| July 9, 2003 | Wednesday | Jumadi-ul-Awwal 8,1424 |
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‘Myths ending in wars’
Issue of fake admissions
Keenjhar lake tragedy
Thank you, CPLC
Debate over NPT
Cricket affairs
Sir Fazl-i-Husain remembered
LFO and opposition
President’s role
Northern Areas’ grievances
Our ailing health sector
“THE United States of America uses its B-2 bombers in the year 2012 to launch conventional air strikes to destroy Pakistani nuclear facilities in a bid to prevent the nukes from falling into the wrong hands.”
It’s just one of the many futuristic scenarios culled out from the “Asia 2025” study — a 147-page opus — conducted by the US under-secretary of defence (policy).
In 2000 an Indian weekly made these sensational disclosures by quoting Rand Corporation‘s Ashley Tellis, one of the 15 top-guns of American policymaking who took part in the study. Written in 1999 and distributed in limited circles, these documents show that the US defence planners are now shifting their focus from Europe to Asia where they would wish to contain the threat of an economically-resurgent China.
The aim and objective of the US, according to the disclosures, was to implement its own designed “New South Asian Order.”
As is obvious now the study was conducted two years before the events of 9/11, the day when America was attacked. These disclosures have become irrelevant now because America is facing new challenges after the collapse of the twin towers of the World Trade Centre. The Sept 11 attacks put Pakistan in a very vulnerable position but anyhow the Pakistan leadership and the government averted the threat tactfully.
It is Kashmir which to the US seems the most favourable part in the region to fulfil its ambitions. And America’s meddling into this issue will be seen very genuine and logical given the disputed nature of the problem. By putting the Kashmir-based Mujahideen organizations on its watch list America has broadly indicated it and is on its way to implement its own designed and conceived New South Asia Order.
It was against this backdrop that a team of US Pacific Command, led by Gen Camphell, visited Kashmir recently with the sole objective of familiarizing himself with the terrain which could be used in the event of a battle against the Al Qaeda from this hilly land.
The interesting thing to note is that the team met senior military commanders of the Northern Command in Udhampur and discussed the security scenario and other common concerns.The Northern Command takes care of the Sino-Indian border in Ladakh and a 940km stretch of the Line of Control with Pakistan, stretching from just beyond Kargil to the Chhamb sector in Jammu.
There is no doubt about it that the US seeks the help of India to formalize its strategy against China.
America is trying to kill two birds with one stone. On the one hand, it releases a new map of the region wherein Kashmir is shown as a part of India and, on the other, State Department spokesman Richard Boucher makes a statement that the Kashmir issue shall be addressed according to the aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. It is trying to keep the two warring countries in good humour in order to move ahead with its own agenda in the region.
The positive aspect of the whole scenario is that after the US attack on Iraq both India and Pakistan have understood the double standard of America. The two countries are now thinking of getting closer because of Kashmir for which they have been fighting for the last 55 years.
It is heartening to note that both India and Pakistan are moving ahead on a path that may lead to the creation of a conducive atmosphere for talks. This is also a positive development that unofficial personalities and prominent intellectuals too are stressing the need for solving this issue bilaterally.
By putting the Kashmir issue on top of the agenda for talks, both the countries would be able to start a new journey with the aim to pave the way for peace and prosperity. Then there would be no one to terrify any of the two countries. And if need be for establishing a new South Asia Order that would be done only and only by Indo-Pakistan collaboration.
ABDUL LATIF BHAT
Islamabad
THIS is with reference to the article titled “Myths ending in wars” by Mr M. P. Bhandara (June 22).
Mr Bhandara compares the past with the present and combines history with politics. His presentation is very fascinating. One is naturally inclined to compliment him for his views.
One point should, however, be made clear: when the present uprising started in Kashmir, it was a great surprise to all agencies in Pakistan. The indigenous element cannot be ruled out. Yes! Oppression and suppression always tends to cool down any movement temporarily. In the present circumstances certainly the militancy does not appear to be the proper answer. However, it should be realized that the Kashmiri youths of today are not the downtrodden people of the Dogra Maharaja‘s days.
For peace and stability in South Asia a solution to the Kashmir problem has to be found. One of the requirements of the plebiscite in Kashmir is the withdrawal of both Pakistan and Indian troops. In a situation of mistrust no one is going to withdraw the troops.
As for the dialogue we have been hearing it since Swaran Singh-Z. A. Bhutto meeting of the sixties. A powerful country like India with all its military and economic might will never agree to a reasonable agreement acceptable to all the parties to the dispute. Let there be no misgivings anywhere. What happens between Pakistan and India will be seen but what is more important is to give some status to the areas which have been looked after at the cost of our blood and sweat.
The present-day Kashmiri belongs to the third or fourth generation since 1947 who does not want to live in a state of suspense. The young people of Northern Areas are also not very happy about their position.
