| July 7, 2003 | Monday | Jumadi-ul-Awwal 6,1424 |
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Democracy redefined
Arbitrary CNG rates
Single women & NSS
Date palm trees at Clifton
Encroachments in PECHS
Investors’ directory
Thank you, finance minister
Public safety commission
Lawyers & LFO
Burning of textbooks
‘The beginning of Lollywood’
THERE were two statements by two leaders differing widely on the issue of Anglo-Saxon bias towards Islamic states. The leaders were Gen Pervez Musharraf of Pakistan and Dr Mahathir Mohamed of Malaysia.
Gen Musharraf in an interview with the Financial Times said: “Iraq war has certainly aroused the feeling of the Muslim world.” He, however, defended the IMF bosses, by stating: “It is the unfortunate part that political disputes of the Islamic world have taken colour of a religious dispute, and that the talk of some clash of civilization has compounded the issue of Iraq war and other such disputes involving Kosovo, Bosnia, Chechnya, Palestine, Afghanistan, Kashmir, etc.”
In other words, he is of the view that the Islamic world has misunderstood the Yankees and the Anglo-Saxon joint venture. In his view, the Islamic world is politically immature and is acting foolishly towards the world powers.
Now we take the bold views of Dr Mahathir Mohamed. Attacking the Europeans, he asserted that the Europeans and the Americans are “very greedy and like to take forcibly the territories and the rights of other people”.
With reference to Iraq, he said: “They are ready to invent false allegations in order to go to war to kill children, old people, sick people, considering them mere ‘collateral’”.
He emphasized: “The Anglo-Saxon strategy to fight terrorism is through attacking Muslim countries and the Muslims, whether they are guilty or not.” He implied that the terror attacks on the US could be traced back at least partly to its support for Israel against the Palestinians.
“The Europeans hated the Jews even before they embraced Christianity,” he said, but after World War II “to force the Jews out of Europe they seized the territory of the Arab Palestinians to create the state of Israel”.
The Malaysian premier stated that the Europeans also wanted to impose their cultural values on the world, including “unlimited freedom for the individual” and “the practice of free sex, including sodomy as a right.
“Marriage between male and male, between female and female are officially recognized by them. What we call incest is not regarded as serious by them.
“The culture and the values which they will force us to accept will be hedonism, unlimited quest for pleasure, the satisfaction of base desires, particularly sexual desires. Our way of life must be the same as their way of life. Asian values do not exist for them.
“It is not my wish to create hatred for the Europeans”, he said. “But it is very important that we know this race and their activities in the past because they will play a big role in our life and our race, our religion and our country.”
He said the Europeans’ new slogan was “regime change”, and warned: “Do not think we will not be targeted.”
DAWOODI MORKAS
Karachi
RECENTLY, a western democratic country legalized marriages between the same sex. I am reminded of my encounter which happened in the late 80s while I was serving with a group of UN observers. Ms Benazir Bhutto had just taken over as prime minister of Pakistan.
Being a Muslim and a uniformed man, the officers from western countries (who were basically conscripts/volunteers) would try to ridicule me by asking, how do I feel about it? Would I salute a woman? Will the army and the maulvis accept a woman as the head of government? There were many such questions which were not intended to seeking information but to insult me. All my sincere efforts failed to explain and stop their mischievous remarks.
Having been fed up with their pinpricks and taunts, one day, while sitting with some of them, I asked a lieutenant-colonel (who always led such talks) if he was a gay (homosexual), he was aghast and said ‘no’. I asked, if there was any in his family, he replied in the negative. I then asked him how he or his family felt about the gays. He said it was unnatural like many other things. I then asked him about the opinion of the majority in his country and his reply was that the majority of his countrymen were of the same opinion.
Further, when I wanted to know from him about the law in his country concerning the gays, he sheepishly said ‘gayism’ and the marriage between the same sexes were legal.
We then had a long discussion on the subject and ultimately all agreed that democracy is now controlled by a potent minority consisting of corporations, industrialists and other powerful groups. Thus, the new definition of democracy is: government of the powerful, by the powerful and for the powerful over the important majority which is involved in making their ends meet. Then what is parliament doing?
LT-COL (RTD) MUHAMMAD ALI KHAN
Karachi
A PSO petrol pump in Sector F-8 installed CNG facility a few months back. I am its regular customer. Astonishingly, the 55kg gas cylinder of my car which was being filled on complete exhaustion for Rs215 to Rs220 from its filling station is being filled now for Rs250 to Rs255.
On three occasions on lodging a complaint I was refunded the money once they were shown the other CNG stations’ receipts for Rs215 to Rs220. However, now the CNG station supervisor of this petrol pump has started refusing to fill the CNG of those who regularly complain, including myself.
The CNG station supervisor says that they have installed some special equipment which provides more compressed gas giving better mileage. On the contrary, I have never seen any improvement in my car mileage although I have to pay more. If they are filling the CNG beyond 200 PSI safety margin, then they are certainly endangering the life of the customer as the gas cylinder may explode.
Can someone check the customer service of this gas station and the arrogant behaviour of its employees?
