| June 8, 2003 | Sunday | Rabi-us-Sani 7, 1424 |
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CIA and its Kashmir map
Disarmament by Pakistan
Neglect of Kirthar National Park
Non-performing loans
Hepatitis-B cases
Disintegration of society
Doing away with rote learning
Keenjhar lake tragedy
Why general, not Pervez Musharraf?
THIS is with reference to MMA secretary-general Maulana Fazlur Rahman’s offer of support to the government with certain conditions. Speaking at a public meeting in Quetta on May 29, the Maulana demanded that:
a) The government immediately stop FBI operations on Pakistan’s soil,
b) Get back all air bases in Pakistan from the US forces,
c) Stop privatization of educational institutions,
d) Implement the judgments of the Federal Shariat Court and the Shariat Appellate Bench of the Supreme Court regarding interest-free economy,
e) Restore Friday as weekly holiday, and
f) All legislation in the assembly should be made according to the recommendations of the Council of Islamic Ideology.
Enough has been said and written on most of the above-mentioned matters. I, therefore, will only comment that the MMA’s demands are only the tip of the iceberg. The Maulana has himself said that if the government is ready to accept these conditions, the MMA would give some more time and concessions to it on various other issues.
The MMA is desperately looking for an opportunity to start implementing its brand of Islamization. If it succeeds in its efforts, it will then impose a ban on listening to music and musicians, dancing, screening of films, dramas and all other types of entertainment. Sports apparel exposing men’s bodies will be banned. Co-education will be banned and women will only be allowed to come out from homes, clad in burqas. Furthermore, learning and speaking English will be prohibited.
The MMA leaders will be the role models, and people emulating their lifestyle and behavior will be appreciated. Since some of the MMA leaders are responsible for the creation and education of the Taliban, the latter’s rule in Afghanistan will appear more liberal than what the MMA has in store for the nation. My advice to the government will be not to succumb to the pressure of the MMA, because its goal will be to take over full control of the government.
Once given the reins of power, it will throw the country into an abyss from where it will take a long time to come out.
PARVEZ RAHIM
Karachi
THE media, of late, has been reporting a number of steps, taken by the NWFP government to enforce Islamization in the province.
So far, the provincial government has had a Shariat bill approved by the provincial assembly, introduced shalwar-kamiz as school uniform while banning trousers and shirts, made wearing of the veil mandatory and allowed its supporters to deface women on billbords.
The other day, some 50 hoardings were smashed in Peshawar. This situation is viewed, all over the country, with anger, disgust, insecurity and helplessness.
The wanton disregard for ‘human rights’, the absence of even a perfunctory condemnation by the provincial government and the lack of any reaction by the federal government are baffling and disappointing. It portrays their fragility, political expediency or just cowardice.
It is time the president and the prime minister overcame inertia and reassured the silent majority of their ‘human rights’ to practise, or decline to practise, religious obligations, according to their faith, tradition, and fiqh as they deem fit and acceptable, and nobody will have the right or the authority to impose his version of Islam.
Pakistan was founded on the basis of Muslim nationalism and not Islamic fundamentalism.
M. A. BAQI
Karachi
THE CIA is said to have made a map of Kashmir in which the Valley is shown as an Indian state. I do not know much about the CIA except what this acronym stands for and that they are important in the US and elsewhere, that they are human beings and to err is human, particularly when men are overworked and liable to cut corners in haste.
But we have to contend with the fact that the world atlases made in foreign countries are also the same. It is only those that are imported by Pakistan which are allowed in after they are overstamped by the words ‘Disputed Territory’. This is the superficial position. Ignoring the UN resolutions of Aug 13, 1948, and Jan 5, 1949, India has consistently and persistently refused to move forward on these resolutions, apparently owing to the courtesy of Radcliffe, C. R. Atlee and Mountbatten under whose secret manipulations the resolutions were much watered down in case of India.
But even this did not succeed in making India comply with them. It has been ignoring them despite the fact that it had itself approached the UN and these resolutions were formulated after hard toil by our and their representatives. Taking advantage of the passage of time through this intransigence, it converted the state into its ‘integral part’ and, importantly, persistently maintained this position even though the Kashmiris do not want their rule.
The state requires some 700,000 Indian troops to control a small population of around 4,000,000 rebellious Kashmiris. It has killed 80,000 Kashmiris by its own admission and raped and tortured many. Yet it brazen-facedly claims that the much-awaited plebiscite is not required as, according to it, the Kashmiris have given their verdict in ‘free’ elections (under Indian bayonets) that they wish to remain in India.
Returning to the UN resolutions, it may be recalled that America had not only voted for the UN resolutions about Kashmir, but even had nominated its own dignitary, Admiral Nimitz, as plebiscite administrator. Subsequently, everything vanished into thin air. It only requires some effort to recover the relevant documents from the dust of time and get going with their implementation.
PROF (DR) MUSHTAQ
HASAN
Karachi
INFORMATION Minister Shaikh Rashid Ahmed said the other day that Pakistan would be willing to initiate discussion on the disarmament process in the region if the core issue of Kashmir was going to be solved.
