| June 11, 2003 | Wednesday | Rabi-us-Sani 10, 1424 |
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‘Illegal’ actions of CPSP
Water-sharing formula
Reforms by diktat
India, Pakistan after 50 years
Donor-funded development projects
Steps to end corruption
The first uniform
‘Undesirable’ laws
Leaders with no vision
Let Iraqis decide for themselves
THERE is now a scar on the face of many cities of Pakistan; the black paint spread on the faces of female models on billboards. This phenomenon has these characteristics: vandalism against ‘perceived’ obscenity as the giant pictures are seen a threat to ‘values’; gender discrimination, as male models are always spared; methodological precision, as only faces are painted and never the products; lawlessness, as any group can do whatever it likes in the presence of the police; and consistency, as it is a common scene from Multan to Peshawar.
This organized campaign is run by youths and apparently for the youths, albeit the youths from different socio-economic and educational backgrounds. The youths, with flags and paints in their hands, eager to move ‘board-to-board’ with ladders are expressing their anger at perceived scenes of vulgarity and obscenity.
The models, who appear on the billboards, are also youths who do modelling out of necessity and/ or for popularity. In our view, therefore, the billboard campaign has become a forum of a dialogue, between ‘modern’ and ‘conservative’ youths. The terms ‘modern’ and ‘conservative’ should be taken in their simple meaning as both can easily be conjured up and nuanced.
About the gender-biased aspect, we urge the planners of this campaign to recall an incident in the days of Hazrat Umar Farooq.
It was reported that a handsome man with long hair was walking in the street and as such becoming a source of attraction for the women. The caliph investigated and ordered him to cut his long hair, so that he would no longer attract the women. In the light of this example, would the planners take care of the emotions of the womenfolk of the country as well, for whom the male models can equally be the source of ‘perceived’ obscenity.
It is obvious that as the youths do not have appropriate avenues for the ventilation of their ideas and emotions, they resort to negative activities. If we were to continue this campaign, we shall do it with the support of the women’s rights organizations on the universal plea that the women should not be exploited for business purposes. But certainly this thinking needs rationality, enlightenment and modernity, which are rare commodities in the country. And, paradoxically, the movements which do have these elements are neither organized nor influential.
In our view, this phenomenon should be taken as a symbol of disbelief, distrust and division present at each level of our youths.
If constructive and conscious efforts are not undertaken for a meaningful, cross-sectoral, cross-cultural dialogue among the youths, violent and illegitimate means are adopted. No division can be made between ‘university graduates’ and ‘madressah graduates’.
From the pictures, it is obvious that the youths with clean shave and jeans also proudly climb up the ladders to deface the models. The division is very deep, runs across institutions and deserves equally deep, organized and sensitive campaign for a constructive, open and meaningful dialogue among the youths.
JAWAN PAKISTAN
Think Tank on Youth
Lahore
THE decision to suspend the JPMC is unjust and illegal. The CPSP by charter is an examining body which must limit itself to the examination of postgraduate candidates, assessing whether they have fulfilled the necessary requirements. Also, it should monitor that the institutes sending them are equipped with appropriate training facilities.
Although there is a genuine need for a stipend for postgraduate students, the CPSP has nothing to do with the stipend, pay, allowances, etc., given to the candidates by the training institutes. By interfering in these affairs, it is trying to take over the role of the PMDC and the health ministries concerned, besides meddling in the administration of the training institutes.
This decision appears to have more of a political agenda and is the second attempt to pressure the JPMC/administration by creating a law and order situation. If the CPSP is so concerned about the welfare of the candidates, it should then reduce its FCPS examinations’ fees that have recently soared to about Rs26,000. It should also stop charging Rs20,000 in lump sum in the name of three workshops immediately on passing the Part-I examinations.
The candidates should be able to pay as and when they attend these workshops over the four years’ period of training, and there is no reason that the charges be demanded straightaway. Further, these charges are exorbitant as these workshops can be easily managed between Rs3,000 and Rs5,000.
Another example of such unjust interference in the institutions is the letter written by the CPSP to the principal of the Dow Medical College. The letter says: “It has been decided that a premium tertiary-care institution of the status of the DMC should concentrate on the FCPS-II training only; other equivalent programmes must be stopped in your institution with immediate effect, failing which your FCPS-II trainees will be ineligible for registration.” This means that the CPSP is trying to monopolize and dictate the medical colleges and the health ministries indirectly, and to stop other diploma courses like MS, MD, DCH and DLO conducted by Karachi University and other universities.
It is time the president, the prime minister and the health ministers looked into the hegemonic activities of the CPSP which, instead of concentrating on raising the academic standards, is bent on harassing the administration of private and government institutions, thus creating a law and order situation and disrupting postgraduate medical education and extorting money from poor candidates on one pretext or another.
PROF MANZAR SALIM
Karachi
POLITICS has developed into an art form for confusing the people on public issues. Public policy on water sharing lacks clarity. Accords and agreements remain shrouded in the cloak of secrecy, adding to confusion.
The 1991 Water Accord on the sharing of water needs to be fully publicized to remove confusion.