HAIDER HUSSAIN
Islamabad
THIS refers to the letter by Ms Rafia Mirza (June 22) in your newspaper regarding single women and the national savings schemes.
I could not agree more with the lady. The plight of a divorcee(specially one with abandoned kids) is generally far greater than that of a widow.
However, there are other categories of people too, who only get lip-service from the government.
I know a very hard-working driver, who worked and saved enough in Dubai and bought a taxi. His taxi was crushed by a hit-and-run truck the very first week that he started driving his taxi in Lahore. He was badly injured, was in hospital for months and is bed-ridden for life.
The man who has a little over a hundred thousand rupees left commented the other day that if he could get concessions like a widow is entitled to (including the very rich ones), he would have put his money in the NSS.
NASEEM ZOHEB
Lahore
THERE is a plaque at Schon roundabout at Karachi’s Clifton stating that trees have been planted by the Sindh chief minister. The trees are quite grown up and if the monsoon rain comes in time, there is every likelihood that they would blossom. I pray to God to give the trees the life and the residents the beauty the trees would bring.
After the plantation campaign launched by the Z. A. Bhutto when Clifton Scheme 5 was conceived and a new vision of Clifton was born, with a new name of Kehkashan, his daughter was the second person to re-plant and renovate Clifton with trees. Ms Benazir Bhutto, being the resident of the area, was very keen about the beautification of Clifton.
Mr Mahar, the present chief minister, should also be applauded for his contribution of the date palm trees planted by him. Trees not only beautify the surroundings and give a sense of satisfaction to the people, they are also useful in keeping the environment clean. Religion has also termed tree plantation as sadqa-i-jaria (an alm which will continue).
There are a few other places where trees could be planted with a high success rate, such as at places where the water table is high. Eucalyptus trees have shown great success in Karachi. The local badam (almond) tree has almost always borne fruit and has provided a canopy for shades.
The DHA, KPT and Pakistan Steel have invested heavily in tree plantation. However, the PQA, SITE, KITE, Federal ‘B’ Area and the Super Highway and the National Highway where little efforts of tree plantation would give great results are awaiting initiative by the respective agencies to capitalize on the coming monsoon season to plant as many trees as possible.
I would also request the public to be generous in planting saplings. Karachi has plenty of waste water. A small treatment would make the water useful for the green beauty created by God.
DAWOODI MORKAS
Karachi
I WOULD like to bring it to the notice of the city nazim, the nazim of Jamshed Town and other authorities concerned that a grave situation prevails in Block-6 of PECHS across the Chanesar Halt railway crossing. A large number of residential and amenity plots have been occupied by the land mafia, resulting in the emergence of kutchi abadis.
Even the streets and roads have not been spared, leaving no room to ply any vehicular traffic and access to the bona fide residents of this area. This is creating social and hygienic problems for the local population.
I would request the authorities to visit this area to get themselves apprised of the problems faced by the people and take appropriate action to remove the encroachments.
S. SHAMIMUDDIN
Karachi
A COUPLE of weeks ago, Dawn published an important document on investors’ directory. I am a senior banker and wish to express my utter surprise on the publication of incorrect, rather outdated information about different banks and their rates of interests on various types of deposits.
If any bank was giving 14 to 15 per cent interest on deposits, why would the depositors, in general, and the pensioners and the senior citizens, in particular, would keep on requesting the government to increase the rate of interest on national savings schemes.
I would, therefore, request my favourite newspaper to issue the correct and up-to-date rates of interests given on deposits by various banks. This will be a great service not only to the readers but to the nation at large.
FAKHRUDDIN RASHDI
Karachi
IT was a very considerate and welcome gesture on the part of Finance Minister Shaukat Aziz to allow 15 per cent increase in the salaries of the government servants and the pensions of the retired employees in the budget for the fiscal year 2003-2004.
Since the retired government employees/senior citizens deserve special attention of the government, the following measures are suggested for consideration:
— The age of 65 years for senior citizens be curtailed to 60 years, the age of superannuation, when a retired government servant is in need of most attention.
— The withholding tax in the case of senior citizens/government employees be reduced to 50 per cent and not restricted to the annual income of Rs200,000, which is ludicrous. The relevant provision of the Income Tax Ordinance 2001, therefore, needs to be reviewed.
— Similarly, the reduction/exemption in tax on 120sqft house and 600sqft flat for widows etc. be rationalized.
— The 50 per cent reduction in property tax of senior citizens and total exemption to widows of government employees may not cause much loss to government treasury.
— Higher rate of profit on the savings of senior citizens with the facility of adding to their savings from time to time. The present one-time deposit facility and lower rate of profit are, indeed, a cruel mockery.
— Release of medical package for senior citizens promised by the Nawaz Sharif government which seems to be stuck up in the pipeline somewhere.
MOHAMMAD ALEEM SHAIKH
Karachi
THIS is with reference to your editorial headlined ‘Public safety commissions’ of July 1.
In pursuance of the provision of the Police Act (1861), Amendment Order, 2002, a public safety commission has been set up in the Badin district. An FIR case referred to it related to a case under section 13-D of Arms Ordinance was registered against a poor man, Soomro Arain, by SHO Tando Ghulam Ali police station of Badin district.
