| April 13, 2003 | Sunday | Safar 10, 1424 |
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Education first, please
NSS: dwindling rate of return
Future Iraq government
Ministers & their foreign tours
Tribute to Rachel
American warning to Syria
Lead-free gasoline
Report on SARS
Pakistan’s cricket ties with India
Civic amenities missing
PTV news
Advice to new CPLC chief
THIS refers to the dialogue-interview with the chairman of the Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaaf, Imran Khan, (April 8).
While lamenting the vicious cycle of Pakistan’s politics, particularly the failure of President Gen Musharraf to bring a clean and dynamic leadership as a result of the October 2002 election, Mr Khan has raised a fundamental issue: “If after three years this is the set-up that has come up, then the big question is, what was wrong with Nawaz Sharif?”
The second most important thing which Mr Khan examined in his interview was the role of the establishment in supporting the status quo in Pakistan. He regretted that “their (establishment’s) analysis is deeply flawed because of the peculiar environment in which they have evolved. The environment is too insular and they don’t understand Pakistan’s politics.”
A deep sense of frustration prevails in Pakistan because of the so-called political system which has been created by the military establishment as a result of the October election. It is common knowledge that the “real powers” rests with the men in “khaki”, and the Jamali government, including parliament, is just a rubber-stamp. As clearly stated by Mr Khan, most of the problems faced by the people remain unresolved and the level of poverty has increased.
He also fears that this government and parliament will not complete their term because they do not have powers. If Mr Khan’s observations are true that the country will plunge into another crisis, one needs to ask the military establishment about their role in intervening in politics after every couple of years in the name of accountability, corruption and rule of law.
As long as the military continues to interfere in politics and prevents the political process from stabilizing, the vicious cycle will go on resulting into greater chaos and instability. The problem with Pakistan is that in every era a group of opportunists and sycophants support the military-bureaucratic elite to deny the people their participation in governance.
If the result of Gen Musharraf’s three-year rule is the formation of a government which tends to be status quo-oriented, it is not wrong to ask why the military overthrew the elected regime of Nawaz Sharif. At least his government, despite the mistakes that it committed, was not subservient to the military and had launched numerous projects for the betterment of the country.
PROF (DR) MOONIS AHMAR
Karachi
THE MMA has successfully led thousands of people on the roads but the message it conveyed to the international community is not the popular voice. Its protests are a part of its campaign against the US administration that took it to the corridors of power.
On the other hand, millions in the world have reacted in the name of humanity and universal laws. Their message is peace, they have no political agenda. Peace is advocated in universal language and not under the cover of religion. If this is not true, then why are millions in the world protesting?
The people in the West gathered only when they realized that they should come out. These protesters are neither influenced by politicians nor by states. It is their desire for peace that compels them to play their role. In our land, protests are sponsored by parties and governments alike.
The learned lead the people to counter any inside and outside move. At the time of danger, society reflects in anonymity. But here everybody has a tale for his ends that has nothing to do with others.
Religious leaders are mainly concerned about preserving the faith by adhering to the law and the ideas of the past. But it should be remembered that the Muslims led the world at a time when there was ignorance in the West. It was their achievements in the fields of science, technology and culture that made it possible to inspire and dominate western civilization and culture. As long as the Muslims remained true to their quest for knowledge, they led the world. When they began to show indolence in the pursuit of scientific knowledge, the seats of learning made a shift to the West.
It is time we categorized our problems. Our immediate problem is neither democracy nor economy. These are the problems of those nations where there is awareness in society towards their role and status in the day-to-day affairs. Our problem is that we are ignorant of our role and status. Only education (awareness) will lead us to where democracy and better economy matter.
SOHAIL KHALID
Toba Tek Singh
FOR 40 years, the government and the State Bank of Pakistan have tried hard to promote the NSS (national savings schemes) as the most effective instrument of domestic savings. Recently, the State Bank governor has been heard advocating the value of the NSS.
The NSS accounts for a major part of domestic debt, which is 50 per cent of Pakistan’s total debt. The remaining 50 per cent is external debt. It is common knowledge that the terms of external debt are dictated and controlled by foreign lenders. For the foreign lenders, the interests of their own countries is supreme and not that of Pakistan. However, in the case of domestic debt, the country is not at the mercy of outsiders.
In India, the ratio of domestic debt versus external debt is 75:25. This clearly indicates India’s preference to lean on domestic debt rather than external debt. For obvious reasons, it is in the vital interest of any country to eliminate dependence on external debt even at the cost of increasing domestic debt as the latter does not jeopardize a country’s national pride.
Our economic managers have been heartlessly reducing the rate of return on the NSS and, in three years, have brought it down to less than half that of the original one. The argument being put forward is that this is being done to improve the environment for the banking sector.
