QAU’s selection procedure

THIS is with reference to a news report (Feb 22) that the Quaid-i-Azam University’s selection procedure will be changed for lecturers and assistant professors.

The report says that in order to recruit lecturers and assistant professors for university teaching, an initial written test and viva voce will be conducted. And after that, a selection board, comprising the vice-chancellor, heads of respective departments, the deans of social or natural sciences, two subject specialists, representatives of the Higher Education Commission and the education ministry, will conduct the final interview.

PhD degree holders will be exempted from the testing procedure. The rationale for the adoption of this procedure is to recruit good quality teachers.

I agree that the Pakistani education system is in dire need of improvement, but I think it is a dishonour to the university degree that certifies the candidate has mastered the science in the discipline for which the degree has been awarded. Why award a degree if the student does not qualify for it? Is it not the course of education and the testing system upon the completion of which the degree is awarded? Why waste resources on the formulation of more committees and procedures to bureaucratize the system of selection further? Do not you sort them out at the time of application with the minimum criteria for university teaching? I think an interview by the board should be sufficient to judge a person’s ability to teach.

In order to have good teachers, universities have to produce qualified degree holders. About the argument that testing will reflect on students’ writing qualities, why not propose writing courses as requirements across the board in university education? That is where one learns the skills of reading, writing and communication, irrespective of the academic discipline.

Teaching is a skill that comes with training. I feel what is more important is, irrespective of the selection procedure, that the new teachers be given some teaching-training course upon recruitment. A continuing monitoring system for the junior faculty by senior professors should be put in place.

There is need to develop the ethics that ingrain honesty in teaching and responsibility as a teacher, evaluate them and hold them accountable. A PhD degree is not a certificate to become a good teacher, nor is an MA or an MSc. Even in the US where a doctoral degree is the minimum qualification for university teaching and a master’s degree for community/or two years college teaching, one finds lousy university teachers in the profession.

DR KHALIDA ZAKI

Michigan, USA

Migrating to Canada?

THIS is with reference to Peter D’Souza’s letter, ‘Migrating to Canada?’ (Feb 18).

He has tried to show the negative side. Has anyone ever seen an American migrating to Third World countries to earn livelihood? What we see is the people migrating to America, Canada and Europe from underdeveloped countries for a better future.

There was a time when qualified, skilled and semi-qualified people migrated to the US. And with their hard work, they obtained status and respect. Were they snubbed? Surely not. But still the burning issue is racism and this is not only the problem of Canada but also almost of all the developed countries.

Canada is ‘the land of opportunities’ with the lowest crime rate. One cannot overlook this fact. How can a non-skilled and non-degree holder become a doctor or an engineer? Obviously, he can be a cabby, a clerk or something like that. Qualification really matters.

Will Mr D’Souza tell us the substitute rather than advising a visit tour? There is a lot of difference between a test-drive and a visit tour.

FAWAD SARWAR

Lahore

Victims of Open Haj Scheme

THIS year many first-time applicants, ourselves included, could not perform Haj despite the fact that all the documents were in order and the applications were accepted. But the federal ministry of religious affairs did not even send our passports to the Saudi embassy for visas and kept us guessing and waiting till the last day.

The fact is that the powers that be promised a large number of people the gift of Haj. Many of them were sent on Open Haj Scheme. The quota for this scheme was 15,000 people, but the number soared to over 20,000. This led to objections by the Saudi embassy and to related complications. And that is why, the remaining 5,000 or so legitimate people were kept back. We were the pawns in this scenario and the Saudi embassy the scapegoat.

However, we were kept totally in the dark about these changes. We kept waiting for our visas with tension mounting high. We were told to be ready. And so were we, praying and hoping till the last day when our passports were finally found lying amidst the dust at the ministry, complete with the bank draft not even sent to the Saudi embassy. We were simply stunned.

The fact that we could not go for Haj is beside the point. What is most upsetting is the helplessness we experience when we came face to face with the power pattern in this country and the unfairness of its policies.

We appeal to President Musharraf to look into this matter so that such a shocking development does not recur.

CONCERNED CITIZENS

Karachi

Cost of globalization

FRUITFUL globalization is taking place at a rapid pace, but the fruit is only for those who already have their baskets full. In fact, it is taking place at the expense of the hapless poor of the Third World.

Affluent and developed countries are pressuring developing countries into privatizing state-owned entities and opening their markets for the goods of the developed countries. They are using an international tool named World Trade Organization to give a legitimate look to all the proceedings.

Pro-globalization lobbies say that the opening up of the markets will only wash away inefficient, less productive and least competitive industries of developing nations. Thus, they can put their efforts to build their more productive sectors with the help of the capital coming from the developed world in the form of investments from multinational corporations.

The developing world is doing so even when it is playing havoc with the jobs of their citizens, both in the public and in the private sector.

