Excitement over exports

ONE does not wish to be a spoiler but all the brouhaha about our exports exceeding the $10 billion mark does seem a bit like a family throwing an unceasing bash for the whole village to mark their son passing his matric exam, finally, in the sixth attempt. It does not matter that the son’s former school classmates have in the meanwhile completed their master’s.

Our neighbours China and India and even Bangladesh and Sri Lanka have achieved much higher growth in their exports than we have. However, these countries have never trumpeted their achievements. One only hears of their achievements in the world media and at various international forums.

Bangladesh and Sri Lanka produce no cotton yet their garment exports, made from imported yarn and fabric, exceed ours in value. A big reason for the boost in our textile exports last year was the concessions given by the European Union to Pakistan for its post-9/11 role. Will the EU continue with these concessions in the face of the Chinese, Indian and other garment exporters’ objections?

Our reliance for exports is almost entirely on textiles, and nothing much seems to have been achieved in regaining our lost significance in traditional export items such as rice, carpets and surgical instruments. We have lost out to India in rice (basmati). Indian carpets were never a factor in the world market; they are so now vis-a-vis Pakistan even if not against Iranian, Turkish and Afghan carpets.

One would hardly expect India to be a factor in leather goods’ exports, yet its leather products such as shoes, jackets, jeans, bags and luggage are to be seen in all the top stores of Europe. The leather and leather goods’ business in India is virtually entirely in the hands of the Indian Muslims and the technical back-up, guidance on design and emphasis on quality, and the export marketing support provided by the relevant government agency have opened the market for Indian leather goods. Where does Pakistan stand in leather and leather goods’ export?

The series of ads showing the export growth of sundry non-textile items with graphs taking off almost vertically into other were unconvincing. The ‘growth’ reflected in the graphs was against what? The previous year or period’s export volume or value was not shown. If previous years’ exports were ‘piteous’ and they have now improved to become ‘pathetic’, then while it may represent an ‘improvement’ it is not worth making a lot of noise about. President Musharraf has sounded the right note — $10 billion exports are a pittance versus the potential, given the right management. His $30 billion export target near-term (three years) and $50 billion midterm (five ears) would be less a cakewalk and more a challenge.

Please cut out the brouhaha on exports exceeding $10 billion. All the excitement being expressed sounds too eerily like the Steel Mill under Usman Farooqi, who blew the trumpet of his ‘accomplishments’ so shrilly that the auditors, a much-respected audit firm, was forced to have published denials of Farooqi’s many claims which he had incorrectly and inappropriately implied were endorsed by the auditors.

S. KHALID HUSAIN

Karachi

End of two barbaric regimes

THIS is to communicate with the readers of Dawn with a view to lessening the depressing feelings emanating from the fall of Kabul and Baghdad.

It is not the territories of Iraq or Afghanistan which have been conquered by the US-led coalition, but two most unpopular and despotic regimes have been conquered and destroyed in these countries.

Take for example Iraq. It is no secret that Saddam Hussein was a ruthless dictator ruling with brutal force and inflicting unparalleled atrocities on the people of Iraq. It is also a well-known fact that for a large part of his regime he was supported by the US. He attacked Iran on the instigation of the US. The Iraqi army was trained and geared to terrorize and control its own people and was not prepared to fight foreign aggression. Understandably, when the US and the UK attacked Iraq, they faced no resistance from the armed forces or the people. Similarly, in Afghanistan the Taliban, who were mostly from Madressahs in the NWFP and Balochistan, were able to capture the government set-up.

The Taliban started imposing their brand of Shariat in a most crude and brutal way. The people in the streets were punished for not having a beard and for other reasons that came to their minds. In the sphere of implementing their brand of Shariat among the women, they were simply barbaric. The Taliban were not trained to confront an aggression from the US and the coalition forces. The other warring groups were the willing supporters of the US and the coalition. Therefore, the aggressors/invaders had a simple walkover.

