| March 24, 2003 | Monday | Muharram 20, 1424 |
To send a letter to the Editor
Click here
Opting for secularism
Ballot for DHA Lahore
Plight of farmers
Globus banking system
Diversion of traffic
Dignity of uniform
Students’ poor knowledge
India’s policy over Kashmir
This judicial ‘black hole’
Annan should resign
Wapda engineers’ plea
F.C. College issue
This refers to the article titled “Lost opportunities for the steel sector” by Dr. Umar Kamal Akhtar which appeared in EBR weekly on 17.03.2003. There are certain facts and figures pertaining to the Pakistan Steel (PS) in the article which need to be corrected and updated as below:
The PS has been in profit consecutively for the last two financial years. It has also been making payments to the banks against instalments regularly in this period and has made a total payment of Rs4.67 billion on this account.
It has also regained its production capacity of 1.1 million tonnes per annum after completing, in December 2002, the long awaited capital repairs and is now running at full capacity. However, in spite of that it is not in a position to meet the rising demand of its products in the market which has resulted in unprecedented sales of Rs14.1 billion in last eight months of the current financial year and is expected to go upto Rs20 billion at the end of the year, against the budgeted target of Rs18.5 billion.
The sales of PS in magnitude during last eight months have been 837,000 tonnes as compared to 490,000 tonnes during the same period in last financial year, and as compared to full production capacity which comes out to be 733,333 tonnes for eight months. The more than capacity demand of 103,667 tonnes was met through stock in inventory which has come to the lowest ebb. It is to meet this upsurge in the demand that expansion in the production capacity of the PS has been envisaged, from 1.1 million tonnes to 1.5 million tonnes per annum in the first phase. The PS in order to avoid accumulation of financial burden and to execute the plan through its own resources has devised a ‘Reverse Integration Plan’ for expansion.
The PS shall be focusing mainly on increase in profitability with shorter investment, and shorter pay-back period, through diversification of its products employing more value addition. The resources generated as a result of sustained operative profit will supplement the financial needs for further expansion ultimately to the required scale i.e. upto 3 million tonnes.
Therefore it has not been correctly stated in the article that “whereas the Pakistan Steel Mills has never achieved its installed capacity to date, expansion plans are under way requiring the investment of an additional $1 to $2 billion (Rs58 to 116 billion) consequently, its already massive financial burden will be multiplied manifold”.
It is incorrect to state that there have been frequent government grants, and that the loans were converted into equity. The factual position in this regard is that an amount of Rs11.37 billion borrowed from banks for the construction of the PS, which should have been converted into equity was, instead, transferred to the account books of the PS even before it started operation. The then government took the onus to bear the financial charges till it was in a position to bear the load. However, these charges were not paid regularly either by the government, or the PS. As a result the loan mounted to Rs19.117 billion by 30th June, 1999.
It was at this point in connection with restructuring of the Corporation, that the previous government facilitated repayment of the loan, by converting it into two parts. Out of which the principal amount of Rs11.35 billion along with mark-up was to be paid in 12 equal yearly instalments, while the accumulated interest of Rs7.767 billion is to be paid in seven equal instalments after the principal amount is fully paid.The Pakistan Steel is not only maintaining the line of payment, but also has over Rs4 billion in its kitty at present ready to pay the next instalment.
The comparison of the PS with Brazilian Steel Mills as presented in the article does not appear to be relevant in the absence of identical details in the matter. The BF and L.D. Converter technology being used by the PS is the technology being used by 70 per cent to 75 per cent iron and steel producing countries. The other technology is ‘direct reduction” technology being in practice in the countries having abundant energy resources.
M . ANWAR SHAHID KHAN
In-charge, PR, Karachi
THIS refers to the news item titled ‘Rawa wants separation of religion from state’ (March 18).
Of course, the Revolutionary Association of the Women of Afghanistan is not the first one in Afghanistan to talk about separation of mosque and state. Most governments in Afghanistan before the “jihad” against the Soviet Union in the 1990s were secular, and the interference of religion in Afghan politics was never the preferred theme of the people.
If we have a closer look at the anti-colonial struggles of the Muslim peoples, we will find that most of them had unimpeachable secularist credentials and they supported minimal interference of the mosque in the workings of the state. They include our very own Mohammad Ali Jinnah in Pakistan, Ahmed Sukarno in Indonesia, Tunku Jafar in Malaysia, Habib Bourguiba in Tunisia, Ahmed Ben Bella in Algeria, Gamal Abdul Nasser in Egypt, Hafez al-Assad in Syria, Kemal Ataturk in Turkey and Yasser Arafat in Palestine.
