| January 5, 2003 | Sunday | Ziqa’ad 1, 1423 |
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Normalizing Indo-Pakistan ties
Facts about India’s economy
Overhead bridges
Paying tribute to Dr Hamidullah
Rebuilding Afghanistan
JPMC doctors’ strike
Vote of confidence
Numaish roundabout
Poor health care for the poor
CSS: plight of qualified candidates
ONE fails to understand what the leaders of the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal hope to achieve by their anti-Americanism. If the aim last year was to win elections, then that they have done eminently well. My congratulations! But now that they are in power in at least one province, it is time they showed some responsibility.
The end of the Taliban regime is a fact. There is nothing anyone can do about it. The issue is Pakistan, Pakistan and Pakistan.
Do we stand to gain anything by annoying Americans? Besides, is it in Pakistan’s interest to annoy any nation? Given the state of our economy and the security situation with India, we need friends. Why should we then give enemy status to the US?
The post-9/11 alliance with the US has ended Pakistan’s diplomatic isolation. There have been handsome economic gains, and the threat of default is behind us. Relatively speaking, the economy is doing well, and foreign exchange reserves have reached an all-time high. We need to maintain this momentum by building up on the friendly relations with the European Community, Japan and the United States.
There is also a great need for Pakistan to improve relations with Russia, which is an important player on the world scene. Relations with China remain excellent, and the ties with Iran are normal. We should proceed in this fashion.
I would like to ask the MMA leaders: what right do you have to pursue a private foreign policy and stab Pakistan in the back? Foreign policy, under the Constitution, is the responsibility of the federal government. No provincial government should meddle in foreign affairs, whatever an individual leader’s private opinion on a given issue. By spreading hatred against America, they are merely creating problems for Pakistan itself.
Mercifully, the vast majority of Pakistanis have no feelings of hostility towards America. We need American friendship, technology and arms. This is in Pakistan’s interest. Do not the MMA leaders realize India wants nothing more than to see a deterioration in US-Pakistan relations?
By working for destroying US-Pakistan relations, the MMA leaders are indirectly working for the Indian lobby. I appeal to the MMA leaders to rise above ethnicity and party loyalties and work for Pakistan’s — and not for India’s — interests.
Friendly relations with America and China are in Pakistan’s vital interests.
YASIN RIZWAN
Karachi
THIS refers to Shamim Mirza’s letter (Jan1).
When Mr Mirza writes, “I hope the US invades Iraq, overthrows Saddam Hussein and Iraq becomes a model of democracy thereafter in the Arab world”, it smacks of a vacuous praise for US imperialism. Indeed, sitting in the proverbial heart of the beast, the arbiters of US imperialist interests could not have hoped for a better apology for its actions.
Mr Mirza represents the school of thought which believes that “imperialism is better than fascism”. Indeed, he is in an enviable company. The so-called intellectuals who pose as liberals such as the likes of Bernard Lewis, Christopher Hitchens and Salman Rushdie are putting forth the same argument.
He talks about his enthusiasm about a US invasion toppling Saddam Hussein. I agree that the Iraqi president is a ruthless dictator, but would he also advocate the same senseless argument about toppling our own military ruler?
The task of overthrowing or replacing heads of state in Iraq and elsewhere is solely the responsibility of the conscientious citizens of those countries. After all, in April 2002 the Venezuelan masses did bring back Hugo Chavez to power after he had been unconstitutionally overthrown by a “civilian” coup.
Throughout in the 20th century, US invasions, be they in Vietnam, Nicaragua, Panama, Serbia, Iraq or Sudan, have left death and destruction in their wake and servile rulers who pander more to the IMF and the Washington consensus than the needs of their own people. Imperialism does not represent a progressive force any more than colonialism did in the 18th and 19th centuries.
Let the Iraqi people decide what type of government they want to have rather than the US policymakers who are far removed from the real hopes and aspirations of the Arab people and the Third World as a whole.
RAZA NAEEM
Lahore
THIS refers to Neel Kaila’s letter, ‘Normalizing Indo-Pak ties’. I agree with Mr Kaila on many points.
Ordinary Indians want to have good relations with Pakistan and are eager to visit that country and interact with the people.
Here in the US, too, the relations between the two communities are excellent. I have many friends from Pakistan and have already made plans to visit Pakistan in the near future with them.
However, I strongly oppose the idea propagated by Mr Kaila that Kashmir should be handed over to Pakistan for religious reasons.
He is indirectly endorsing the views of the communal forces in India to declare it a Hindu Rashtra to which many of us are vehemently opposed.
Kashmir is not a matter of ego for India but a matter of principle — the principle of secularism which is central to the existence of India. I hope Mr Kaila and my Pakistani friends understand that.
SHAIBAL ROY
St Louis, USA
THIS is with reference to Neel Kaila‘s letter (Jan 3) about normalizing Indo-Pakistan ties.
I agree with him that peace should be the top-most item on our agenda before we destroy ourselves completely.
