| June 26, 2003 | Thursday | Rabi-us-Sani 25,1424 |
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PIA: difference in attitude
Parties & literacy programme
Roads of Karachi
President’s visit to US
Power failures
Bad loans
Pakistan team’s performance
Blaming Islam
Settlement of Kashmir issue
Stray dogs
Parking charges
Keeping molesters at bay
THIS is with reference to the views expressed in these columns by Mr Shams Naqvi (June 17).
The writer seems to be perturbed by the government’s decision to declare the Gwadar port as a special zone. He says Gwadar is being given special treatment by ignoring the other three provinces of Pakistan. Well, on political consideration, his views cannot be challenged, but this is a hard fact that for the first time in the history of this country the most underdeveloped area has been given due importance and its geo-strategic and geo-economic significance has been realized.
Balochistan has always been at the giving end to the rest of the country. These include major gas and coal reserves, sufficient fisheries, minerals and fruit exports that goes all into the account heads of either the federal government or the other neighbouring provinces. Balochistan has never misused its resources. It’s a fact that even the resources that are explored are not being utilized on the population of this largest province of Pakistan.
The tribal population of Pakistan has always been a staunch believer in nationalism, that is why during the time of independence the population of 43.6 per cent of Pakistan decided to be part of this great nation. We do not need to match our experiences with other countries while we have specific situations and environment. The globalization and the WTO regulations have compelled the nations to look beyond their borders for competitiveness in different sectors while Balochistan, being mostly unexplored, provides substantial opportunities with vast economic potential to subsidize the growing economic needs of the nation.
At present Balochistan provides sufficient percentage of the fisheries sector to the national economic account and, of course, marble, onyx and granite, but all its value is added to the account of other provinces and the national exchequer.
Gwadar stands naturally at a strategic point where its link to international waters, Central Asian states and China is widely known. The people of Gwadar and, of course, of the other parts of Balochistan love Pakistan as much as the people from other parts of the country.
Therefore, they would be more than happy to see Gwadar ushering in an economic miracle for the whole country. We do visualize the development of the infrastructure like roads, railways and electricity all over Balochistan where in many areas even the development of modern infrastructure is considered a fiction.
I am sure the writer of the letter would realize that the development of Gwadar means the development of Balochistan and the development of Balochistan would, in turn, mean a stronger Pakistan.
SARDAR SHOUKAT POPALZAI
President, Balochistan Economic Forum,
Karachi
I HAD an opportunity to travel by our national airlines to New York this month. I was pleasantly surprised at how courteous and welcoming the crew was. However, my flight back to Pakistan was not such a wonderful experience. I used to wonder why there is such a remarkable difference in the attitude of the crew towards the passengers as compared to other airlines. I finally got my answer.
PIA is the only airlines which makes allowances for you to change your seat. Women travelling alone can always request to be seated next to someone of the same gender. I truly appreciate that. No other airlines put up with kids running around the aircraft as if it were a playground. Obviously since it is our “national airlines”, how dare they have the right to stop our kids from enjoying themselves.
In no other airlines will it be acceptable if toilet paper were deposited on the floor of the already minuscule interior of the toilet. Not only that. The people use the floor instead of the toilet itself to relieve themselves and dirty diapers are left on the floor. I was appalled to find that the crew is expected to clean the toilets — that includes picking up used toilet paper and dirty diapers. Also every time the aircraft stops and is cleaned at locations outside Pakistan, one sees cursing and annoyed cleaners who refuse to clean the filthy aircraft.
We are always so quick to criticize others, but have we, for once, looked at ourselves? Why is it that the same bunch of people travelling by any other airlines will behave totally differently? We respect rules and regulations in every land other than ours. Why is it so? The only thing that hinders the progress of our nation is this attitude and I really hope that for our own sake we change.
DR UZMA SIDDIQUI
Karachi
OUR political parties are passing through initial stages. Owing to the long periods of authoritarian rule, the democratic process has not flourished. Our parties are mostly formed on the basis of ethnic differences. Very few of them approach the problems of daily life of the masses, such as unemployment, health, education and population.
We all know that illiteracy is the root-cause of all evils. Its eradication would control poverty, help population planning, ensure health and sanitation. The leaders can change the destiny of the nation if they are sincere about their country. We have many examples of those who have put their country on the right path through literacy campaigns.
Mustafa Kamal Pasha in Turkey, Sukarno in Indonesia, Dr Nyerere in Tanzania and Mandela in South Africa are some of the glaring examples. Can’t our leaders make use of the student bodies for such positive activities? Have we forgotten the example of Sir Syed Ahmed Khan, the great reformer who led the Muslim renaissance in the subcontinent?
Political groups play a vital role in the democratic process. It is they who identify the root-cause of social evils. It is they who suggest ways and means of their removal. It is they who pressure the government to take decisions according to the needs of society. The political parties should include literacy campaigns in their programme.