As for the question of gains or losses to the US by these blatant aggressions, it would be suffice to say that in American history, no president has caused so much damage to the US interests and its image globally as Mr George W. Bush has done. He has fulfilled the Zionist agenda more than the expectations of Israel’s Sharon.

MOHAMMAD RAFI

Karachi

Failure of Saarc

AS the concept of regional cooperation has spread throughout the world, South Asia is no exception to it. The South Asian states laid the foundation of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (Saarc) in 1985 at Dhaka. Its main objective was to promote cooperation among the South Asian countries in the economic, technical, industrial, agricultural and commercial fields, and to help the member countries in the attainment of self-sufficiency.

Saarc has so far failed to meet the expectations for so many reasons. Its activities have been hampered by the ongoing rivalries between India and other members in general and Pakistan in particular.

Though India helped in the creation of Bangladesh, it does not have cordial relations with it. There are certain issues between them like the sharing of the river water, boundary dispute, etc., which have to be settled.

India has been accused of creating disturbances in Sri Lanka too. It has been supporting the Tamils. India does not have good relations even with Nepal. It has supported the opposition parties in Nepal and interfered in the domestic problems of Nepal.

Bhutan is almost a satellite of India. Its foreign as well as domestic policies are dictated by India. Maldives has impliedly accepted India’s hegemony when India saved Mamum Abdul Qayum government in November 1988.

Pakistan is the only country in Saarc, which has resisted India’s policy of hegemony. India has always thought it proper and valid to interfere in the domestic problems of Pakistan.

Genuine integration and mutually beneficial cooperation is possible only in an environment of peace and stability. One should hope for progress towards this by the time of the next Saarc summit scheduled to be held in Islamabad.

MANSOOR ALI SHAHANI

Karachi

Camp David: challenge ahead

GEN Pervez Musharraf’s visit to the US this month is of paramount importance. It is taking place against the backdrop of many significant developments such as Mr Vajpayee’s initiative for peace talks, the political impasse in South Asia, the growing Indo-Israel-US nexus, America’s quest for furthering Islamabad’s strategic cooperation, signals that Washington wants to resolve the Kashmir dispute and the US concerns over the future of Pakistan’s nuclear programme.

In such circumstances, it is very challenging for Gen Musharraf to prove his diplomatic prudence and acumen by rightly defending his national objectives at Camp David.

Since an economically stronger and peacefully stable Pakistan is the strategic need of the US, it is the time when Islamabad’s interests must also be defended and valued by Washington’s “neo- conservatism”. We can no longer afford to be exploited or hoodwinked during any deal of”give and take”.

May I suggest that at Camp David, our leadership should not show deflection on supporting the cause of the Kashmiris, continuing its peaceful nuclear programme, endorsing the principal of non-interference, condemning means of aggression and pre-emption and upholding the role of the United Nations in reconstructing Iraq?

S. Q. AFZAL RIZVI

Karachi

General’s uniform

I FULLY endorse Mr Osman Shaikh’s views (June 14) which not only present the true picture of the Muttahida Malis-i-Amal but also speak of their motives and non-compromising attitude.

What the members of the MMA have done over that the past nine months for their people whom they have pledged to serve? They have indulged in a conflict over the Legal Framework Order and the uniform to hide their own shortcomings. Did they promise their voters to talk about the LFO or the uniform of General Pervez Musharraf?

I understand the matter of taking off the uniform should be left to the general as he has given a clear-cut assurance that he would leave the uniform as and when he feels appropriate.

If the opposition is sincere and wants to serve the nation, it is still not too late to come out of the LFO and the uniform. Forget the LFO; see what the people want. They want poverty alleviation, fresh water, electricity, education and health care.

This is high time we joined hands with the government and did something for the people who have voted for them. This is more important at a time when the relations between India and Pakistan are likely to improve.