Mr Kaila’s idea to give Kashmir back to Pakistan may seem an acceptable proposition only to a few people in India. The general perception is that India has been cheated in partition. We were left behind with over 140 million Muslims when Pakistan was created.
Pakistan also managed to evict most of the Hindus and Sikhs from its territory. This equation makes any solution even more complicated.
I don’t know how we are going to solve this problem but as the dangerous Tamil Tigers and the Sri Lankan government have done the impossible by bringing about peace in their war-torn country, peace in the subcontinent shouldn’t be far behind.
SATISH VIJAYKUMAR
Via email
THIS refers to Salahuddin K. Leghari’s letter, ‘Facts about India’s economy’ (Jan 2), posted on your website. First of all, the entire world seems to believe that India’s economic fortune is on the upturn, excepting a few cynical voices such as his.
Firstly, let us take up the figure of 350 million people languishing in absolute poverty. Pray what is the difference between absolute poverty and “mere” poverty. The number surely is exploded to suit Mr Leghari’s taste.
While not denying that India suffers from chronic poverty, the last decade has actually seen a drop in poverty all over the country. The software industry, the financial institutions and the services industries have all capitalized on foreign investments.
Economic reforms have meant hardships for many. But they have also opened up the economy for the investors — foreign and local alike. Reliance, Escorts, Wipro are only a few of the local investors who have brought about a paradigm shift in Indian economy. From a ‘licence raj’ we have made giant strides into a more open and sustainable economy not based on foreign aid.
Starvation deaths used to be the order of the day in earlier times. These were mere figures of a few years ago when drought and misery were so widespread in India. While it is true that starvation deaths do occur in the remotest regions of the country, today they attract headlines and local governments are forced to react, thanks to our media.
India was right in kicking out Enron. But why focus only on the wrongs? Take a look at General Electric, IBM and Microsoft which have all set up shops here and are modifying plant lines and products to suit “Indian conditions”. Truly Mr Leghari, India has come of age.
BRIJESH ROBINSON
Michigan, USA
THROUGH these columns I would like to draw the attention of the Karachi city government, the Sindh government and the elected representatives of Gulshan-i-Iqbal towards the absence of any overhead bridge on University Road.
It is very difficult for thousands of pedestrians to cross the road owing to heavy traffic right from New Town Police Station to Nipa Chowrangi throughout the day, specially in the afternoon when schoolchildren and college and university students go home.
One learns through news reports about accidents due to reckless driving, injuring or killing pedestrians while crossing the road.
The authorities concerned are requested to immediately look into this matter and build at least four overhead bridges on University Road at points where there is heavy traffic.
Moreover, the traffic police should be deployed at U-turns so as to prevent accidents.
PROF MOONIS AHMAR
Karachi
WITH the death of Prof Dr Mohammad Hamidullah in the US, the world has lost a great Muslim scholar, an indefatigable researcher and a nice human being.
A few years back, I had the privilege to listen to his views on “Riba” at Faran Club, Karachi, during one of his rare visits to Pakistan. It was indeed a thought-provoking lecture.
Then, Dr Hamidullah looked fragile but his discourse was simple and understandable. There was no rhetoric in his lecture which created a strong urge in me to do further research on the subject.
He dedicated his entire life to the cause of Islam. He settled in Paris and, after having been associated with the National Centre of Scientific Research of France for 20 years, he fully devoted himself to the propagation of Islam through research.
His good command of Urdu, Persian, Arabic, Turkish, French, German and Italian languages provided him with an opportunity to undertake a comparative study of religions and discuss about religious matters without being controversial. It also facilitated him in his research work.
Dr Hamidullah wrote hundreds of articles and books on Islam and the life of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) in almost all major languages of the world. One of his most important works was the translation of the holy Quran into French.
On the invitation of the Islamic University, Bahawalpur, he delivered 12 lectures on various aspects of Islam in 1980. These lectures were published in form of a book Khutbaat-i-Bahawalpur in 1981. We should consider ourselves fortunate to have these lectures with us, as they provide the reader with deep insight into various aspects of Islam.
Although Dr Hamidullah is no more among us, his works will always keep him alive both in our hearts and in the world of knowledge.
MAHBOOBUL HASAN
Karachi
THE Pentagon is reportedly seeking a radical shift in American priorities in Afghanistan.
Now it is time the US started reconstruction works in the war-ravaged Afghanistan so as to prevent the country from becoming a hub of terrorism once again.
Warlords equipped with weapons are a permanent source of threat to peace and security in Afghanistan. The US should help the Afghan government clamp down on these warlords and immediately start rebuilding the country.
This may jump-start its economy and eventually bring the Afghan people back to life. Besides, it will encourage those countries which have promised to assist Afghanistan in its reconstruction works. It is expected that the US will show the same enthusiasm in rebuilding Afghanistan as it did at the time of launching its anti-terror war.
M. SHAHID RAFIQUE
Okara
AFTER a silent struggle for more than three months, the post-graduate doctors of the JPMC started their strike for payment of remunerations to them as the same is already being paid in other provinces.
