| December 16, 2002 | Monday | Shawwal 11, 1423 |
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Development funds for lawmakers
Educational network
Friday as weekly holiday
Failure of democracy
Unity among Muslims
Plight of senior citizens
PTCL apathy
Infectious currency notes
Computer lessons on TV
Nadra’s poor performance
Gujarat polls and India’s future
LBW decisions
Direct flights
Banks’ non-performing loans
Having remained enslaved for two centuries in the British India, we have learnt English proverbs, which are mostly alien to Eastern traditions. For instance, a dog is as beloved as horse in Europe, an owl is regarded there to be a philosopher- a bird full of wisdom— whereas in the East, dogs are detested, horses nourished and an owl is regarded as idiot and a symbol of misfortune.
Auditors, a product of western traditions, from the year 1600, carrying on international mercantile operations, are loved like ‘grey hounds’ for smelling out the truth rather for looking it. Their very job indeed is to detect and unearth embezzlements, misappropriations and squandering of funds of shareholders done by boards of directors and others who enjoy fiduciary positions.
It could be in this sense that Syed Aftab Haider, may have given the title to his article relying on the time-honoured dictum, popular in the East and the West alike saying, “barking dogs seldom bite”. Auditors, unlike dogs, do not bark, instead, like grey hounds, bite, and this is really their job.
Let the colleagues of Syed Aftab not take offence for the language he had used and instead take care of the ‘Team of 14’ (Dawn dated: 21/03/2002) who are being investigated for breach of confidence reposed in them by their employers.
PROF. MASOOD AHMED ABBASI
Karachi
THE information minister has stated that every MNA will be provided with Rs10 million a year for development schemes in their respective areas. Let us bury the past and start afresh.
The common man would now expect the MNAs to spend this money in accordance with the needs and priorities of the people.
Almost every locality has the problem of overflowing sewage. Then there are garbage dumps everywhere and smoke-emitting vehicles on every road. The amount allocated to the legislators should be sufficient to take care of these problems. Of course, the bigger development projects should be financed by the federal government.
The National Accountability Bureau should keep a watch on the MNAs to ensure that the money is not pocketed by them, nor is it spent in such a way as to benefit the MNAs only. If we cannot take up such a course, I am afraid we shall remain as we are even after the completion of this assembly’s tenure.
IMTIAZ FAROOQ QURESHI
Karachi
THE Punjab government has decided to give a grant of Rs10 million to every MPA for carrying out development projects in his\her constituency. These projects would include electrification, construction of roads, setting up of schools and dispensaries.
In the past, too, MPAs had been sanctioned big amounts for carrying out development work but most of the allocated funds were misappropriated by them.
It is, therefore, suggested that all development works should be financed in the usual manner instead of through lumpsum grants to the MPAs.
The MPAs should be tasked with monitoring these projects and ensuring their proper execution and completion on time.
If this course is adopted, the taxpayers’ money would be utilized judiciously and the chances of corruption would be minimized.
BILAL HASSAN
Okara
THE launching of the Pakistan Educational Network (PEN) by President Gen Pervez Musharraf is indeed the first step towards our citizens becoming global citizens and part of the international knowledge network of the 21st century.
The conceptualization of this network is an acknowledgement of the years of relentless efforts and behind-the-scenes assistance provided by Pakistani professionals on a voluntary basis, specially the expatriates working in the US on such networks.
This network envisions linking public and private universities and, if implemented on scientific lines, will lead to a sustainable development of the country.
It is expected that the educational network, being a non-commercial entity, would not be made yet another business venture like the software development and IT training ventures, executed by the Pakistan Software Export Board, where the services of the managing-director had to be terminated to save the ministry of science and technology from embarrassment.
Similarly, COMSATS was assigned the task of managing IT training activities all over the country without adopting the standard procedure for awarding work. Huge public funds have been wasted for a few socio-economic benefits to society. This needs investigation by an independent, high-powered commission to guide future development and establish transparency.
Such a network is new to Pakistan and we need personnel who have the expertise in running such educational networks. These personnel are working outside the country and have to be identified and, if necessary, invited to Pakistan to manage it so that we run it on professional lines.
AFTAB MUHAMMAD KHAN
Karachi
THIS refers to the debate going on in these columns about the weekly holiday. It is a pity that, even after 55 years of independence, we, as a nation, have not decided yet such insignificant matters as the weekly holiday, let alone serious national issues and the foreign policy.
Sunday had been the weekly holiday from 1947 till 1977 when Friday was made the weekly holiday just to please certain religious elements. About four years back, we reverted to Sunday as weekly holiday for reasons best known to the then government. Once again a debate is going on whether or not Friday should be the weekly holiday.
I, like many Pakistanis, wonder what message we are conveying to the international community by showing inconsistency in our policies even on such small issues as the weekly holiday.
What we gain or lose by observing Friday or Sunday the weekly holiday is not the question. We must think in a broader prospective, and show some sense of responsibility and maturity in making policies and should not let the world laugh at us.
It is time we pondered over serious matters like improving our economy and maintaining law and order in the country.