The commission, after inquiry, found that the case had no legal basis. On its recommendation the case was withdrawn under the orders of the home department.
This is a good thing and needs to be taken as an example to be followed by similar commissions set up or yet to be set up in the country. I being the elected representative from the area remain keen to see that the safety commission of my district plays a positive role.
After the withdrawal of the said case, the people were expecting that the police official who had misused his authority by registering a false case would be taken to task. But it happened otherwise. The suspended SHO has not only been reinstated but also promoted.
I have brought this matter to the notice of the highest authority of the NRB in Islamabad and handed over to him the entire relevant record.
I would appeal to all concerned to take cognizance of such matters and initiate timely measures so that the desired results are achieved in the best public interest.
MIR MUHAMMAD HASSAN
Badin
THE Pakistani lawyers took a strong position against the LFO and vowed to continue their struggle against it throughout the country. It is widely known that the lawyers have always opposed unconstitutional modifications in the laws and the Constitution.
I suppose the lawyers are farsighted and their struggle against distortions of the Constitution is just.
HARIS AHMED KAYANI
Tanajib, Saudi Arabia
THIS refers to a recent report, headlined ‘Striking students burn textbooks’.
Those who have no regard for their books have no right to spoil the future of the country. Such unethical behaviour should be condemned and those who have managed to get admission illegally should be shunted out, while action should be taken against those who are a threat to the future of innocent students.
SADAF SAAD
Karachi
THIS has reference to an article, headlined “The beginning of Lollywood”, by Mr Mahmood Zaman, published in the Life & Styles 2003 supplement of Dawn.
Mr Zaman’s essay, which seems a virtual translation of the articles by ailing senior film journalist Yasin Goreja, is marred by several factual errors which need to be corrected for setting the record straight. (I wonder if Mr Goreja knows about the publication of the translation of his articles). I am taking the liberty of pointing to these errors in the hope that you would kindly publish my letter in your esteemed newspaper.
Mr Zaman has stated that A. R. Kardar lived at Mohni Road, Lahore, which is not correct. The late filmmaker was born and raised inside Bhati Gate, Lahore. He has also stated that the marriage between Kardar and Bahar Akhtar (alias Baharo) lasted only one year. It is incorrect. Kardar and Bahar Akhtar remained wedded to each other till the death of Mian Kardar in Bombay on Nov 22, 1989.
Writing about film Majnu, 1935, the writer has confused Sheyma Zatshti, M. A., the daughter of a Lahore barrister, with Sheyama of Bollywood (who was a baby then). The Sheyama, who acted in film Majnu, was a Congress leader and took part in political activities. For that reasons she had to say goodbye to the film world.
Agha Hashar Kashmiri started the production of his film Beesham Partigya (and not Bheesham ki Partigya) in Lahore in early 1935 but could not do much work on it as he died on April 28, 1935.
Mr Zaman has claimed that “Najamul Hasan was the debutante hero with Ragni in the female lead” in film Daasi (1944). This too is not correct as Najamul Hasan had started his film career in Jawani Ki Hawa as a hero way back in the early 1930s.
The writer has also stated that Seth Pancholi came from India to take over his business but was rudely treated by Diwan Sardari Lal. The Seth remained in Lahore till the time of partition and a few months thereafter. He was frightened to death by threatening phone calls allegedly made on behalf of his manager Diwan Sardari Lal, which forced him to leave Lahore and his business.
Mr Zaman has claimed that film Jhumke, produced in Lahore in 1945 by Pancholi Art Pictures, marked the debut of scriptwriter Saadat Hasan Manto. This too is belied by the fact as Manto was associated with Bombay Talkies and other production units in Bombay since the beginning of the decade of the 1940s.
Music for film Rehana, produced from a Lahore studio, was scored by Qadir Faridi and not by Lal Muhammad (Sabri). In film Shehar Se Door, Raza Mir enacted an important (side hero) role and not a minor one as claimed in the article.
He has also claimed that the first film produced from Upper India Studios, Lahore, was Laila Majnu, which was produced and directed by Nazir. This is incorrect. Nazir produced a film with this title from Bombay under the banner of Hind Pictures about the middle of 1940s and if I recall correctly was assisted by Sharif Nayyar.
Mr Zaman has also claimed that the film Pagdandi produced from Lahore by Seth Pancholi was Khurshid Anwar’s first film as a composer. He seemed to have forgotten the fact that KA’s first film was Punjabi Kurmai, which was directed by J.K. Nanda for Kardar Productions, Bombay, in 1941. He also scored music for Ishara and Parakh before inventing tunes for Pagdandi.
Another glaring error of the writer is the claim that Agha G. A. Gul constructed his studios in Lahore before the partition. The Evernew Studios was built in the early 1960s or thereabout by the late G. A. Gul. The film But Trash was produced by A. H. Khan, the younger brother of Ghulam Muhammad, who later became the Governor General of Pakistan, and not by Diwan Sardari Lal.
I have pointed out these factual errors in the referenced article in good faith and also to keep the record straight.
MIRZA ABDUL HAQ
Lahore
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