| March 1, 2003 | Saturday | Zul Hijjah 27, 1423 |
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Listen to the people, Mr Bush
Real aim of invading Iraq
Poor postal services
Sindh’s cultural heritage
Termination of contracts
Killings in Karachi
Overhead bridge at Malir 15
Benefiting from stray dogs
Peace in Muharram
Pakistan’s Kashmir policy
Predicament of lecturers
India’s nuclear plans
Migrating to Canada?
I READ with interest Omar Kureishi’s column, ‘The big match’ (Feb 25), about the India-Pakistan Cricket World Cup match to be played on March 1.
I cannot agree more with him that at the end of the day, it’s a game of cricket; our national pride should not be associated with this game. It’s so easy to say this, but difficult to see how we all can take steps to avoid the strange mindset on both sides of the border. Most Indians I have spoken to express the same sentiment as did Mr Kureishi, and yet I do not understand what happens in the build-up to the match.
It’s an interesting point that he has raised; the multinational companies in India, keeping an eye on the huge middle-class population, have been spending millions of dollars to deliberately create ‘cricket nationalism’. This might be one of the factors that contribute to the mass hysteria that is associated with an Indo-Pakistan cricket match these days.
But I do not agree with his theory that the attack on Mohammad Kaif’s house happened because of communal reasons. Mr Kureishi has conveniently forgotten the equally heinous acts on the same day, which resulted in Dravid’s car being smashed and Ganguly’s effigy being burnt.
I feel he has knowingly or unknowingly looked at the situation from a biased angle. Does any Indian Hindu supporter treat Zaheer Khan or Mohammad Kaif differently from Anil Kumble or Rahul Dravid? People in India would simply laugh at the very thought of this theory.
I think we, both Pakistanis and Indians, are two great cricketing nations, and for me, it’s a treat to watch Wasim Akram, Saqlain Mushtaq and Shoaib Akhtar fighting it out with Sachin Tendulkar, Saurav Ganguly and Virender Sehwag. There has to be a result at the end of the day, and I hope
that the people of both the countries will listen to the sane voices like Mr Kuerishi’s to keep calm.
DR BEBKANT JENA
London, UK
MY enthusiasm knows no bounds when I watch people around the world raising their voice against an imminent war on Iraq; more than a million in London, two million in Rome, 300,000 in New York, half a million in Australia, a million in Germany and so on. It seems the people are warning aggressive powers: we don’t want war, and you will face our wrath if you defy our will.
No one should underestimate the power of people. And when they speak with one voice, even the biggest power has to listen to them. The will of people is much stronger than the military might of any superpower.
History is witness to French, American, Russian and Chinese revolutions. And now it seems it is repeating itself; an imperial power is about to attack a weak state for no justifiable reason. How can the US and Britain justify an unjust war?
It appears that the bombing of Afghanistan was not enough to satisfy the lust of the US for war. The war against Afghanistan reflected arrogance on the part of a neo-colonial power’s leadership. The US-led coalition killed thousands of poor Afghans and dismissed the killings as mere ‘collateral damage’.
Today, Afghanistan stands destroyed, and the hollow promises of reconstruction stand exposed. Afghans have been left high and dry and forced to live in humiliation. Does the US have any idea what this sense of humiliation will lead to? Only violence.
Now the US is bent on attacking Iraq in spite of the unbearable sufferings of Iraqi people under the crippling US sanctions. For what? Just because Bush and his lackeys, supported by the MNCs, can benefit from Iraqi oil.
KHURRAM MUSTIKHAN
Karachi
AN extensive debate has been going on in these columns for quite some time on America’s real objective of waging a war against Iraq. There has been a general consensus that the expressed objective, as advanced by the belligerent coterie of the United States and Britain, does not represent the real purpose of their design behind the threatened war.
It is generally contended that control over oil is the actual aim of the old and new imperial powers. No doubt, this is one of the major objectives of invading Iraq, but not the sole and the main one. As it suits the belligerent coterie to hide their real intentions, they do not make much noise to refute this charge.
However, things came to a pass when Colin Powell had to divulge the underlying main objective of invasion before the Senate’s foreign relations committee.
Once the invasion of Iraq begins, the neighbouring countries will be sucked in in the conflict, and at the end of it, they, too, will have to part with some of their territories to quench the thirst of Israel in the name of its security.
In short, the map will be redrawn to rectify any mistakes of the past, when a new state, Israel, was created by amputating Palestine. When the greater Israel is in place, the oil wealth of Iraq will, of course, be controlled by it.
M. I. HUSAIN
Karachi
I SENT my examination form for membership of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, Part II, along with the fee through a registered post on Dec 9, 2002. However, on inquiring of the RCOG, I found that my letter had not reached the college yet.
I also inquired of the local post office staff who advised me to contact the International Post Office, Karachi. The IMO staff told me to submit an application to my local post office to look into the matter. Having done that, I repeatedly inquired of the local post office staff about the mail, but to no avail.