This gigantic task in a highly populous country cannot be left for the government to tackle. A conscious society should equally share its burden. Not only the political will is required, social will is also desired. If we are not awakened now, we will never be able to survive as a nation.
PROF NASIM SHAH
Karachi
THIS is to appreciate and endorse the public spirit of your correspondents on the Karachi roads, as it indicates that the soul of civil society is still awake and alive — a hopeful sign for better times ahead.
Roads are the highways and byways of life representing social moods, manners and mould of life. Roads represent the pattern and vibrant level of culture and civilization of a country.
Driving on Karachi roads for motorists is an unpleasant and irritating experience — bumpy, scratchy roads, strewn with huge unending stream of potholes, unpainted speed-breakers. Most of the Karachi roads remain in a permanent state of disrepair, except cosmetic treatment of black coating at the fag-end of the financial year.
Speed and overtaking are other problems. The first encounter on a road is revealing as every man seems to be on the “run” to overtake others. Is it the psychology of the insecure stemming from feeling of uncertainty and instability.
Kiyani Road before the Supreme Court Registry and Hidayatullah Road before the Accountability Court and the Board of Revenue, traversed by the judges of the high court and the Supreme Court and high officials, remain unrepaired. Both these roads need recarpeting — not just touch-and-go repairs.
I would implore their lordships of the Supreme Court and the high court to take suo motu action against the people concerned to get the needful done in the public interest.
FAZUL S. KAZI
Karachi
THIS is with reference to President Musharraf’s present visit to the US. It appears that the US is not feeling comfortable with whatever is happening in Pakistan, specially in the context of religious parties. It is afraid that the religious parties would ignite extremism among the people of Pakistan and enforce the Taliban’s Islam in the country.
The Pakistani public is quite sensitive about religion and the current international situation, specially after what happened in Afghanistan, and then in Iraq. It created a very negative impact on the US credibility. The religious extremist parties have used this situation in their favour.
Now, this is the time when the US should act differently and create a positive impact in the heart of the Pakistanis by addressing key issues like better economic coordination, investment and Kashmir. If addressed properly, I am sure, President Musharraf would be able to tackle all the negative propaganda of the extremist parties successfully and Pakistan will move towards a moderate Islamic state.
BURHAN AKHLAQ
Karachi
THESE days it seems that the Karachiites live in a jungle instead of a metropolitan city where people have been living without water and electricity for a long time. This summer is horrible, specially for the sick.
The KESC is aware of the fact that power consumption goes up in the summer months from May to August when many more people use airconditioners and fans on a regular basis longer than usual.
I would mention the condition of the Badar Commercial Area, DHA Phase V, where I live. For the past one month power is shut off for five to six hours every day, but this is “routine loadshedding” from the KESC’s point of view. Will the authorities concerned let me know where I can lodge my complaint?
The question is, does the government have any right to collect taxes, direct or indirect, from the people of Karachi if they are living without water and electricity?
HAKIM LAGHARI
Karachi
SINCE 1999, Rs18.720 billion has been written off as bad loans by banks and financial institutions in favour of wealthy VIPs. Such a thing was also practised by previous regimes after Liaquat Ali Khan had been assassinated.
That my own party (PML-Q) head also availed himself of this opportunity has given me the jitters.
If still there is anyone who believes that Pakistan is not a backward state, he needs soul-searching.
RAHIM JUNEJO
Hyderabad
PAKISTAN did lose the three-match ODI series to England by 3-1 at Lord’s on June 22, but the way Pakistan fought was admirable. A few crucial dropped catches and some questionable umpiring decisions apart, Pakistan with almost a new team did more than what could be expected of them.
Rashid Latif’s excellent handling of the team, field placing, bowling changes and finally his own wicket-keeping throughout the series were highly commendable.
Pakistan, with all the famous stars in the team, did much worse in the World Cup. Hats off to the youngsters who worked very hard and tried to justify their inclusion in the team. They include Sami, Hameed, Hafeez, Imran and Malik.
I was most impressed by the all-round performance of Hafeez. I could see a budding Vinoo Mankad in him. To refresh memories of our young cricket lovers, I would like to say that the late Mankad was a top-class all-rounder, an opening batsman and an excellent slow bowler, from the late 40s and 50s. His 184 runs and five wickets in an innings at Lord’s Test match in 1952 was proof enough to describe how great a player he was.
ASHFAQ AHMAD
London, UK
MR ARDESHIR Cowasjee’s articles about Islam and Shariat may not be impressive, as pointed out by Mr Abdul Wahab in his letter (June 24), but it is time we, the Muslims, learnt what Islam is if we want to achieve any prosperity, both material and spiritual.
