| March 20, 2003 | Thursday | Muharram 16, 1424 |
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Ignorance: cause of militancy
US, Arabs: a dose of excesses
Imran Khan and PCB
Engineering graduates
Safety of nuclear assets
Industrial waste disposal
Non-payment of doctors’ dues
New strain of pneumonia
Getting into US varsities
Mobile coverage
Porus versus Dahir
Extravagance on March 23
A PAKISTAN government spokesperson has recently announced that (punitive) legal actions will be taken against those Pakistanis who have been deported by foreign countries. This statement appears to have come under certain international political pressures against trafficking in humans, which is being looked at by the West with the perspective of a possible breeding ground for “terrorism” due to such mostly economically impoverished and often “illegal” immigrants.
Pakistani human rights organizations should take note of this newly-declared draconian policy and method of dealing with deportees. It should be remembered that, particularly in the current anti-Muslim and anti-Pakistani atmosphere in western countries, deportees and returnees are certainly not treated justly and fairly in the foreign lands.
On their return, they require a compassionate treatment to heal their mental scars, and need an immediate economic and legal assistance. But the announcements from government officials are going to actually add fuel to the fire.
It is widely known and believed that Pakistanis are specially targeted against, their cases handled with prejudice, they are subjected to physical abuses, and their self-respect is severely compromised by the deporting countries.
In the US, for example, illegal Mexican and Cuban nationals are treated entirely differently. The Pakistan government should not further imperil its own nationals, and consequently their families’ economic and psychological welfare.
In fact, it would be appropriate to debrief each one of the deported Pakistanis, and a database prepared, analysing the causes and effects of return of each of the economic immigrant. The new policy declaration, however, provides more teeth to any corrupt immigration officials, opening their bribe hungry mouths.
Regarding the illegal trafficking in humans, the ring leaders and active operatives of such tragic operations should be caught, tried and given exemplary punishment.
It may require preparing new laws by parliament without further delay. Alas, the parliamentarians are pre-occupied with their own childish dreams, resulting into ever-new and continued nightmares for the poor Pakistanis.
HASHIM SYED MOHAMMAD BIN QASIM
Riyadh, Saudi Arab
THE USA’s present predicament on the impending invasion of Iraq, which has drawn worldwide condemnation, leads one to wonder why a nation of fine, energetic and inventive people has landed itself in such an untenable situation. In my view, it is the result of excess of many things and qualities which the Americans are proud of.
Their excessive love for materialistic well-being has led to excess productive capacity which is now being diverted to war effort to overcome economic slowdown. Love for big cars and ceaseless driving has created excessive need for oil imports and protection of future supply sources through physical occupation of Middle East’s oil-producing countries.
Excess of military expenditure and power has created misplaced overconfidence in the country’s insuperability and oversight of political and human factors. Excessive concern for Israel’s political interests has distorted visions of justice for others.
Excessive internal and external borrowings, excessive indulgence in the dot.com and IT projects hype and the resultant nosedive in stock market has hastened economic recession and provided support for an adventure in foreign lands.
The reaction to the 9/11 attacks was itself overdone, leading to wrong decisions and media’s unceasing chatter and hyperbole regarding need to avoid further terrorist attacks. This gave rise to an extreme of governmental caution and issuance of innumerable warnings and orange alerts of more terrorist activities which never materialized, resulting in further decline in baffled citizens’ confidence and morale. Citizen’s excessive penchant for patriotism fed the fervour for extreme punitive measures.
Even at this late stage, the US could overcome the psychological shock of a pullback from the invasion plan and collaborate with the UN and other important players to achieve Iraq’s disarming or Saddam’s ouster through other means, without the colossal loss of human lives and great upheaval in the Middle East.
The oil-rich Arab countries have themselves ruined their future so far because of excessive or rather exclusive dependence on oil income, and their citizens’ indulgence in easygoing ways. They need a strong corrective dose to undo their past slumber.
S. H. TEHSIN
Karachi
WAR and violence appear to be as old as mankind, but peace is a modern invention. Throughout history, the overwhelming majority of human societies have taken violence and the use of force for granted and made it the basis for their legal and social propaganda.
As history has demonstrated, Pakistani society is not an exception to this rule. Ethnic and sectarian violence continues unabated and peace with India is a utopian dream. It is not that peace is an unattainable goal, but unless significant measures are taken to spread quality education to the masses and arrive at an amicable solution to the Kashmir problem, the perpetual threat of violence will not go.
The low literacy rate and the lack of access to quality education are the chief causes of the deteriorating internal situation in Pakistan. The unavailability of quality education to the masses makes these people gullible and intolerant. They are extremely vulnerable to false religious and ethnic propaganda, easing the task of religious and ethnic extremists who recruit these people to carry out their diabolic plans.
Educating these people would make them more tolerant and equip them with the ability to make rational and logical decisions, specially while discussing such vital issues as that of Kashmir.
