| March 3, 2003 | Monday | Zul Hijjah 29, 1423 |
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Indo-Pakistan relations
Killings in Karachi
MMA’s priorities in NWFP
Cricket: moderation needed
Forest resources
Cruelty to animals
Iraq crisis and Pakistan
Plea to extend exam date
Ways to prevent AIDS
Numaish bridge
Quaid’s birthplace
Leasing: the holy sinners
THE 13th Non-Aligned Movement summit concluded on a complex, multi-layered note; its final declaration comes across as a single crashing chord of solidarity, amity and resolve, but the summit was, in fact, a chorus of several distinct tones.
There was a consensus on Iraq and Palestine. With the North Atlantic alliance split and Europe divided between countries for and against the United States’ belligerent assault on three NAM members, namely Iraq, Iran and North Korea, NAM has clearly recognized the crucial role it is now positioned to play in restructuring the global discourse.
The NAM summit can be the seed-crystal of the “new order” mentioned by Malaysian Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad in his opening speech to delegates, but more immediately, the resolutions of the Kuala Lumpur summit may now be expected to flow more purposefully and coherently into the other forum occupied by NAM members, such as the OIC and, preeminently at this seminal pass in history, the United Nations and its all-powerful Security Council (currently featuring six NAM members).
The Kuala Lumpur Declaration acknowledges the need to “revitalize” the Movement and refurbish its “relevance” in bringing development and security to the world’s smallest and poorest nations, through enhanced South-South cooperation. It speaks of strengthening organizational efficiency. And it throws the Movement’s increased 116-nation weight behind the “indispensable” United Nations.
The Kuala Lumpur Declaration thus forms the foundation of the 13th summit’s documents on NAM itself, the organization in the world, and its forthright statements on Palestine and Iraq. In essence, NAM has been re-positioned as a multi-polar guard against the unipolar world being created by the US and its allies, and in this the Movement has sent the western war machine a message of singular intensity: a chorus of voices, in a world of nations, against the dominion of one.
RAHIM PANJWANI
Karachi
THE discussions about the preparations for an impending attack on Iraq in the US media present a chilling picture of the dangers Pakistan might face if its relationship with India does not improve significantly.
Among the various ‘hi-tech’ weapons being touted is the ‘e-bomber’ yet to be field tested. This weapon can reportedly de-activate all electronic gadgets and thus can totally shift the paradigm of the previously held invincibility of some weapons of mass destruction.
Yet another weapon is the ‘bunker buster’ which can penetrate up to a mile into the ground to destroy its target such as an underground nuclear installation. Sooner or later, this technology may become available to Israel and India either through their own indigenous research or through secretive means, thereby changing all equations, unfortunately, in a way highly unfavourable to Pakistan.
A lethal combination of an extreme right-wing government in India and a greatly empowered religious right with its penchant for non-pragmatic and reckless rhetoric have brought the relationship between the two countries to its lowest ebb. The dispute over Kashmir has simmered for as many years as the two countries have been independent. However, it has come to a boil only during the last 10 to 15 years with disastrous consequences for Pakistan.
Just like the Taliban policy, Pakistan’s Kashmir policy has has gained the country nothing and has, on the contrary, brought about the strengthening of fanaticism and the Jihadi culture. There are many territorial disputes between various countries in the world, but no country acts recklessly to endanger its own security in the pursuit of a goal, with only remote chances of success.
Pakistan ought to continue supporting the just struggle of the Kashmiri people in the same manner as it did during the first 40 years of this conflict, but the Kashmiri people have to fight this battle themselves.
It is in Pakistan’s interest to cultivate better relations with India so that it is not economically squeezed in an arms race for development of newer weapons like the ‘e-bomber’ which India with its vastly greater resources can more easily do than Pakistan. A continuation of hostility at this level does not augur well for Pakistan.
M. HAIDER
New Jersey, USA
OVER the years, mosques and imambarghas have become the prime targets of terrorists to fuel sectarian strife in the country, but people have successfully maintained sectarian harmony despite tragic and provocative incidents.