The point is that in most of the independence struggles of the Muslim peoples against colonization, it was secular principles which were upheld rather than explicit promises of any vague Islamic state. The religious clergy were either not very popular, were subdued by secular forces or as in the case of Iran, actually supported the claims of the secularists due to breadth of outlook.
Only when US imperialism needed reliable clients to overturn the revolutionary promises made by these secularists to their newly-independent people did Islamic fundamentalism actually rise in strength. The decline of the Soviet Union actually left an ideological void which has been rapidly filled up by Islamic fundamentalism.
I advocate that we should immediately stop state funding of mosques which propagate sectarian hatred and fratricide rather than tolerance of rival viewpoints.
I remain convinced that solution to our collective problems lies in insisting on secularism which has its roots in the great bourgeois revolutions of France and England, and their traditions of liberalism, democracy and rationalism. It is time the Muslim world reclaimed the greatness which has eluded it since the 14th century, in the best traditions of our secular founding fathers.
RAZA NAEEM
Lahore
IT is a universal practice that you make an organization first and then fill bodies into it. But with our government it is, sometimes, the other way round.
Similar is the example of Defence Housing Authority, Lahore, which is being managed exclusively by the military bureaucracy who, about a month ago, held a unique type of ballot for its Phase VI against the open files owned by both civilians and militarymen.
As a result of this so-called ballot (without releasing any numbered map beforehand!), all these people have been given is only the plot numbers while the master plan or map on which they can locate these plots have been withheld, for the reasons best known to the authority.
It all looks a farce to all those concerned. What is actually happening behind the closed doors now, due to the unnecessary delay, is raising the eyebrows of many. Will the high-ups take notice of this anomaly to satisfy the public at large who have billions of rupees at stake?
WASIM ATTAULLAH
Lahore
IT has been said time and again that agriculture is the backbone of our economy. The prime minister in his resent speech once again promised that he would do his utmost to help this sector. Let’s come down to realities on the ground.
These days farmers, mostly in central Punjab, are harvesting the potato crop. I belong to Depalpur Tehsil which is the leading potato-growing area in our country. We are selling our crop at Rs80-95 per 40kg, which is lower than the input cost. Even at this cost we are running after buyers and are being manipulated by the middleman.
During the last season, we sold the same crop at a rate of Rs160-180 per 40kg. This roughly shows a decrease of about 50 per cent in the selling price as compared to the last year’s price. On the other hand, the prices of diesel and oil have gone up by about 25 per cent in the same period, besides the rising cost of other input items.
The above-mentioned facts clearly show the grave situation we are in. The same thing is happening in the case of sugarcane crop. I am not an economist but one thing is clear that if the farmers do not get due reward for their hard work, our economy will not improve.
Now it is up to the government to support the farmers who are in a deep trouble.
SYED ITRAT HUSSAIN
Lahore
THE State Bank of Pakistan, through a circular issued recently, has informed all Treasury offices in Sindh that “pension bills being accepted now at the Counter will not be accepted by the new system which, inter alia, provides the facility of payment only through cheque as no cheque book advice is being used against the pension bills and the new Globus system may only allow those instruments against which the cheque book advice has already been issued in the computer system”.
The Treasury officers have been advised to adapt themselves to the requirement of the Globus banking system by March 31 which is the cut-off date.
It is interesting to note that the said circular has been addressed direct to the Treasury officers and not to the finance department which exercises administrative control over them. Hence, in the absence of directions from the finance department, Sindh, the Treasury officers are unable to initiate any action in this regard. Moreover, a very short time — less than a month — has been given to fulfil the demands of the Globus banking system vis-a-vis the pensioners.
Besides, the authorities concerned in the SBP have not taken into consideration the difficulties involved in the changeover. For instance, the printing of cheque books for 30,000 peoples drawing pension from the Treasury office, Karachi, and 60,000 from the banks outside the Treasury office; pensioners already being poor with measly amounts of pension will now pay five rupees per cheque leaf for collecting their pensions; pension bills pass through several stages at the Treasury office and are finally consigned to the AG office. This process will not be possible in the new system; rigid verification of pensioners is carried out before issuing pay orders to them which will be difficult to ensure in the cheque book system; and, above all, more staff will be required to work the new system as directed by the SBP.
It is hoped that the above-mentioned apprehensions of the Treasury offices would be looked into by the concerned, and remedial measures taken in the interest of the already neglected pensioners.
M. ALEEM SHAIKH
Karachi
THIS is to bring to the notice of the Sindh chief minister the great hardship being faced by the owners/occupants of Progressive Plaza, PIDC House, Beaumont Plaza, Shaikh Sultan Trust Building and Citizen Public School, situated on Beaumont Road, Karachi, owing to frequent traffic jams since the closure of Dr Ziauddin Ahmed Road to public and heavy transport some months back.
