| July 14, 2003 | Monday | Jumadi-ul-Awwal 13, 1424 |
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Indian Muslim bridegrooms
Public sector universities
The ‘efficient city’ government
Old pensioners & senior citizens
Swindling common man
Serializing Chachnama
Financial leakages
Traffic mess is our own mess
Looming dangers
Why recognize Israel?
IN the wake of the latest developments in the NWFP with regard to the MMA’s Shariat bill, a debate has started over its validity, and more so the limit and extent to which the proposed law will be effective. Just as there is a widespread concern in various walks of life, there has been an enormous outcry in the progressive women’s circles.
In the international media, specially in Western circles, there has been a significant expression of harshness in regard to the Shariat move. Many call it a Talibanization process, some think it barbaric, though there are many countries where Islamic laws are practised. Most fundamental has been the fact that the MMA elite has always been pro-Taliban, and this reality will never let the West accept any such move. Another point being considered is that the Musharraf regime might have had a deal with the MMA in order to have them accept the legality of the uniform.
There will be a direct impact of the Shariat bill on the women, not only in the NWFP but also in other three provinces, in due course. The provisions in the Shariat regarding the status of women is respectful, but there seems to be an urgency on the part of the MMA government which wants to emulate the Taliban by introducing the ‘vice and virtue force‘ in the province. The bill not only prohibits women from working but also stops them from interacting with the na-mehrams. The steps taken soon after the passing of the bill, like the destruction of the billboards and harassment of the artistes and singers, have sent out a strong message, specially to the NGOs working in the region.
In the micro aspect, it has been a hasty effort by the government and could have been better planned if only some thinking would have gone into it. This is human nature that whenever we try to impose something on anyone, it is not easily accepted, and might also invite widespread resentment among the masses.
Another grave consequence of the Shariat bill will be the pullout of the top multinationals from the province, and this might propel them even to leave the country. The advertising campaigns will no longer have any woman in them. There will be no women in the sporting arena and total segregation of the sexes will be the order of the day for the people of the Frontier province.
The Shariat bill is a means to set up a truly Islamic state. But with some considerations and timely actions, such as taking it step by step, it could benefit much more. It will also give time to the foreign media to assess that there is nothing wrong with the Shariat being promulgated.
AGHA UMAIR ASIF KHAN
Rawalpindi
THIS is with reference to the letter headlined “Indian Muslim bridegrooms” by Mr Kunwar Khalid Yunus (July 10). This is a matter of surprise for me and many other Pakistanis as to why our policymakers have adopted such a biased attitude towards Indian Muslims.
As a matter of fact, Indian Muslims played a major role for the creation of Pakistan. It is because of them that we, the Pakistanis, are enjoying freedom for which we should remain ever grateful to them and the Pakistani nation should always give them the “most favourite foreign Muslims” status instead of such unreasonable discrimination against them.
We have no objection to the millions of foreign Muslims who have intruded into our country form Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Central Asian countries, etc. Although a big portion of them are not pro-Pakistan, but in the case of Indian Muslims our attitude is biased and unreasonable.
We are very much concerned about the welfare and freedom for our 10 million Kashmiri Muslim brothers, Palestinians, Bosnians and Afghans but do not care about the 200 million Indian Muslims. Why this discrimination? What wrong have they done to Pakistan?
MUKHTAR AHMAD QURESHI
Hyderabad
THIS refers to the letters by Kunwar Khalid Idrees and Mr Fasihul Karim Siddiqui regarding Indian Muslims that they cannot get Pakistani nationality even after marrying a Pakistani girl. I can quote many examples here of many Western nations, be it the US, UK, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, where Pakistani men marry women of these countries just to get their nationality.
We have thousands of Bengalis, Afghans and Burmese in Pakistan who have acquired a Pakistani passport even though they may or may not be a Muslim. They can even vote and contest the general election. What is then wrong in giving Pakistani nationality to an Indian Muslim? After all, Pakistan was created as a separate state for the Muslims of South Asia, and if Israel can welcome every Jew of the world, why can’t Pakistan accept every Muslim?
Finally, I want to say that if an Indian woman can be given Pakistani nationality after marrying a Pakistani man, the same rule can be applied the other way round.
MOHAMMAD MUZAMMIL
Karachi
MS Aileen Qaiser, in her write-up on July 1, has highlighted the deteriorating condition of public sector universities while focusing on the Quaid-i-Azam University. She has made valid points about the fact that almost 90 per cent of the Rs290 million budget was planned for administrative and recurrent expenses and no sizable chunk was reserved for research and development. She has mentioned neglect by the government as the main cause of this decline. In our view, this analysis has only partial validity.
In developed countries, universities receive great contributions by their own alumni or even special interest groups and are not dependent either on state funding or even on students’ tuition fee. The alumni feel proud of being associated with their alma mater in a positive and socially beneficial way. They would form special chairs, maybe in their own names, to encourage the development of knowledge and to establish a culture of dialogue.