The minister of state for environment in his remarks on International Biodiversity Day at Islamabad states that “every year 600,000 cusecs of water remained unused only in the Indus River” (Dawn, May 23). The ground reality is that for the past four years no water has trickled down the Indus River down Kotri Barrage, much less the gurgling of 600,000 cusecs. The Indus River down Kotri is a “silent river,” giving a pathetic look having lost its earlier majesty enveloped in duststorms.
The intrusion of saltish sea-water has done damage to agriculture, fisheries and the ecology of the coastal areas.
The Sindh Abadgar Board, while contesting the ministerial pronouncement, says Sindh has to be provided with the agreed and allocated share of water under the Water Accord 1991, by May 20 every year as under:
a) 80,600 cusecs at Guddu upstream.
b) 40,100 cusecs at Sukkur upstream.
c) 21,700 cusecs at Kotri upstream
But against the above share, only 65,000 cusecs was available at Guddu upstream, 34,000 cusecs at Sukkur upstream, and 11,000 cusecs at Kotri upstream.
The upper riparian availed during the same period :
a) 90,000 cusecs at Tarbela downstream.
b) 100,000 cusecs of water at Chashma downstream.
c) 96,000 cusecs of water at Panjnad downstream.
The Chashma-Jehlam flood link canals have been “flooded” with flowing water, whereas Sindh has serious drought owing to the shortage of water and has suffered a loss of Rs44 billion in the past four years.
Water sharing needs to be followed according to the terms of the Water Accord 1991, by maintaining strictly its credibility and avoiding deviations from the dotted lines of water allocations. Any expedient narrow interests will add only to loss of faith in the sanctity of accords and generate divisive discontent.
FAZUL S. KAZI
Karachi
THIS refers to your editorial captioned “Reforming by diktat” (May 13). You have criticized the recently announced American plan to help transform the political and economic landscape of the Middle East.
Right from the outset, the editorial scorns the plan but fails to rationalize the basis of its scorn. You have described the plan as containing the elements of free trade, full membership for the Arab countries in the WTO, empowerment of women, parents’ involvement in the affairs of schools, launching of media training initiatives, etc. Honestly, what is wrong with these wonderful objectives?
Your apprehension that the plan will simply be enforced in the region and therefore it is a fait accompli is miss-founded. The plan will definitely be welcomed by the people of the Middle East and it is another thing that it will be resisted by their governments. Owing to the absence of democracy in the Arab world, any move that has the potential of empowering its people, will be painted as an evil by its governments.
Through the Operation Iraq Freedom, the US has sent a loud and clear message that from now on it is with the masses of the world and not their despotic rulers. If in this process of empowerment, the US takes an energetic approach, please don’t attribute it to arrogance.
While accusing America of being a protector of Israel, please don’t forget the basic realities. Israel is the only democracy in the Middle East and America being a bastion of democracy is naturally tilted towards Israel.
If democracy is introduced in the Middle East, America’s dependence on Israel as the sole custodian of its interest in the region will decline sharply, as it will have more countries from which it could pick and choose. If you dislike Israel, then you must welcome any plan that has the potential of bringing democracy to the region.
In the past, America has helped certain Middle Eastern despots get into and stay in power and this may be the reason for suspicion with which every American overture is received. America has now switched its alignment and it deserves a chance to prove its “real aims and objectives”.
SIDDIQUE MALIK
Louisville, KY, USA
THIS refers to your column ‘50 years ago’ for May 17, 1953, quoting Mr Adlai Stevenson of the US Democratic Party lauding Pakistan PM Mohammad Ali’s initiative for peace with Bharat and expressing the view that Pakistan and Bharat would resolve Kashmir, canal water and 50 other minor issues in a spirit of goodwill and understanding without resort to war, which would be suicidal for both and detrimental to peace of the world.
Fifty years on today, exactly the same overtures are made for initiating peace and similar sentiments are being echoed in our countries and internationally. The difference in the scenario is that India has wriggled out of the UN resolutions for plebiscite in Kashmir which was very much on the cards 50 years ago, the possession of nuclear weapons by both sides, the changing world situation in post-Iraq era and the war on terrorism.
Will there be a change this time round, or are we going to see a cyclic repetition of 50 years of history?
RAFI AHMED
Karachi
WHILE addressing the convocation of the Liaquat Medical University, Jamshoro, on May 22, Sindh Education Minister Irfanullah Marwat highlighted the various enviable achievements of his government.
Most quotable feat mentioned by him was the sanction of some development projects by the federal government which will be financed by international donors. To him and his colleagues, it was an unparalleled accomplishment since no government in the past could fetch so much loan from the donors.
This pronouncement sadly reflects the mindset of our policymakers and the ruling elite. When successful begging is considered a praiseworthy deed in itself, the final analysis does not require any new description.
No wonder that despite the hollow claims of economic revival and success, the ground situation is anything but hopeful!
NOMAN AHMED
Karachi
CERTAIN government organizations like the police, customs and income tax departments have been known to be corrupt from time immemorial. But some time back it was reported that the government is taking steps to curb corruption in the income tax department.