Buses, mini-buses, coaches and trucks are diverted from Dr Ziauddin Ahmed Road to Beaumont Road which is not wide enough to adjust to the heavy traffic and is further narrowed by parking on either side of the road, thereby making it more difficult for motorists and commuters to reach their destinations on time. Schoolchildren and the area people face a great danger, as public vehicles violate traffic rules on the road.
The chief minister is requested to allow running of the public transport on Ziauddin Ahmed Road, so that motorists and commuters can reach their destinations on time, without facing any hardship, and the people who live and work along Beaumont Road can get some relief.
AHMED SAEED
Karachi
A PROFESSIONAL soldier, improperly turned out in uniform, is hardly a credit to his arm or service. Soldiers, from Jawans, NCOs and JCOs to general officers, are no exception to the rule.
Uniform is to be worn strictly according to the regulation, permitting little or no personal stylistic variations. Except for the badges and insignia of ranks (red tabs, cap braids, etc. for colonels and above) and medal ribbons varying in description and numbers according to the professional record and attainments of each individual, the rest of the uniform remains ‘uniform’.
Only the headgear — service/regimental berets for all ranks up to the rank of lieutenant-colonel — and a choice between blue berets and braided peaked caps for full colonels and above — differ. Full medals may be worn by all ranks on special occasions like the Pakistan Day parade, the guards of honour drawn on state visits of foreign dignitaries and regimental darbars/re-unions.
On workaday wear, only ribbons, representing general service/campaign/personal courage/ leadership (in action), meritorious service medals are worn by all ranks according to length of service and individual performance.
To the best of my knowledge, full sleeves were replaced by half (rolled up) sleeves during Gen Aslam Beg’s tenure as COAS and stay in vogue still.
It came quite as a surprise, therefore, to an old-timer like myself to see on the TV screen a general officer wearing his camouflage, commando tunic front open way down to expose part of his chest. General officers/field commanders may (and do) dress unconventionally at times, specially through a field exercises, or a war, or according to the vagaries of the weather. But very rarely, if at all, during a public appearance, specially through a live or pre-recorded telecast.
The general officer concerned happened to be Lt-Gen Tauqir Zia, Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board, appearing recently on TV in uniform to explain the poor performance of his team in the World Cup 2003. His noticeably informal turnout must have left many an old-timer — even a pro forma posted war veteran like myself — wondering about the harm such casualness could do to the dignity of the uniform.
BRIG (R) A.R. SIDDIQI
Karachi
THIS is with reference to the PTV-1 programme “Roshni” telecast at about 9.45pm on March 15. In this programme, two school teams participated. The questions related to Islam, Pakistan, sports and general knowledge. It was very painful to see that both the teams answered one question only out of the 16 questions asked about Islam and Pakistan!
This shows private schools’ policy towards these two subjects which are important insofar as the Pakistan ideology is concerned. It also shows the poor standard of education of such schools. Please pay attention to these subjects.
M. AKMAL HAKRO
Karachi
THIS refers to the letter by Mr Kuldip Nayyar from New Delhi (March 13).
Mr Nayyar thinks that President Pervez Musharraf is not inclined to hold talks with India. Well, there seems to be no basis for the president to do so without the Kashmir issue being taken into consideration by India.
Violence against the Kashmiris is no more acceptable to Pakistanis. Enough is enough. No economic relations with India at the cost of Kashmir. It is time India started talk on the Kashmir issue.
Mr Nayyar is wrong when he says President Musharraf has a military mind, and not the people’s mind.
If India does not want peace, it also must not try for economic ties. Our economic ties with India depend on the resolution of the Kashmir issue according to the United Nations resolutions.
SHOAIB BOKHARI
Larkana
THIS is with reference to your editorial titled “This judicial ‘black hole’” (March 18). The betrayal of America was initiated when the Supreme Court undermined the Constitution and chose Bush Junior as president of the US.
In a very interesting book The Betrayal of America, writer Vincent Bugliosi, after investigating the procedural and legal flaws of the Supreme Court ruling in the Florida election, concluded that the election was stolen by the highest court in the land on the deliberate pretext of an inapplicable constitutional provision that resulted in one of the most frightening and dangerous events ever to have occurred in the US.
The writer categorically states that in the Dec 12, 2000, ruling by the US Supreme Court handing the election to George W. Bush, the court committed the unpardonable sin of being a knowing surrogate for the Republican Party instead of being an impartial arbiter of the law.
