| April 5, 2003 | Saturday | Safar 2, 1424 |
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State of public libraries
Resurgence of TB
Will new PMDC be effective?
US vs new emerging forces
Victory for Osama
Knowing your friends from foes
Destruction of crops
Breakdown of civic service
KPT pay scales
Teaching in English
Plea to PTCL
CPLC: change of leadership
YOUR editorial titled “More money for PCSIR?” (March 29) presented a fair assessment of the deplorable condition of the PCSIR. From my experience of interacting with the PCSIR for quarter of a century, I know many good scientists who retired or left the PCSIR for better jobs.
The remaining lot, as your editorial rightly pointed out, largely comprises those who have ‘education that is sadly out of date and research methods that are largely obsolete’. Nonetheless there are still some good scientists who have stayed on.
The thing to worry about is the fact that over a period of time some of the ‘deadwood’ have been promoted to managerial positions. To the best of my knowledge, none of these have any formal training in science administration. To make things worse, some of these officials are known to have discouraged young talented scientists from trying out new approaches. Imagine how they would make best the possible use of the Rs1.3 billion.
The announced substantial financial allocation speaks volumes for the government’s resolve to revamp the PCSIR. Nonetheless, its effective use is likely to be hampered by the existing management calling the shots. For better results, here are some key points for the government to consider:
1. All scientists now performing managerial tasks without any managerial training should be encouraged to return to their respective laboratories.
2. Make lateral induction into senior management with those who have demonstrated a successful career as science managers.
3. Make salaries and perks of the scientists stand on a par with the equivalent administrative posts, and restore pride in the scientific profession.
4. Re-organize task-oriented research teams to optimize their output, specially for supporting the SMEs.
5. Arrange task/team management training programmes for the task team leaders.
6. Encourage each scientist, irrespective of seniority, to present new ideas at an open forum within the institution.
7. Ensure timely availability of abstraction publications like Chemical Abstracts, and broadband Internet connectivity to all scientists.
8. Institutionalize output-linked monetary incentives for task teams.
9. Set up an industrial relations desk in every industrial estate, and build mutual confidence by giving staff on loan to work in R&D and quality control sections of selected industries.
10. Arrange staff exchange with similar institutions of friendly countries.
DR PARVAIZ NAIM
Kathmandu, Nepal
IT is a matter of great concern for the younger generation that it have got no proper place to go to for reading and studying. I am talking about our ill-kept public libraries and the lack of maintenance and facilities there.
Very recently I was asked by my British examiner in an English language examinations about the role of libraries in our society and not surprisingly I was speechless. This was a great shame for me and also for my country.
Let me give you a few examples of the libraries in the vicinity of where I live. Mansoora Library in the middle of F.B. Area is only good for reading newspapers and that’s about all.
After being disappointed with it, I went to Taimuria Library in North Nazimabad, which is one of the biggest libraries in Karachi. But the conditions and the lack of maintenance in that library are much worse than the word pathetic can describe.
Seating arrangements in the library are so inadequate, bad and uncomfortable that no one can sit there for more than a few minutes. Imagine the misery of the students who may require to use the facility for longer. Then, as the night approaches, half of the lights go off. The paid section charges Rs600 for membership and provides nothing comparable to a good public library.
I strongly appeal to the councillors and the Nazims to take notice of this scenario and put in some effort to make things better at this public facility, which caters to some 300 to 500 people everyday.
DR ZEESHAN AHMAD
SIDDIQUI
Karachi
YOUR editorial under the above-misleading caption (March 27) is thought-provoking. However, TB was never ever brought under control in Pakistan. It only behoves those countries of the West such as America, Britain and some European countries where it had been brought under control.
TB has made a comeback with a vengeance in the last decade because of the introduction of HIV/AIDS and that, too, MDR (multidrug resistant) tuberculosis.
Unfortunately, in Pakistan quite a few local pharma companies have started manufacturing anti-TB drugs and that also in fixed dose combinations without bothering about their bio-availability or even ordinary clinical details thereby raising the spectre of increasing not only the TB burden but MDR-TB also, which a poor country like Pakistan can ill afford.
I request the federal health ministry to put an immediate ban on such unscrupulous companies producing anti-TB drugs.
DR JAN
Hyderabad
THIS is with reference the article, ‘PMDC makes a new beginning’ by Dr Shershah Syed (March 19). The writer informs us that a new set-up at the Pakistan Medical & Dental Council would be able to wash away the past mistakes of this important statutory body, controlling standards of medical education and its practice in the country.
As things stand today, the PMDC is yet to be an independent and autonomous body like the General Medical Council of United Kingdom and, therefore, it is not in a position to withstand pressure exerted by politicians and vested interests. As a result, medical colleges in the public sector are still the target of abuse of authority by bureaucrats and corrupt politicians.
In the private sector, large-scale irregularities and misdeeds on the part of the PMDC have led to the mushrooming of substandard colleges all over the country. The present new-look PMDC is still unnecessarily harsh on the well-established private sector colleges.
