| April 2, 2003 | Wednesday | Muharram 29, 1424 |
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Islam & Pakistan Movement
Inflated gas bills
Checking police crime
Bangladesh in our textbooks
Bricklining canals won’t do much
Paying tribute to Maisoon
Peshawar KMC hostel
In memory of Alys Faiz
Kohat tunnel
RBOD project
PTV showed old shot?
US: love and hate
His estimate is based on an expected 15,000 vehicles using the tunnel daily. These figures break down to one vehicle every six seconds and a saving of Rs4,667 per vehicle per trip. Does the NHA know how much a million is?
THE Republic of Turkey arose from the ashes of the Ottoman Empire after its defeat along with Germany in World War I (1914-18). A revolution for constitutional reforms led by “Young Turks” had broken out earlier in 1908.
Its leader Mustafa Kemal succeeded in defying the decision of the Armistice of Oct 30, 1918 and waged a three-year “war after the war” from the summer of 1919 to the autumn of 1922 to evict the armed forces of all the occupying powers. His slogan was “Turkey for the Turks and the Turks for Turkey”.
Kemal denounced Sultan Mehmat VI for his abject surrender to the Allies and the last Ottoman Sultan went into exile on Nov 17, 1922. After his departure, his cousin Abdul Medjid was named the caliph. The Grand National Assembly in Ankara elected Kemal as its president in 1924 and abolished caliphate in March 1924. Turkey became a secular country with a complete separation of religion from state.
World War I was also a war of the British Empire against the Ottoman Empire. The former, on being victorious, was determined to dismember the last independent stronghold of Islam in Europe and remove every trace of the “Sick Man of Europe” from that continent.
The League of Nations established in 1920 for the maintenance of peace apportioned the Ottoman Empire into new states of Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Trans-Jordan, etc. but failed to settle the issue of Palestine and an independent state for Kurds.
At the political level Aga Khan III offered his service to the then British prime minister to go to Switzerland and Turkey and use his influence to prevail upon the leaders of Turkey to withdraw from its alliance with Germany, but this offer was rejected. After the end of World War I, he led a delegation of Indian Muslim leaders to the British prime minister to plead the case of Turkey, but the British PM refused even to meet the delegation.
Aga Khan then sought the assistance of the president of France, another occupying power. It was with the surplus French armament left after the end of war that Kemal waged his three-year “war after the war” to evict the armed forces of all occupying powers from Turkey. This was his first task and Turkey must beware never to permit armed forces of any foreign power to occupy any portion of its territory again.
Turkey owes a great debt to the Muslims of the world for its rebirth as an eminent power. It also needs to make amends for the sufferings of the Muslim peoples that followed the occupation of Muslims states by the Ottoman Empire. It now has an opportunity to restore the harmony which existed at the time of Salahuddin Ayubi.
It needs to review its relations with Israel and the US. Its parliament rejected the government’s recommendation and the generals’ advice to permit the US forces to use its territory for an invasion of Iraq from the north. Creation of a de-facto tiny Kurdistan in northern Iraq by the US should not have been a reason. Turkey, Iran and Iraq should consider the right of the Kurds to their homeland.
H. A. HAJI
Karachi
THIS refers to letter titled “Opting for secularism” (March 24). It may be noted that the Pakistan Movement derived its inspiration from the Islamic principles rather than from a secular ideology. Pakistan is an Islamic country, not just in name but also in reality and spirit.
The establishment of an independent Muslim state was predominantly based on the fundamental principle of faith in Islam. There should be no reason to disagree with this hard fact that political struggle could not bear fruit if it was not stimulated by a religious fervour. The movement for independence was kept together by the nexus of religion.
Hypocrites have now chosen the playground of secularism to protect their personal aspirations and while doing so they happen to mould, twist and distort the facts. In order to determine the real state of affairs, an example can be given from one of the statements of the founder of the nation when on March 19, 1944. While addressing the Punjab Muslim students at Lahore, he severely warned the socialists and communists to stop their anti-Muslim activities.
Discarding the basis of communism, he clearly said: “Hands off! Hands off! I say communists, hands off! If you try the same game, it will hit back like a boomerang. Islam is our guide and a complete code of our life. We don’t want any isms..., socialism, communism or national socialism.”
The above-quoted historic statement of the Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad All Jinnah would satisfy those who have any misunderstanding about the views of the father of the nation. The same point was further clarified on Dec 26, 1943 in the course of the annual session of the All-India Muslim League held at Karachi.
MIAN AZIZ-UL-HAQ QURESHI
Member Executive Committee, Nazaria-i-Pakistan Foundation, Lahore
I WOULD like to bring to the notice of the authorities concerned the serious irregularities in the billing system of the Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC). I am a domestic consumer and feel being looted by this public sector organization.
I received a bill earlier this week, charging me Rs2,450.80 for consumption of 296 cubic metres of gas in February 2003 and arrears amounting to of Rs2,311 for another 297 cubic metres consumed in January 2003.