MAQBOOL ALAM

Karachi

Textile education

IN developed countries, social and cultural sensitivities, political and financial constraints, availability of human resources, and most important of all, the goal of education influences policy decisions.

Pakistan is an agricultural country. About three-fourths of its population lives in the rural areas. Majority of the people are engaged in the activities pertaining to agricultural economy. The main agricultural produce of our country is cotton. Its trading and marketing as well as industrial use has activated textile business sector of the country.

There are several fields that need urgent rethinking. The most important among them is the need for textile education. There are very a few institutes creating awareness about textiles. Many private institutes are there too, but their fees are exorbitant owing to their collaboration with foreign universities. The government should ask them to collaborate only with Pakistani universities and teach our own syllabus.

We need employment and business for earning foreign exchange. We should make effort through our federal and provincial governments to spread textile education.

Recently, the president has announced ‘Vision 2015 for textile industry’. How can it be possible to concentrate on Vision 2015 without basic textile education?

NASEEM ZUBAIR WARSI

Karachi

Pakistan’s wrong priorities

WHEN India was building Silicon City, we were building Surrey Mansion and Raiwind Palace.

When India was bringing its prime minister, Narasimha Rao, to the Supreme Court for trial, we were attacking our Supreme Court with the blessing of our prime minister.

When India was increasing its foreign exchange reserves through increased export, we were clamping our export by freezing all foreign currency accounts/reserves.

When India was privatizing and purchasing satellite TV channels for making inroad in the international media, we were eulogizing our prime ministers on our TV channels for their “wonderful deeds”.

When India was building hydel-dams for cheap electricity for its people, we were selling our people to the IPPs for the most expensive electricity and consequent destruction of our industry.

And most recently, now that India is refurbishing its military arsenals with surface-to-air and air-to-air missiles, we are refurbishing our fleet of luxury cars for our prime minister secretariat.

I. A. RASOOL

Islamabad

Islam and the veil

THIS refers to the letter titled “Islam and the veil” by Mr Abdul Salam Dadabhoy.

He has advised Pakistani women to follow the dress code of Arab women. Can you please tell me why men don’t follow the dress code of Arab men? They are ordered to guard their modesty just as much as women. No well-fitting jeans, no undone buttons of the shirt and, of course, eyes lowered.

Isn’t that right? Modesty was ordered for all Muslims, men conveniently chose to ignore it.

MOEENA ZAIN

Solera drive, TX, USA

High meat prices

THIS refers to a report in Dawn (June 6) that says the meat prices are rising owing to the export of animals from the country.

The export of livestock is far less than local consumption in any single district of Pakistan. Cattle, buffaloes, sheep and goats population has increased 2.9, 4.6, 0.3 and 11 million heads respectively between last two Livestock Census (1986-1996). Therefore, it is quite obvious that there is no decline in the livestock in the country.

However, the rising prices of the petroleum products have significantly increased the cost of feed ingredients and transport of animals, thereby making meat costly.

DR GHULAM SARWAR SHAIKH

Hyderabad

Gregory Peck’s death

THE passing away of American actor Gregory Peck has saddened his admirers and fans the world over.

Peck, the Hollywood cinema idol, spelled his audiences for decades. He was indeed the last of the great actors and his death has ended an era. I deem him an artist of very high calibre for his role in the above-titled film based on the life of a Spanish freedom fighter during the civil war.

Peck will always be remembered for his voice and vocabulary and missed by his large number of fans. May his soul rest in peace.

KHALID DURRANI

Karachi

A customer’s complaint

I HAVE been using the Citibank credit card for the last three years. Last month I made a written request to the bank to enhance my credit limit along with the necessary documents.

I was informed that the request was being forwarded and would be settled within seven working days. It has been almost 21 days and my request is still on the same floor where it was on the first day. Whenever I have tried to contact the banking officials to inquire about the status of the application, I am countered with an impolite reply. This attitude is incomprehensible.