The centrality of the Kashmir issue to peace in South Asia cannot be overstated. While both India and Pakistan realize the gravity of this situation, they are consumed by self-pride and are yet to posit an amicable solution to this problem.
It must be realized that Kashmir is now a matter of pride for both countries. Hence a military solution to Kashmir is impossible, but with both countries armed with nuclear weapons, the possibility of nuclear warfare cannot be ruled out.
The above-mentioned are stratospheric goals but they can be achieved. Not by the use of force but by changing the thinking and psyche of people. The responsibility lies not only on the government but also on the educated bourgeoisie to contribute whatever they can.
The masses must be made to realize the menace of extremism and the beauty of moderation, the futility of violence and the unbounded benefits of peace and unity.
AMYN PESNANI
New Hampshire, USA
THERE is no need for forming a special committee to conduct an inquiry into our team’s miserable performance in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2003. Most cricket-lovers are aware of the reasons for the team’s failure.
So forget the past and start working on putting together a disciplined bunch of cricketers who are fit and have the skills to perform to their potential as batsmen, bowlers or all-rounders.
I suggest taking the following steps to achieve the desired results:
a) Hand over the Pakistan Cricket Board to Imran Khan with full powers. Let him appoint a chief operating officer under his chairmanship in case he cannot give the time required to run it himself on a daily basis. I am sure Imran Khan will consult Omer Kureishi and former Test cricketers Jawaid Miandad, Wasim Bari, Asif Iqbal, Intikhab Alam and Zaheer Abbas.
b) Hire Jonty Rhodes of South Africa to coach our boys on batting and fielding. We need an impartial, apolitical, unbiased and highly professional cricketer such as Jonty Rhodes for the job of coach.
c) Hire Wasim Akram as bowling coach. Waqar Yunis should be considered in case Wasim Akram is not available. There is no doubt that these two were outstanding strike bowlers when they peaked.
d) Enforce strict discipline and give full authority to the coach to take exemplary action against any player who violates the laid down rules and regulations.
JALAL AL-KARIMI
Karachi
I WOULD like to draw the attention of the Pakistan Engineering Council and other quarters concerned to the status of graduate engineers after completion of their four-year studies.
It is unfortunate that unlike the doctors who undergo a government-sponsored post-study training called house job, the graduate engineers do not have such a facility. Or is it a fact that there is some law in this regard which remains unimplemented?
I graduated in electrical engineering from the MUET, Jamshoro, in the first division this February, but since then I have been doing nothing except for applying for a job. In most cases, organizations and companies prefer experienced hands and, hence, applicants with no experience are shortlisted in the process.
As engineers have a vital role to play in Pakistan’s development, both the government and private sectors should look into the problem of fresh graduates so that their potential must not be wasted in seeking jobs here and there. It should be a policy of the government, as well as of industry, to absorb all fresh engineering graduates.
As a test case, the various industries should accommodate young engineers for post-study training. Moreover, the PEC must ask the professional universities and institutions to bridge the gap they have with industry.
NAYYAR HUSSAIN MIRJAT
Hyderabad
The government of Pakistan will be well advised to devise contingency plans for possible strikes against our nuclear facilities. Judging from the tone of various radio and TV talk show hosts and their guests in the US, it may just be a matter of time before we become targets.
It can be argued that we are amongst the top five nations on the US hit-list. A coup by a bearded army general or mass anarchy created by the mullahs to overthrow the current government would serve as perfect excuses for the US to strike us.
It should not come as a surprise to us that the US has detailed contingency plans to ‘neuter’ Pakistan in such a case. Building international support against Pakistan will not be as difficult as might be perceived by certain circles in our country.
Let us not have any illusions about current US support and friendship and devise comprehensive plans as to how we will cope with a Indo-Israeli-US alliance to undermine the security and sovereignty of our nation.
At certain times such an eventuality may seem inevitable within the next five years.
HASAN MAHMOOD
Reno, NV, USA
I WAS delighted to read the write-up on “Industrial waste disposal through fungi” by Mr Juned Laiq (March 5).
The examples of conversions and transformations are many and varied. The waste and fungi are used in the manufacturing of antibiotics, preparation of food as well as for development of new products in the food industry.
They are also used for increasing agricultural productivity and in the bioremediation of agricultural farm land polluted by heavy metals.
The environmental situation in Karachi is deteriorating day by day. There is serious air pollution caused by toxic gases emitted by vehicles. The harmful effluents and noxious fumes released by factories are polluting both soil and water.
The application of effective microbes (micro-organisms) for an efficient treatment and disposal of sewage and conversion of the city’s garbage into compost, with the aid of microbes (fungi and bacteria), are an urgent need for saving Karachi’s environment.
DR M. JALALUDDIN
Karachi
INVESTING four years of hard work and studying and a fortune, I finally got a degree of bachelor of dental surgery (BDS) from the Baqai Medical University and a relief for my overburdened parents. One year of house job is the requirement.