In our case, the alumni associations are only established for re-union, annual dinners and socialization. No alumni association in Pakistan can claim to have contributed significantly towards the development of their alma mater. Once in a while you will hear about a dinner or a musical saga in a summer night.
An example was recently set by leading lawyer/environmentalist Dr Pervez Hasan, when, with his sole donation of Rs20 million, a new centre for Environmental Law was established in Punjab University’s Quaid-i-Azam Campus. He said this he owed to his alma mater from where he graduated decades ago.
Such examples are rare and highly individualistic in nature. Not many can even think of donating Rs20 million to a state university.
Therefore, one may not have to think in terms of millions and institutions. One can start in a small way without compromising on the quality. This small gesture can be as good as establishing a chair or even starting a scholarship.
The public sector universities are our assets; they are the harbouring institutions of our middle class; the backbone of any economy.
JAWAN PAKISTAN
Think Tank on Youth
Lahore
A recent downpour in Karachi made the city district government topsy-turvy, hundreds of commuters were stranded and standing on the roads to get hold of any available vehicle, several buses, motorcars and rickshaws broke down in the middle of the road.
At places like Dr Ziauddin Ahmed Road, near Mama Parsi School on M. A. Jinnah Road and on some portions of Shahrah-i-Liaquat knee-deep water was standing even up to 10pm and almost on all roads there was a great traffic jam resulting in wastage of several hours of the passengers. There was nobody to regulate the traffic, several telephone lines broke down. All this proves that the city district government is not at all ready to face this situation notwithstanding the claims of the administration that adequate arrangements have been made to avoid such a situation.
It is a sad commentary on the efficiency of the government that in spite of more than 50 years having been passed, no permanent remedial measures have been taken. The people expected that with the induction of the elected representatives in the affairs of the city district government the situation will improve but it is a matter of great shame that the expectations of the people have been proved futile.
It is pertinent to point out that our country lays down too much stress on the welfare of the people and well-being of humanity, but in a metropolitan city of such a country the state of affairs is so depressing. In the countries like India and Saudi Arabia the administration is always alert. We hang our heads in shame as they have made excellent arrangements to face such problems.
It is time the elected representatives took interest and discharged their responsibilities entrusted to them by the people of Karachi.
KASHAN AHMED
Karachi
I CANNOT resist the temptation of putting down a few lines in support of the expression of “Vanishing pensioners” by Mr Mirza Ghulam Haider in your issue of June 30.
No government is worth anything if the nation‘s senior citizens are in agony and misery. It is, therefore, urged that all old pensioners over the age of 65 years should be brought at par with the new pensioners‘ scales even if the government has to impose new taxes on import/export. I would further urge the authorities to:
1. Give 50 per cent concession to the senior citizens in PIA, railways and all other public transports.
2. Half rate on POL up to 200 litres per month.
3. No valid registration on one car or motorcycle/scooter.
LT-COL (R) RIAZ MOHIUD DIN
Karachi
THE law says: Whosoever offers or undertakes to offer, in connection with any trade or business or sale of any commodity, any prize, reward or other similar consideration, by whatever name called, whether in money or in kind, against any coupon ticket, number or figure, or any other device, as an inducement or encouragement to trade or business or to buying of any commodity, or for the purpose of popularizing any commodity, and whoever publishes any such offer, shall be punishable with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to six months, or with fine, or with both.
I appeal to the authorities concerned and the chief justice of Pakistan, through these columns, to look into the matter and take suo motu action against all those who are engaged in illegal and un-Islamic business of swindling the common man’s earning in the guise of such schemes.
K. WALI NIZAMI
Karachi
THIS refers to the letter by Mr Hussain Tejani (July 3). I may suggest that English translation of Chachnama (ancient history of Sindh in the form of Arabic folklore) be published/serialized in the leading English newspapers like Dawn.
It will not only be befitting homage to eminent scholar Mirza Qalich Beg but will also enlighten many of us about what Sindh was then and what it is now, as well as about the issues, if any.
The great work done by Shams-ul-Ulema Mirza Qalich Beg in reproducing the history of Sindh for the educated people of his time is no no mean achievement. The Chachnama is perhaps one of the most scarce books nowadays.
ABDULLAH MAHESAR
Islamabad
WILL the finance ministry answer the following questions:
1. How much did it cost to hold the general election, pay salaries and perks to the desk-thumping MNAs and senators in eight months without a single law being passed?
2. How much did it cost to keep Asif Zardari in an air-conditioned hospital sub-jail for seven years without any decision in 16 cases against him? What was the loss incurred from not admitting private patients in this hospital’s private ward? 3. How much did it cost to play hide-and-seek with the sick wife and harmless daughters of Shahbaz Sharif by the various government agencies for four days in Lahore?
DR ZARINA KHAN
Islamabad
THE chaotic condition and traffic mess on city roads is partly attributed to the drivers’ apathy to traffic rules and uncontrolled tendencies for aggressive driving. This syndrome cannot be controlled by any traffic rules or the police.