There the doctors engaged in house jobs are receiving monthly payments equal to the basic salary of grade 16 officers. But in Sindh half of this payment is being made irregularly.
Elsewhere in the country, the post-graduate doctors are getting stipends but here they are being paid Rs1,200 annually as these centres are providing teaching and training facilities. Although there is no proper system of learning and teaching here, the post-graduate and house-job doctors are rendering service to the best of their abilities. Their duty hours are unethical, unjustified and even inhuman.
Regarding the doctors’ strike, the federal health secretary says that it would make no difference to the running of the hospitals. He passed this remark after awarding medals and certificates to graduates at the School of Nursing.
Before making this comment, he should have consulted JPMC Director Prof Abdul Shakoor Qazi, NICVD Director Prof Azher Masood A. Farooqui and NICH Director Prof Zeenat Essani to understand what would be the effect of this strike. They would have informed him that all these hospitals are being totally run by the post-graduate and house officer doctors.
I do hope that after ascertaining facts, the federal secretary will solve the doctors’ problems. He would realize that these doctors not only manage their own affairs but also carry on their post-graduate studies peacefully.
ALFRED CHARLES
Karachi
MIR Zafarullah Khan Jamali should be aware of the fact that his real strength lies in the so-called conscience vote. The turn-coats are the king-makers.
The 188 votes obtained by him in parliament during the vote of confidence means that at least 16 members of the National Assembly have rendered themselves to be called turn-coats since Mr Jamali‘s election as leader of the house .
Those who voted for these turn-coats on Oct 10 had as a matter of fact voted for the manifesto of the political parties to which they belonged. Now after becoming turn-coats they have proved to their voters that they have taken an about-turn from the pledges they had made before them prior to Oct 10.
ABDUL AHAD RAZMI
Karachi
I live in Gulshan-i-Iqbal, Block 13-D/1, Karachi. When the prime minister arrived there, as he has a house in this locality, the roads close to his house were carpeted overnight but the Numaish roundabout is still waiting for a prime minister to come as it is left incomplete for the last two months.
It is in the centre of the city and a huge traffic passes by this roundabout. I would request the Sindh chief minister, the Karachi Nazim-i-Ala and other authorities concerned to take up this matter seriously.
AQIL RAZA
Karachi
WHAT do the poor in Pakistan do when they need medical assistance and cannot afford to pay a doctor’s fee? What help is available from the government in either providing free medicines or subsidizing needed drugs or paying for hospitalization?
Where do the poor go if they have a toothache, aside from street dentists and quacks? Why should this be an acceptable state of affairs?
Why is universal health care and dental care for the poor not an issue in Pakistani politics? Is it just that people’s expectations of the government are conditioned to be artificially low with no hope of improvement? Why can’t Pakistan strive to replicate Cuba’s health care delivery system? After all, Cuba is also a Third World country with limited resources.
Why are certain political parties more concerned with banning the already banned liquor and gambling, banning music in public transport, forcing public transport to stop for prayers and behaving as if the United States and Pakistan are either at war, or they should be? Are these non-issues more important than a national debate on how to provide universal health care to the poor in Pakistan?
I would suggest to the government to launch a family planning programme with some cash incentive for men between the ages of 25 and 60 to undergo voluntary vasectomy if they have already started a family.
SALMAN FARSI
Beverly Hills, USA
A COUPLE of years back, the government prepared for the Federal Public Service Commission a reformation plan which was to be implemented from 2001.
According to the plan, the age-limit for the CSS examinations was reduced from 30 to 28 years. It was announced that the candidates who would qualify in the written test and interview would be accommodated in different government departments in BPS 17 and 16.
The CSS examinations of 2001 was conducted according to this plan. But now the government has announced that there are only 156 posts for the qualified CSS candidates of 2001. Moreover, the District Management Group has been excluded from the list. According to the FPSC, the Absorption Policy was only a ‘suggestion’.
It is not fair that one part of the plan, i.e. reduction in age-limit, has been implemented while the other part, i.e. absorption of all qualifying candidates, has been ignored. This state of affairs has created many problems for those candidates who had their last chance and were about to cross the new age-limit. If the age-limit had remained 30, they could have appeared in the next year’s examinations with better preparation.
Further, the quota system which is un-Islamic and also against basic human rights has created a sense of frustration among many young candidates. The government must realize the gravity of the situation and adopt a policy which could be beneficial for the majority of the candidates.
The District Management Group should not be excluded at this stage. After the Devolution Plan, more officers are needed to perform the administrative work smoothly. So, the number of posts should be increased rather than decreased. The candidates, who are working in different government departments and have qualified in CSS-2001 examinations, can be awarded accelerated promotions in their parent departments.
At present, the allocation has been delayed because of a writ petition filed in the Supreme Court against the quota system. It is the right time for the government and the FPSC to review their decisions and think about the welfare of the CSS-2001 qualifying candidates to save their future.
SYED TANVIR MURTAZA
Jhang
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