It is also important to remember that the US government some time back stated that a crime committed by an American citizen, in a sovereign state, could only be tried under the US laws and in the US.
And, now we have the decision of the US Federal Appeals Court pertaining to a group of foreign citizens captured in Afghanistan and being held at the US base in Cuba, rightly described by your editorial as judicial ‘black hole’.
In the words of Winston Churchill, there is nothing to worry in a country if the judiciary is functioning. God help America on its down-hill journey and the consequential disorder throughout the world.
NAZIM F. HAJI
Karachi
KOFI Aanan should have resigned in protest since the unilateral war initiated by the US, violating international laws, is nothing but a defeat of United Nations very objective.
If the UN cannot guaranttee harmony and consensus in the international community, then it would be better to close its doors and let the nations decide their destiny and fate individually even if it is at the cost of human catastrophe.The United Nations motto now should be revised as “Might is right”.
I am surprised why a Noble laureate for peace is reluctant to protest against the cruelty.
MUHAMMAD ASIF
Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
ENGINEERS are the backbone of a country’s economy. They bring with them expertise and professional approach to the various fields of research and development. They are thus the roaring engine of economic prosperity.
Their role is recognized and rewarded in enlightened countries but regrettably it is not so in Pakistan where they are rather downgraded.
For example, scores of engineers in Wapda, particularly those at the thermal power stations, are working in low grades (BPS-5 to 16), contrary to their qualification status. They thus feel demotivated and demoralized in various working areas vis-a-vis other low-qualified staff. They have long been aspiring for promotion but in vain, because the authority has no justifiable policy to accommodate them in higher grades.
Fault lies with the human resource department that virtually may cease to function judiciously and have cumbersome liability on Wapda management. If, in any organization, employees are not rewarded in terms of their qualifications, they fail to deliver to their core potential and, consequently, prove to be counter-productive.
Staffing on merit and qualifications is necessary to lead the organization into a viable and profitable entity. We appeal to higher authority to recognize the merit and experience of such engineers for the sake of betterment of the organization.
AN AGGRIEVED ENGINEER
Via email
THE Punjab government has notified that the Government F.C. (Forman Christian) College should be returned to the missionaries, the Presbyterian Church. It was, with Gordon College of Rawalpindi and 19 schools of Lahore, nationalized in 1972. Ten schools were already returned to the church.
The Joint Action Committee of teachers, doctors and students has taken out processions against this decision. They claim it is a step to pledge the educational system to Americans, alluding to the fact that Dr Peter Armocost from the US is about to take over as the principal. In our view, this claim is only political rhetoric signifying the disrespect of law, lack of social responsibility and historical ignorance.
The Government F.C. College is a respectable institution of Lahore, rated as second only to the Government College (University) Lahore. However, as some alumni of the college, like no other than President Musharraf himself, may recall that the F. C. College, due to its strict rules in its heyday in the early seventies, got the reputation of Fine Collecting College. Since then it has only witnessed a gradual decline in its academic standards. It has in fact become a hub of activities for politically ambitious students’ union. Therefore, every effort to uplift its declining standards needs to be appreciated and supported.
The legal aspect of this decision is that the Supreme Court has ruled more than three years ago in favour of returning the college to its original founders, the church. It was only shelved due to political turmoil following the sacking of the Nawaz Sharif government. After the decision of the Supreme Court, it is the joint responsibility of all stakeholders to abide by it, no matter if it goes against one’s wishes.
The social aspect of this issue is that of inter-faith tolerance. The demonstrators, led by the Joint Action Committee, give this impression as if it is a decision against Islam. Whereas Islam obligates its followers to return the trust to its owners. In our view, F. C. College is an ‘amanat’ of the church, and the government is a trusty. It is time this ‘amanat’ was returned. In this regard, the government should also pay one billion rupees, due as rent, to the church, ensuring that the amount be used for educational reforms in the college.
For the Presbyterian Church, we suggest that all necessary steps should be taken for renaissance of F. C. College without any fear. All decisions should be taken on merit with the least possible accommodation of political interests.
On the other hand, all designs of making it a “premier” and “elite” institution just by enhancing fee levels should be discarded. Fees can be increased to a reasonable extent but any resemblance to the fee structure of LUMS, as Punjab educational minister wrongfully assumes, would damage the supposedly higher goals of the church. Nothing can be as important as the meaningful reformation of educational institutions of Pakistan.
JAWAN PAKISTAN
Think Tank on Youth, Lahore
You can also send letters to the Editor
Just send your message to the following address:
Make sure you include your full name, postal address, e-mail address, and in the case of Pakistan your day-time telephone number.