| May 9, 2003 | Friday | Rabi-ul-Awwal 6, 1424 |
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PTV and regional languages
SARS: checking a suspect
Wedding meals
Deforestation and tree planting
Child exploitation
‘Scared of peace?’
Yankee culture for Iraq?
The Baglihar issue
Lyari Expressway
THE ongoing process of normalization of relations between Pakistan and India, which began with Indian Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee extending the “hand of friendship” to Pakistan, has received an impetus with the telephonic conversation between the prime ministers of the two countries and the announcement of various confidence-building measures by the two sides.
After the terrorist attack on the Indian parliament in December 2001 and the measures taken by New Delhi to suspend air, road and train links, banning its air space for Pakistan airplanes, recalling its high commissioner from Islamabad and deployment of around half a million troops along the borders with Pakistan, it is for the first time that one can see some hope for the betterment of Indo-Pakistan relations.
On account of historical evidences, it will be wishful thinking to expect a smooth sailing in the Indo-Pakistan normalization process. As pointed out by Prime Minister Jamali at a news conference on May 6, it will be a bad luck if hardliners are again able to subvert the process of restoring normal relations between the two neighbours.
The Indian prime minister has also referred to his third and final initiative in his life-time for peace with Pakistan. The earlier two initiatives in Lahore and Agra got derailed because both sides failed to follow a flexible and wise approach on issues which tend to create tension in their relations.
Before embarking on another adventure in their normalization process, the policymakers of India and Pakistan must keep four things in mind.
First, they need to delink their personal biases and interests from the task of peace-building. This would require serious and skillful negotiations with an open mind and without following a parochial approach.
Secondly, proper environment for meaningful Indo-Pakistan must be created. Cessation of hostile propaganda against each other, better treatment of each other’s diplomats, resumption of direct travel, trade, cultural, educational and other areas of interaction must be taken into account by the two sides. Pakistan must reciprocate, as soon as possible, the Indian decision which was taken last year to re-open its air space for Pakistan planes.
Third, implementation of nuclear confidence-building measures as suggested in the Lahore declaration should be made by New Delhi and Islamabad so that an element of trust and goodwill is created for holding higher-level talks.
Fourth, a summit meeting between the two heads of the government must be held with proper preparations and with less publicity. As far as the unresolved issue of Jammu and Kashmir is concerned, it can be discussed at a later stage when proper environment and trust is created. The violation of human rights in the Indian-controlled Kashmir and the issue of cross-border and state terrorism must not be allowed to further destroy the growth and development of India and Pakistan.
Both India and Pakistan understand the fact that changing the status quo in Kashmir through military means has not worked. It is time the two countries learnt lessons from the past mishaps and took the above-mentioned steps which can at a long run benefit not only the people of the two countries but the entire South Asia. Fulfilling an uphill task of normalizing Indo-Pakistan relations will enhance the prestige and position of South Asia in the days to come.
PROF MOONIS AHMAR
Karachi
THIS is with reference to the letter, “PTV and regional languages”, by Mr Niaz Hussain (April 27).
I fully support the views expressed in the letter and would like to add that the PTV, being the state channel, should adopt a fair and impartial attitude when it comes to showing programmes in different languages.
I think there are two issues at stake here, one is the very limited time given to the regional centres for programmes in the regional language, but I think the only long-term solution for that is to have regional television channels dedicated to programming in the regional languages.
We hear about such ventures quite often, but they quickly die down for unknown reasons. The best idea would be to have individuals set up private TV channels in Pushto and other regional languages, but for that an initiative needs to be taken by the private sector to come forward and realize its potential. Having satellite Pushto TV channels holds very bright prospects, keeping in view the large Pushto-speaking population in Afghanistan and the Middle East.
Other than this regional slot, while watching the PTV’s regular programmes, one cannot avoid taking notice of the excess exposure given to the Punjabi language, particularly in the music programmes. The film industry is also partially to be blamed, which makes no difference between Urdu and Punjabi language movies when making songs for their movies.
If regional languages are to be promoted in the musical programmes, then a fair representation needs to be given to the other languages too. We have seen how one singer, Rahim Shah, has revolutionaized Pushto music and made it popular all over. Similarly, Sindhi and Baluchi music could be made popular if the PTV shows a more unbiased attitude. If one looks at the music charts of Pakistani movies, more than 70 per cent of the songs are in Punjabi, and many Punjabi movie songs like those from “Chooriyan” are regularly featured on the charts. Now, is this programme a Pakistani movie channel chart? If that is the case, one would expect it to show Urdu songs from Urdu movies. However, if the intention is to promote regional languages too, the other languages also need a fair representation. We have many talented Pushto musicians who only lack good exposure.
Let us not alienate a large segment of our population by blatantly promoting one language and culture at the cost of all others.