What is after all involved in the ‘disarmament process’? Obviously, our nuclear capability, which is a big thorn in everybody’s flesh — particularly that of the US. Mr Kasuri also pointed in this direction when he said in New York that Pakistan would not roll back its nuclear programme unilaterally. What was the big need for issuing such a statement unless it was in response to someone’s?
However, it does not imply that Pakistan may be willing to do it provided India does it. Could it be a precondition by the US for Pakistan to act as a facilitator? India, too, must have been told by the US in unambiguous terms to resolve the dispute with Pakistan or else the UN Security Council’s resolutions on the subject could be invoked. This might have compelled Mr Vajpayee to make an offer for ‘talks’ on Kashmir.
However, the crucial question arises: can Pakistan afford to roll back its nuclear programme — with Kashmir resolved or not? I think, not. Once the core issue is resolved amicably to the satisfaction of all parties — Pakistan, Kashmir, India — and other minor and major irritants also looked after, we can certainly reduce the quantum of our standing armed forces, curtail our defence spending to ameliorate the lot of the common man and live like good neighbours peacefully and harmoniously with India, hopefully, forever.
COL (RETD) RIAZ JAFRI
Rawalpindi
PAKISTAN is blessed with enormous natural wealth, and the Kirthar National Park is one of the most prestigious gifts that nature has given to us — the first of Pakistan’s parks to be included in the UN’s listing of National Parks of 1975.
The Kirthar National Park is the habitat of rare species that include the Sindh lbex, Chin Kara, gazelles, leopards, wild sheep along with 27 other species of mammals, various families of reptiles and at least 58 species of birds. Historically, the area is of prime importance, with the largest of the world’s historic forts (Rannikot) and archaeological sites dating back to 3500 BC, An area of outstanding scenic beauty, it is populated by local tribal communities.
Isn’t it shame that instead of preserving such a rich heritage through collective efforts, we have allowed few individuals to destroy and damage everything that they can lay their hands on. Such is the ethical blindness of society that none of us seems concerned at the repetitive murder of the environment of the park.
Unfortunately, a huge piece of land is being sold to an individual to build palaces and shikar houses. I invite the citizens of Pakistan to raise their voice against this short-sightedness of a few individuals.
NAWAB ABDUL GHANI
TALPUR
MNA, Karachi
YOUR editorial of April 26 on the above subject was indeed an eye-opener for the government to analyse the performance of the CIRC (Corporate and Industrial Restructuring Corporation), which has miserably failed to revive the sick units and minimize the incidence of loan defaults.
Perhaps, the authorities have not read your editorial or ignored it as they have boldly published a public notice on May 23, informing that they have decided to introduce a scheme for an amicable settlement of non-performing assets in line with the SBP BPD Circular No. 29 of October 15, 2002, and that too with immediate effect. It is interesting to note that they claim that this scheme has been designed in furtherance of its (CIRC) attempt to revive the national economy.
If one goes through the past record of the CIRC, it will become clear that in the name of the revival of sick and closed units, they had been just acting as respectable auctioneers and nothing else.
Had they been able to cause physical revival of sick/closed projects, they would have published the details or at least the names of the revived projects in operation on the ground after their revival.
Now after a lapse of seven-and-a-half months of the SBP scheme, the CIRC has suddenly waken from its slumber to adopt the State Bank of Pakistan scheme under the guise of introducing a new scheme for the revival of the sick units, but this time with a larger perspective to go for the revival of the national economy when the finance minister and other ministers and even the prime minister have already said loudly that the national economy has been revived and is on a sound footing requiring only the continuation of the past three years’ policies. It is not understood which national economy the CIRC is attempting to revive.
Have our national institutions established for economic revival become political institutions to go for empty paperwork only and deceive the people of Pakistan and the government?
M. SIRAJUL HASSAN
Karachi
A recent report published in Dawn (May 29) regarding 17 Hepatitis-B cases reported in Sanghar is not surprising. What is surprising is the way it has been reported. It is unethical to mention the names of positive cases. The correspondent could have clearly mentioned the number of patients and the region. It could lead to social stigmatization of the positive cases.
If the reason to mention the names was to prove the authenticity of the report, then the correspondent is wrong. Immunization against Hepatitis-B for newly-born infants has been included in the National EPI Programme. Vaccination for adults could only be effective if their status regarding hepatitis-B can be checked first.
Biomedical research in Pakistan has established unsafe injection practices, including re-use of disposable syringes, as the primary reason for the spread of blood-borne infections such as Hepatitis-B and C. Even though the country has a low prevalence of HIV, if irrational injections are not reduced, they could easily become one of the routes of spread of this deadly disease. There is a need to raise awareness among the general population as well as among the health care providers, about the risks of unsafe injection.
DR ARSHAD ALTAF
Karachi
THIS is to bring to your notice a very disturbing development which is damaging the values and norms of our society. It is very unfortunate that a number of programmes, dramas and TV talk shows are making a fun of our traditions. As a result the number of separations and divorces have shot up enormously.