Separate yardsticks are applied to judge the colleges. Favouritism is rampant. In fact, medical education in the country is in a mess and deteriorating by the day. The question arises: is the situation beyond redemption?
According to Dr Syed, the new set-up at the PMDC, with the appointment of a new secretary, has shown astuteness and flexed its muscles when it recently refused recognition to the Gomal and Swat medical colleges established by the NWFP government, “despite threats from the Governor’s House”.
Dr Syed and all well-wishers of medical education and treatment in Pakistan may have seen the advertisements appearing early this month in Dawn, inviting applications from students for admission to the two new medical/dental colleges, without first obtaining an NOC from the PMDC. One of them is the Faisalabad Medical & Dental College chartered by the government of Punjab by an ordinance of 2002. The other is the Sialkot Medical College (SMC) of the Services Institute of Medical Sciences (SIMS) Lahore, also notified by the government of Punjab. This is in utter disregard to the PMDC’s well-publicized and trumpeted rules and regulations.
Let us hope that the new-look PMDC envisaged by Dr Shershah Syed would be strong enough to flex its muscles to stop the opening of these new medical/dental colleges in the larger public interest. When this happens, we will take it that the PMDC has arrived.
DR MOHAMMAD JAVED
Karachi
MR Shahid Javed Burki’s recent article, although outwardly subtle and prophetic, was essentially pedantic and simplistic. He states that “a new world order is emerging which it seems will be built on three pillars: non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, America’s resolve to defend its interests by striking pre-emptively even if it is unable to obtain the support of other countries, and an aggressive campaign to have all countries accept that popular democracy is the only effective way of providing good governance to the citizens”.
History does not move in a straight line, however much any intellectual on the payroll of the West or any of its agencies endeavours to prove rationally or logically. While determinate quantities like weapon capabilities, technical ability and material ratio of forces have their influence, material forces alone do not decide an issue.
Had it been so there would have been no 9/11. Hence a group of dedicated, or misguided, men penetrated an air defence which far more materially formidable US foes like the Japanese, the Germans and the Soviets could not.
While material forces play a role, a banker or an economist can only see these to the neglect of other strategic or geopolitical forces. War — the US is in a state of undeclared war with all states that are Islamic/communist and possessing WMDs — is a state of constant reciprocal action in which intelligent forces, in words of Clausewitz, have their role.
Mr Burki’s analysis completely ignores new emerging forces like Russia, China and the EU, which may challenge US domination. The US has a long way to go and in the process may reach the culminating point of its power.
History has seen many great empires and the US is not as invincible as many of its citizens or Mr Burki would like us to believe.
A. H. AMIN
Lahore
WITH reference to the letter, “Victory for Osama” (March 12), I beg to differ with the writer, Dr R. H. Usmani, who has tried to justify the terrorist acts of Osama bin Laden as a paramount service rendered to Islam.
Being a Muslim, it is our profound belief that Islam does not permit any killing of innocent human beings or ruthless violation of their rights — be they the Muslims or the non-Muslims.
Thus, it is our duty to save the global image of Islam and prove ourselves to be a patient, tolerant, moderate and peaceful race of the world, condemning terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.
I would suggest Mr Usmani to have a universal view of Islam in order to analyse the global religious gain or loss, instead of endorsing terrorism in the name of religious service.
ZULFIQAR SHAIKH
Karachi
THE joint UK-US statement (March 27) pushing Pakistan to “fulfil its commitment to stop infiltration” across the Line of Control in Kashmir has a tactical connotation to keep the Indians on their side in their ‘grand scheme’ of killings and domination of the oil-rich Iraq.
These unfriendly friends of Pakistan do not see the gross and recently intensified human rights’ violations being committed day and night by the Indian forces in held Kashmir. The killing of Hindus by the Indian agencies and calling it an act of terrorism to malign Pakistan is part of the old Indian tactics. What name should be given to the killings of Kashmiri leaders such as Majid Dar and the innocent Muslims in held Kashmir?
This aspect has purposely been ignored by these advisers. President Bush has already closed his eyes to the state terrorism and mass massacres to seek support for his own similar adventures. Now in Iraq he is likely to break Saddam’s performance during the past of killing innocent people, and get his name replaced in the Guinness Book of World Records.
The timing for this joint statement is significant. After all, the corrupt absolute power has to create grounds for its next target. The Indian leadership has quickly picked up the “loaded” signals in the US-UK joint statement.
These moves need very careful evaluation. In case the so- called cross-border movement is to be effectively controlled, why are the UN observers not allowed to freely operate along the Line of Control, one may ask. We must distinguish our friends from foes in devising our plans and policies.
SHAHID NAQVI
Islamabad
PARCO laying the pipeline in the Dadu district area of Keraruo Deh, Mehar Taluka, has bulldozed the ready wheat crop. We, the farmers, have waited for six months for this crop to mature and fulfil our needs of livelihood.
The Parco bulldozers, flanked by their security guards, did not even take an hour in the complete destruction of our hardwork before our own eyes.