SHAFIQUE UR REHMAN
Peshawar
IN your issue of April 26 a photograph shows a woman doctor, with a precautionary mask against SARS infection, attending a patient. A thin cotton mask just covering only part of the mouth and nose, with hair exposed, dupatta dangling, absence of proper gown and protective gloves and goggles, is a sure recipe for not only catching infection but also passing it on to others.
It is unfortunate that most hospitals in Pakistan pay no attention to controlling infection. Simple measures such as wearing gloves while handling and hand-washing afterwards are ignored, with devastating results to the patient and sometimes to the hospital staff themselves.
There is a unified approach in all the countries affected by SARS to detect the case at the port of entry by simply taking history of origin of travel, any contact during travel with person with cough and fever. Temperature taking of all the suspects is essential. A skin thermometer is the safest gadget to do this job where repeated readings can be taken in less than a minute. This should be available at all the ports of entry.
Those designated for the care of SARS patients should undergo crash training. If necessary, help should be taken from local instructors.
PROF NIZAM UL HASAN
Karachi
I READ Mr Rehan Ahmed’s letter about wedding meals and how it hurts the poor. I cannot agree more. But what I want to know is, why is it a matter of prestige for Pakistanis to hold such lavish parties at weddings and invite a huge number of people?
The US is the richest and most powerful country but, at weddings, you only invite the closest family members, the maximum number of people I have seen at a wedding dinner is eight. In Pakistan, the figure goes into thousands.
In the US, people spend money on their children’s education, that is the best ‘dowry’ for the girls, if I may use such a word for American society, and that is the gift that the boys receive from their parents.
The parents in the US send their girls to private universities if they can afford it, if not, then that’s OK too. In Pakistan, parents hoard money as soon as a girl is born (instead of spending that money on her education, which she can use to get a decent standing in society and bring up her children properly) and then spend it on her dowry and wedding meals to feed some strangers who may or may not appear in her life again.
I think the media in Pakistan should take up this issue more seriously. We need to spend money on education and not on dowry. I am proud to say that some traditional Muslim families in Pakistan do just that, but the majority need to understand that this kind of set-up is typical of Pakistan. And that dowry and huge wedding feasts do not happen in the developed world.
AMIRA MOHAMMED
Washington, USA
WHENEVER I visit places like Murree, Ayubia, Nathiagali and other northern areas of Pakistan, I feel extremely hurt at the way systematic deforestation is being carried out in those areas, in all probability for commercial reasons and maybe at times even with the connivance or collusion of the authorities.
Needless to say, this progressive felling of trees has denuded and marred the beauty of those areas and has caused soil erosion; hence the frequent mud-sliding and avalanches. This scarring of the beautiful landscape should be stopped forthwith through some sort of legislation or whatever.
I am reminded here of a poem, “Woodman spare that tree”, by George P. Morris, where the poet pleads:
Woodman, spare that tree
Touch not a single bough
In youth it sheltered me
And I’ll protect it now
Coming to the city where my heart is, it has always been my passion to see Karachi green. We need to promote tree plantation in a big way as the move would enhance the beauty of the city. A wise man once stated: “The best time to plant a tree was ten years ago. The next best time is now.” The advice points out the fact that planting trees is a long-term investment. The large trees and ornamental trees keep us cool in warm climate and beautify our environment. They also help clean the air of pollutants and provide oxygen for all living things. They really function as a city’s lungs.
Let’s plant trees for future generations. Someone did the same for us.
Trees need to be pampered mostly in the initial stages when the lack of water and rigours of weather are likely to make them droop or wilt, but eventually, they learn to care for themselves and tend to perk up with seasons.
Let us all do our bit to make Karachi green and plant at least one tree every year in a sustained way.
DR ASIF SAEED
Topeka, KS, US
DURING the summer it is a common distressing sight at major crossroads in Lahore. Young, bare-footed children of five to 10 years of age are seen selling popcorn, newspapers, etc. to the motorists. These children in a miserable state are walking on the roads or shifting their weight on each foot to escape the sizzling heat at noon.
Apparently, there is some slave driver who lurks in shadows to keep a watch over the helpless children who are expected to perform as required to elicit the sympathy of the motorists to dole out some money even if no popcorn is bought. This practice is in direct contravention of Article 11(3) of the Constitution that states, “No child below the age of fourteen years shall be engaged in any factory or mine or any other hazardous employment.”
The sad part is that this contravention of a fundamental right takes place every day before the eyes of the traffic police who do not take any notice of the abominable practice. It is the duty of the government as well as the superior courts to enforce the fundamental right of the children and save them from forced labour.
DR M. YAQOOB BHATTI
Lahore
DR MUBASHIR Hasan deserves to be congratulated for his article “Scared of Peace?” (April 23).
The question is, does the establishment want peace with India? Peace with India will threaten their status quo. They are scared that if there is peace, what will be the need for such a huge army?
Dr Mubashir has rightly said the people of India and Pakistan know that confrontation serves only the interest of the elite groups on both sides of the border and is against the overwhelming majority of the two countries.