However, any step which the government may have been contemplating to curb corruption in this particular department is going to be nullified by the decision of the government to authorize all tax officials to search the premises of the assessees.
The proposed law will increase corruption with consequent decrease in revenue collection, thus negating the very purpose for which it is being promulgated.
MASOODA SAYIED
Karachi
THIS refers to Mr Husain Malik’s letter on the above subject (June 1).
I would like to inform him that owing to the subjugation of the East Pakistani population by the Western Wing a festering wound had developed which had to burst at the time it did, irrespective of the leadership. Yahya was unlucky to be on the scene then. So, why blame him?
As for Mr Malik’s point about wine and women attributed to Yahya, will the gentleman tell me whether this has stopped now? We hear similar stories about our high and mighty in Islamabad.
JAVED CHAUDHRY
Karachi
IT is an undeniable fact that Pakistan was created to enable the Muslims of the subcontinent to practise their religion fearlessly and prosper in a free country of their own.
Against this background, it is strange that the lawyers’ community is opposing the Legal Framework Order which has the backing of the Supreme Court. It accuses Gen Pervez Musharraf of dismissing the elected government of Nawaz Sharif.
May I ask where these lawyers were when Gen Ziaul Haq did the same by dismissing the democratically-established government of Z. A. Bhutto? Did they raise any voice then? This double standard is indeed baffling.
If the bar council is determined to carry on its struggle against the LFO, then to prove its sincerity it must raise its voice against the cruel and absolutely undemocratic laws which, contrary to the precise assurances of the Quaid-i-Azam, have encouraged and established ‘mullacracy’ in Pakistan.
I would refer to two such undesirable laws which were never demanded by the majority of the Pakistanis. They are the separate electorate law and the anti-Qadiani law.
Both these ordinances were converted into laws by Gen Zia, who told the elected representativses that if they did not ratify the ordinances, he would not allow them even to share power with him, let alone handing over of full power to them. What a sham democracy!
As such if the bar council is sincere and honest about its quest for true democracy, then let it rectify these two wicked laws which are the evil legacy of a dictator.
MOHAMMAD ISHAQUE SOOFI
Rabwah
LEADERS are expected to lead the nation with a clear vision to achieve something within a specific time-frame. They have the support of the majority of the people. They undertake such ventures as are in the interest of the country.
Keeping in mind this fundamental responsibility, we find that our leaders have been serving their own interest. They think that their main responsibilities are to attend weddings and funerals of their relatives and inaugurate projects that are sometimes never realized. They have hardly any time left to think or even read the newspapers to know the ground realities.
Leaders must have the credibility among the people. This credibility a leader can have only by telling the truth, with selfless devotion to the people’s welfare, respecting the rule of law and considering merit while selecting the judges and other important officials of government institutions.
The leaders ignoring the welfare of the people are doomed to fail.
ENGR S.T. HUSSAIN
Lahore
THE invasion and occupation of Iraq by the forces of the US and UK will never be forgotten or forgiven, whatever lame excuses the occupiers keep on giving to the world. Everybody knows that Saddam Hussein and Osama bin Laden were on the CIA’s payroll and the way they have been quietly transferred to safe havens will be known in the near future.
The US and UK governments can fool their own people but not the whole world. After the terrible bombing of Baghdad and other cities of Iraq, the coalition forces are now bent on crushing the will of the Iraqi people.
The CNN, BBC, and other media directly televised on April 22, 2003, a procession of several million Iraqis in Karbala. Is there any city in the world which can claim to be as hospitable and secure as Karbala and be expected to accommodate millions of pilgrims only one week after the fall of Saddam? There was no security problem and no looting in spite of shortage of food, water and electricity.
Although the intentions of the US and UK forces point towards installing a government of their own choice, it would be most appropriate if the occupying forces get out of Iraq as fast as they entered and hand over the reins of the government to the Iraqi people, otherwise the world will never forgive them. It seems they have forgotten the lessons Russia learnt from Afghanistan and the US learnt from Vietnam.
It is shocking that nobody questions as to who has given the forces of the US and UK the right to:
I. Transfer Iraqi criminals to the US or other countries, when they are actually killers of innocent people and should be tried by Iraqi courts.
II. Transfer all records of Iraqi intelligence to the US unless they were afraid that their own old links might be leaked out.
III. Select and employ the old Iraqi police and army personnel only if they promise allegiance to the occupying forces.
IV. Decide who will carry out the reconstruction of Iraq after the war. In March they dropped bombs of all types and devastated the poor Iraqis and in May they start reconstruction on their own.
The wrongs done by the coalition forces can be undone to some extent by:
I. Apologizing to the Iraqi public for all the loss of lives and property that was done by the coalition forces.
II. Allowing neutral countries like Japan, Thailand and Vietnam to send their workers to first conduct a census of the Iraqis to determine the actual loss of lives, which is much greater than that announced by the US.
III. Allowing the Japanese, Vietnamese election personnel to conduct free and fair polls and transfer power to the representatives.
IV. Handing over all arrested criminals to the Iraqi people for giving them an exemplary punishment according to the Iraqi law.
V. Handing over all government powers to the genuinely elected representatives.
T. J. DEWJI
Karachi
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