MUSTAFA M. HUSSAIN

Karachi

Work ethos and expatriates

THE article by Mr Saleem Chaudhry printed in your newspaper under the above caption focused on the work ethics of labour and the workers receiving low salary. However, I must add that unfortunately, the same attitude is even more prevalent among the people with money, education and especially with authority and power.

While we talk about a Pakistani worker who thinks he can be a better manager and tries to grab the position at the first opportunity, we tend to ignore exactly similar manoeuvrings among most of our top civil, military set-ups and our professional as well as business communities.

LIAQAT ALI

Jubail, Saudi Arabia

Natural moral law

I OWE a great debt to German philosopher Dr Robert Spaemann’s writings.

The western world is increasingly succumbing to the prejudice of “political correctness”. More and more we live in a time and situation where pluralism and tolerance are, irreconcilable with absolute truth, the highest values. Laws are constantly being changed or newly introduced in order to satisfy the will of the people in lieu of and without respect for the “natural moral law”. This can only lead to anarchy.

It is not possible here to present philosophical proofs for the existence of God. Nonetheless, by way of simple logic, when we speak of something like the world in terms of its richness or plurality we also affirm the existence of the world; the “many” presupposes the “one”. By similar arguments one can deduce that there must also be universal concepts of “being’, “truth”and “good”.

The universal good cannot be something ambiguous without also being relative. If it is relative one might justifiably speak, as did Heinrich Himmler, of the altruistic morals of the Nazi regime which is nonsense. The very fact that we discuss the common good proves that a criterion for the “good” ought to exist. We see that virtually all families accept as “good” the concepts of fidelity, gratitude and honesty while viewing the acts of betrayal, ingratitude and falsehood as bad. It is clear then that a universal approach toward good and evil is necessary.

For the relativist, however, there is only tolerance. But why should tolerance count for anything unless it has as its foundation some other value. Such a tolerance that is “blind” ends up becoming a form of intolerance for that which actually gives tolerance its true value: convictions. Similarly, one’s convictions would have no value unless they were oriented toward a higher good. Upon this reference to truth is based the dignity of the human person.

The relativist admits to no supreme criterion that would allow him to distinguish between a good and bad conscience. For him, individual and societal actions are subject only to free will. The result is anarchy - the law of the jungle - which is no law at all. Domination and manipulation become the rule.

When a government or any democratic majority approves a law that marginalizes some resisting minority as being “fundamentalists”, it is the duty of every human being to oppose it. While claiming to be respecting one’s freedom of choice, such lawmakers are really only leading the people away from the true freedom which the natural law provides.

Is this not a time for us all, especially lawyers and politicians, to reflect on the concept of the natural moral law?

Paul Kokoski Hamilton

Ontario, Canada

A leading Ghalibologist

AFTER 38 years of hard work and reaching the age of superannuation, Dr Syed Moeenur Rehman, has retired from service.

Professor of the Sufi Tabassum Chair and chairman, Department of Urdu, Government College University, Lahore, was his last assignment.

Dr Moeen is the leading Ghalibologist of the country today. He has outdone all others in the field of research on the great poet. He has not written poetry himself but spent his life studying Ghalib. He has every conceivable book on the poet in his personal library. He has written several books on Ghalib, the first, Isharia-i-Ghalib, was published in 1969 by the Punjab University. Then followed many others. But his major contribution in this regard is the publication of a hand written copy of Ghalib’s verses compiled in 1852. (Ghalib died in 1869). This copy remained with Ghalib for some time as is evident from the corrections made in it by the poet in his own handwriting. Dr Moeen chanced upon this manuscript and got it published. He called it the Nuskha-i-Khwaja in deference to the wish of his former principal, Khwaja Manzur Hosain, who had seen the MS and was eager that it be published.

The deluxe edition of that MS produced by Dr Moeen proved to be something worth seeing. It was highly appreciated by all who could lay their hands on it. Even the famous historian, KK Aziz, said in his letter of thanks on receiving a copy, “The amount of labour you have put into its preparation is perfectly matched by the lovely result, lovely both in form and in content.”

