| January 12, 2003 | Sunday | Ziqa'ad 8, 1423 |
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GST: on farmers or drugs?
Rapid population growth
Karachi’s public transport system
Discharge of chemicals into canal
How to lose business PIA style?
Delay in NIC’s delivery
Delivery of local mail
Clone PPP
CSS: plight of qualified candidates
‘Following conscience’
Smoking at public place
Dr A. Q. Khan and IBS
READING Pakistani newspapers, one gets the impression that our writers, columnists, etc. are obsessed with their hatred for America and the West. This is true of our hate-filled fundamentalists as well as the so-called intellectuals and secularists.
Let’s dwell a bit on the subject of Special Registration for the Pakistanis and visitors from other countries to the US.
Firstly, Pakistan (along with Saudi Arabia) has not been singled out for special registration as the impression is being created by the vested interests. Under the National Security Entry-Exit Registration System implemented by the US attorney-general, 20 different countries’ male nationals who entered the US before Sept 11, 2002 on temporary visas are required to register with the INS. Those who entered the US after that date are not required to register but may be subject to such registration.
Secondly, the purpose of this special registration is not to “track down terrorists” but to keep a track of visitors to America. We must not forget that those who have perpetrated the terrorist holocaust of 9/11 were all visitors on temporary visas. Pakistani Green Card holders and the US citizens are not subject to such registration.
It should be noted that the Pakistanis who are legally staying in America on valid temporary visas are not worried. Mainly those Pakistanis who entered the US illegally and are staying there in violation of the US laws are complaining the most.
In any event, it cannot be denied that the Pakistanis are treated with more respect and dignity in the US than anywhere else in the world, including Saudi Arabia. The Arab Muslim countries won’t even give you the citizenship or allow you to buy any kind of property, no matter how long you have stayed there.
In our country the criticism of any foreign government or country, except the US and India, of course, is a taboo and forbidden. All other countries are paragons of virtue as far as we are concerned. But come America and the West, all hell is let loose.
Of course, it would be too much for us to acknowledge America’s substantial help and support throughout the years in providing us with billions of dollars in economic and military aid, in preventing India from attacking us, at least twice, in providing education, training, jobs and opportunities to thousands of our doctors, engineers, professionals and businessmen who are earning tens of billions of dollars every year, and most important of all, in saving our unstable country from the scourge of Talibanism.
DR TAUSIF KAMAL
Ohio, USA
ON average every farmer in Pakistan earns less than a dollar a day. The GST of 15 per cent on veterinary medicines is wholly unjustified and a major blow to millions of poor farmers already on subsistence level.
While GST on most drugs used by human beings has been withdrawn, it has not been withdrawn on veterinary medicines. This anomaly may lead to misuse of drugs meant for human beings in the veterinary field. At the same time, smuggling of non-GST veterinary drugs from across the border will certainly get a boost at the expense of local manufacturers and importers. As a result, the CBR will be making a token collection of the GST which will hardly justify its administrative and collection costs.
Owing to the lower prices of poultry meat and eggs, at times the farmers are forced to market their produce even below the costs of production. The GST on veterinary medicines will paralyze the poultry and livestock sector and will aggravate the crises.
It is a fallacy to think that life-saving drugs are exclusively the domain of the humans. In fact, while the humans take medicines only when they are sick, the situation is quite different for animals and the poultry who depend on life-saving veterinary medicines throughout the year. They also require anti-parasitic drugs, de-wormers, antibiotics, vitamins and nutrients for their survival. Without veterinary medicines, the mortality rates will indeed be very high.
The farmers depend on vital veterinary medicines for gaining productivity in poultry meat, eggs, dairy milk, mutton and beef. A research study has revealed that if the white broiler meat had not supplemented the short supply of red meat, mutton prices would have shot beyond Rs300 per kg.
With the population doubling to 300 million by 2025, raising the quality and productivity of livestock indigenously is the only way to fill the protein gap. Foreign exchange being wasted on the import of powdered milk can be saved if incentives are provided to the local livestock sector. The GST is a big disincentive for poor farmers.
The government has set up a National Drought Relief Fund intended to provide succour to the poor farmers. Ironically, the same livestock farmers who are already living below the poverty line are being targeted for the GST.
ALI AZIZ
Karachi
THIS refers to Ardeshir Cowasjee’s column, ‘Where do we keep our brains?’ (Jan 5), expressing concerns over the rapid population growth in Pakistan.
If the population of a country increases rapidly, it has an adverse impact on its economy. Such a country is likely to run out of its resources soon, as it will need more food, more schools and colleges, more health care facilities, more jobs and more old-age benefits.
Similarly, a rapid increase in the population in a small country ultimately results in low yield per acre as well as poor living standard. Besides, the housing and settlement problem becomes acute, which further complicates the crime situation and its control.
Rapid growth rate also increases poverty and unemployment, particularly in a developing country like Pakistan. No matter how many industries we set up and how many economic development programmes we initiate, unless the rapid birth rate is checked, we cannot curb growing unemployment and poverty. It will be much better for our economy if we overcome the population explosion rather than set up more industries.