We are sure we will not get jobs from Parco in lieu of our destroyed crop. Is there someone responsible who would to look into the matter, and do justice to us?
DR ZAHID HUSSAIN JATOI
Dadu
ROADS surrounding Sector 16-B, North Karachi Industrial Area, have been erased and infrastructures of the area are in a very bad condition. In spite of several verbal requests to the department concerned, no action has yet been taken to rebuild the roads.
Manufacturers and exporters of the areas, who earn huge foreign exchange for the country and pay big taxes, are suffering like anything — all roads gone, drains overflowing, electricity wires in a very bad shape and fitted at low height to create problem for passing containers. The telephone service as usual remains very bad.
We hope the authority concerned will look into the matter and do the needful.
SALEEM AKHTER
Karachi
THIS refers to Mr Aziz Ahmed Hashmi’s letter (March 31) titled ‘Plea to KPT administration’. The KPT is not in breach of the said government order. The referred Ministry of Finance memorandum number F-1(5) Imp/2001 dated September 4, 2001 is applicable to the pensioners of the federal government only. It has been directed by the Finance Division (Regulation Wing) that the said memorandum is not applicable to autonomous bodies like the KPT.
The KPT employees’ pay scales are substantially higher than the government pay scales. The increase in the KPT pay scales is done every two years through the collective bargaining process. The said finance ministry memorandum revised and increased the pay structure of government employees, which was last revised and increased in 1994 and also indexed and increased the pension payments.
Since the KPT employees get an increase in their pay scales and pensions every two years, it was not considered appropriate to give further increases based on the said memorandum. The KPT officers, however, follow the government pay scales and increase in their pension is dovetailed to the increases in the government scales.
Similarly, some autonomous organizations, including the PQA, follow the government pay scales for officers and employees, hence they increase pensions in league with the government increases.
SENIOR PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER KPT,
Karachi
THIS refers to Ms Maheen Rashidi’s letter (March 23) titled ‘Teaching in English’. Being a Sindhi I differ with her opinion, and so would the majority of Sindhis. In Sindh Urdu should be made an optional subject, not a compulsory one. Compulsory must always be Sindhi.
We can make a strong federation only when due rights are given to every ethnic group. It is imperative that we do not repeat the past mistakes which laid the foundation for the country’s dismemberment.
It is extremely sad that Pakistan officially celebrates every day of the UN, except Mother Tongue Day.
SAIMA SHAH
Chicago, USA
WE request the chairman of the PTCL to use his powers and direct the responsible staff to restore the telephone lines of our village, Kharana Pir Ghazi, Kharian tehsil, Gujrat district. The phone lines have been out of order for a month now.
Our hectic efforts and complains have yielded no action by the rude and inefficient PTCL staff. We also request the chairman to hold an inquiry against the irresponsible staff of the PTCL in our area.
SUBSCRIBERS
Gujrat
JUSTICE (retd) Fakhruddin G. Ebrahim as governor of Sindh showed foresight and vision when he established the CPLC as an institution to help in redressing the grievance of citizens. He named Nazim Haji and Jameel Yousuf as chief and deputy chief. The CPLC fared well but some time in Benazir Bhutto’s second term in office, Nazim Haji left the CPLC and Jameel Yousuf was appointed its chief. A small beginning had been made and the CPLC, which was nurtured by the governor, took root and started to grow. It caught the citizens’ imagination and attracted their support.
Governor Kamal Azfar reportedly approved the charter of the CPLC during his tenure while governor Moinuddin Haider constituted the first advisory council of the CPLC on the suggestion of Jameel Yousuf. A meeting of this advisory council was held at the Governor’s House and was attended by the chief minister and the chief secretary of Sindh, but unfortunately the charter was not notified by the Sindh government. Except for the appointment of the chief of the CPLC, there was no official notification.
Governor Mohammedmian Soomro, during his tenure, did not call any meeting of the advisory council, but before leaving the office of governor reconstituted the advisory council and reportedly authorized the issuance of a notification to give it a legal cover and status. However, it was evidently too late in the day to achieve any purpose.
With a new government in Sindh after the elections, we have seen Jameel Yousuf as chief of the CPLC de-notified and his deputy Sharifuddin Memon appointed as chief of the CPLC. During a span of 14-15 years, the CPLC rose in image and standing as an institution which served the people in an efficient and admirable manner.
For Jameel Yousuf, 14 years was a long innings of public service, and he will be remembered for developing the CPLC into what it is today and for his dedication to work. The only unfortunate part is the manner in which changes were brought about in the CPLC. Had the government of Sindh notified the charter, the advisory council would have been able to take a decision on the leadership issue and, if necessary, ensure a smooth and dignified change in the leadership.
No one is indispensable — it is only the dignity with which a change is introduced which makes a difference. An advisory or consultative body like an elected one provides the scope and avenue for a smooth changeover. Both the CPLC chiefs did well during their tenure and will be long remembered for their meritorious services.
LIAQUAT MERCHANT
Karachi
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