I do not know what were the obstacles in the way of the successive Pakistan governments not to actively consider integrating these areas, at least provisionally, with Pakistan’s territories. I also do not know the motives of our educationists who keep on teaching our children that there are four provinces of Pakistan. Why not seven? The fifth being Kashmir, the sixth Northern Areas and the seventh the tribal areas. The Northern Areas was after all liberated.
There should be proper representation of the fifth and the sixth province in the National Assembly like the tribal areas.
The genesis of a thought about an independent Kashmir in the mind of some frustrated individuals and selfish politicians cannot be helped but in an era when political, military and economic unions are emerging, the idea of an independent entity is just a fantasy.
KHALID HASSAN MAHMOOD
Karachi
FAKE admissions to the SMC, Karachi, is a serious matter. There are few people who really care to abide by the laws. This applies to the students also. They must have found some lacunas in our admission setup and exploited them to get into medical colleges.
The students who have cleared their four years should be given all facilities to continue their studies. Instead of taking action against such students, the government should take an aggressive stance against the corrupt people who were responsible for fake admissions and ensure that it does not happen again.
From now on it should be written on each and every admission form that “at any time during or after graduation, if a student is found guilty of having fake admission or submitting false documents, he/she would be liable to have his registration cancelled”.
DR ZEESHAN AHMAD
SIDDIQUI
Karachi
THE recent catastrophe at the Keenjhar Lake which claimed 26 lives has almost become a part of our existence. However, the people like to enjoy vacations around the lake without caring for any life-saving equipment offered by the government or even a first-aid centre.
Our tourism and other relevant departments fail to provide any precautions as needed around the lake, as well as on the several picnic spots in the province. These departments become active only when a tragedy occurs. Otherwise, they remain engaged in making money in the form of hut charges, entrance charges, etc.
Furthermore, our electronic and print media (in collaboration with some companies which are making life-saving gadgets) can produce some programmes on TV creating awareness among the people.
Meanwhile, the people should avoid crowding the Keenjhar Lake and other picnic spots until the departments concerned take the necessary measures to protect the lives of the picnickers.
FEROZ SADRUDDIN
Karachi
THE CPLC under its present chief, Mr Sharfuddin Memon, has extended its area of operation for the benefit of the public. One case in point is our complaint to the CPLC chief against a resident of our housing complex in Clifton, Karachi, who had made the life of fellow residents miserable by playing loud music with floor tapping late into the night. We were passing sleepless nights and children were finding it difficult to concentrate on their studies. All efforts of the residents’ association to persuade the offender did not bear any fruit because he made promises after promises to desist from playing loud music only to break them with impunity.
Finally, the association thought of approaching the CPLC with a written complaint. And it worked. The offender was summoned to the CPLC office, confronted with the complaint which resulted in an undertaking from him not to disturb the peace of fellow residents. Thanks to the CPLC, we are now sleeping in peace and our children concentrating on their books undisturbed.
At a time when life style is changing and more and more people are opting for apartments rather than bungalows, the CPLC venture into the new field for providing relief to the public is commendable indeed. Please keep it up. Since most of us do not know the norms of community living, highrise buildings have their problems which can amicably settled by the CPLC with some additional resources in terms of manpower.
It is, therefore, imperative that the CPLC does not confine its activities to crimes relating to car lifting and kidnapping for ransom.
RESIDENTS
Karachi
THESE days there is intense speculation about agreement/ disagreement by the Pakistan authorities to the American proposal on adhering to the nuclear non-proliferation ‘with eyes wide open’.
I remember an intense debate a couple of years back in the press on the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty, encouraged by those in authority and then the momentum picked up in the press and an open debate on the subject followed with great interest by strategists, politicians, journalists and others.
I believe this time around, specially as parliament is ‘dormant’, the speculation on the NPT, started after President Musharraf’s US visit, should be discussed more openly as the stakes are perhaps even greater now.
AMIR ALI ESMAIL
Karachi
LT-GEN Tauqir Zia was the guest, with Asif Iqbal, in a recent ARY Digital programme conducted by Mr P. J. Mir.
The following are the viewers’ observations:
1. Each and every question that was put to him or to Asif Iqbal, the general answered himself.
2. He repeated everything that he had said in the past.
3. He came up with strange logic when asked about utilizing overseas potential of Pakistani players. He said everyone had to come to the PCB to give trials and only then his calibre could be judged. The question is: why can’t he organize a moot of interested Pakistanis living abroad.
4. Asif Iqbal, a thorough gentleman, hardly had the opportunity to speak. He, however, said the selection committee was doing the job of making selections. Therefore, holding the PCB or the chairman responsible for it was not fair.
M. M. KHAN
Karachi
HE was in politics but not for the sake of politics. He was moved and driven by causes, mainly causes affecting the underdog. He died on July 9, 1936. This was four years before the passage of the Pakistan Resolution in 1940.
While on the All-India political stage, he astutely fought for the ‘indianization’ of the administration under the Raj and relentlessly worked for safeguarding the position of the Muslims against a numerically overwhelming, economically overbearing Hindu majority.
