Terror in Okara

THE sad tale of torture and murder of villagers in Okara recounted in Dr Pervez Hoodbhoy’s article (May 22) should serve as a wake-up call to the military establishment in Pakistan. Above all, the president being the supreme head of the army should ponder this simple question: on what grounds — moral, humanitarian or legal — is the brutal use of power against the poor tillers of the soil justifiable?

The people of Pakistan have an inborn trust in the armed forces but it seems that the military has thrown all scruples to the winds in its blind pursuit of material advantages. There may be some substance in the military’s stand on this particular issue, but precisely for that reason a humane and civic behaviour should have been followed. After all, in question was the alleged trampling over of the rights of thousands of poor farmers.

Sadly, Pakistan Cricket Board’s recent decision to transfer large tracts of land owned by it in Karachi for the construction of housing estates for the army top brass (please refer to Cowasjee’s article, “Sine Onere”, May 18) points in the same direction. It is well known that unrivalled privileges have already been secured for generals of the army. If it is true that the number of generals (serving and retired) runs into thousands, one cannot help but question whether our poor nation can bear to pay such a high price.

Unless President Musharraf prefers to go down as a helpless figurehead incapable of curbing the shenanigans of his top brass, he should move quickly to erase the shameful blots that deface his good name as well as that of the army.

ZIAUDDIN AHMED

Germantown, MD, USA

I WAS horrified to read about the terrorization of villagers in Okara as narrated by Dr Hoodbhoy, and must thank the learned professor for bringing this savagery and deprivation of human rights to the attention of your readers.

We read of the horrific treatment of the Palestinians by the Israelis, with checkposts and acts of violence. It is obvious where the administration in Okara has taken its cue from.

The problem seems to be with the men in uniform. Gen Musharaff should take the hint and take it off.

YUSUF AGHA

Boston, MA, USA

A modus vivendi for Kashmir

CARVING up Kashmir would be unfeeling. First, because it would be dissonant with the people-oriented intent of the Independence Act of 1947 when dealing with issues surrounding the princely states and, secondly, it would be a wanton disregard for the central concept of the partition itself, namely that majority religious populations, particularly where overwhelming, will succeed to British suzerainty in units of British India. An interesting juxtaposition is that of the Hyderabad state.

But then that was what was. Filibustering by one party has paid off. The geo-political power calculus and world equations have radically changed. Indeed finding a modus vivendi has become inescapable. But why settle for a modus vivendi with its unhappy nuances and not go for trend-setting, mutually-negotiated tripartite arrangements aimed at serving the supreme interest of the people? To my mind, given the will by all concerned, one such durable possibility could be:

a) Under the umbrella of the UN Trusteeship Council, create a political entity encompassing the borders of the British princely state of Jammu and Kashmir.

b) This political entity should comprise three confederating states, namely (i) areas covering Azad Jammu and Kashmir and other parts of the princely state administered by Pakistan, (ii) areas consisting of Jammu, Ladakh, etc., under the control of India minus the Valley and (iii) the Valley itself.

c) The aforesaid political entity to be a ‘trust’ territory under the UN Trusteeship Council, with a joint administration of the three confederating units and the UN Trusteeship Council.

d) Each confederating unit will have a representative assembly, provided that, but for the assembly for the Valley, India and Pakistan will have the right to nominate 25 per cent of seats in assemblies for units currently under their jurisdiction as constituted in (b).

e) The political entity will have its borders guaranteed by the UN for 25 years whereafter, by virtue of predetermined arrangements, the territory will assume the status of an independent, neutral state — Switzerland model — and India and Pakistan will cease to nominate people to the two confederating units as provided in (d).

M. J. AS’AD

Karachi

Evaluation of teachers’ performance

All over the world, with the exception of Pakistan, Afghanistan, Nepal and maybe a couple of other small countries, there is no country in the entire world where teachers, whether working in primary schools or in universities, are not subjected to students’ evaluation at least once every six months.

In the United States there is no institution where the performance of the teachers is not graded extensively by the students. The “teaching grade point average” so computed is then used in the retention, promotion and confirmation of the teacher concerned.

If a teacher is not liked by his students they do not have to be nasty with him, either inside or outside the classrooms; they pretty soon get the opportunity to give him the teaching grade he deserves and in this way they blow off the pressure.

If Pakistan could introduce just one thing, i.e. how to evaluate the performance of its teachers (by the students they teach), it would be enough to help arrest the falling standard of education in the country.

PROF ROEDAR AHMAD KHAN

Peshawar

LFO and the electorate

It is a sad state of affairs that consensus could not be reached over the Legal Framework Order. The inflexible attitude to resolve this impending issue has shattered the confidence of the voters who were expecting their elected representatives to sort out this matter amicably and take up their numerous problems which required urgent attention.

Thus the basic purpose of sending them to the assemblies was ultimately defeated. This undesirable act on the part of their representatives amounts to betraying the sentiments of the people of their constituencies.