In the ‘80s, the rate of return offered on the NSS was a tax- free 13 to 14 per cent per annum, and yet the banking sector deposits, lendings and profitability were in a better shape than they are now. This underscores the need for a better understanding and a correct diagnosis of the malaise — and for taking a self-respecting stand, as India does, in dealing with the IMF.
ARSHAD BAIG
Karachi
I WOULD like to make a suggestion through these columns. In his interview with the BBC on March 28, British Prime Minister Tony Blair presented their (US-UK) two objectives of the war against Iraq: destruction of WMDs and liberation of Iraqi people from the iron-fist rule of Saddam’s regime.
As for the first objective, it was already in progress under the UN weapon inspectors and was stopped for the illegal and immoral war which Mr Blair and Mr Bush have started in Iraq. This objective (WMD) could have been achieved by the UN weapon inspectors without going into war against Iraq.
As for the second objective, it may be said that no country has any right to go to war against any other nation on the pretext of bringing a democratic government in that nation, in this case Iraqis.
In the present situation, Mr Blair should convince Mr Bush about the need to involve the UN as an instrument for a “peace for democracy” objective. This objective can be achieved by following the real map for “peace for democracy” wherein:
i) A UN-backed interim government is set up in Iraq for a specific period, within which it shall hold a free and fair election in Iraq without any doubt or discrimination to any political party of Iraqi people;
ii) Such an interim government would have the authority for the deployment of UN peace-keeping force, other than the invading forces, inside Iraq. This is necessary for the safety of the Iraqi people and impartial election;
iii) There would be a further condition that the Ba’ath Party, besides other opposition parties, would be allowed to participate in that election.
MURAD KASHMIRI
Islamabad
PAKISTAN is faced with numerous problems, requiring immediate and concerted efforts for their resolution. Whenever a civilian government comes to power, the prime minister and ministers make tall claims about solving these problems in a matter of minutes.
Unfortunately, the moment civilian governments are installed, their ministers, including the prime minister, think that all internal problems have been solved with their elevation to high posts.
Therefore, they make a beeline for foreign tours. During the four months of this government, almost all ministers have made four to five foreign tours on various pretexts, wasting huge public money. At times, there were four/five ministers on foreign tours simultaneously. This was also reported in the press. When we compare this with India, our heads hang in shame.
Interestingly, whenever the prime minister or any minister returns from abroad, his visit is termed “most successful”. We, the public, in our 55 years of life have not yet understood the meaning of their successful visits. The fact is that Pakistan is losing credence in the eyes of every country in the world.
Our most trusted friends like Saudi Arabia, the UAE and America have gradually adopted policies against the Pakistan nationals and against the interests of Pakistan in the wake of “most successful” visits of our prime minister and ministers.
I salute all prime ministers/ministers on their most frequent and “most successful” tours abroad.
I. A. RASOOL
Islamabad
IT is apparent that the Jewish control over the media will make sure that the great contribution of Rachel Corrie to humanity will never be acknowledged. After all, an American giving her life to save a Palestinian home in front of an Israeli bulldozer is not exactly the kind of stuff recommended for a noble peace prize.
It is time that we in Pakistan should recognize her sacrifice and service towards humanity. I would suggest that the National Assembly should pass a resolution and bestow the highest civil award on this brave lady.
I would also recommend that a memorial for her be built in Islamabad and a bridge or avenue named after her in Karachi. Let us own this great daughter of America, even if her own country does not recognize her greatness for political reasons.
DR SHAAB JAVID
Karachi
THE US Secretary of Defence recently warned Syria and Iran about alleged supply of sophisticated arms and ammunition (specially night-vision instruments) to Iraq. It raises many questions:
(a) In the past Syria proved a stubborn opponent to Israel, whereas Jordan, Egypt and the Palestinian Authority accepted its existence.
(b) Iran is the country which US wants to attack because of its support to Lebanon’s Hizbullah and for its strong opposition to Israel.
(c) Iran and Syria are the states in the region whose people and governments oppose the US presence in the Middle East, whereas almost all other Arab governments (but not the majority of the people) support the US. Thus, the US will try its best to drag both the countries into this war.
(d) There may be a scheme that the US wants to keep the Iranians and the Syrians and their governments away from this conflict by employing such allegations.
(e) The US wants to please the Jewish lobby in America, and this has been its policy for the last 50 years.
(f) The US wants to block the humanitarian aid from the outside world to Iraq because such aid may enforce the will of the people of Iraq to fight on.
PROF MUHAMMAD AKMAL HAKRO
Karachi
WITH reference to the concerns voiced in Dr Hina Aamir’s letter (April 6), we are pleased to inform you that contrary to her understanding, lead-free gasoline has been in use in Pakistan since July 2001.
This became possible after PARCO’s state-of-the-art Mid-Country Refinery came on stream in 2000. Consequently, all other three refineries in the country, namely the NRL, PRL and the ARL, have also been supplying lead-free gasoline to motorists for two years.
