sindhi, that the MQM not only destroys itself; it also destroys its coalition partner. My word to the PPP high command is to stay clear of the MQM this time.
Does this mean the PPP should form a government in alliance with the MMA and other smaller parties? No. If the PPP forms a government by keeping the MQM out, such a government will be without urban representation. Such a government will not last, and the MQM will continue to create trouble. MQM chief Altaf Hussain has already warned of “damadam mast qalandar” after Ramazan.
My advice to the PPP is to sit on the opposition benches. Let the MMA and the MQM and other small parties like the PML-F, the Sindh Alliance and the independents form Sindh’s government. Then the PPP should watch fun. Such a government will never last.
The MQM has no agenda for Sindh’s economic development. Their sole concern has always been their excessive demands for the release of hundreds of MQM suspects. All of them are involved in murders, bank robberies and other heinous crimes. No government would like to release them.
Let this issue be resolved between the MQM and its coalition partners. Therefore, the PPP should not get blamed for what is to follow — “wheel-jam” strikes and violence on a big scale.
Sitting on the opposition benches will help the PPP in the long run. I would request Nisar Khuhro, Amin Fahim and Benazir Bhutto to look at this question realistically.
YASIN RIZWAN
Karachi
THE editorial, ‘Rocking the CPLC boat’ (Nov 26), lauds the good work of the Citizen Police Liaison Committee which has been operating in Karachi for 13 long years with Jameel Yusuf at the helm. No one would question his services in curbing the bane of kidnapping for ransom in the city, though some questions have been raised about the methods adopted. But can one say the same about the crime of car-lifting which appears to have been on the rise over the years?
What is surprising is that the editorial has failed to take note of another important issue which is pertinent to this case as to many other cases in Pakistan.
This has been pointed out by Tariq Jamil in his letter (Nov 29). It is the question of tenure and the change of leadership in the CPLC or for that matter in any organization. It is strange that when the CPLC was set up, no tenure was specified for the chief. This should have occurred to Fakhruddin Ebrahim, a constitutional lawyer, and under whom the committee was set up.
But then should one be surprised? This is a very typical tradition in Pakistan. Why don’t leaders bow out gracefully after they have done a good job? Why can’t we have a system of smooth transition of power in every institution? Thirteen years is a long innings for one man. Isn’t it time for a change?
JAVED HABIB
Karachi
IT WAS shocking to read in the editorial, ‘Rocking the CPLC boat’ (Nov 26), that CPLC chief Jameel Yusuf is being relieved of his duty.
In Karachi, there are only a few institutions which exhibit good governance and are delivering goods to the people. Among them the CPLC is the best. I wonder why the government wants to replace its chief, who has been running the organization successfully.
It is the CPLC that has effectively checked the growing incidence of kidnappings in the city. Keeping in view his performance, Mr Yusuf should be given the charge of the interior ministry rather than removing him from the CPCL.
Will the authorities concerned let us know as to why they are considering removing Mr Yusuf?
S. JAMEEL HUSSAIN
Karachi
THE order of priority for development for Pakistan, as stated by the Quaid-i-Azam in one of his speeches, should be education, economy and defence. But our history shows that no government has ever paid due attention to education. No wonder that its share in annual budgets has always been very small.
In today’s fast-changing world, education is of the utmost importance because it is through it that we can get access to all the latest developments and advancements.
The new democratic government, with Mir Zafarullah Jamali as prime minister and Zubaida Jalal as education minister, should realize that education is the linchpin of all development.
The government should not make such policies as would deprive the middle and lower-middle classes of their right to education. It should not be handed over to the private sector whose first priority is always to earn high profits.
Let us hope that the new regime would make concerted efforts to improve the literacy rate and the standard of education by increasing the allocation of budget for education.
MUHAMMAD NADEEM ANWAR
Lahore
IT seems that the US has its own definition of terrorism. The rolling down of Israel’s tanks into Palestinian territory, killing innocent people and demolishing houses are acceptable to President Bush, who is waging war against terrorism in the name of democracy, justice and free world.
Human life is sacred, whether it is that of a Palestinian or an American. If we fail to treat human beings alike, I have no hesitation in saying that, despite the technological progress, we as human beings have not progressed.
There is no denying the fact that the 9/11 attacks were the ugliest acts ever committed in the modern world, but are those innocent children who are being killed by US bombings in Afghanistan and by Israel in Palestine not worth mentioning?