In Pakistan, successive governments have been making the lives of the poor more miserable. We are being made to sell our profitable and strategic assets like PTCL, OGDC and PSO. Custom duties in Pakistan were slashed to 20 per cent from 90 per cent four years back. We are relying on the genius of international financial institutions. See what their policies did in Argentina?

On the other hand, developed countries are doing exactly inverse to what they want us to do. The US has raised steel tariffs to protect its indigenous steel industry from cheap imports from the EU and Japan. It is also sustaining its inefficient textile industry; if there is no tariff, Pakistan can easily treble its exports in a short time.

The biggest hypocrisy of the developed world is evident in the farm sector which is hindering the prosperity of the developing countries in a big way. The US and the EU are giving huge subsidies to their farm sectors, much larger than the budgets of many developing nations, to sustain their most inefficient producing sectors. They are dumping cheap products in international markets and making the lives of farmers more miserable, thus increasing poverty in the developing world.

It is the government and people of Pakistan stood against the unjust and cruel international trade order that is increasing poverty in the already impoverished countries.

ADNAN LODHI

Lahore

PIA and Fokker aircraft

THIS refers to the letter titled ‘PIA and Fokker aircraft’ (Feb 23) by Habib R. Sulemani. The views and suggestions given by Mr Sulemani are misleading and not viable. Being an aviation-related person for the last many years, I want to clarify certain points.

The death of the air chief and others following the crash of a Fokker aircraft has nothing to do with the Fokker F-27 as far as the latter’s capabilities and operation are concerned. The PAF aircraft had been giving a good service to PIA, the Pakistan Navy and the Pakistan Air Force.

PIA is using the Fokker F-27 in the remote areas of Balochistan (Pasni, Gwadar, Ormara, Jiwani, Turbat, Pajgur, Ghuzdar, Zhob and Dalabandin) and the Northern Areas (Gilgit, Chitral, Saidu Sharif, Rawalakot, Parachinar and Muzafferabad). All these areas remain connected because of the operation of F-27 aircraft, being the most suitable aircraft in respect of its operation and topography of these areas.

No doubt PIA has to spend a lot of money on the maintenance of the aging aircraft, but the aircraft is supposed to fly only as long as it is airworthy. The crew of these aircraft have ample experience of flying in local environment. To the suggestions by Mr Suleman, I differ as:

1. Grounding of all PIA Fokker aircraft without any alternative aircraft means withdrawal of travelling facilities in remote areas of the northern region and Balochistan.

2. Skardu airport has one of the biggest strips with the operation of B-737. The upgradation of Gilgit needs considerable passenger load and equipment, which may not be feasible in the present circumstances.

3. Building of these airports on a BOT basis is only feasible when there is some attraction for the return. PIA and the Civil Aviation Authority are providing services in these areas in the public interest without making any profit.

4. Flights to Gilgit depend on weather conditions. A number of times flights cannot operate or have to divert back because of bad weather. Making seats available in such flights in major cities will not help.

MUHAMMAD ARSHAD CHAUDHRY

Lahore

Noise pollution

THIS refers to a news item (Feb 15) about the observance of World Noise Day. I totally agree with the study conducted by University of Karachi about the emission of noise from rickshaws (93-104db decibels). This unit is very close to the noise emission from the engine of an aeroplane (approximately 120-130db).

It has been observed that a person living in Karachi has less hearing capability as compared to a man who lives in Islamabad. This is so because of his exposure to a very high noise emission from rickshaws. Rickshaws are mainly responsible for hearing impairment in this city. In other cities, rickshaws do not emit so much noise as the drivers use silencers.

I request the authorities concerned to take the necessary measures to solve this problem.

DR QAISAR SAJJAD

Karachi

Evolution of democracy

IF we go through the 55-year history of Pakistan, we will come to know that democracy has not been allowed to flourish either during civil government periods or during military eras.

The root cause of this is that in spite of ostensible electoral exercises, power has never been devolved to the grassroots level. Bureaucrats, military rulers and feudal lords ruled us. Even during the democratic periods, the MPAs/MNAs were the same who have a knack for making rosy premises to carry away our simple voters.

Fifty-five years down the lane, there is ample proof that it is not the religious scholars, but bureaucrats, military rulers and feudal lords who are the main cause of mega-illiteracy, unprecedented increase in corruption and sinful deviation from our ideological base.

They spoke very loudly of democracy but their acts were undemocratic with the prevalence of anti-democratic trends in our society. Our assemblies were scrapeyards which brought the country to the brink of destruction. The same situation exists today. Now some offenders have also joined hands.

With the MMA coming into power in the NWFP, the bureaucrats, military rulers and feudal lords are trying to discredit them, without giving them any chance.

S. A. KHOKHAR

Lahore

Plight of CSS qualified candidates

THIS is to draw the attention of the prime minister to the pathetic performance of the Federal Public Service Commission which has become an inefficient institution, as it has failed to fulfil its duties.

Unemployment is rampant in our country, but the FPSC, which has been entrusted with the task of conducting CSS examinations, has failed to achieve its objectives.