In Punjab, which was his political base for most of his active life, the cause he so successfully espoused was the economic emancipation of rural Punjab (mostly Muslim) from the stranglehold of urban Punjab (dominated by Hindu businessmen). What was striking about this success was that he accomplished it with great deftness born of sincerity, not losing sight of the delicately poised inter-communal configuration. (Reminiscently nostalgic of the missed possibilities of the Cabinet Mission Plan and now wistfully reflected in the potential of Saarc.)
In the ’20s and the ’30s, when Punjab was moving from its position of a backward province to its pre- eminent place as a well-developed progressive province in 1947, is absorbing reading. His son Mian Azim Husain, ICS, has so sensitively, yet objectively, captured the ambience and nuance of this period in a very readable biography of his father.
To the discriminating, Sir Fazl-i- Husain’s life and personality must bring back echoes of hope that perhaps politics and principles could indeed go hand in hand.
M. J. AS’AD
Karachi
WE overseas Pakistanis are really disappointed at the behaviour of the so-called graduate members of the National Assembly. The whole world watched the rowdy scenes created by the opposition MNAs.
The LFO was there long before the October elections. They took the oath under the LFO, and have been drawing salaries and perks under the law. So far, over 80 million rupees have been spent on them. Is that all not illegal?
If one goes by their interpretation of the LFO, their very presence in the assembly is illegal. Why don’t they resign and refund every penny of the taxpayers, and pack home and a word to the NWFP Assembly members?
GUL ZARREEN
London, UK
THE way President Musharraf has conducted himself during his meetings with the American president and other dignitaries is commendable. Could any of those now in the opposition do even a quarter of what he has done and achieved?
It is time the nation stood behind President Musharraf to enable him to continue leading the country to progress.
ASHFAQUE NAQVI
Lahore
THE government has increased 30 per cent budget allocations for the Northern Areas against the PSDP. It is indeed an appreciable step taken to minimize the problems of the people of this most poverty-stricken region where 70 per cent population is living below the poverty line.
The budget allocations for the public sector development in the Northern Areas is normally utilized through the public works department. The department is also responsible for the maintenance of the previously completed projects. Hence it plays a significant role in the development of the area. But regrettably the post of the ‘works secretary’ which is lying vacant has been given to some military officer since the inception of the department.
This amounts to injustice to the people as well as to the civil officers of the department who have reached the age of superannuation without getting due promotion. Furthermore, the officers who come from outside, for a short period, fail to identify the projects which could improve the economic condition of the poor people.
I request the president, the prime minister and the chief executive of Northern Areas to appoint the seniormost officer of the department as works secretary. I hope this will reduce the sense of deprivation among the people.
SHAHID HUSSAIN
Gilgit
OCTOBER 3, 1999, was a pleasant day of my life when I passed my final professional MBBS examination and became a doctor. But one year of house-job was a dreadful experience. A forty-hour working schedule without rest was a challenge for me. The discourteous behaviour of professors, registrars and medical officers was a routine.
The two months of working experience in a private nursing home disturbed my future plans. On the very first day, the medical director called me in his office for an extensive briefing and directed me to stick to his guidelines during my stay in the hospital. Some of his guidelines are mentioned below.
* Prescribe medicines (including antibiotics) for every patient who comes to the hospital even with a low-grade fever of 99C.
* Don’t mention drugs’ names on the prescription pad, use the hospital’s own generated codes.
* Steroid injections and intravenous fluid (commonly called “drip”) should be an indispensable part of my management plan even if there are no indications for these.
* Multivitamins should be prescribed to every patient.
* Try to admit the patient for at least 24 hours. Per admission, I will be given 10 per cent commission.
* The minimum prescription fee should be Rs50, but I can charge even more if the patient looks wealthy.
I was feeling guilty to hear all these. But I was determined to work honestly. During my two months of stay, I did not prescribe any steroid or multivitamin to any patient. I treated poor patients free of charge. Later, when the medical director came to know about it, he became very upset and called me to explain to him why I was not following his guidelines. Before he asked me to leave my job, I decided to quit.
I am not pinpointing any particular nursing home. In almost every part of Rawalpindi or Islamabad, you will come across such clinics and private nursing homes. Most of these clinics are using the signboard of registered medical practitioners, but in reality these are owned by people like dispensers, nurses, lab technicians and even ward assistants of government or private hospitals. These are the people who are playing with the lives of innocent men and women.
The most lamentable point of concern is that homeopathic doctors are prescribing allopathic medicines in their clinics. The only reason for these malpractice is the lack of a proper health policy in Pakistan. The ministry of health does not take any notice of these private clinics. Our policy makers do not realize the fact that thousands of people are losing their lives at the hands of these fake doctors.
There is no law in Pakistan like that of the UK and the US. Even if it exists, nobody implements it in real life. It is the need of the time to think about this major health issue of Pakistan.
DR AZIZULLAH BAIG
London, UK
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