We need to think how to become better human beings. We need more sociologists and reformers than nuclear engineers. We do not only need to save the Americans or the Jews but the whole human race. Let us save the world. Let us pledge to respect human life. Let us put an end to atrocities.
SYED ZAWWAR HUSSAIN KAZMI
Islamabad
THERE has been a spate of extensions in service granted by the president to top civil bureaucrats. These extensions beyond the age of superannuation are uncalled-for in a country which is riddled with the menace of unemployment.
Such uncalled-for extensions in service will aggravate the problem of human resource development and make educated and qualified professionals look for better opportunities in foreign countries.
Such extensions affect the carriers of those qualified professionals who, in spite of financial losses, have chosen to serve their motherland, instead of migrating to the West.
What makes these extensions all the more unjustified is the fact that they have been granted after Oct 12, when the general election had already been held and a new civilian government was to take over the executive control.
The president is on record as having stated that the new prime minister would have all the powers of the chief executive. His step is, however, an infringement of the authority of the prime minister.
Those granted extensions include top civil servants of the stature of federal secretary, whose term is due to expire in April 2003.
It is suggested that the extensions in service be withdrawn by the president. Otherwise, one can presume that the prime minister is not competent to take even such routine decisions.
The president may recall that when he took over power, he made it explicitly clear that nobody would be granted extensions beyond the age of superannuation. Yet he has granted extensions in service to those who are beyond 65 years of age and who, during their tenure in regular service, were involved in financial irregularities.
SALEEM TAHIR
Lahore
NOW the Kenyans have found six Pakistani “suspects”. Earlier, Egyptians had arrested a Pakistani medical student at Cairo airport, simply to hide their own inefficiency in handling transit passengers.
There was a bomb blast in Bali and the next thing we came to know was that “Pakistani suspects” had been arrested. Mali had the audacity to arrest all Pakistanis in
that country as “suspects”. Wherever anything goes amiss, Pakistanis become scapegoats.
Even in our own country at Karachi airport, Pakistanis remain an all-time favourite game at the hands of the FIA’s “James Bonds”.
We must be photographed and asked silly questions. This is how Pakistanis are destined to live and die while our government sleeps with satisfaction at its contribution towards the war on terrorism.
Who will take care of Pakistanis? Will the concerned authorities let us know?
A. S. NIZAMANI
Malaysia
IT is a welcome move that the US president has approved the setting up of a commission to investigate the Sept 11 incidents (Nov 28).
Since the Arabs and other Muslims, too, are now being humiliated on account of the happenings of Sept 11, it is suggested that this commission include sizable Arab and Muslim representation, comprising professionally-qualified experts.
Also, the commission should be asked to pinpoint who really were or are responsible for this incident which has brought so much misery to the civilized world, specially the Arabs and the Muslims.
Apparently, it seems to be the result of a well-planned conspiracy against these nations, hatched by some ‘hidden hand’.
FARAKH MALIK
Karachi
I FULLY agree with Khalil Suhail (Nov 30) that we should not say, “Down with US”. Instead of being provoked, if we think realistically and analyse facts, we will come to know that we have got more serious problems to tackle than to declare war on the US.
Pakistan is an underdeveloped country with scarce resources. There is lack of proper food, shelter and sanitation, and an alarmingly increasing population with a rising rate of unemployment and infant mortality. Also, the per capita income in our county is insufficient.
Above all, lack of education and awareness about their rights has landed Pakistan in the bloc of countries where the worst violations of human rights occur, such as child labour, bonded labour, underage marriages, honour killings and rape.
What we need at this hour is foreign investment to improve the economy. We should work together with international organizations to provide better health and education facilities to our people. We need not indulge in issues that are not of prior concern to Pakistan at this moment.
The bottom line is that Pakistan should make use of the friendship and assistance of the US and the West, instead of bashing them. For better future of Pakistan, I would even go to the extent of saying that we should solve our disputes with India as well to make South Asia a safer place to live in. We should put “Pakistan first”.
SAKINA QAMAR
Karachi
BARRING a few exceptions, all other car service stations use kerosene and diesel for different purposes in the process of car washing/servicing in Pakistan.
Kerosene and diesel are injurious to health of the workers exposed to their vapours. Such workers start complaining of pain after about 10-15 years under exposure. It has also been reported, in some sensitive cases, that such exposure of vapours produced rashes on exposed parts of the body in a matter of about six months. These compounds are rated to be carcinogens and are hazardous for human health. Their use also makes the working place dangerously slippery.