The government and the judiciary need to play their role effectively. Merely arresting terrorists is not enough. Terrorists need to be given exemplary punishment. Unfortunately, it has not been the case in Pakistan.
In many instances, once terrorists are arrested, their cases are not tried speedily. The cases in point are those of Mehfil-i-Murtaza carnage in which 14 people were killed and another pertains to the killing of six people at Imambargah Abul Fazal Al-Abbas, PIB Colony.
Both heinous crimes were committed in February 1995. Despite the lapse of eight years, the cases are still pending in the Sindh High Court and their hearings are routinely adjourned.
If the government cannot punish terrorists, how can we expect that such acts of terrorism will stop?
MARIUM
Karachi
I FULLY agree with Prof Roedar Ahmad Khan’s views published in these columns on Feb 18. The point that I want to make is that the MMA government in the NWFP might be right in trying to implement Islamic laws in the province, but the fact is that there are many other areas that need to be reformed before taking on the eunuchs.
Even during the earliest days of Islam, Allah Almighty very gradually introduced new laws through Prophet Mohammad (peace be upon him). Every law was enforced in stages so that the new converts to Islam could adapt to those changes willingly. In our country where hypocrisy has reigned supreme since Pakistan’s creation, it is essential to go about the process of Islamization very slowly.
If the MMA feels that 100 per cent of the people of the NWFP have voted for them and that they owed these people rapid Islamization, then they are sadly mistaken. They should see the percentage of the total population which actually voted for them, and they would find out how popular they really are.
The “sacred” secret agencies, the United States of America and previous governments have contributed significantly to their victory. If the MMA really wants to get re-elected in the next election, it should go about the governance business very carefully. Various evils of society like financial corruption, mismanagement, nepotism, abject poverty are some of the key areas needing MMA’s immediate attention. Provision of potable water, health facilities, good education and good governance would win the hearts of the electorate all over the country. Punishment for adultery, obscenity and homosexuality, etc. can wait for a while.
Rendering people jobless without providing them with a viable alternative will not only not endear the clerics to the common man but there is good chance that it would make our Creator extremely angry, too.
DR JAMAL NASIR MEMON
Karachi
WE as a nation seem to place much emphasis on cricket. It is as if a calamity has taken place because of the cricket team’s mediocre performance. People are shouting for the disbandment of the team and sacking of the cricket board. The crux of the matter is that at the end of the day it is only a game. There is always a next time.
We should try diverting our energies towards things that are more important to us. Winning and losing is a part of life. What’s important is to play in a sportsman-like manner and not raise too much of a hue and cry over losing.
There is no point in making a fool of ourselves by being sore losers and stoning the houses of cricket players. I hope sanity prevails and we don’t have a repeat of the 1999
debacle when the players received life- threatening calls. Ahmed
F. Hassan
Illinois, USA
it would be appropriate for the government to formulate a clear policy for increasing forest resources. The following are the suggestions that might be helpful in increasing and improving the forest resources:
1. The government should formulate such a forest policy as may ensure the involvement of common man enabling him to grow tress eagerly on his farm.
2. The illegal cuttings of the trees should be stopped and no one should be allowed to violate the rule.
3. Vigorous and quick growing trees should replace the old, diseased and infected tress in the forests.
4. The government should encourage tree plantation at public places such as educational institutions and hospitals.
5. Tress should be planted on both sides of the roads and railway tracks. They would protect the roads from erosion, decrease air pollution and enhance the efficiency of the working community.
6. Arrangement should be made for dissemination of necessary information for tree plantation.
7. The concept of agro-forestry should be popularized to the maximum extent because of the satisfactory results coming out of this technology.
8. The farmers should be encouraged to raise trees on the water channels, paths and bunds. By doing this, they would get additional benefits along with timber and fuel wood.
BILAL HASSAN
Okara
THIS is with reference to the picture of a donkey that broke one of its legs while carrying a heavy load (Feb 25).
I appeal to the government that if we have a law that prohibits cruelty to animals, it should be implemented for many reasons.
There are several areas of concern regarding animal rights. Animals by no means are non-feeling creatures of reflex; they can intensely feel pain just like humans and can also appreciate little acts of kindness. Moreover, animals are incapable of protesting against the atrocities and mistreatment of work. That is to say, animals cannot fight for their rights. Those who ill-treat animals are certainly unable to understand their language and emotions.
