| May 7, 2003 | Wednesday | Rabi-ul-Awwal 4, 1424 |
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Non-performing loans
‘Karachi suffers’
Professors’ complaint
Police pickets in Punjab
Lost money orders
Books: your friends for life
Company secretary’s qualifications
Remembering a journalist
Prevention of SARS
Rebuilding Iraq: the US view
Karachi Lahore TAHIR MEHMOOD
THIS is with reference to the letter by Ms Saima Abbas (May 6). I do not know the mindset of the writer but it seems that she has no connection with the real world.
We in Pakistan at all levels, whether official or unofficial, keep saying that India does not act in response to our talks offer on Kashmir. India for long has been more than eager to talk to Pakistan on all matters of mutual interests sans Kashmir.
It is only now after many decades and a number of unnecessary armed conflicts between these two states that we see a shift and a certain level of suppleness in the Indian attitude. It would seem prudent to take advantage of this change and not squander our energies in unnecessary resistance.
I am not suggesting that we set out for talks with our guard down and offer them Kashmir on a plate. What I am suggesting is that the opportunity of open discussions on this core issue should not be neglected, specially when both nuclear-armed states sense that there may be no winners in any future conflict between them.
A major responsibility could be taken up by the audio-visual media to bring some level-headed and unprejudiced individuals at live discussion forums to inform the uninformed about the realities which face Pakistan. A major role will have to be played by the Kashmiris in deciding their own fate. The choice of amalgamation with Pakistan, India or none should rest with the people of Kashmir.
We have seen the impotency of the UN resolutions and the way these are attuned to suit the powerful. Therefore, the notion of UN resolutions’ implementation on Kashmir needs a fresh evaluation.
I for one am prepared to be seated in an open and live forum with Saima Abbas and others to bring my point home.
AIR COMMODORE (R) ARIF MOINUDDIN
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
PRIME Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali’s telephone talk with Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee is a right step in the direction of normalizing Indo-Pakistan relations. India and Pakistan need to come close and work together for the prosperity of our people.
It is time we learnt lessons from the past and went ahead with a fresh mind. We need to concentrate our energy on positive aspects and should not shy away from the conflicting issues, but before that a people-to-people contact is necessary.
Not only sporting, intellectual and other relations between the two countries are required but we also need to share more information. India needs to understand what the Pakistani papers are saying on a subject like the Nandimarg massacre. The Pakistanis also should know what is the opinion of the Indian press.
It is great that most of the outstanding writers in Pakistan and India are known to both the countries. The media have opened up new avenues for dialogue. The biggest casualty of a closed mindset is information and truth. With the media front opening up, more and more people will understand that there are good people in both the countries in the similar way as there are hawks in the ministries and political parties.
Let there be a clear message that those who want to have good relations between India and Pakistan are not anti-national people but pro-peace people. Let us hope that the governments of India and Pakistan will not deny their people their right to understand and talk to each other.
V. B. RAWAT
Delhi, India
I HAVE read your leader on non-performing loans in your issue of April 25, with great interest. It is natural that your main emphasis is on the industries which have failed and could not work satisfactorily — either because of lack of working capital or their inefficiency, or both.
However, there is one category which needs to be highlighted as this basically is a product of a preconceived deceitful transaction. I refer to cases where large loans are obtained by influential persons for themselves and/or for their near ones with obviously no intention of repaying them. This is evident from the fact that a person receives cash for an official/formal industrial/ commercial purpose but uses no part of this money for the objective for which the loan was obtained. In other words, the loan is used for personal pleasures and high living.
One such case relates to a former minister and his family where a loan was sanctioned by a government bank for Rs25 million against a collateral of a plot worth not much more than Rs500,000.
The bank has spent a large amount of money and time trying to get possession of this plot of land instead of going after other assets of the debtor. It was done deliberately as, for some special reasons, the bank is not over-anxious to recover the loan.
The State Bank was informed about it on February 14 and the governor instructed the chairman of the bank on February 24 to “get the contents of the complaint investigated at the earliest under advice to SBP” but no action was taken by the bank even on the instruction of the governor for over two months.
It may be added that the debtor who took the loan as a private limited company sold all the shares to an unsuspecting buyer without informing him of the company’s liability of Rs25 million to the bank and also without informing the bank, leaving aside getting the bank’s permission for the sale of the shares. The bank took no notice of such delinquency.
Another interesting aspect of the case is that, while the debtor owns substantial and valuable property in Lahore and Islamabad, the bank has refused to have these assets attached on some flimsy grounds.
RAHIM JAN
Karachi
THIS refers to a recent column by Mr Ardeshir Cowasjee about the Karachi Building Control Authority. It aims at creating friction between its chief controller, Brig Nasir, and the chain of his superiors.