Pakistan, a poor country where 56 per cent or more people live below the poverty line, has spent a sum of Rs160 million in six months only on salaries and other benefits of the MNAs and the Senators. But they failed to carry out their moral obligations and did nothing for the betterment of the masses. Instead, they remained engaged with the LFO and uniform issues.

These high profile individuals of our society should bear in mind that the tenure of the present assemblies will be over after five years and they will be requiring the support of their voters to get into the assemblies.

S.M.A. MEERZA

Karachi

Rising utility tariffs

THE consumer protection council of The Helpline Trust has shown great concern over the continuous rise in the utility rates in spite of the assurance by the government that it will not bow to the World Bank and IMF pressure.

The attention of the Wapda chairman, KESC managing director and other relevant authorities is drawn here to the report on page 12 of Dawn of May 5, which states: The government has decided not to increase the present electric tariff under the donor agencies’ pressure and will hold talks with the WB and IMF on this issue to finalize a new financial improvement plan for Wapda’s turnaround”.

And yet, the front page of Dawn of May 11 carries a report which totally contradicts the above statement: “Nepra has allowed an increase in electricity tariff of 14.35 paisa for agricultural tubewells and 20 paisa per kwh for domestic consumers, but the federal government has allowed seven paisa and nine paisa, respectively”.

And now the Sui Southern Gas Company has appealed to OGRA to allow it an increase in tariff so that it is assured a 17 per cent return on average net fixed assets in accordance with ADB loan requirements.

At an intervention public hearing in Karachi, other interveners and THT representatives objected to any increase in the gas charges. The KESC representative bluntly stated that his organization was the largest consumer of gas and was already facing a financial crisis and would not be able to pay its increased gas bills. It would also have to pass on the burden of the increase tariff to its consumers.

Other interveners representing trade and industry stated that any increase in the gas tariff would also have a negative effect on industry and exports. They also challenged and questioned some of the facts and figures submitted by the SSGC.

The recent auditor-general’s report on the misappropriation of Rs4.56 billion in Wapda, during 1999-2000, confirms rampant corruption in this organization.

According to the report, Rs3.30 billion was lost owing to financial impropriety, whereas hundreds of millions were lost owing to overpayment, accounting errors, misclassification of tariff rates, misuse and theft.

A.H. MAKER

Karachi

Using rivers for goods transportation

WE are witnessing a lot of activities in the development of roads throughout the country, which is fine. We should also consider and develop other modes of transportation. Pakistan is blessed with big rivers and a vast network of canals spread all over the country. We have not seriously explored the possibility of transportation by rivers and canals. Sukkur was once an active port and was navigable by small ships. Why can’t we revitalize it?

All major barrages on the Indus like Kotri, Sukkur and Guddu have been provided with lifting gates to facilitate river navigation. But they have been seldom used. We need to service these lifting gates, their drive mechanism, other related equipment and develop a procedure for their use on a permanent basis.

In China most of the goods transportation takes place through rivers and canals. They have made channels where irrigation canals are not available just for transportation. All major rivers like the Amazon, Nile, Mississippi, Huang Hu, Yangtzekiang, Hudson, Thames, Rhine, Sean and the Ganges are navigable. If they can do it, why can’t we ?

Imran Khan once travelled from Karachi Port to up-north by a small boat. Why don’t we test-drive a small ship from Karachi Port to Tarbela? If this journey is successful, about which I have no reason to doubt, it will open up new avenues of transportation.

S. NAYYAR IQBAL RAZA

Karachi

Traffic jams

NOT only the VVIPs visiting the city cause traffic jams, but here in Nazimabad Block No.3 not a day passes without tents and shamianas on the main roads inside the block leading from various directions to its centre, i.e. Gole Market.

Even the mini-bus routes passing through Gole Market are no exception to the road block. The day is not far off when we may find tents and shamianas blocking traffic on the area bridge and the roundabout. Over and above, the decoration contractors leave not even a small passage for the passersby.

Whosoever grants this permission should ponder on this problem of great inconvenience to the residents of the area. I am afraid that a similar problem exists in all other blocks of the Nazimabad area.

DR ABUZAR ARSHI SIDDIQUI

Karachi

MMA’s policies in NWFP

Ever since the NWFP got its new government, a stream of very exhilarating news has been coming from there. The new government has taken some very bold measures,all designed to take the province on a new path of prosperity.

First of all came the restriction on holding musical shows or inviting musicians to perform folk songs at wedding functions. Then came the executive order to stop all public transport during prayer timings. But this was only for a starter.

Even though the NWFP is a pretty conservative province, it should be everyone’s duty to create perfect human beings. In this regard the government has come up with a draft ordinance to create a moral police whose duty will be to ensure that sexuality, especially female sexuality, is kept under complete check and the common people and the government servants offer their prayers regularly and on time.