The incompetence of the commission is evident from the fact that more than 800 qualified candidates of the CSS examinations 2001 have been made to cool their heels, and there is no official word of explanation on this account. Even the CSS examinations 2002 have finished, but appointments on the 156 allocated seats in various groups/services have not been made yet.

The FPSC announced the final results of the CSS examinations 2001 on Sept 21, 2002, but it has not allocated departments/services to the successful candidates, thereby letting their future hang in the balance.

The high-ups at the FPSC are responsible for this unwarranted delay and the ensuing frustration among the 800 plus qualified candidates. This, when seen in the backdrop of the other dampers placed on the induction process of the CSS, explains as to why our youths are compelled to leave the country for green pastures or to resort to unfair practices when they join the civil superior services after wastage of many years due to the rigmarole of bureaucracy.

The prime minister is requested to look into the matter and help expedite the allocations of groups/services to the successful candidates of 2001.

ZAIGHAM TIWANA

Vihari

SAF Games 2003

HOW very unsporting it is of the Indians to refuse to take part in the SAF Games 2003. At a time when we need cooperation and goodwill on both sides, India’s decision of not taking part in the games will lead to a greater rift in Indo-Pakistan relations.

It is time Indians became sporting and rise above the petty games that politicians play. As far as the security of the participants is concerned, well, after looking at the carnage in Gujarat and the recent storm of anger against the Indian cricket team, even India does not seem a safe place.

SUMAIRA DADA

Karachi

Pakistanis in Italy

TWENTY-SIX Pakistanis were arrested on Jan 30 by the Naples police for allegedly plotting terrorist attacks in Italy. They were accused of being part of a ‘terrorist sleeper cell’ and the police trumpeted the seizure of explosives in their apartment as incontrovertible evidence.

However, the Pakistanis were released on Eid day because of lack of evidence. This is another example of Pakistanis being wrongly accused of involvement in terrorist acts. In the recent past, Pakistanis have been the first to be arrested, whether it is Bali or Mombassa.

The Naples incident proves that things are becoming difficult for Pakistanis who are genuinely working or seeking meaningful employment.

This event also took me back to 1998 when I went on a business trip to Prato, a city near Florence. When my wife and I arrived at the Prato train station, we saw some Pakistanis in the station hall. While going towards a hotel, I asked our Italian host about them. What he told us really made me proud.

He said that most of the Pakistanis worked as housekeepers in Prato and they were known for being honest, working diligently and refraining from any anti-social activities.

He also stated that the Italian families would literally leave their houses in their hands because of the reputation these Pakistanis enjoyed among Italians. Moreover, Italians then preferred Pakistanis to Albanians or even other Asians. The positive feelings of our host about Pakistanis gladdened us very much.

The release of the detained Pakistanis by the judge in Naples is another solid proof that Pakistanis are trustworthy and peace-loving people.

MAJYED AZIZ

Karachi

Cricket team’s performance

AFTER having followed the disastrous performance of Pakistan’s cricket team over the last six to eight months, I was indeed surprised to read the global media associating unpredictability with this team. In fact, if there is anything that Pakistan’s cricket team is, it is highly predictable; predictable in its mediocrity.

It is hard to describe in words the performance of our cricket team against England. Even mediocre would be too mild a term to describe their appalling performances, first against South Africa and then against Australia and England. What makes this scenario even bleaker is that it is easier to pinpoint the strength of the team rather than its weakness. Precisely because the answer to the former is ‘nothing’ and the answer to the latter is ‘everything’. I do not regard a team which has twice let its opposition reach scores of 240 plus after having them in dire straits.

Shoaib Akhtar is obsessed with speed, Waqar Younis is average at best, Shahid Afridi is no better and, with the exception of Wasim Akram, no other player would even make it to the best 12 of the Australian or South African team. The rest, probably with the exception of Yousuf Youhana, do not even merit consideration.

But, alas, one can only argue that they are only following Avlin Tofler’s words: “The illiterate of the 21st century will not be those who cannot read and write, but those who can learn, unlearn and relearn”. During the last six to eight months, they learned to be bad, unlearned that and during this World Cup relearned to be even worse.

AMYN PESNANI

Hanover,USA

THERE has been yet another deplorable performance by the Pakistani cricket team. This time against a weaker England.

It was most disappointing to see stalwarts like Inzamam, Afridi, Youhanna, Younis and others falling to relatively inexperienced and, perhaps, the weakest bowling attack. I am sure the cricket gurus will find some excuse and put the blame on late hours or poor wicket. But the fact remains that old horses have past their peak and the new ones have no cricket sense at all.

I strongly feel that this team should immediately be disbanded. A new team should be formed after extensive nationwide talent hunt. These new players should then be groomed physically, mentally and technically at least for a year or two by forcing them to play domestic cricket. They should only be allowed to play international cricket after they have learned the basics of cricket.

I am sure this will save our national pride as well as precious money of the taxpayers.

AAMIR NAWAID

Karachi