During this period we are paid a meagre amount of Rs3,500 a month, although at Jinnah Hospital, a government institute in the heart of city, it is Rs5,000. Making a suitable transportation on my own I pay Rs1,600 a month.
For the last two months we have not been paid our dues. This creates unnecessary problem for us, the needy beginners.
I request the authorities concerned to ensure that all trainees, whether at the Baqai Dental University or at the police department or at any other institute or company, get their stipends on time.
AN AFFECTED DENTIST
Karachi
IT was extremely alarming to find out (March 17) about a deadly strain of pneumonia that is propagating itself around the globe. Its cause is unknown and it has already claimed nine lives.
People have been quarantined and hospital workers face the greatest risk of infection. Since the infection is predominant in the Asian region, it would be wise for the Pakistan ministry of health to undertake precautionary measures.
As this disease has already reached America, Canada and Germany from Asia, apparently through air travel, health inspectors should be present at international airports of Pakistan to handle flights coming in from the high-risk nations. Passengers of the suspected airlines should be quarantined.
It should be remembered that prevention is better than cure, and for a disease like the prevailing deadly pneumonia strain, prevention seems to the only answer since the cure is not yet known.
KASHIF A. KHAN
Karachi
IN his letter, ‘Getting into American Universities’ (March 14), Ali Jaleel laments that the number of faculty of Indian origin in US universities is disproportionately large compared to that of Pakistanis, and puts the ratio at 50 to 1. This might be an exaggeration.
I retired recently from the prestigious Air Force Institute of Technology, Dayton, OH. Besides myself, there were four other professors of Indian origin. There was just one Pakistani from Lahore and that, too, for a short time. Not only that, there is a noticeable number of persons of Indian origin working in almost every major US corporation and government organization. But I want to stress that Indians and Pakistanis get along fine in the US.
VITTAL P. PYATI
Ohio, USA
THROUGH these columns, I would like to stress the need for proper mobile phone coverage within Topi, Swabi and Gadoon.
The people of these areas, including students and officials, have approached various mobile phone companies in Islamabad and Rawalpindi, but in vain.
We request the authorities concerned to extend proper mobile phone coverage available in these areas as soon as possible.
ALI IMRAN
Swabi
KUNWAR Khalid Yunus in his letter describes Raja Dahir as being of “Kashmiri stock”, and the place of his last battle as “Brahmenabad”. These assertions are generally accepted as facts but may not be true.
The popular source for this account is a Persian book Chachnama or Fatehnama-i-Sindh, initially translated from the Arabic in the year 613AH (1216AD). The author, Ali bin Hamid bin Abi Bakr Kufi, treated this as work of art and literature, rather than a historic document. He has spent considerable energy on elaborating and embellishing the original text.
The original Arabic manuscript has been lost. One can discern from the translation that the original Arabic text was more like a personal diary rather than an authentic historical document. Dr Nabi Bakhsh Baloch has pointed out and addressed this fact in his preface and introduction in the Sindhi translation.
Ali Kufi describes the boundaries of the Realm of Rai Saharas as “to Kashmir in the east, to Makran in the west, to the coast and Daibul in the south and to the mountains of Kurds and Kaikanan in the north”.
Elementary geography would correct one’s orientation; that Kashmir is far north of Sindh, but Kachh and Rajputana are to the east. Historically, Sindh has had very close links with Kachh, Kathiawar and Rajputana.
There is no equivalent sound for “chh” in Arabic, the language of the original manuscript. “Chh” and “Ch” sounds are invariably substituted by “Sh” in Arabic. It is therefore possible that the area referred to as “Kashmir” in Chachnama may actually be “Kachh-o-Jaiselmir” which, because of phonetics and inattention to detail and careless translation and transcription was condensed to “Kash-o-Mir”, “Kash-Mir” and later just “Kashmir”.
According to available details, the thrust of the Omayyad forces was towards the north in Sindh. Dahir’s son Jaisenh went to “Chitor”, which is in the “vicinity of Kashmir”, according to the author, and is described as “desert” by him.
One should keep in mind that Sindh was under Persian rule from time to time. The city described as Brahmenabad may be Bahamanabad, after Bahaman the Persian. The reasons for Sindh’s invasion were totally different from the popular myth. Ibn-i-Yousuf, the ruler of Iraq, sent the army to subdue the Arab Illafi tribe, which had murdered the Baghdad-appointed revenue officer in Makran. They settled in Sindh after threats of reprisals from Baghdad. Initial demands were to hand over the Illafis. The war started when this demand was not met.
How true that history is written by the conqueror!
SAIFULLAH NIZAMANI
Worcester, MA, USA
THE Punjab government has put a ban on wasteful expenditure at weddings by restricting the number of guests for a one-dish valima dinner.
The question arises, why is extravagance allowed at March 23 official functions on which millions of rupees are spent unnecessarily?
Why can’t we celebrate this day with sobriety and grace, and save the taxpayers’ money, which can be spent on poverty alleviation?
PROF DR ASLAM PIRACHA
Islamabad
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