This combination of kerosene and diesel when used on engine wiring turns the original rubber insulation hard and brittle, sometimes resulting in cracks. This causes irreparable damage by shortening their life and the life of the engine, which in turn results in abnormal and unnecessary depreciation and untimely loss of money in the vehicle’s worth.
Further surf or washing soda is harmful to the car’s paint. They are caustic with pH up to 10.5. Their use gradually fades the colour and, being corrosive, erode’s the metal, causing rusting. So, it is in the interest of car owners to take note of these facts.
DR S. ASAD MAQSOOD ALI
Karachi
THE article, “Focus on economic reforms” by Sultan Ahmed tells us of the harsh reality that India is the second fastest growing economy. It has also been mentioned in the article that China got the lion’s share in foreign investment ($45 billion) and next is India with $4.4 billion.
Everybody knows that who is to be blamed. On top are our politicians who, one after the other, not only plundered the wealth of the country but also created conditions which were not conducive to progress and foreign investment.
Now that a new regime has taken over, let us hope for the best.
DR G. M. AWAN
Karachi
THE location of Northern Areas is in a region that is prone to earthquakes. It is time the government devised an action plan to minimize further damage to houses by adopting better construction techniques and by selecting better sites for villages.
Recurrence of such incidents is likely and demands positioning of rescue and rehabilitation resources at key points in advance. Since the responsibility of rescue effort invariably falls on the army, the inventory may be entrusted to it. Mustering of required number and type of helicopters often takes time. The army aviation corps needs to be equipped with a permanent rescue squadron based at Gilgit.
The test of our success would be that not a single soul has to sleep on the night after such a disaster without a shelter and a blanket, or with empty stomach.
FAROUQ LODHI
Islamabad
THIS is with reference to the letter, “Once again...” (Nov 28), by Dr Sarosh Naeem.
It is not the common man who is being ignored once again, but the common man himself has ignored his power of “right to vote” — the power by which he could select any person of his choice.
So, once again, the sheep have elected the wolves to guard them.
It is better to look at one’s own defects before pointing the finger at others.
RIAZ RAHOOJO
Islamabad
THE national flag-carrier, PIA, has been pulled out from the state of liquidation 18 months ago to the level of acquisition of new state-of-the-art aircraft. This remarkable feat in a record time is unbelievable for both its critics and those who reduced it to the stage of bankruptcy.
The write-up, ‘Window-dressing may not help PIA’ (Nov 25), by a special correspondent is an attempt to belittle the success of PIA by commenting on the fleet replacement plan and financial turn-around without verifying the facts.
His terming the bonus announced for all PIA employees after 10 years a ploy to justify loan from the Exim Bank is simplistic.
He should have known that institutions like Citibank, Exim Bank and the IDB go by the book and follow a rigorous and independent procedure for providing their sanctions.
PIA is no exception. Its financial status had been evaluated and confirmed by them in accordance with their procedure before according approval to the financing for the purchase of new B-777s.
The project cost for the induction of eight aircraft of 777 family is $1.5 billion and not two billion dollars as given by the special correspondent. The purchase is based on a comprehensive business plan (2003-11), which covers, in detail, financial, operational and marketing aspects and setting the strategic and competitive direction for the airline for the next decade.
This is not a one-time induction as portrayed by him; rather the induction plan fully conforms with the phasing out plan which would retire two B-747-200 in 2004, two Combis in 2006 and three B-747-300 in 2008.
In order to improve the current fleet average age, which is 23 years and keeps PIA comparable to other leading regional airlines, it is an inescapable requirement that the fleet renewal plan is implemented without any further delay. The last new type of aircraft was inducted in 1991, and PIA was losing its market share due to poor product.
The special correspondent does not realize that the new purchase will not bring in additional capacity. It will only upgrade the existing capacity in line with the future requirements of the national carrier as new destinations in North America, Africa and the Middle East would be introduced during 2003-11.
As far as the purchase of airplanes from Cathy Pacific is concerned, these were already in use of PIA on lease and the purchase option was used because it was more economical than continuation of the lease.
It has taken almost eight months to accomplish the task of final signing-in of the purchase agreement of 777s. The Pakistan government consented to the plan after closely monitoring the performance of the airline during the current financial year and ensuring that the current level of profitability will be sustained, enabling the PIA to repay all its loans without the need for further financial assistance.
BASHIR AHMED
Assistant Manager
Public Relations,PIA,
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