As my previous bills clearly show the consumption of gas charged for both the months is way out of line of the average consumption throughout last year. It is not on account of winter, because hot water runs in our home throughout the year.
It is true that an exactly identical amount of consumption was shown in February 2002. It seems to me that in the opening months of each year, the SSGC claims excess consumption and charges the customers what it pleases. From what I know, a progressively higher rate applies to consumption. So there is a “double-whammer” when increased consumption is charged by the company.
When I read my meter on March 28, it showed 12,954 cubic metres compared to 13,002 supposedly “read” on March 10, 2003 by the SSGC. Only a public sector organization like SSGC, I believe, can pick your pocket and then threaten you with dire consequences. My bill had a special notice printed on it, which said: “Gas supply already on disconnection”.
Thank you, SSGC. I have still paid your bill.
SHAGUFTA EJAZ
Karachi
IT IS a disgrace for the country that people get killed, robbed, abused and dishonoured almost every day. Those who are committing these crimes and sinful acts are the ones who are supposed to protect the people. Politicians and the government are supposed to ensure that the people are protected, and anyone who has committed crime be punished. If they do not do so, they must be held accountable.
After reading the news about Mohammad Owais I was shocked. There will be many cases like this happening every day but a few of them are reported. There are various reasons for this but the most important is police procedure through which people are rather put to great harassment instead of getting relief.
There can be many things which can change our police system and I would like to mention a few:
— Good education and training should be ensured at every level.
— Public dealing needs massive changes. Most of the policemen who lack education do not even know how to talk to people. Every person on the road is not a criminal if they can’t point out the criminal, they should not harass the public by treating them as criminals.
— All government employees should know the fact that they are “public servants” and no more.
— Every province should have only its native police.
I hope the government would take notice of things and ensure protection to people and that no one should escape from the law.
SYED RAZI UR RAHMAN
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
MR Shamsul Muktadir, a fellow of Unesco and nominee of the Bangladesh government, is quite apt in saying that “relations between Pakistan and Bangladesh are suffering from... hiding the facts and occurrences surrounding the episode of 1971”. He further stressed that the Pakistan government should “...document and include in the textbooks of Pakistan the objective and impartial history that had led to the birth of Bangladesh.” (March 12)
It is ironical that our textbooks of Pakistan Studies give a misleading and passing reference regarding the events which led to the creation of Bangladesh. One such passage reads: “In 1971 there was some political unrest in Pakistan and the Indian forces attacked resulting in the emergence of Bangladesh (former East Pakistan) as a separate country.”
This is part of the ostrich syndrome and is tantamount to taking refuge in self-deception. Now when the relations between Pakistan and Bangladesh have started improving on the initiative of President Pervez Musharraf, we should be bold enough to face the facts and accept the responsibility for the dismemberment of Pakistan in 1971. We should expose the elite that was responsible for the debacle and give a factual and detailed narration of the unfortunate events leading to the sad episode.
This is important for the guidance of the new generation so that they could learn a lesson from it which would go a long way to forge unity, establish solidarity and promote harmony between Pakistan and Bangladesh. Great nations always learn from history.
PROF A. H. SUBHANI
Faisalabad
PRIME Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali announced in his address to the nation on March 11 bricklining of 10,000 watercourses each year to stop seepage. He said this would save one-half the water stored in Mangla Dam, which itself has lost 20 per cent of its capacity.
This plausible solution to our water problems has been often suggested by our bureaucracy to divert attention from building a mega-storage dam at Kalabagh. The fallacious presumption of lining the watercourses as an alternative to building a storage dam does not take into view the fact that our surplus flood river water is available only for 70 days in a year which, if not stored, flows into the sea.
The watercourses are merely conduits of water and cannot act as storage points during the flood season. Moreover, whatever water is apparently lost by seepage is stored as ground water which we pump out to an extent of 50MAF each year which is not a dead loss as such.
It has been experienced in the past that out of the 40,000 watercourses bricklined in the past many have gone into disrepair, thus loosing water by leakage instead of seepage, which wastes water rather than storing it in the aquifer. The existing endemic corruption in the building and constant renovation of 120,000 watercourses covering an area of over one million miles would be another story.
Therefore, when plans are made to brickline watercourses, it should be seen that these cannot be a replacement for a big storage dam that would also generate cheap power for domestic and industrial use. The prime minister ought not to have been taken in by the wizards of his government to confound the vital water issue.
DR M. YAQOOB BHATTI
Lahore
I WAS saddened to learn about the sudden and tragic death of Maisoon Hussein, a soft-spoken, gentle lady, with a shy smile. I first met her at one of our seminars, at which she drew my attention to the dangers and menace of guttka and supari, and suggested that my NGO take up the issue.
I had referred Maisoon to a leading dental surgeon, and since then she had written several articles on how eating guttka and supari could lead to mouth cancer. And it was her articles that motivated us to launch our campaign against guttka and supari.
She will be missed by many. May God rest her soul in peace.