Wearing of pants by boys in public schools has also been banned. A comprehensive package of islamization is being prepared which, among other things, will ban all cosmetic shops and the sale of female undergarments and completely segregate the society on the gender basis. Co-education will go. Male tailors will be banned from stitching clothes for women.

However, last week billboards advertizing toothpaste has been torn down and the use of billboards is banned. A draft bill has been introduced in the assembly to enforce wearing of veils.

One hopes that with the execution of these measures, the NWFP will become a prosperous province with no unemployment, no income inequality, no poverty and no hunger. This will be a great leap forward.

OSAMA LONE

Lahore

‘The first uniform’

THIS refers to Mr Hafizur Rehman’s column in your issue of May 21. I can only add from history to whatever he has written about the first uniform.

Amir of Kalabagh said when Ayub had appointed Yahya as Army Chief that he had appointed a drunkard and a debaucher and he would regret it. (Lt-Gen Jahan Dad Khan’s Pakistan leadership crisis -OUP 1999). Indeed the whole nation regretted that decision.

On sycophancy there are a couple of examples. One of Ayub’s ministers told Lt-Gen Gul Hassan that the decision to devalue rupee had to be taken. Ayub closed his eyes, leaned back in his chair and after a minute or so came back from his reverie and said: “Rupee will not be devalued.” Gul said that Ayub must have given it a good thought. The minister said: “No, the instructions came from above.” (From Lt Gen.Gul Hassan’s memoirs)

A politician from Sindh, Pir Ali Mohammed Rashidi, advised Ayub to become king. Ayub was serious enough to constitute a committee on the issue of which Z.A. Bhutto was a member. On Bhutto’s dissenting note, Ayub wrote: “Behtar salah, but it was not a bad idea.” (From Bhutto’s If I am assassinated)

About Ayub’s appearance and stature, I will quote Bhutto from his death cell (Col Rafiuddin), saying that apart from his physical beauty, Ayub had a pigeon’s heart and he panicked during the crises. Bhutto also said that the Pakistan army had produced only one general who was a fighter — Lt-Gen Akhtar Hussain Malik.

Thank you Mr Hafiz for taking us down the memory lane. May God give you strength to come out with more truths.

ASLAM MINHAS

Karachi

Travel facilities

WITH relatives on either side of the border, it is desirable to ease travel between the two countries to the maximum possible extent. In this connection it is requested that retired armed forces personnel be also treated on par with other citizens.

At the most there could be a cut-off date; say after five years of retirement they should be given visas in the normal way. Also, those who have visited previously be also given visas freely.

MAJOR (R) YUSUF ALI

Karachi

Health care in Pakistan

I READ with great interest Mr Ayaz Amir’s article (May 17) on health care in the country. But the comparison between hospitals and prisons is not proper. The prisons are full of criminals and political leaders who are healthy and are ready to spend money on luxuries while in jail, but the sick get admitted to resource -starved government hospitals where doctors treat them and collect zakat and donations for their medicines.

At times they donate their own blood to save the lives of needy and critical patients. I wish Mr Ayaz Amir could spare some time and visit with me the taluka hospitals at Loralai, Turbat, Skardu, Toba Tek Singh, Sheikhupura, Khanpur, Shahdadpur, Gumbat, Hala and Tando M. Khan, and see how many patients get treatment without spending money from their own pocket.

Ours is a country where more than 70 per cent modern health care is provided by the government hospitals with a minimum possible budget (not more than 2.5 per cent of the GDP) for the care of the sick. This is the reason we lose 30,000 women every year during pregnancy, hundreds of children become blind every month, polio is not eradicated and people become victims of Hepatitis B and C positive at birth.

Political, military and intellectual leadership of this country has decided to spend money on nuclear bombs, six-lane motorways and such other pursuits while there is no money for primary and emergency health care. I wish Mr Ayaz Amir had said something about it.

Regarding the air ticket, holidays and cars from drug companies to doctors, I would suggest that the government develop a system to punish such doctors and drug companies. The Pakistan Medical Association will be more than happy to see if some action is taken against such doctors and drug companies.

Regarding the care in private hospital, Mr Ayaz Amir should know better than anyone else that at times the government uses the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) as an instrument of corruption. At the same time, despite the demand from doctors to regularize the private hospitals and laboratories, no action is taken in this regard.

It is unfortunate that Mr Ayaz Amir did not write anything about quacks, six hundred thousand of whom are causing disaster in this country. While he has written hundreds of pages against the LFO and so many irrelevant things, regretfully he has no time for real issues facing our poor people. It is time to press the government to provide resources to run government hospitals with good governance and accountability. We must have a system where patients will go to hospitals for care.

DR SHERSHAH SYED

Karachi

Mobile phone for Thatta

The PTCL has earned profit to the tune of Rs15 billions. That is good and commendable. But why has the Thatta district not been linked to the mobile telephone network yet?

The PTCL and other mobile phone companies ought to extend their service to Thatta and also to other neglected areas of Pakistan.

DR MUMTAZ AHMED UQAILI

Thatta