Our girls appear to have lost all qualities of adaptability, control and patience. Unnecessary propagation of wrong concepts and uncalled-for backing by the girls’ parents have contributed vastly to the menace of separation.
Other important factors are the various absurd and ridiculous dramas and TV talk shows which instead of making any positive impact on our moral and cultural values are literally destroying the structure of society. The institution of marriage has become a mockery.
I would request the authorities to look into the matter and take appropriate steps to avoid further disintegration of society.
JUSTICE (R) MIAN TAHIR
Lahore
WHILE extending hearty felicitation to the three girls, namely Hera Rauf, Madiha Rais and Uroof R. Bajwa, for their meritorious success in the SSC Part II General Group exams-2003, Karachi, by securing the top three positions, I would like to refer to the expression of their feelings that it was all a matter of theory education compelling the students to depend solely on their capability to memorize the textbooks and reproduce them
in the answersheets for examiners.
Do we know where we are headed for? Towards our orientation, our goal, or is it just a game of wits?
The education system seems to be overly concerned with preparing the students for examinations, and tends to emphasize the rote system rather than critical and creative thinking.
One of the key factors which can guide our education system in future must be a uniform syllabus to motivate the teachers to move away from conducting structured, passive lessons to more activity-based and process-oriented ones. Children should be learners equipped with thinking and problem-solving skills.
The chalk-and-talk method, audio-visual aids such as charts, slides, photographs and models need to be used. Classroom learning should sometimes be supplemented by field trips, live specimens and scientific equipment.
Education should be treated with reverence, as the holiest of the holy. This is one vocation in life which mankind must never prostitute, for from it is born all that is noble and virtuous.
HAJI ESSA KATCHI
Karachi
IT is horrifying that 26 precious lives were lost because of criminal negligence of boat management, accommodating passengers far beyond the capacity and the non-availability of first aid and lifeguards at the site.
The Keenjhar lake is a busy picnic spot and, being located between Karachi and Hyderabad, it attracts a lot of picnickers. Owing to the apathy of the agencies concerned, the occurrence of such tragedies are common every year.
This is high time the agencies like the city government and the Tourism Development Corporation, which are responsible for the maintenance and the upkeep of the tourist sites, woke up from slumber and took the following steps so that such tragedies do not occur in future:
i) There must be well-maintained boats duly registered for the tourists.
ii) The boats must not be allowed to carry more than their capacity.
iii) There must be well-trained and fully-equipped life guards and swimmers available at vulnerable points of the lake so that they can immediately reach the spot.
iv) First aid and medical facilities with doctors and medicines should be available at the lake site.
It is further suggested that these precautions must also be adopted at various beaches of Karachi where such incidents do occur off and on.
ALTMASH MANZOOR
H. KURESHI
Karachi
THIS is the question over which a storm is currently brewing in the political tea-cup in all its fury. On the face of it, it seems quite simple and pertinent. Why indeed? What is wrong with plain and simple Pervez Musharraf, without the trappings? One might even quote Cassius’s argument, comparing Brutus with Caesar, word for word, except for the change of names. For instance, one may say, ‘General Musharraf and ‘Pervez Musharraf, write them together; one is as fair a name as the other. Sound them: Pervez “doth become the mouth well”. Weigh them: it is as heavy. Conjure with them. Pervez will start a spirit as general.
But is that really so? As Brutus and Caesar were not the same, which events proved later, so here too, there is a difference. ‘General’ Musharraf conjures the picture of a man in military uniform; ‘Pervez’ Musharraf in a sherwani and a shalwar. One exudes energy; the other is relaxed, easy and blase. The man in uniform is a worker, an employee, a grade 22 official as Qazi Hussain Ahmad taunts. The one in sherwani suit is the aristocrat employer, defying grades.
His uniform insulates the general against any threats to his personal security. That is the lesson of Pakistan’s history. For instance, Iskander Mirza was president but he was without a uniform. So, only three weeks after he thought he had become the unchallenged ruler of Pakistan, he was packed off to London. The president of Pakistan became an employee at Ramaswamys, a hotel at London’s Piccadilly.
Ayub Khan, the architect of the decade of development, misled by sycophants, had shed his general’s uniform. He had persuaded himself to believe that becoming field marshal would make him supremely powerful. He realized his mistake only when there was countrywide ‘gherao’ and ‘jalao’. But it was too late. As the situation went out of his control, he was pushed aside and forced to transfer power, unconstitutionally, to a general, instead of the speaker of parliament or the chief justice of the Supreme Court.
Zulfikar Ali Bhutto wore priceless suits. But a suit, however expensive, is no substitute for a uniform as he learnt to his grief. It was the absence of a uniform that sent him to the gallows. With a uniform on his person, howsoever inferior, at least his life would have been spared.
Ziaul Haq, having imbibed the lesson, clung to his uniform. So he could make promises about returning to democracy and flout them with impunity. He could hold a referendum and claim he had been chosen. And he could insert Article 58 (2) (b) in the Constitution too, without a squeak of protest from any corner. Therein may lie the answer to the question, why general, not Pervez Musharraf?
SYED JAWAID IQBAL
Karachi
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