Whether or not the KBCA has been devolved to the CDGK, it does not affect the health of its stakeholders. However, the KBCA, without any dispute, is one of the major components of the CDGK. The KBCA is appropriately and adequately devolved to 18 towns of Karachi, and has comprehensively designated its teams to each town and is fulfilling its commitments.
To the best of understanding of the KBCA, the city government has not succumbed to any pressure for promulgating fresh commercialization of its highways. While we need more of our main city roads to be opened to commercialization, a concurrent development of infrastructure is needed and is being catered for. This case was contested by Shehri in the high court. The division bench deputed the advocate-general to solicit all angles for final ruling.
The KBCA, in order to provide further relief to the denizens of Karachi, is endeavouring to review some of its outmoded legislation, by proposing reduction in all types of fees.
PRO
KBCA,
WE the professors/principals (B-20) of the Sindh government’s education department would like to point to injustice done to us in the matter of appointments to the ex-cadre grade-20 posts held by lower-grade junior and retired persons.
Only recently, in the wake of the creation of a new grade-20 post of Executive District Officer, Education (Colleges), a junior associate professor (B-19), belonging to the nationalized cadres, was elevated to the position of EDO (College), his lower-grade appointment as an associate profess (B-19) not withstanding, thereby doing injustice to so many professors holding grade-20 posts.
It is with great regret that we point out that all posts of chairmen of the different boards of education in Sindh are at present occupied by persons who had retired from government service two or three years ago. This is in violation of the rules providing for appointments of only serving (not retired) senior grade-20 teachers as available in the education department.
Obviously, all these appointments were made on considerations other than merit and seniority. It is requested that all these appointments be rescinded and only those grade-20 professors as available in the department be appointed against these posts.
12 NAMES
Karachi
HAVING gone through Mr Anwer Mooraj’s column on “Police pickets in Punjab”, carried on the editorial page of your paper of May 5, I feel it necessary to clarify certain points raised in it.
The purpose of establishing 400 police posts is to safeguard the highways and provide aid and assistance to the victims of road accidents and the citizens in distress. Each post will cover an area of about 35 kilometres and will be equipped with police vehicles, first aid kits and communication network. It will be manned by 20 police personnel well trained not only in crime prevention but also in rescue and first aid operations. Therefore, the apprehensions expressed about the proposed scheme are not well founded.
As regards “an employment programme for the constituents, on the pattern undertaken by a former chief minister”, the procedure envisaged for the recruitment of personnel for these patrolling posts excludes any chances of ignoring the strict policy of merit. The recruitment of assistant sub-inspectors and others above this rank is made by the public service commission. The constables are recruited in each district by a board consisting of a deputy inspector general of police and two superintendents of police. Of the two superintendents, one is from a district other than the local district.
A physical test, followed by a written test, and an interview are conducted in full public view in quick succession. The result of all these stages of selection procedure is announced on the spot. Those who examine the papers are randomly selected and are assigned not more than one or two questions for marking. In such a system, discretion or chances of favouritism are completely excluded.
In view of the above-mentioned facts, let us give this scheme a fair chance to prove its worth.
DR AZHAR HASSAN NADEEM
Spokesman, DIG/Punjab Police,
THIS is with reference to the recent statement from Mr Azam Rathore, joint secretary, ministry of religious affairs, published in a section of the press on April 12, wherein it was reported that all lost money orders/drafts of the Open Haj Scheme have been returned to the applicants.
It is good news and I congratulate the joint secretary for this action. May I request him to also locate and return my bank draft worth SR1,029 bearing No. 27019351, dated Nov 5, 2003. This was missed/lost by the ministry during the course of granting me the Haj visa in February, 2003.
ALLAHDITTA BUTT
Karachi
THE State Life Insurance Corporation of Pakistan’s initiative to put in an advertisement (April 18) to create and strengthen reading habits among our youths deserves the nation’s appreciation and recognition.
I can say without any fear of contradiction that this is the first advertisement in Pakistan that relates to the social and practical function of books. If such book ads are put out frequently, I hope the corporate sector would be sensitized to the importance of raising the literacy rate and quality of life of citizens through the provision of books. It is time for business houses to meet the challenge.
The government, particularly local governments, have failed to improve library services in towns/cities, what to talk of the rural areas. Our political parties, which only take pride in adopting “book” as a slogan and election symbol, had now better deliver the goods.
One can only cross one’s fingers and pray that this aide-memoire stirs the conscience of the thinking people and the consumed authorities. To find books, you need a library and instilling the habit of reading is still the basis of everything else libraries do.
MOINUDDIN KHAN
Karachi
THIS has reference to the SECP press-note which appeared in newspapers on March 18, 2003, whereby comments have been invited on the “Proposed Amendments to the Companies Rules 1985” with regard to the qualifications of a company secretary.