AAMIR AQIL
Lahore
THE best solution is that Friday should be declared as a half-working day. In the good old days when the federal government functioned at Karachi, this was the practice.
On Friday, the office hours were from 9am to 12 noon. People found it convenient to say their Friday prayers after leaving the office.
Such an arrangement should satisfy both the groups — those who want Friday to be the weekly holiday to offer prayers and those who fret over their international business links.
S. SIBTUL HASAN HAZEEN
Karachi
THIS refers to Dr Inayatullah’s article “From direct to indirect military rule” (Dec 10). He is right to some extent but he has only blamed the military establishment for controlling democracy and not those politicians who have looted and plundered the country in the last 55 years.
The letter-writer refers to Nawaz Sharif’s initiative to improve relations with India and settle the Kashmir dispute, his boldness in removing COAS Jehangir Karamat and in dismissing COAS Musharraf. But he does not mention the attack on the Supreme Court in 1997 carried out on the instructions of Nawaz Sharif.
The Shariat Bill was actually passed to enhance the personal authority of the prime minister rather than enforce Shariat in the country. Frankly speaking, Mr Sharif was probably the worst leader Pakistan has ever had.
Compared to him, President Musharraf has proved himself to be an immensely capable leader. He had given complete freedom to the press and has handled the economy and foreign policy well, specially after the 9/11 attacks.
The failure of democracy lies with the politicians and not with the military because they are the ones who make a mess of things allowing the military to step in to clear it.
MUZAMMIL
Karachi
IRAQ has oil reserves of over 112 billion barrels, second only to that of Saudi Arabia and constituting 11 per cent of the world’s total reserves. This is why the Bush administration seems to have planned to invade Iraq and install a client regime in Baghdad, in spite of the fact that Iraq is not involved in the 9/11 incidents, nor is there evidence that Iraq possesses weapons of mass destruction.
American invasion of Iraq would help the USA control the its oil. This action, if taken, would also serve as a warning to Saudi Arabia and other Arab oil-producing countries against formulating such foreign policies as would harm the American interests, specially in the Middle East.
There is no doubt that the West is trying to portray Islam and terrorism as one and the same thing. Why cannot the Muslim countries unite under a defence or economic treaty to protect their territories and economies instead of depending on the West?
The leadership of Muslim countries needs to realize this fact without losing more time. Let us act before it is too late.
S.A. KHOKHAR
Lahore
THE withholding tax at 10 per cent return is not levied when deposits in the national savings schemes do not exceed Rs150,000. The deposit of Rs150,000 at 10.3 per cent earns an income of Rs15,450 per annum, which is exempted from tax for senior citizens, whereas the exempted income per annum of salaried persons is Rs80,000.
It is not understood why the senior citizens are treated in such a way that their exempted income is only Rs15,450 per annum.
Here is a glaring disparity in the withholding tax structure:
Particulars Withholding
Tax
Supply of rice, cotton, edible oil, etc. 1 per cent
Export of cotton yarn 1.25 per cent
Transport services 2 per cent
Supply of goods 3.50 per cent
Brokerage, commission and contracts 5 per cent
Rent income 7.50 per cent
Savings certificates, mostly purchased by senior citizens 10 per cent
The finance ministry is requested to look into the matter sympathetically to meet the ends of justice and equality and remove the cause of grievances of the elderly citizens.
FARRUKH M. S. TABBA
Karachi
I AM a widow and one of my sons has been working in the PTCL for 19 years. I reside in H-50, PTCL Colony, CTO Compound, Karachi, with my six children. This quarter was allotted in the name of my son on Sept 30, 1988, and the rent is deducted every month from his salary.
The quarter is in a state of disrepair because of lack of maintenance. The roof is in bad shape and the wall plaster is peeling off.
I have appealed to the people concerned several times to do the needful but nothing has been done yet. I once again request the PTCL high-ups to take necessary action in this regard.
WIDOW OF A. HAFEEZ KHAN
Karachi
HANDLING currency notes is a health hazard, according to a study (Dec 10) conducted by the microbiology department of the University of Karachi.
The test conducted under electron microscopes at the centre confirmed the presence of pathogenic micro-organisms in soiled currency notes. These pathogenic micro-organisms could lead to serious ailments, including diarrhoea and infections of the urinary tract and skin.
However, this should not come as a surprise. Damaged notes, often kept intact through scotch -tape surgery, carry stains of Paan or ballpoint pen’s writing on them. Some even have the Quaid-i-Azam’s image defaced. This, of course, indicates the civic sense of our countrymen.
It is hoped that the State Bank of Pakistan would realize the gravity of the situation and take necessary steps to redress the problem. We must get rid of old currency notes.
DR ALFRED CHARLES
Karachi
THESE days a number of Pakistani television channels are available and viewers are enjoying very informative programmes on a wide range of subjects.
Although we are living in the computer age in which computer has become a necessity of life, none of these channels presents a programme on learning computer. Some Indian television channels are airing such programmes regularly, hence the boom in the computer industry in that country.