I received an email from the examination department of the RCOG, saying that although the closing date for the March/May 2003 Part II MRCOG was Jan 2, 2003, still my application will be considered if it is received with the post mark dated before the closing date. The letter is still missing.
It seems one must not rely on the general post office services for important matters, as doing so may shatter your plans.
DR SARWAT FATIMA
Karachi
THE Tharparkar District Council has demanded preservation of the Chelhar Fort (Jan 27).
The Chelhar Fort, also called Aligarh Fort, was constructed by the Talpur Ameers during the year 1800AD, along with other forts, including Islamkot (1795AD), Singalo (1800AD), Khudi (1800-AD), Mithi (1785-89), Diplo (1813-AD) and Naukot (1814-AD), as part of their defence strategy for the eastern and southern borders.
All these forts have not been declared as protected monuments, except for the Naukot Fort which was declared as protected in 1912. I undertook a research of the Chelhar Fort during 70s. During my research, one broken cannon was found. The cannon was joined and kept at the Union Council Chelhar for preservation on a raised plateform.
I also set up a commemorative stone inside the fort which is located on the mound and duly marked all the 10 wells. The Chelhar Fort is called after the name of Chello Charan. I succeeded in tracing an old well of Chello Charan and set up a commemorative stone there.
The Archaeology Department is requested to declare all the forts constructed by the Talpur Ameers as protected monuments under the Antiquities Act 1975, so that the cultural heritage of Sindh may be preserved from further ruination.
MUHAMMAD SIDDIQUE G. MEMON
Hyderabad
THE government decision to terminate the contracts of those serving beyond the age of superannuation is a welcome one. Considering the acute lack of employment opportunities and the fact that some of the most qualified young men and women are running around for jobs, this decision is the only way through which they can hope to get jobs.
The government should, perhaps, ask all autonomous bodies and state-controlled institutions to abide by this decision. An exception can be made in the case of highly qualified teachers, but not in the case of those who are holding administrative positions.
Only recently, the government has employed a gentleman who is 70 plus for an administrative post in one of its premier autonomous bodies which deal with education. It would, perhaps, be even wiser if superannuated academicians were employed on a part-time basis so that more and more openings are available for educated young men and women.
JAHANZEB KHAN
Islamabad
THE killing of several mosque-goers recently in Karachi was an act against Islam.
The perpetrators of such a crime could only be either paid terrorists commissioned by some anti-Pakistan foreign power, or some misguided youths who have been totally brainwashed by some fanatic mullahs into believing certain things which are completely devoid of the true Islamic spirit.
Islam, as the very name symbolizes, is a religion of peace. While advocating its followers to raise arms in the name of Allah to defend Islam, it strictly forbids them from indulging in any excesses, particularly against the weak, the sick, the old, children and women. Then, how can a Muslim kill innocent people and that, too, while they are entering a mosque?
It is time the government took the necessary measures to maintain law and order and an to ensure peace throughout the country.
COL (RETD) RIAZ JAFRI
Rawalpindi
I ENDORSE Nabi Noor’s views (Feb 10). He has rightly stressed the need for an overhead bridge across the railway crossing at Malir 15.
The scene I observed after a few millimetres of rain early his month was pathetic. There was ankle-deep rainwater on the road leading to Steel Mill and Port Qasim, resulting in a chaotic traffic jam with a long queue of all sorts of vehicles. In particular, women and schoolchildren from different localities on both sides of the crossing faced great hardship in reaching their destinations, as there was no traffic policeman to manage the uncontrolled traffic.
If one observes closely, it is apparent that in Karachi almost at every railway crossings, a mosque has been built and on both sides of the narrow road passing through railway crossings. There are all sorts of vendors selling their goods on carts, not to mention the comfortably sitting beggars across the already very narrow road, causing traffic jams and inconvenience to pedestrians.
One more factor which contributes to traffic jams at such railway crossings is the sheer negligence on the part of motorists who, in order to be the first to cross, overtake others and block traffic on both sides. Are the city government and the Nazims of this particular area listening?
ANWAR QAZI
Karachi
THIS refers to a picture (Feb 10) showing stray dogs. Off and on there are calls to get rid of stray dogs by poisoning them. Okay, poison them, but what will you do with stray economy, stray politics and stray social structure? All symptoms are that we are off the track.
Think as you like but there are some options for at least dogs to deliver. There is a programme on an American TV channel that says all dogs will go to the heavens, and that these are so noble a community that they should not be treated in a rough way.
Some time back, there was news that the US intelligence agencies were badly in need of dogs for training to smell crimes, explosive packs, missing souls, etc. The reason was that local citizens were unwilling to part with their pets.