So there is a dire need for animal rights activists and awareness campaigns highlighting the plight of animals. Because animal abuse is not just a crime, but also a sin; it is hurting and insulting life; it is the most sickening errand on the surface of Earth, because animals cannot even utter a word in distress. On top of it, it is regrettable that we don’t have any Lady Constantine to rescue animals from sick minds.
This reminds me of some village in which people carry out a barbaric practice of chaining a bear, and dogs are let loose on the beast. So to speak, it is unthinkable for a beast to stay calm when it is being brutally attacked. Nonetheless, the point I am getting at is that some perverted clan derive pleasure out of this heinous crime. The question arises: should such ugly savages be allowed to go near animals, and precisely, what measures should be adopted to prevent them from hurting animals?
Animals are also being run over by cars and buses, and pelted with stones on a daily basis, besides being hunted and trapped. All this happens owing to a couple of reasons which are: it is only a four-legged creature with no feeling whatsoever; and perpetrator is not answerable to any mortal as no law is looming on his head; more significantly, it is Pakistan in which human beings are time and again reduced to dirt, so what can one say of animals?
NADIRA RAHMAN
Karachi
THE US needs nine UN Security Council votes in its favour and no veto to get the UN approval for attacking Iraq. Pakistan is currently on the Security Council and I think that it should vote against a possible war or at least abstain from voting.
The reason is that although the regime of Saddam Hussein has never been friendly to Pakistan, there is no justification for attacking Iraq. Moreover, if the US and the UK do not get the UN approval and still go ahead and attack Iraq, the heads of the countries involved would be responsible for the civilian casualties. They will all be condemned by the UN general body whose vote cannot be vetoed. Then the Iraqi people will be able to take to court the US, the UK and other countries which attacked them. The current US and UK administrations do not think they would face any consequences.
No worldly power lasts forever and I believe if the US and the UK attacked Iraq, then they will one day have to pay reparations to the Iraqi people.
ASIF PATEL
Ontario, Canada
Through your newspaper we, the students of first year Intermediate, would like to bring to the notice of the chairman, Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education, the fact that the textbooks for different subjects, specially chemistry, were launched quite late because of a change in the syllabus.
We have come to know that April 26 has been fixed as the date on which the first year Intermediate examinations will begin. Because of the late arrival of textbooks in the market we shall not be able to complete and revise our course till the commencement of the examinations.
We request the BISE chairman to extend the exam date by one month to give us time to complete the course and prepare for the examinations.
However, if this proposal is not workable, the chemistry syllabus, as well as those of maths and physics, may be shortened.
FIRST YEAR STUDENTS
Government College
University, Lahore
THIS is with reference to a letter (Feb 17) captioned ‘Ways to prevent AIDS‘ by Faqir A. Danish, giving valuable suggestions for checking the spread of the HIV and AIDS.
According to the latest research carried out in Africa, the leading causes of the HIV and AIDS are dirty needles and tainted blood transfusion .
In the light of this study it is alarming to find that both these causes are prevalent here and have assumed enormous proportions.
The government, as a first step in this direction, should promulgate a legislation about the re-use of syringes and screening of blood before transfusion.
The second step should be to allocate substantial funds for this purpose.
In government-run hospitals, specially in small towns, the paramedical staff use one syringe for a number of patients so much so that it ceases to function. When the paramedics are asked to use a new syringe for every patient, their ready excuse is that because of meagre funds they are not able to use a new syringe for each patient. This situation requires allocation of more funds for syringes.
The government should also discourage professional blood donors and at the same time initiate a campaign to create awareness among college and school students for donating blood on a sustained basis.
It is a wake-up call for the government to rethink its priorities and take practical steps to curb the menace of the HIV and AIDS before things go out of hand. Only awareness about them is not a viable option.
MOBASHIR ALI
Multan
MANY big holes have occurred in the pedestrian bridge near Numaish, posing a serious danger to pedestrians. This problem has been raised many times in these columns, but thanks to the negligence on the part the KMC, the bridge has not been repaired yet.