The above-mentioned development is fully demonstrative of the continuous efforts being made by all local refineries to produce environment-friendly products. PARCO has recently introduced higher quality unleaded 90 octane petrol, which has been available in the market since March 15, 2003.
AAMIR ABBASI
Corporate Communications Department, Pak-Arab Refinery Ltd.,
Karachi
I WISH to correct a mistake in the report headlined “Not enough being done to curb SARS” (April 12).
An anti-viral drug, Ribavirin, has been used for treatment but its efficacy is not proven. At present, there is no effective treatment for the disease. Prevention and containment of infected individuals is, therefore, very important.
DR VIQAR ZAMAN
Karachi
AN Indian veteran and versatile personality, Amitabh Bachan, was not serious in demanding the resumption of cricket ties between India and Pakistan. He otherwise should not have linked it to the pleasure of the Indian government.
I am sure that Mr Bachan knew it that the BJP government was not serious in normalizing relations with Pakistan for obvious reasons.
The wave of hatred against Muslims in India and against Pakistan is politically motivated. BJP leaders’ objective is to cash in on this communal move in the next year’s general election; they did so in the Gujarat state election too.
Mr Parsed writing from Banglore (April 6) also seems to be unaware of the nefarious designs of the Vajpaee government. If in a country where half a dozen states are fighting for independence it is safe to play sports, how is Pakistan insecure? Last year, Sri Lanka completed its tour of Pakistan without any incident.
NAZAR KIYANI
Rawalpindi
BLOCK 14, Gulistan-i-Jauhar, lacks basic civic amenities such as carpeted roads, streetlights and areas cleaned of bushes. Plots allocated for parks in the area are yet to be developed.
Moreover, the 150-foot-wide road bisecting Block-3-A and Blocks 14-15 also lacks streetlight and public transport. Again, the locality suffers from acute water shortage and frequent power breakdowns.
On various occasions the residents met the UC-10 Nazim, Gulshan-i-lqbal Town Nazim and KWSB officials and drew their attention to these problems. Once again the authorities are requested to look into the matter and chalk out a concrete plan to develop the area.
ZAFAR IQBAL MALIK
Karachi
TO listen to and watch news is the basic right of every citizen having TV in his house. Contrary to this, many citizens cannot watch PTV news on many occasions, specially nowadays when everyone is interested in knowing the latest about the war against Iraq.
When you switch on television at 1800 hours to watch PTV English news, you find that cricket match is going on, and a slide appears: “News can be watched at PTV World”. People in cities like Sadiqabad/ Rahimyar Khan where only one channel is available miss the news.
Although there are other news channels available on cables, but the question is, how many of us can afford this?
I would like to suggest to the PTV authorities that either there should be multiple channels available in each city of the country or at least news should be telecast on channels available in most of the areas. In case this is not possible, a slide for news highlight many be passed during the match.
NAVEED AHMED KHAN
Sadiqabad
YES, it is accepted by middle class Karachiites that, like Mr Nazim Haji, Mr Jameel Yusuf has served the city tirelessly. However, in the case of the latter the term was 14 long years. Even General Ayub and Zia were not fortunate to serve for that long. It is a human tendency that serving a marathon innings uninterruptedly in the government, semi-government or in an independent institution spawns bureaucratic rather autocratic tendencies.
The only example of such a tenure was that of J. Edgar Hoover, the FBI director, who served five to six US presidents (In Mr Jameel Yusuf’s case, it was five to six Sindh governors). Although long years in the FBI sapped his administrative, cerebral and analytical skills, the successive US presidents kept him on because of his encyclopaedic knowledge regarding important individuals, numbers and estimates of people.
He died with his boots on. It took some time to change the image of the bureau thereafter. Personally, I believe that in any such appointments the period of three years, which is also mandatory, should be maintained irrespective of one’s political clout.
Where the CPLC under Mr Jamil Yusuf solved many kidnapping cases with success, it also faced some impediments. This was because Mr Yusuf is a human being. The CPLC acquired the most modern, state-of-the-art technology for tracing phone calls/emails etc. In spite of these high-tech instruments at its disposal, one sad example of the CPLC’s failure was the kidnapping and later brutal murder of a foreign journalist. His life could have been saved, specially when the police knew the location where the kidnappers had kept him.
This slip on the part of the CPLC would be carried on the shoulder of the organization for a long time. I believe it is time someone also told the other side of the story, as Mr Yusuf’s burden has already been lightened. During a seminar some time ago, when I put this “irritating” question to the ex-CPLC chief, his reply was that sometimes institutions like the CPLC too became “helpless.”
I wish success to the new CPLC chief with a piece of advice: he should serve this city and province regardless of political, religious and other pressures and avoid victimization of innocents just because someone important airs a phoney grievance against someone.
KUNWAR KHALID YUNUS
Karachi
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