If the problem of stray dogs still exists in our country, it would be pertinent to suggest to send a planeload of stray dogs to the US with a high-level delegation to earn the gratitude of the superpower and also to enjoy holidaying. This would stir the IMF and the World Band for providing us more loans to keep afloat our economy. Would anybody listen? Please note that great ideas are fuel for progress, and this is one such idea.
SULTAN AHMED CHOWDHRY
Lahore
THE annual call for peace and brotherhood during Muharram has been given by the government, but the government fails to act effectively to prevent sectarian killings.
Furthermore, the true significance of Muharram is not emphasized. Muharram is the first month of the Islamic calendar, a calendar which began not when the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) was born, not when he first received revelation, and not when he started inviting people to Islam in Makkah, but when the first Islamic state was established in Madina.
The current solutions offered to bring about unity among the Muslims are far from being practical. Gathering scholars and looking towards the Organization for Islamic Conference or the Arab League will not ensure unity among the Ummah, nor have such things solved the problems which have arisen out of our disunity.
DR AMJAD MAHMUD
Lahore
GHULAM Kibria’s letter (Feb 20) rightly suggests that the struggling Kashmiri Muslims would do better without the shackles imposed by our “support” which is being exploited to further the massacres in the valley.
I served in the Azad Kashmir government for over three years when the late K. H. Khurshid was the AJK president. I recall that one of his constant subjects (in private) was the idea of an “independent Kashmir” which, of course, was contrary to our known policy on Kashmir and which unfortunately remains as inflexible as it was then, 40 years ago.
Geopolitical compulsions in the region clearly point to the urgent need for a radical change in our Kashmir policy. Perhaps, what is more important is that the newly-elected parliamentarians should explain to the electorate the circumstances and the need for such a change. It is only then that politicking could be separated from emotionalism which seems to rule both our hearts and our heads when it comes to the subject of Kashmir.
S. ASIF MAJEED
Karachi
LAST year, the education department of Punjab appointed about 1,500 lecturers on contract in different colleges. These appointments were made through the Punjab Public Service Commission after considerable delay.
The terms and conditions of the contracts were so strict and harsh that most of the selected persons refused to join and preferred working in the private sector.
Those who joined the service are now facing many problems. Some of them were sent to far-flung areas from where they cannot return to their homes in the evening, while others were posted at places from where access to their homes in the evening was possible, but they have to manage this with their salary of Rs6,210 only. The leave rules, too, are so strict that they are unable to appear in various examinations such CSS, PCS, MPhil, etc.
Chief minister Pervaiz Elahi and Education Minister Mian Imran Masood would realize that a teacher burdened with cares and worries can never be able to impart knowledge to students in a satisfactory manner. The government should change its policy about the contract lecturers so that they may work with some peace of mind.
MUHAMMAD NADEEM ANWAR
Lahore
THIS is with reference to the letter titled ‘India’s nuclear plans’ by Aamir A. Salaria
(Feb 20).
I agree with his views, but there is need to enhance our nuclear capability. We tested our nuclear capability in
1998 and this is the year 2003. We should try to develop our thermo-nuclear capability now.
We are smaller in size than India, and in the event of a nuclear war, we will suffer more. But if we achieve the capability to destroy our enemy, it will never think to wage a war against us.
North Korea is not as powerful as Pakistan is. Its economy is not as sound as Pakistan’s. It has meagre resources, but it has determination and because of its will, even the US is not able to subdue it.
MUHAMMAD RIYAZ Manassas, USA
THIS refers to Peter D’Souza and Fawad Sarwar’s letters titled ‘Migrating to Canada?’ (Feb 18, 25).
It is not the visit or racial profiling that prevents anyone from finding opportunities. We have been in Canada since 1997 and I do find it a land of opportunities with a very safe environment.
The main problem is that we, Pakistanis, do not do proper homework or research before going to a foreign country. I recently met an educated and intelligent man in Islamabad, who was moving to Canada with his family of four. When I asked him what his plans were, he replied, “We will see once we get there.”
There is one more problem. Small businesses are being sold here in Canada to new immigrants, with fraudulent claims of making quick money. Our settled brethren sell their laundromats, pizza business, dry cleaning plants, taxi plates, small grocery and food shops to new Pakistani brothers/sisters. That new Pakistani immigrants fail to promote their business is stating the obvious.
I have come across many who were forced to sell their business concerns/shops again at very low prices, which are again bought by the original sellers to be presented to unsuspecting newcomers.
It is all about doing your homework. Since we have never had an education adviser in schools and financial and retirement planners in our lives, we are not used to planning our lives. My advice to fellow Pakistanis is that they should make a thorough survey of all businesses, talk to as many people as they can and have an accountant and a lawyer to understand all about the background of a business that they want to launch in Canada, or for that matter, in any other foreign country.
Come to Canada but please come prepared. Use websites to understand the modalities of the Canadian society. I have seen a lot of my friends who came here after 1997 and are settled very nicely. All of them did the groundwork before coming.
DR OMER KIANI
Toronto, Canada
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