Teachers usually elicit respect from their students and some, gifted ones, are even loved by them. But I have noted that many of Dr Moeen’s students adore him. This is evident from their expressions in various manners. Quite some time back, I saw a book entitled Dr Moeenur Rahman aur Kainat-i-Ghalib. It was by a college teacher of Faisalabad, evidently a former student of Dr Moeen’s, who had carried out research on three leading scholars of Ghalabiat —- Maulana Ghulam Rasul Mehr, Malik Ram and Dr Moeen —- and earned an M Phil from the Khairpur University. As a token of love and devotion for Dr Moeen, she presented in book form only that portion of her thesis which pertained to him.

Now, at his retirement, two of his former students have come up with books about him. One is Naila Anjum whose book appears under the title, Dr Syed Moeenur Rahman: Shakhs aur Aks. She got her master’s in Urdu from the Government College and secured the Academic Roll of Honour. She remained in touch with her mentor for many years after her student days. The book is a story of her intimate relationship with her teacher and is full of the correspondence exchanged between them over the years.

The other book has been compiled by Muhammad Saeed who is currently serving as a lecturer in Urdu at his alma mater. To produce the book, he got in touch with all those who were qualified to say something about Dr Moeen. The response he got to his request helped him compile a book of 450 pages. The list of all the important persons whose views about Dr Moeen is too long to be included here. It only shows the popularity Dr Moeen enjoyed as a teacher and also with those who happened to meet him.

THE Lahore Arts Forum (LEAF) arranges a trilingual session of readings in a hall of the Alhamra Cultural Complex. Somehow, no one had been invited to fill the slot reserved for the Punjabi language. As such, Muzaffar Ghaffar, the man behind these functions, himself wielded the mike and read out a portion from Mian Muhammad in which he has described the beauty of a damsel. The words used in that piece were tantalizing, indeed.

A translation of that piece in English was also read out. But then it turned out that Naveed Riaz who was to read out some portions from Shakespeare could not come as he had to leave suddenly for Karachi. However, the other two shown in the programme were very much there. The popular playwright, Asghar Nadeem Syed, was present with an Urdu short story and so was Shahnawaz Zaidi, but in a dual capacity. Head of the Fine Arts Department of the Punjab university and Director of the Ali Institute, he is a renowned painter. He is also a poet and has a published collection, Aaina-dar, to his credit. I had heard him earlier as well but this time he appeared a vastly improved poet. He can sing as well. He recited one of his ghazals in tarranum:

Haif terey nizam mein khanda-i-gul heh marg-i-gul

Kash tu zindagi bhi dey zindadilli ke sath sath

Called next to the mike, Asghar Nadeem Syed read out a short story, Almaroof Bagheley Shah. Set in the Seraiki area, it is about a nobody who manages to become somebody. Taking advantage of the circumstances, he ends up as an honourable member of the country’s national assembly, suddenly realizing that he has lost his real identity. The story was greatly appreciated.

In the end, Shahnawaz Zaidi handled the arts capsule which has been an essential part of these sessions since day one. He shed light on the different forms of paintings with the help of slides. The discourse was illuminating.

LAST week LEAF invited the senior bureaucrat, Tariq Mahmud, to speak in one of its Thursday evening sittings held in the auditorium of the Model Town Library. Although has four collections of short stories and at least two novels to his credit, he spoke that day on a totally unfamiliar topic —- ethnicity. Shedding light both on globalization and localization, he said that although ethnicity did not lead to a conflict, it could ignite one. Assimilation, he contended, should be voluntary as any force applied for the purpose would not succeed. It was a highly thought provoking analysis of the global situation in which he made references to genocide in the name of ethnic cleansing, the political restructuring of the Soviet Union and the pluralistic society of Malyasia.

—ASHFAQUE NAQVI