An industry which is established with billions of rupees can hardly provide jobs to a few thousand workers. If millions of people are added to the population of the country every year, I wonder how we will be able to accommodate them.
We often talk about China’s fast-growing economy. But why cannot we adopt a one-child policy as they have done in China? Won’t it be better that we have few children whose future is secure rather than have many children with uncertain prospects?
I hope the government will come up with a viable plan to check the alarming rate at which our population is increasing. If we don’t take steps now, in a decade or so with a huge population, the future of the nation will be bleak.
ANIL KHAN LUNI
Karachi
J. Zia’s suggestions about how to improve Karachi’s public transport system are impractical. His proposal about setting up a modern railway system within the city does not appear feasible. Besides the cost of building it over the next few decades, its construction will wreak havoc on our already congested and damaged streets.
The modernization of our transport system may be theoretically sensible. Anyone can pay a few hundred rupees and get a licence. Pay a few thousand more and you get a passport. The sky is the limit in our country.
Transportation problems are not there because of the absence of rules. We have plenty of rules. In fact, some of the major roads in Karachi already have bus lanes. But very few drivers follow those lanes.
We also have designated bus stops. That does not prevent people from hailing a bus anywhere along a route. In fact, the bus which will be in the fast lane will cut across five lanes in a reckless fashion to pick up passengers with total disregard to traffic rules. It’s not just the buses. The problem exists with most vehicles on the road.
We need to be realistic. Making new rules will not alter the ways of traffic overnight. The problem is not with the buses or the cars or the pedestrians. The problem is our illiteracy. There is only one plausible solution. Education.
It is the 21st century and we are one of the most uneducated societies on earth. Only an educated society will solve our traffic problems, not some new rules. A broad-based liberal education is crucial for the entire populace. The coming generations need to be considerate human beings having respect for society.
OMAR HAQ
Karachi
THE industrial water discharged into the Bolluki Sulamanki link canal contains poisonous chemicals in abundance. These chemicals because of their corrosive ingredients are producing fissures in the canal banks at a number of places. This is a constant source of threat for the people who live in the vicinity of this canal.
One such fissure produced in the western bank of this canal near Qila Sadda Singh during this year badly damaged the property of the poor people of this area — so much so that the Punjab government had to compensate for their loss.
Secondly, these chemicals are fatal for the living entities of this canal. Rotten fishes can be seen in a great number on the surface of dark water owing to chemicals. The seepage losses have increased manifold resulting in the contamination of the underground water which is harmful for the people using underground water for drinking and cooking.
The chemically-polluted water when used continuously for irrigation renders the soil unproductive because of deposition of toxic chemicals in the upper soil horizons.
These chemicals accumulate in the succulent vegetables and grain crops and when they are used by the people, they suffer from various diseases.
The authorities concerned should immediately check the discharge of polluted water of industries into the canal.
BILAL HASSAN
Okara
BEING a frequent Club Class traveller by PIA, on my current trip with my wife, the routing was LON-ISB-LAHORE -KHI-ISB-LON.
In Islamabad I decided to go to Lahore on the return flight from Karachi and requested PIA to change the route. They blatantly turned down my request despite my explaining that there was no increase in mileage. But they remained adamant and wasted a week in referring the matter to the London staff who were generous to refuse the change.
I faxed a complaint to the PIA MD in Karachi, who never bothered to reply. The Islamabad district manager was a little sympathetic but was helpless before his subordinates who are considered specialists.
In March this year, the Karachi office of PIA stole travel vouchers from my wife’s Club Class ticket for a certain amount which was eventuality paid to me when I wrote to the airline’s MD in Karachi.
On Dec 7 my wife was booked for PK786 from London and when she reached the PIA counter, she was told that they had overbooked. She was put on a waiting list until Dec 10 and even then had to travel in Economy Class on a Club Class ticket. Will the chairman of PIA look into the affairs of his organization?
M. SAEED KHAN
London
I SUBMITTED an application to a Nadra office in Karachi on Aug 4, 2001 for a computerized national identity card (CNIC). I was granted a receipt (No. 782633, dated 4-8-2001) which said the card would be delivered at the doorstep of the applicant by Oct 4, 2001.
But, despite the passage of over 16 months, I have not yet received my CNIC. All my visits to the Nadra office have failed to move the authorities concerned, who seem to be least concerned about my problem.
They always come up with some lame excuse for their inefficiency. They in fact shirk their duties in the hope that some day the complainant will get tired of visiting them.
I urge the high-ups in Nadra to ask these officials to deliver my NIC at the earliest.
KAUSAR PARVEEN
Karachi
I RECEIVED an Eid card from Pak Kuwait Investment Company, Karachi, on Dec 20. The card was posted at PIDC Post Office, Karachi, on Nov 29, 2002, and was delivered at my office at Lalazar, Karachi, (which is half a mile from the post office) on Dec 20, i.e. after 22 days!
If this is not the normal level of efficiency of post offices in Pakistan, I request the authorities concerned to conduct an inquiry into this matter and take the necessary measures so as to better the performance of the department.