The motorists must accept their personal responsibility to abide by the rules. Secondly, the traffic management by the Traffic Engineering Bureau suffers from serious mismanagement and organizational disability. Most roads lack proper traffic signs and those marked have mostly been obliterated. The lane-lines markings are defective and a contributing factor to the traffic mess.
The chaos is witnessed more often at unmanned crossings where vehicles stand in the middle of the crossing obstructing the traffic to cross over from the other side. More often the breach of regulations is seen when two buses race to overtake each other.
It will be sheer injustice to blame the police for drivers’ apathy to traffic regulations. The police cannot drive cars for us. We have to drive by the book. But a nation in a mad race for nothing cannot be taught traffic regulations.
A. R. AKHTAR
Karachi
THE ‘palace revolution’ of 1958 by Gen Ayub Khan turned the government into a ‘shuttlecock’ between the politicians and the generals because of their ‘uncompromising lust’ for ruling the country.
Their ‘hide-and-seek’ for power spearheaded a political deadlock in the wake of the general election held in 1970; it caused the parting of the ways among the fellow-citizens hailing from the eastern and western wing of Pakistan.
Again, the general election of October 10, 2002, created a confusing deadlock to the extent that the government of the country could not be formed even after a month ending on Nov 10, 2002. If at all it comes to stay, it will be like a shadow without any substance.
Every now and then the fruitless vacillation of power from the politicians to the generals and vice versa relegated the national exchequer/foreign policy of the country to the serfdom of foreign loans/ America and subjected their countrymen to the agony of ever-rising poverty/unemployment/ enhanced utility bills, besides rapidly declining socio-politico- cum-economic justice, which provides royal living and heavenly facilities only to the rulers and the parliamentarians.
At this crossroads of political dissensions within, we can only pray to God to save the remaining Pakistan from external dangers looming large around it.
MIRZA GHULAM HAIDER
Karachi
RECOGNIZING Israel will throw Pakistan in a maelstrom of devastating crises and internal conflicts. It will badly demoralize the people, specially those in the civil and military services. Pakistanis, like all other Muslims, know that the Zionist state is, and has proved to be, the most virulent enemy of the Muslim countries and the religion of Islam and, therefore, have deep innate hatred for this state.
Recognizing Israel will mean automatically recognizing “Greater Israel”, as the ‘claim’ for its territory is included in the Zionist Jews’ ‘claim’ for the so-called biblical “Land of Israel”, on the basis of which they managed to create the state of Israel. Remember, Madinah Munawwara and Jeddah are also included in the boundaries of “Greater Israel.” However fictitious and mythical it may be, Israel is well on its way to making it a reality with the help of the US military power.
Warning against the Israeli aims of expansion, Professor Roger Garaudy, in his authoritative book The Case of Israel: A Study of Political Zionism, observes: “These megalomaniac aims are all the more dangerous in that, up to now, even in its craziest mythological speculations, the Zionist state has performed every task that it publicly set itself..”
The Israelis know that the countries which recognize the present state of Israel are, without realizing it, recognizing the state of Greater Israel. Few people know that Israel has no official defined boundaries. It has kept its boundaries open — to be defined only when “Greater Israel” comes into being.
Since the illegitimate birth of Israel in May 1948, our nation has lived without recognizing it, and without incurring any loss on this account. Please do not disturb this situation. It is the enemies of Pakistan, led by Israel itself, who desperately want to change this situation, as it will clear the way for their currently stalled schemes to demolish the unity and integrity of Pakistan, as well as for accomplishment of the other Israeli/ Zionist aims, which include demolishing Masjid-i-Aqsa and building on its site a so-called Temple of Solomon. No matter how pliant the government of Pakistan may become to Israel or how much it may try to please the Zionist state and the US, the Zionist/Israeli aims against Pakistan will not be diminished, nor will the Israeli-Indian axis be weakened.
Please realize that Israel is the real instigator behind the US pursuit of systematically destroying Muslim countries by military power and occupying their territory and enslaving their population. And we should keep it in mind that ‘Pakistan is as much a target in this ruthless US-Israeli pursuit as are Iran, Syria, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Yemen, Indonesia, Malaysia and the other major Muslim countries.
Evidence that Israel masterminded the 9-11 terror has already surfaced. Before long, this gross treachery will be confirmed and would be known worldwide. You can imagine its consequences. Subsequently, it will also get exposed that the Al Qaeda was raised by the Jewish agency — world Zionist organization’s principal arm setup in Jerusalem in 1929. And that Mossad is directing the Al Qaeda, and employing it to engineer acts of terrorism in the various target countries to advance and implement the Zionist aims.
I strongly recommend that the president and the other authorities study the GoP files opened on the subject of Israel after its creation, and note the Quaid-i-Azam’s comments and his decision to reject recognition to the Zionist state. In his numerous speeches, he emphasized the fact that the Palestine problem was a problem for the entire world of Islam and not just of the Arabs.
At this time of political turbulence in Pakistan and fears of looming strategic threats from the Zionist-American offensive against the Muslim world, and when Israel’s sinister aims of expansion and dominance have become apparent, no thought of recognizing the Zionist state should be entertained.
T. MAJEED
Lahore
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