Professional circles directly concerned with the subject matter have expressed surprise and resentment over the SECP decision to lay down the qualifications of a company secretary because this does not suit them. It is just like a cardiologist who may be called upon to treat a patient suffering from serious kidney ailment. Would it be an act in consonance with professional wisdom? How wise it may be to do this to an ailing patient?
The SECP has committed more or less the same act by prescribing the qualifications which do not fit in the role and function of the company secretary. Accountants, whether they be chartered or cost and management, do not qualify for the job as their specialization is in the area of financial and cost accounting, respectively, nor do the law graduates. As for the MBA degree holders, I would like to add for the knowledge of the SECP that the MBA courses of study do not include the subjects of company law and secretarial practice which is the area of specialization of a chartered secretary only.
The prescribed qualifications of a company secretary should include the chartered secretary who is a member of the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Managers of Pakistan, which has been set up under licence issued by the Corporate Law Authority, now the SECP.
It clearly appears that accountants who had been encroaching upon the areas of other professions for many years and which had gone unnoticed by the government in the past are also misguiding the SECP in laying down the qualifications of a company secretary. The government may kindly take serious notice of this important omission.
The SECP chairman is requested to review this decision because professional matters need careful consideration.
Hyderabad
AS a Dawn reader, I feel sad at the death of one of your dedicated journalists, Mr Shamsul Haq Khan. He served the newspaper for more than four decades. He was a founder-member of the Quetta Press Club and was also elected president of the Balochistan Union of Journalists.
Mr Shamsul Haq Khan lived an active life. As a reader of Dawn, I will cherish his memories.
M. ALAM SHEIKH
Jhang
IT was reported in Dawn (May 4) that the federal health ministry was installing X-ray machines and “other essential equipment” at the entry points in Pakistan to prevent Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome.
Could the health ministry enlighten us as to what the “other essential equipment” are, and why the X-ray machines are being installed? As I understand the SARS cases those who have developed radiological changes in their lungs are very sick and in no position to travel.
I do not think there is any airport which X-rays incoming passengers for SARS. On the other hand, most airports of the SARS-affected areas use the heat sensing machine or the thermal scanner which accurately detect any person with fever.
Fever is the cardinal and the earliest sign of SARS. The machines are not very expensive and can be bought from Singapore.
DR VIQAR ZAMAN
Karachi
THIS refers to Nancy Powell’s article, “Rebuilding Iraq: the US view”, (April 24). Ms Powell has shed light on the US policy of reconstructing the ruined Iraq by expressing the hopes that Iraq, after the fall of Saddam’s Baath regime, would now be heading for prosperity under Washington’s slogan of liberating its people, flourishing its economy and efflorescing democracy.
In my view, how idiosyncratic it is for the world community, in general, and the Muslim community, in particular, to note that the forces behind the destruction of Iraq are now becoming the forces for its future reconstruction and rebuilding.
The task of rehabilitation, reconstruction, revitalization and reorganization of a politically fragmented, economically shipwrecked, religiously bipartitioned, ethnically divided, and culturally and legally dilapidated Iraq seems hardly possible, as overoptimistically viewed by the United States ambassador.
These gigantic challenges cannot be accomplished by an incorporated government of Gen Garner in Iraq. Therefore, it is inconceivable that the package of 13 principles regarding the would-be government in Iraq, as envisaged at the meeting of Ur, can deliver a hopeful destiny to the Iraqis.
Can Ms Powell deny the fact that the yawning gulf between the theory and practice in Washington’s policies has had an excellent illustration in the war against terrorism in Afghanistan and Mr Bush’s slogan of engineering a roadmap for the Middle East crisis?
The Palestine problem, having been voyaged through half a century, is yet dwindling in the puzzles of Tel Aviv/ Washington diplomacy, and the Afghans are yet brooding over the fate brought to them in the war against terror.
Would Ms Powell refute the fact regarding the tall talk by the US of upholding the norms of international law and equality of nations and the democratic rights of the people in the developing world, as nothing has so far come in deeds except the norm that might is always right? If this is not rapaciousness, then we wonder what is!
The US diplomat has paradoxically overfancied about the future history of Iraq when she prophesies the new era of a heroic role of the US would be recorded. She has ignored the fact: history cannot be written in a fashion as being dreamt of by Washington. History will record the fact that Baghdad had fallen before the forces of aggression.
Moreover, the veracity of Ms Powell’s assurance that the future of Iraq would be fashioned by the Iraqis themselves and that Iraq’s oil would alone be used by the Iraqis can be verified by the experience that shows that once people lose their history, culture and identity, they can be moulded according to the designs of the occupying forces.
This is what American policymakers are trying to do in Iraq. So long as this policy of humbug and unilateralism is reflected in the White House, the US view of rebuilding Iraq would always be seen with scepticism.
S.Q. AFZAL RIZVI
Karachi
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