DR KHALID AMIN
Karachi
AS reported by Dawn on Dec 31, the Pakistan People’s Party held a demonstration in Multan against human cloning.
One wonders why the party objected to human cloning at a time when it is itself trying hard to perfect the art of party cloning; from PPP to PPP Parliamentarians and then to PPP Patriots.
FEROZ SHAH JILANI
Islamabad
THIS refers to Syed Tanvir Murtaza’s letter, ‘CSS: plight of qualified candidates’ (Jan 5). The writer has highlighted the frustration of the CSS candidates following the latest changes in the CSS rules and regulations.
He has discreetly projected the partial implementation of the government’s plan, i.e. reduction in the age-limit from 30 to 28 years while neglecting its linchpin — accommodating the successful candidates in different government departments in BPS 17 and 16. The move has in fact obfuscated industrious and bright candidates.
However, I do not agree with Mr Murtaza when he says that the quota system is “un-Islamic and against basic human rights”. He must know that the abolition of quota cannot remove the frustration among the CSS candidates. In fact, if the quota system is abolished, it will exacerbate their disappointment and desperation.
Furthermore, Pakistan is ethnically a diverse country. The level of education in the smaller provinces of Sindh and Balochistan is extremely pitiable as compared to Punjab. The majority of successful candidates have their education either from the universities of Punjab or Islamabad. In such a prevailing situation, the abolition of the quota system would eventually close the doors of Walton Academy for the candidates from Sindh and Balochistan.
HAKIM ALI BANGLANI
Karachi
THE anti-defection clause of Article 63(A) of the Constitution of Pakistan has been restored. The question is: will the act of ‘following conscience’ in the year 2002 become horse-trading in 2003?
Does this mean that now the MNAs will not be allowed to follow their conscience any more? Or does this mean that they don‘t have a conscience at all?
FAISAL M. RANA
Karachi
IT is a matter of great concern that a large number of passengers on public transport smoke without caring for the non-smokers and thus polluting environment.
I think there is a law in the country prohibiting smoking at public places and on public transport. But who is there to enforce the law? Why no serious efforts are made to stop this dangerous practice? And why doesn’t any NGOs come forward to discourage this habit?
NAYYAR HUSSAIN MIRJAT
Hyderabad
THIS refers to a letter about IBS by S. H. A. Naqvi on Jan 6. There are a few misstatements about IBS which are not due to ignorance but are apparently deliberate. The IBS was not meant to be a free (charitable) institution.
In the first meeting of the Governing Body of IBS policy decision draft of a brochure was approved which clearly states that IBS is a teaching, training, research and service institution to be run on non-commercial basis (no profit no loss). As such a sliding scale of fee was to be charged by those who can afford.
In another Governing Body meeting the fee structure for those who can pay was presented and passed. Dr A. Q. Khan was present and was part of both the decisions. To shout that IBS was a free (charitable) institute is deliberate disinformation. Of course, the IBS Governing Body could earlier or in future may decide to make all the services free.
However, last year only 15 per cent patient paid the fee while 85 per cent were seen free or on subsidized rate. They were also given free medicine worth approximately Rs350 per visit (for 15 days). Nobody was turned back for inability to pay. The shortfall of the expenses were raised by the PAMH and supporters of IBS.
Since the armed takeover of IBS by Dr Khan there are no psychiatrists at the IBS. The patients who had the benefit of consulting senior psychiatrists for more than five years were now directed by the current “administration” to Dr Haroon’s clinic. As such they believe that the patients Dr Haroon Ahmed was seeing free at IBS would charge them at his clinic.
It is suppressing the much publicized fact that Dr Haroon Ahmed’s Saddar clinic (90-A Depot Lines) is offering free consultation from 9am to 4pm not by him alone but by his specialist colleagues. Not only ‘who is the beneficiary of this episode’ but who are the sufferers should now be quite apparent.
The mismanagement at IBS is again trumpeted without any basis. There are 27 voluntary teachers, administrators, social workers and fund raisers who are giving their time and expertise without charge in addition to about 150 donors. The extensive work for the affiliation with the University of Karachi was completed which has now been withheld on instruction from certain quarters.
T. A. KHAN
Karachi
APROPOS the news report, ‘Doctors denied entry into
IBS despite court order’ (Jan 11), I wish to put the record straight.
Justice (Retd) Nasir Aslam Zahid resigned from the chairmanship of IBS on Nov 19, 2002.
The high court gave an order on Dec 20, 2002 maintaining status quo in Suit No. 1259/2002 in which Dr Haroon himself admitted that he had been dispossessed. Thereafter, Dr Haroon moved CMA No. 8568 of 2002 in the case, requesting the court to restore his possession.
According to the order (dated 19-12-2002) in Suit No. 1232 of 2002, there is no question of restoring Dr Haroon’s possession. Since the matter is sub judice, no comments are being offered here.
Dr Haroon, in view of his illegal action on Jan 10, 2003, has committed contempt of court.
S. H. A. NAQVI
Karachi
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