Is it a divine principal that we must not act unless some fatal incident takes place, claiming innocent lives?
RIZWAN NIZAMI
Karachi
IT really makes no difference where the Quaid-i-Azam was born. However, just for the sake of history and keeping the record straight, I would like to respond to Mansoor Ali Shahani’s letter on this subject (Feb 17).
Luckily, I have a book titled My Brother by none other than Fatima Jinnah and published by the Quaid-i-Azam Academy. On page 49-50 of the book, Ms Fatima Jinnah writes: “In those days some of the merchants of Kharadar acted not only as businessmen, but also as bankers. Entire trade of hinterland of Sind, Baluchistan and the Punjab passed through the port of Karachi and, in the absence of adequate banking facilities, monetary transactions and transfers were usually conducted with the assistance of these firms...
“Jinah Poonja & Co, my father’s firm, was one such concern doing a big and flourishing trade, and enjoying the trust and confidence of the people and of the business community... Being a rich locality, there lived in Kharadar a midwife who was considered to be among the best in the city, whom mother engaged in advance, and it was her hands, trained in the medical college of everyday experience, that brought into the world my mother’s first child, a boy; the day was a Sunday and the date was 25th of December in the year 1876.
“The baby boy was weak and tiny, having slim, long hands, and a long, elongated head. The parents were seriously worried about his health, this little baby that was underweight by quite a few pounds. They had him examined by a doctor, who said that, except for his weak appearance, there was nothing physically or organically wrong with him and that his health should give the parents no cause for concern. By a doctor’s reassurance scarcely set at rest a loving mother’s fears and anxieties.
“There arose the question of naming the child so far living in Kathiawar, names of the male members of our family had been so much akin to Hindu names. But Sind was a Muslim province, and the children of their neighbours had Muslim names. The two were agreed that Mohammad Ali would be an auspicious name for their first born, and this was the name they gave him.
“My mother was intensely found of Mohammad Ali, and in spite of the fact that six other children were born to her, she continued to the end of her life to look upon Mohammad Ali as her favourite child. Rahmat, Maryam, Ahmed Ali, Shireen, Fatima, and Bundeh Ali were to be her other children, in all, three sons and four daughters.”
As Kharadar was, and is, a very important part of modern Karachi, the above-mentioned narration by the Quaid’s great sister should end the debate once and for all.
PROF ANWAR UL HAQUE
Islamabad
Before allowing leasing business,the government had sought advice of the Islamic Ideological Council. The council had held finance lease to be un-Islamic. There being two reasons for it. First, under finance lease, the lessee remains liable to full repayment even if the asset is destroyed or severely damaged, whereas under Islamic law, any attempt to shift risks of such damage or destruction to the lessee is void. Second, there can be no binding contract for future sale or option of sale for the leased goods, as the finance lease purports to do.
Leasing companies, flouting the council’s views, however, show lease business conducted by them as finance lease and rather than showing leased business as company’s assets and rentals as receivables, the transaction is shown as lease sale and the entire proceeds together with mark-up as receivables. The lease acquiring companies also, barring few exceptions, show leased assets as assets and full lease repayment as finance liability rather than as rentals.
This (might) be of the same kind as using the money as a commodity which Islam prohibits. Islamic commercial maxim is “Gain accompanies liability for loss”-gain is morally justified only when one is equally exposed to risks to secure it; risk-less gain is unjust and the excess, or mark-up as it is called, is (perhaps) ‘riba.’
Unless leasing industry is using finance lease agreement in defiance of the council’s views, it is clear that operating lease agreement is being used/allowed to be used by those who matter as finance lease.
Professing doing something and not so doing is a great moral blemish. Both those who so do and the regulators who look askance and let it go unchecked breach the trust. Islamic law is an obligation of conscience. Islam requires everyone of us to be true to Allah, himself and to the society. This is established in Allah’s saying “We did indeed offer the trust to the Heavens and the Earth and the Mountains; but they refused to undertake it, being afraid thereof: but man undertook it: he was indeed unjust and foolish.”
Syed Aftab Haider
Karachi
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