HAMID MAKER
Karachi
I WANT to draw the attention of your esteemed daily to the plight of the students of the Khyber Medical College in Peshawar. There is a breakdown of administration in the hostels, with the problem of allotment at its worst.
On application the administration does allocate accommodation but those who are already in possession of the rooms refuse to quit, despite the fact that their allotment period has already expired. They refuse to leave the rooms because they themselves are denied their due seats in the cubicles. This leads to a vicious circle. Thus, the administration is rendered ineffective.
At the end of the day, confrontation between students becomes inevitable. There numerous examples of students fighting among themselves on this count. The administration must reassert its authority and provide peaceful atmosphere for study instead of letting the students suffer.
SHAH ABID YOUSAFZAI
Peshawar
I USED to meet the late Alys Faiz in the corridors of the office of the Pakistan Times whenever I went to see my late husband Ali Akhtar Mirza, who was working as chief district correspondent and shared a room with the late Aziz Siddiqi.
Alys Faiz always gave me a pleasant smile and sometimes asked me ‘aap kaisay hain’ (how are you?). I had an opportunity to get to know her a little better when a women’s delegation went to Moscow in June 1987 to attend the world women conference arranged by the Democratic Women’s Association. We are indebted to Tahira Mazhar Ali, who arranged for our travel and visas.
It was a group of around 20 working women from different professions. Among the group were Alys Faiz, Muneeza Hashmi, Zari Sarfraz, Tallat Yaqub, Khadija Gauhar, Miryam Habib, Nasrin Azhar, Nasim Shamim — I do not remember many more.
One afternoon on that trip to Moscow I was yearning for a cup of tea. I went to the kitchen but found no one there. As I started out of the kitchen I met Alys Faiz in the hall. She asked what I was looking for. I told her about my wish. She smiled, entered the kitchen, put on the kettle and made me a real steaming hot cup of tea. She herself did not take one. I appreciated her kind gesture and shall cherish her memory all my life. I pray for her soul.
PROF MRS S. P. MIRZA
Lahore
Dawn recently reported that the Kohat Tunnel was going to help save Rs70 million daily in POL consumption. This was reported to be stated by the NHA’s project director.
C. A. HAFEEZ
Lahore
THIS refers to Dr Iqbal Ali’s article “Sustainable environment” (March 12). The writer rightly pleads for solution based on a compromise between archaeological, environmental and economical conditions. We have built mega-projects like Mangla and Tarbela dams but never encountered the environmental problems being given unnecessary importance by the donors. As the RBOD is being built with our own resources, there is no need to observe the environmental yardstick set by the donors, specially when we know the fate of tidal link of the LBOD project.
All praise to this government for vowing to complete this project, planned in the mid-sixties. The news-item appearing in this paper on March 13 (“Call to stop work on RBOD”) is regrettable. Instead of supporting the interests of a few individuals or absentee landlords, we should help the authorities to complete the project.
ENGR. HASSAN ZAEEM
AFTAB
Karachi
I WAS shocked to hear the news on PTV’s Khabarnama on March 26 about snowfall in Chitral and adjoining areas. I live in Chitral and in the last one month there has been no snowfall here, but ample rainfall. The videotape with the news-item showed snowfall, which had occurred on Feb 15.
Despite all boisterous campaign by PTV about its news converge, this little news-item clearly shows the incompetence and unprofessional approach of PTV towards news and information where fast, accurate and live coverage are the norm of the day. This news-item would have been timely and accurate on Feb 15 but on March 26 it amounts to deceiving people.
SAJJADUALLH BAIG
Chitral
THIS is with reference to the letter by Mr William Worsley in which he has asked that why many Pakistanis hate America and, at the same time, want to go at settle over there.
People really loved to go to America because of the great American values of democracy, equal opportunity, fair play, justice and freedom, etc. that have been on offer to people living in America and that are far cry from situation in most of the countries in the world. The future situation in America is unclear at present.
People really hate America because these values are non-existent in American dealings with the rest of the world. Just as Mr Worsley is puzzled by the contradiction of Pakistanis in their approach towards America, we Pakistanis are equally puzzled to see ourselves being moved to and fro between the status of being the frontline state against communism in the past and terrorism at present and being sanctioned to eyeballs for one reason or the other once the purpose is served. And this has very little to do with the rule of democracy or dictatorship in Pakistan.
In fact, most of our dictators have been close allies of the US because they were in a position to serve some “supreme American national interest”. Similarly, there are some “supreme personal interests” of living a respectable life that are associated with every human being and that lead many people in the world to go to America not to “slaughter” anyone, as Mr Worsley puts it, but to live a better life.
I would request Mr Worsley and other like-minded people to examine America’s approach towards the issues of Palestine, Kashmir, Algeria and Iraq, International Court of Justice and global warming, etc. with impartiality.
He may be surprised to see the extent to which many “American values” have been and are being ignored by successive American governments.
ENGR. M. ZAFAR IQBAL
Karachi
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