Islam does not allow abuse of women, as it is being done today by displaying their vulgar images on billboards. It also does not preach dishonesty and corruption as practised by many Muslims in Pakistan. It does not also allow the abuse of labourers that is very much common in the country.
So, let us right our own deeds first.
NOOR ALI
Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
THIS is heartening news that India and Pakistan have taken initiative for settlement of the Kashmir issue. This is unfortunate that they have fought several wars but of no avail. The economy of both the countries is poor because of this awesome problem. After every war the economy of both the countries suffers a setback and the sufferings of the poor people increases many times.
Reliable statistics reveal that the two countries have so far spent $30 trillion on the Kashmir dispute which is a criminal waste. This is very painful and tragic. This money could have been utilized for the growth of economy, education and health care and for reducing poverty.
I would request the leaders of both the countries to have mercy on the poor people. This time the negotiations must be fruitful and result-oriented and should not go to waste as happened in the past. The issue should be settled once for all.
I would further emphasize that the US, which is now the supreme power of the world, must play a positive role and exert pressure on India and Pakistan to settle their issues through negotiations.
WAHEED A. SIDDIQUI
Arlington Heights, Ill, USA
I CALL upon the authorities concerned to eliminate stray dogs which roam in many streets of Islamabad, especially on Hill Road. These dogs are posing a great threat to those who go for a walk early in the morning.
Two years ago, the Capital Development Authority was able to control stray dogs to a great extent, but owing to a lack of sustained effort, this problem again demands immediate attention.
SAIRA AHMED
Islamabad
IN the past few weeks, it has been seen that the people responsible for collecting parking charges on Tariq Road do not wear their regular uniform and have given up displaying their ID cards. On inquiring why they are not doing so, they say that their sponsorship has ended, which is why they do not have a uniform anymore and they are “ordered” not to display their ID cards by the contracting company.
On my insistence, one such collector did take out his card which had expired in March. The following day I came across another collector who claimed to have left his card at home.
I would like to ask the authorities concerned why they have “ordered” their employees not to display their cards if they have nothing to hide.
A DISGRUNTLED DRIVER
Karachi
DURING the past three years there has been a rise in the incidence of molestation at musical concerts in Karachi and Lahore. A Junoon concert held two years ago was the first to create a major stir in Lahore when a number of girls (including a group chaperoned by three women) were attacked and humiliated by some sick, depraved men. Since then, similar incidents have occurred at many other concerts, but have not received sufficient coverage in the press.
Why has there been a rise in such horrific incidents? Perhaps there are more frustrated, perverted, uneducated and jobless (or rich and spoilt), dish-exposed, Internet pornography-addicted men in Pakistan today, for whom girl-groping in Liberty Market and Tariq Road does not offer adequate sexual entertainment. The reasons are surely complex and numerous, and demand solutions at many different levels. Here, I wish to offer some initial thoughts:
1) A basic precaution that concert managers need to undertake is adequate lighting. Not that broad daylight prevents ‘bazaari‘ men from lewd behaviour, but still one can assume that a well-lit venue would provide some disincentive to butt-pinching jerks.
2) Some concerts have attempted to have an arrangement where there is a section for men, and one for women and families. The sad part is that there is need for this gender-based segregation which suggests that young men cannot coexist respectably with females and families. The sadder part is that despite this segregation, the incidents of female molestation continue to occur. I am not a fan of segregated events, but perhaps the situation calls for better enforced partitions or, in any case, a better management of the crowd in any way possible, such that females and families are not forever concerned about threatening males looming nearby.
3) Another idea is to use guards, security officers or just physically strong men to keep a lookout for groping guys, and get some arrested as soon as they make a move. A detailed investigation to explore the background of these people (class, organization affiliation, etc) would give more clues about how to address the issue, but either way, well-publicized, official punishments need to be meted out to those arrested to deter the perverts.
This initiative could be undertaken by concert organizers, civil society organizations dealing with rape and molestation cases, or any group of conscientious, concerned individuals (with access to physically strong men!). Perhaps the religious parties and the army of begums who are concerned about the rise of vulgarity and obscenity in our Islamic society can play a role as well.
4) The mullas are already doing a fantastic job at curtailing the rights of women. Female molestation at concerts unintentionally (or intentionally?) plays into their agenda, as it gives the parents reason to worry about the concert environment, and hence their natural reaction is to prevent their daughters from attending concerts.
However, the females and their parents alike need to realize that a lack of female attendance at concerts is not likely to solve the issue. For one,it would make those females who still attend such functions doubly insecure. Moreover, as indicated earlier, this voluntary retreat from public life will unintentionally promote a rise in conservatism and serve to encourage the religious parties, which would then claim that for the safety and purity of women, there should be no concerts and, in fact, no music.
Let us hope that the many concerts planned this summer are able to offer a good atmosphere for music-loving females.
NOSHEEN ALI
Ithaca, NY, USA
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