But the question arises, can the overwhelming majority do anything about it? Peace will only be achieved when the power elites in India and Pakistan will change their attitude and think about the survival of their respective countries and their people.
A. REHMAN
Hyderabad
I WAS amused to read Mr Khurshed Anwer's letter, ‘Yankee culture for Iraq?’ (April 27), and would like to point out a few similarities between his perceived version of post-US Iraq and our very own post-UK Pakistan.
As far as Iraq is concerned, I cannot comprehend how Mr Anwer can foresee such a bleak future for a country with such rich cultural heritage owing to a few weeks of American presence.
If, by taking up sports like baseball and American football, the Iraqis will lose their culture altogether and forget about their local festivals, then the Indian subcontinent should have experienced the same fate. The South Asians, specially Pakistanis and Indians, enjoy sports like cricket, hockey and squash, all introduced during the colonial era by the British and yet they have not forgotten Eid, Muharram and Diwali. Instead, they have excelled in these sports and some of the world-renowned players like Jehangir, Jansher, and Imran Khan come from this region.
I would not want to consider South Korea and specially Japan as the US's 51st and 52nd states for numerous reasons, including the fact that the Japanese and other Far Eastern people tend to adhere more closely to their cultures than the South Asians do. This has been my personal experience during my years living in Britain.
If the Iraqis choose to ignore any opportunities to re-develop their country owing to the fact that it would involve the help of the Americans, they would deserve the pity of every sensible person on this planet.
DR SHAAZ MAHBOOB
Uxbridge, UB9 4AB, UK
APROPOS of Ms Qudssia Akhlaque’s piece on the Baglihar issue (April 25), may we ask what the issue is? What are its salient features?
It seems to be one of a series of such bland writings on Baglihar coming out occasionally. I say bland because they do not give out anything to make the public aware of what at stake is and what its likely ramifications are.
If the issue is really so serious, why does the federal minister of water and power not make a self-contained statement in parliament or to the press?
This policy of expressing half-truths has caused us incalculable losses regarding our water problem with India.
Would there ever be a time when the government would learn from colossal leadership and bureaucratic blunders of the past?
ENGR. B. A. MALIK
Lahore
THIS refers to Mr A. B. S. Jafri’s article, published in your issue on May 4.
For the construction of the Lyari Expressway, the government is demolishing over 25,000 housing units which are home to more than 200,000 families. Most of these are outside the river-bed and have legal water and electricity connections. A large number of them are on leased land.
In addition, about 3,600 commercial enterprises are also being demolished. As these demolitions are being carried out without a proper rehabilitation plan, they will render tens of thousands of Karachiites homeless and jobless and adversely affect the schooling of over 20,000 young girls and boys. Apart from human and moral considerations, these demolitions are bound to increase social conflict and fragmentation, which our unfortunate city can ill afford.
We are not against development projects, but the Lyari Expressway in its present form is at best a controversial project. A number of Karachi’s senior planners, relevant academics, NGOs and prominent citizens have opposed it and pointed out its inappropriateness and the harm that it will cause to the city, in general, and the environment and the citizens, in particular.
The Lyari Expressway will have 16 overhead bridges with four interchange flyovers on the total length of 16.5km. This will run over the embankments of the Lyari river with 100-foot-wide roads on each side. These proposed roads will demolish the leased and concrete structures, pucca houses, as well as the 150-year-old Hassan Aulia village, 250-year-old Ilyas Goth, 230-year-old Jangian Goth, 55-year-old PIB Colony, 50-year-old Liaquatabad A-1, B and C-1 areas, Mian Wali Colony, Gharib Nawaz Colony, Muslimabad and some other colonies.
Generally, a committee of experts from different backgrounds, institutions and interest groups examines the projects that are likely to have adverse effects or are controversial, at the conceptual stage. The committee makes the plans public, holds public hearings and invites objections and suggestions from interest groups, would-be victims and beneficiaries of the project.
On the basis of this process, a decision on solid planning considerations and political priorities is taken. This process has not been carried out for the Lyari Expressway. For Karachi this process is all the more important given the failure of so many mega projects planned for the city with great fanfare, and into which billions of rupees have been sunk.
The Land Acquisition Act 1894 was not followed at all, particularly in the process of land acquisition, resettlement of the affected people, surveys, appealing courts and appointment of collector for evictions.
In addition, according to section 12 of the Environment Protection Act 1997, this project should have had an environmental examination that has not been carried out. Also, the manner in which people are being evicted violates the UN Habitat Agenda (to which Pakistan is a signatory) and also the policy decision announced by the president on Jan 15, 2001, for regularization and upgradation of kutchi abadis.
Over 700 cases are pending in the Sindh High Court challenging the evictions of the leased houses. The city government has demolished till now over 3,000 houses and 2,200 commercial units. A 13-year-old child and a 40-year-old man died during the demolition. Four men and two women died of a heart attack on the spot during the demolition of their houses.
BASEER NAVEED
Chairman, Action Committee for Civic Problems,
Karachi
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