Computer lessons on television would benefit those who are either unable to afford fees or do not have enough time to take up a course at an institution. Such lessons would also create interest in computer education among our children.
I hope our television channels would pay attention to this suggestion.
M. MUMTAZ KHAN
Karachi
I APPLIED for computerized NICs for my family members (receipts 105019 and 105020) on July 14 with delivery date of Sept 14, 2000 but, after a long wait, I came to know from newspapers that Nadra had lost all the record submitted during that period. Nobody from the responsible quarters has asked Nadra why this happened.
I applied again for NICs (receipts 2668397/2668398/ 2661559) on June 6, 2002. The cards have not been delivered to us even after the lapse of more than five months. Furthermore, printing the voters’ lists, Nadra omitted my and my wife’s names from the list while my son’s name was there. This was when I went to cast my vote during the latest elections.
May I request NAB to probe into these extraordinary delays in the delivery of NICs and omissions of names from the lists of voters, and take those responsible to task. I have lost all hope in Nadra’s working.
MUHAMMAD HAFEEZ BUTT
Lahore
WHY do people keep repeating that the outcome of the Gujarat polls will determine the future of India?
If ignorant and emotional people are asked to choose between two equally incompetent parties, it will not make much difference whatever is the outcome of such an election is. People who do not find the tactics of Congress any better than BJP’s may end up choosing anything out of frustration.
When Gujarat was burning, how did it affect the rest of India? Well, not a single sane person in other states ever approved of what happened there. Full sympathies were there for the innocent victims whether burnt alive on the train or brutally killed later by the retaliating mobs.
The riots in Gujarat did not spread to other states of India as had earlier been feared. So, don’t let the polls be a measuring tape for India’s future.
ALKA GIRDHAR
Sydney, Australia
DECISIONS to declare a batsman run out are now usually made by the third umpire with the help of TV replays, while decisions on LBW are still taken by the field umpires.
Controversies emerge whenever an umpire declares a batsman LBW and TV replays show that it is not so, or the batsman could be given the benefit of the doubt. Many umpires have suffered a lot on this account. In the final analysis, the game of cricket is the loser.
I have a suggestion that can improve the situation to a great extent. The ICC should adopt a rule/law that all pitches should have three parallel lines drawn on it from wicket to wicket, just like the ones shown on TV replays.
If approved, this rule will not only help umpires make better decisions, but also help bowlers to improve their line and length. Batsmen, too, could defend the wicket. On the whole, the game of cricket will be the gainer.
NIZAM A. KHAN
Karachi
UNDER the heading, ‘Beware, the ‘T’ word can land you in jail’ (Dec 13), Masood Haider wrote that “although their choice of carriers is
still Pakistan International which has direct flights which take only 16 hours to get to destinations in Pakistan (if there are no technical delays), they find that there are no seats in the national carrier, so they switch to other airlines which take as long as 24 hours with two plane changes at least”.
Mr Haider generalized all airlines and we would like to clarify that passengers travelling via Cathay Pacific from New York-San Francisco\Los Angeles do not need to switch two aircraft, but only one at Hong Kong.
NYLA QAYOOM
Marketing & PR Coordinator, Cathay Pacific Airways,
Karachi
THIS refers to Dr Ishrat Hussain’s article (Oct 21-22) as well as Syed Iqbal Ahmed’s letter (Nov 13) with reference to the article.
I would like to share my long experience in providing loans to industries as a consultant and also as a social worker attached to the world-renowned Orangi Pilot Project (OPP).
That there have been massive defaults on bank loans, mostly during the last 12 years or so, is bad enough. But what is worse is that it has often been interpreted to mean that a very large section of the Pakistani businessmen is defaulter or, in other words, dishonest. This would be an extremely misleading impression.
I can say from experience that, at the national level, default rate is extremely low, almost negligible. In the OPP, which pioneered loaning to small enterprises in mid-1980s, the default rate has been about 3.6 per cent. In the case of foreign leasing company’s Pakistan operations, leasing to small and medium enterprises is even lower.
In Pakistan, 70 to 80 per cent goods and services are provided by small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and a few of them have access to loans from organized institutions like the OPP and leasing companies. Even fewer such enterprises have access to commercial banks. Most of them depend upon usurious money lenders.
Those very few SMEs which obtain loans from banks default mostly when banks refuse to back up their investment loans with adequate working capital loans.
In one case, for example, about 70 per cent of the requisite working capital was sanctioned by a bank but the amount for interest accrued on investment loan for the period of construction was deducted before disbursement to the loanee. It reduced the amount of working capital loan to 35 per cent of what was actually required. Naturally, the industry could not work smoothly due to the shortage of working capital.
Clearly, banking staff dealing with loaning for setting up and operating an industry, lack adequate knowledge about how industries work. So, what is needed is a proper training of the staff in the operation of industries as well as in the appraisal of feasibility reports.
The majority of bank loan defaulters have political clout and are granted loans without a serious appraisal of their highly-manipulated feasibility reports.
GHULAM KIBRIA
Karachi
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